A Tax and Spending Pledge? Where Do I Sign Up?

by David Safier

(TASL) When I learned in Tucson Weekly that a group of concerned citizens was asking people to sign a Tax and Spending Pledge, my heart pounded and my hands shook. I couldn’t link to the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers website fast enough.

Imagine my heartbreak when I discovered the group wants city council members, county supervisors and candidates to “promise not to vote for any FY 2009 budget that is greater than the FY 2008 budget, not vote for any increase in total property tax levies, and not vote to increase any sales taxes or impact fees, even by means of voter referenda.”

And I thought these guys were my friends!

But I’m not the kind to withhold information, even if it goes against my most deeply held principles, so for anyone interested, here is the actual 2008 Tax and Spending Pledge form. If you believe in your heart of hearts that we must never increase taxes for any reason, here is the place you can put your signature where your principles are.

Heck, I’ll even link you to the group’s video, A Special Message from Wally the Wallet. It’s a treat, if for no other reason than to see Wally the Wallet in action.

UPDATE: Tom Jenney was a wee bit upset with Jim Nintzel at the Tucson Weekly for writing about the Tax and Spend pledge in a less than flattering way. Jenny posted a reply on Sonoran Alliance. I know why he didn’t go after me. It’s because I posted that flattering photo of Jenney’s BFF, Wally the (Empty) Taxpayer Wallet. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, Jim!