Ax the Rail Tax Coalition Commends Governor Scott on SunRail Delay

“The death knell for the SunRail Boondoggle” says Guetzloe

(Orlando) Ax the Rail Coalition, a coalition consisting of Florida’s three largest anti-tax organizations, today commended Governor Rick Scott for the announcement that the Governor is pushing back any decision on the floundering SunRail commuter rail project until after July 1, 2011.

“This is the death knell for the SunRail boondoggle,” stated Ax the Tax Chairman Doug Guetzloe.  “Funeral services will be in July just in time for Independence Day.”  Guetzloe and Ax the Tax has led the fight against the commuter rail boondoggle since 1997.  Ax the Tax has also led the opposition in five (5) public referenda issues on rail, including the most recent victory against the proposed light rail tax in Hillsborough County that resulted in 58% of the taxpayers voting against the tax.  Ax the Tax raised and spent over $100,000 in that successful victory.

“The Governor is certainly sticking to his campaign pledges and working hard to wean these public boondoggles from the public teat,” Guetzloe concluded.

Ax the Tax (www.AxTheTax.org); The Florida Taxpayers Union (www.FloridaTaxpayersUnion) and the TEA Party (www.FloridaTeaParty.US) comprise the leadership of the Ax the Rail Tax Coalition along with the following tea party movement groups: Central Florida Tea Party; Florida Tea Party Patriots; Hispanic Tea Party Patriots; Florida Tea Party; Volusia Tea Party Patriots and the Sumter County Tea Party.

Ax the Tax has led taxpayers in seventeen (17) successful anti-tax referendum victories helping taxpayers save in excess of $47.5 billion over twenty-nine (29) years.

State Coalition of Rail Opponents to Inform Governor Scott to

“Keep his word” on rail objections

Ax the Tax and the TEA Party is endorsing the Reason Foundation report on the dangers of the proposed high speed rail project.

The report, authored by international transportation consultant Wendell Cox and Reason Foundation Project Director Robert W. Poole, “sounds a dangerous warning whistle to the establishment of Obama-led-stimulus rail projects in Florida,” stated Doug Guetzloe, Chairman of Ax the Tax, a statewide political grassroots organization that was the first group to openly oppose rail projects in 1997.  “Wendell Cox and Robert Poole are foremost experts on the dangers of these publicly funded boondoggles.  The High Speed Rail project is Florida’s ‘Big Dig’ – yet another federally backed project whose cost ballooned from $2.8 billion dollars to over $14.8 billion dollars when officially completed twenty-two years (22) after commencement.

Both Wendell Cox and Robert Poole have advised Ax the Tax over the past 14 years on the various aspects of rail and its unpredictable expenses.  Ax the Tax brought Wendell Cox to Orlando to address the issue of light rail in 1999 just prior to the rejection of rail by the Orange County Commission in a 4-3 vote after Ax the Tax led the effort to oppose the rail project.

Ax the Tax and the Tea Party jointly led the successful rejection of rail two months ago by the voters of Hillsborough County and expended over $100,000 to oppose that referendum as well as pro-tax efforts in Polk County and Osceola County.

Ax the Tax has never lost a transportation initiative having assisted taxpayers in defeating over $48 billion in proposed taxes during its 27 years in existence.

Dunmire and Guetzloe have endorsed the actions of Wisconsin Governor Walker; New Jersey Governor Christie and Ohio Governor Kasich who have all rejected similar proposed federally funded rail projects in their states.  “Governor Scott needs to join this crowd of conservative leaders and reject rail for Florida,” stated Dunmire, Chairman of the TEA Party (TEA).

Tea Party leader Peg Dunmire has initiated a voter contact system to assist voters in notifying the Governor’s office of the widespread opposition to both the high speed rail and commuter rail proposals.  The Tea Party endorsed Scott and helped provide the margin of victory in Scott’s razor-thin primary victory over Attorney General Bill McCollum, a strong pro-rail/pro-tax advocate.

REASON FOUNDATION REPORT:

http://reason.org/studies/show/tampa-to-orlando-high-speed-rail-pl

www.AxTheTax.org

www.FloridaTEAParty.US

Heinie Heinzelman

Below are the questions asked in our Liberty questionnaire that went to all Republican candidates for Congressional District 24 seat.  Only 2 have currently responded.  Mr. Heinie Heinzelman was the first to get back with me.  To visit his site and learn more about his campaign CLICK HERE

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1. Will you cosponsor and call for roll call votes on the Audit the Fed bill, designed to bring transparency to the Federal Reserve (H.R. 1207/ S. 604 in the 111th Congress)?   YES

2. Will you support legislation removing capital gains and sales taxes on gold and silver coinage?  Yes

3. Will you vote to oppose any legislation that allows the federal government to prohibit the sale, use, or carrying of firearms?  YES-YES-YES

4. Will you support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution that includes hard spending limits and allows for no increase in taxes or other federal revenue enhancements?  YES

5. Will you support legislation that forbids U.S. troops from serving under United Nations command?  YES

6. Do you support and will you vote to protect states asserting their rights under the Tenth Amendment?  ABSOLUTELY YES!

7. Will you oppose Big Labor’s Card Check bill and any other legislation designed to empower union bosses?  YES, AND GLADLY

