As Tax Fight Comes to Washington, CSE Answers the Call

Washington Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) announced today that they have formed a political action committee to oppose Initiative 884, Governor Gary Locke’s plan to raise state sales taxes by more than a billion dollars. The committee has been filed as the League of Freedom Voters and will be chaired by former Washington State House Speaker and current CSE board member, Clyde Ballard. The group is also launching a web site at www.freedomvoters.org.

Mr. Ballard has a long history of defending the taxpayers against Governor Locke’s tax hike schemes and will serve as chief spokesman for this opposition campaign. “Once again those who believe that raising taxes and spending without accountability are trying to pass an initiative without revealing the true costs to the families and the economy of our state,” Ballard said. “This is a great opportunity for ordinary citizens who end up paying for these proposals to send a direct message to those pushing this 15% sales tax increase. The answer is no new taxes, live within your means.”

Clyde Ballard served in the state legislature from 1983-2002 and as Speaker of the House of Representatives for seven years. He is a national board member of Citizens for a Sound Economy and is available for further comment and media interviews (509.884.5239).

Washington CSE Director Jamie Daniels said the PAC was named the League of Freedom Voters to represent their advocacy for the accountability and fiscal responsibility that is vital to our freedom and to promote free market principles as a better way. “We plan to show a direct contrast to the League of Education Voters that will be promoting higher taxes and new government spending in an unstable economy with this initiative,” commented Daniels.

Within the last year, Citizens for a Sound Economy has effectively lead grassroots efforts that have beaten similar tax hike schemes in Alabama, New Hampshire, Florida, and most recently in Oregon. By engaging the League of Freedom Voters, CSE intends to use the same strategies and tactics in Washington that have proven successful in these other states.