This LTE was sent to every newspaper in the state around town meeting time and eventually was printed up in only around four. Efforts to discredit the Pledge and Pledge-takers did not work however, as record numbers of candidates have promised to do what they can to stop broad-based taxes from being instituted. Since this group is likely going to persist, the letter is a good reference for future town meetings.
To the editor:
The “so-called” Granite State Fair Tax Coalition has succeeded in infiltrating 89 town meetings and have had various warrant articles placed on the ballot. Some towns may have amended the article that will appear on the ballot to reverse the meaning, and some have even added an outright call for a new tax, so read carefully before you vote.
Basically these articles would like you reject the Pledge by discouraging candidates from taking it or by not voting for candidates who have taken it so they can leave the dialog open for more discussion about ‘fairer’ taxes. This is a non-binding resolution. But it is the first step in the demonization of The Pledge and those who take it, under the premise that they are preventing the legislature from considering more ‘fair’ ways of taxation.
You cannot legislate away the ‘free speech’ of candidates. Candidates will continue to take the pledge as offered by CNHT as seen here:
Link: The Pledge (large size)
Even Governor Lynch signed our Pledge.
Taking the Pledge simply means that fiscally responsible legislators promise to reject any broad-based new tax such as a sales or income tax. Along with the goal of getting candidates to reject the Pledge, the articles may even be amended to specifically state the consideration of an income or sales tax.
Instead of asking for yet another tax, and that is just what this is, why aren’t these ‘fairness’ crusaders of the deceptively named “Granite State Fair Tax Coalition” instructing people on how to go to their town meetings and vote NO on excessive spending? Why are they instead bent on DEFEATING SB2 – secret ballot voting? Makes no sense.
Accusing Pledge-takers of keeping taxes high, is an unproven foregone conclusion and an insult.
Studies such as the Yankee Institute of Connecticut’s “Fifteen Years of Folly” proved that the added burden of a state income and sales tax made NO significant impact on the lowering of property taxes.
Can GSFTC shows us even ONE document that proves otherwise? No.
Finally, GSFTC is NOT a bona-fide ‘grassroots’ group but a well-funded branch of a larger cabal of groups influenced by national and international interests, who are themselves tax-exempt. Because of who they are, they DO NOT belong in town meetings looking to pave the way for more taxation at the state level, even if this were an appropriate place to lobby for such taxes.
CNHT is a true user-driven NH-only taxpayer advocacy group that gets no outside funding or is subject to outside influences. It’s truly grassroots and funded by small donors in the state of NH.
GSFTC’s list of supporting groups include Soros and Rockefeller.