8. Do you support U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations?   YES, YOU BETCHA

9. Will you support the American Sovereignty Act to restrict the Executive’s ability to forge international agreements that lessen our sovereignty?    Yes

10. Will you oppose using U.S. forces to occupy a foreign nation without a declaration of war?  Yes

11. Will you oppose any attempt to nationalize our health care system, including any sort of public option for insurance?  YES-YES-YES

12. Will you oppose so-called “Cap and Trade” legislation?   YES-YES-YES

13. Will you vote to eliminate the IRS?   YES, WITH THE FAIR TAX. (And put some of them on illegal immagration control)

14. Will you vote against any budget that increases our debt?  YES, AND GLADLY

15. Will you oppose federal power grabs like roving wiretaps and warrantless searches, and oppose Patriot Act renewal that includes such items?  NEED TO RESEARCH AND EVALUATE FURTHER.

16. Will you oppose any legislation that requires states and citizens to participate in a National Identification Card program?  YES

17. Will you oppose the so-called “NAFTA Superhighway” and any move toward a North American Union?  PROBABLY, BUT STILL REVIEWING

18. Will you support legislation that ensures Members of Congress have at least 72 hours to read any bill before it is allowed to come to the House floor?  NO–I PREFER 72 HOURS FOR UP TO 288 PAGES PLUS 15 MINUTES FOR EVERY PAGE OVER 288.

19. Will you oppose all tax increases?  YES

20. Indicate the tax cuts you are willing to vote for:
Across the Board Income Tax Cut   YES
Capital Gains Tax Cut   YES
Business Tax Cut  YES-YES-YES
Estate Tax Cut   YES

Alan Grayson

(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL) today praised the implementation of the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights (H.R. 627).  Rep. Grayson helped to shepherd this bill through the House Financial Services Committee, and then voted for it in the House.  It contains several strict protections for consumers, including banning unfair interest rate increases, and forbidding abusive fees and penalties by credit card companies.

Congressman Grayson said, “Credit card companies will no longer be able to stick it to middle-class families in Central Florida.  These huge banks charged exorbitant interest rates, and used gimmicks to burden people with unnecessary fees.  These reforms will help hard-working people pay off their debt.”

The so-called “Credit CARD Act” was signed into law on May 22, 2009, and takes effect this week.  A recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts concluded that unfair or deceptive credit card practices hurt families badly before this important law was enacted.  For example, interest rates climbed an average of 20 percent in the first half of 2009, on credit cards representing more than 90 percent of outstanding balances.

As part of the new law, consumers are now given the right to refuse to accept rate hikes, and pay off existing credit card balances under the old rate. Credit card companies also are required to give 45 days’ notice of any rate increases on new purchases.  If a consumer receives notice of a rate hike, he or she can now simply ask the card company to reverse the rate hike and close the account.

Additional provisions of the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights (H.R. 627):

·       Account statements must be sent 21 days in advance of the payment due date.

·       Interest rate hikes on balances are prohibited.

·       Penalty rate increases for payments less than 60 days overdue are banned.

·       Charging interest on debts paid on-time is banned.

·       “Due-date” gimmicks, such as setting morning times for payments before mail is delivered or charging fees for paying a bill by phone or internet, are banned.

·       Promotional rates must last at least six months.

·       A consumer under 21 must demonstrate an ability to pay, or have a parent co-sign, to be eligible for a credit card.

Matthew Falconer for Orange County Mayor won a straw poll in a landslide on Saturday at a candidate forum. The Supervisor of Elections conducted a poll with all Mayoral candidates on the official ballot. I won 73.3% of the vote while all six of my opponents collected only 26% of the vote combined. Only Marco Rubio had more votes (277) to Matthew Falconer (242). Below are the official results;

http://www.teapartypatriotslive.com/2010/02/13/orlando-tea-party-candidate-hob-nob-straw-poll-results/

What is clear from the vote is taxpayers are fed up with government of career politicians serving special interests. The Mayoral opposition candidates on the ballot included four incumbent commissioners with 28 years of “experience.” All four commissioners voted in unison for the taxpayer funded arena, corporate welfare programs, and the $3 billion commuter rail program they still do not know how we are going to pay for. None of the opposition candidates managed 9% of the vote.

In what may be the truest statement in the local media all year, Jane Healy from the Orlando Sentinel said Teresa Jacobs “might be in the wrong party.” I have called Teresa “Pelosi” the most liberal Republican in Florida, see the column below.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-jane-healy-column-021410-20100212,0,3501971.column

I also received an email on Sunday that Mildred Fernandez is on her fifth campaign manager in as many months. The email stated “The Spanish community feels abandoned by her; they think she only wants to deal with rich white folks.” I have heard that statement many times in the past few months.
It is clear the era of “progressive” Republicans, or Republicans in Name Only, is over. I call on my “republican” opponents, Mildred and Teresa, to withdraw from this race and help me defeat the fiscally irresponsible Bill Segal-bama.

With your help, this will be the “Year of the Taxpayer.” Please join me at our precinct walk Saturday February 20th  at 9am in East Orange County (by the Chipotle on Alafaya). We will knock on 700 doors and get out our message of lower taxes and more responsible government. It is time for the taxpayers to get off the couch and take back their government.

There are now five candidates for Orange County Mayor but only two choices; Matthew Falconer who will put Taxpayers First, and all of the rest who will put their special interests first.

Matthew Falconer

From 1995 to 2005 over 1,000,000 people moved to Florida to pursue the American Dream. In 2003 the Florida economy ranked first in the nation, as people invested in new business and unemployment dropped to 3%. From 2002 to 2006 local and state government spending increased from $93 billion to $151 billion. Our “leaders” taxed all of the disposable income from consumers and turned the American Dream into the Florida nightmare. Florida’s economy now ranks 47th in the nation and we are losing population as retirees, second homeowners and small businesses are moving to other states with a lower tax burden.

There is a way to revive the American Dream in Florida. Quite simply, it is to return Florida to a healthy business environment by lowering taxes, tolls and fees. We can achieve this by reducing waste in government and by focusing tax revenues on the core functions of government. That is why I am running for Orange County Mayor. I want to revive the American Dream in Florida, save small business, and put people back to work. Below is a link to my Five Point Plan to bring Florida back to prosperity.

My opponents increased the Orange County budget from $2.2 billion in 2002 to $3.5 billion in 2008. My opponents gave a billionaire $600 million in taxpayer money for a sports arena; they gave $300 million in corporate welfare to one company to bring 150 jobs to Orlando; and they approved a rail project that will cost central Florida taxpayers $1.5 billion without knowing where the money will come from.

The election for Orange County Mayor will be the most important in Orange County history. It will determine if we continue to raise taxes and spend billions on corporate welfare and rail projects, or lower taxes and focus our resources on education and public safety. I have three opponents that have virtually identical voting (spending) records. I can and I will win but I need your help.

This past Saturday we had 25 volunteers in Winter Park gathering petitions and getting our message out. It was great fun and good therapy for people unhappy with government as usual. Please join us Feb. 6th at 9:30 a.m. in Apopka. Send me an email if you can attend.

Please donate to Matthew Falconer for Orange County Mayor and ask your friends to donate as well. Please consider hosting a meet and greet or a fundraiser for the only fiscal conservative running for Orange County Mayor.

http://www.matthewfalconer.com/contribute.htm.

With your help I will restore the American Dream in Orange County.

Thank you.

Matthew Falconer
www.MatthewFalconer.com

– Matt Falconer is currently running in Orange County for the Mayor post.  I support Matt and will be bringing his campaign message over to my readers.

ORLANDO, FL — State Senator Steve Wise announced his endorsement of Armando Gutierrez for Congress today.  Wise has served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate as Chairman of Education Appropriations.

“I’ve worked for years in the legislature with leaders like Governor Jeb Bush and Speaker Daniel Webster to bring conservative government to the citizens of Florida,” stated Senator Steve Wise.  “Armando Gutierrez will fight for our values.  He has what it takes to be a great Congressman.”

Steve Wise, a retired Vice President of Florida Community College,was elected to the Florida Senate in 2001.  He previously served as a State Representative from 1988-2000.

Gutierrez is endorsed by a growing number of Republican leaders, such as former RPOF Chairman Al Cardenas, George P. Bush, Congressman Tom Rooney, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, State House Majority Whip Carlos Lopez-Cantera, State Representative Chris Dorworth, State Representative Bryan Nelson, State Representative Charles Van Zant, State Representative Erik Fresen, State Representative Mike Weinstein, former State Representative Randy Johnson, former Orange County Commissioner Tom Dorman, and the Florida Federation of Young Republicans.

For more information, please visit: www.GoGutierrez.com

Alan Grayson

Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson has launched a website, NamesOfTheDead.com, to honor the 44,000 people who die every year because they don’t have health insurance.

“I have created this project in their memory. I hope that honoring them will help us end this senseless loss of American lives,” Grayson writes on the site. “If you have lost a loved one, please share the story of that loved one with us. Help us ensure that their legacy is a more just America, where every life that can be saved will be saved.”

Grayson announced the site on the House floor today and the NRCC already has a clip of it up under the title, “Alan Grayson’s most shamless stunt yet?”

He begins talking about the website at about 2 minutes in:

Alan Grayson

Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., warned Americans that “Republicans want you to die quickly” during an after-hours House floor speech Tuesday night.

His remarks, which drew angry and immediate calls for an apology from Republicans, were highlighted by a sign reading “The Republican Health Care Plan: Die Quickly.”

Veteran Tennessee Republican Jimmy Duncan abandoned customary reticence to chastise Grayson.

“That is about the most mean-spirited partisan statement that I’ve ever heard made on this floor, and I, for one, don’t appreciate it,” Duncan said.

“It’s fully appropriate that the gentleman return to the floor and apologize,” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, another Tennessee Republican.

But none was forthcoming from Grayson, who said the first part of the GOP approach to health care is: Don’t get sick.

“If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly,” he said.