Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce terrible on tax issues (once again)

Endorses two tax hikes

and takes a dive on limited government

So often, we hear about how business interests are "conservative" and back a limited government agenda. In greater Cincinnati, nothing could be further from the truth.

 

This year, as just one example, the Chamber released its ballot issue endorsements, and once again they entirely favor a bigger government and higher tax agenda. Indeed, COAST cannot remember the last time the Chamber actually opposed a tax hike. Not once in recent memory.

 

This year, the Chamber has endorsed higher property taxes for the hospitalization levy, including millions annually to Children's Hospital that has a $2 billion endowment (that's with a "B"), and the Children's Services levy.

 

The Chamber then opposed Issues 47 and 48, which would, respectively, prevent the City from creating a brand new tax -- a trash tax -- and from building the $135 million streetcar that threatens to bankrupt the City.

 

COAST fully expects the Chamber to back the massive earnings tax increase that Mayor Mallory and Council members Qualls and Thomas are plotting for just after the November elections.

 

Remember, this is the same Chamber that endorsed the Super-Sized Jail Tax, the Light Rail Tax, using tax dollars to bring the Olympics to Cincinnati, the sales tax for the Stadiums and the abominable Bengals Lease, the new tax for the Convention Center Expansion, and the Drake Levy.

 

This is the same Chamber of Commerce that earlier this year, wrote to Governor Kasich and asked that he waste $52 million in state funds on the Streetcar project.

 

Some COASTers have quit the Chamber, others have never joined and still others stay on board to try to temper the Chamber's lunge in the direction of bigger government.

Join us for COAST Picnic

October 2, 2011 at 4 PM

Once again, COAST's NorthCOAST Chapter, under the able leadership of Kim Grant, Roseann Siderits and Del Landis, is the host of our fifth annual COAST Picnic.

The details are below. RSVP to Kim Grant if you can join us, kgrant5ATcinciDOTrrDOTcom .

Last year's picnic included COASTer Steve Johnson who revealed the facts underlying the Votes-for-Ice-Cream-Scandal that rocked the Cincinnati Public Schools. One never knows what this year's Picnic has in store.

Our featured speaker this year is Second District Congressional Candidate Dr. Brad Wenstrup.

5th ANNUAL NORTH COAST PICNIC

Date: Sunday October 2nd, 2011

Time: 4:00/ Dinner served at 5:00

Place: Blue Ash Recreation Center/Park

Oak Shelter

4343 Cooper Rd.

Cincinnati, OH 45242

Featured Speaker: Dr. Brad Wenstrup

Cost: $5.00 per person for Chicken & Drinks. Please bring your favorite side dish to share.

R.S.V.P. to Kim by responding to kgrant5ATcinciDOTrrDOTcom

Looking forward to a fun and relaxing evening!

Hope to see you all there! Del, Kim & Roseann

Directions: From Cincinnati take I-71 North to Pfeiffer Rd. Turn left on Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer will become Glendale-Milford. Turn left on Reed Hartman Hwy. Turn left on Cooper Rd. Look for Blue Ash Recreation Center (Pool). Reserved pavilion will be in back of pool.

From Lebanon, Mason, West Chester: Take 71 South to Pfeiffer Rd and turn right. Proceed with above directions.

You can help on state issues 2 & 3

COAST adopts westside phone bank

 

COAST needs your help to move Ohio toward a strong and healthy economy. Please join us at our Greater Cincinnati Area-West phone bank at 3012 Glenmore Avenue and help us tell others why Issue 2 (upholding Senate Bill 5) and Issue 3 (the Health Care Freedom Amendment) are critical in moving Ohio forward and creating a brighter future for all of us. The phone bank is open now until the election.

Here are details about the Greater Cincinnati Area-West Phone bank:

Where: 3012 Glenmore Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 Third floor right off the elevator

When: phone bank hours are Monday-Saturday 9-9 and Sunday 12-4.

Questions: If you want to volunteer, but another time works better for you, or if you have questions or would prefer to make calls from home, please contact AFP-Ohio Field Coordinator Jason Gloyd at jason.gloyd@gmail.com.

Issue 2 (to uphold Senate Bill 5) will help bring more accountability to government, give taxpayers a greater voice in how their tax dollars are spent, help us reign in government spending, avoid job-killing tax hikes that Ohioans just can't afford, and make Ohio more competitive for attracting much-needed jobs into the state.

Issue 3 (the Health Care Freedom Amendment) is an amendment in response to the Federal Health Care Plan that mandates every Ohioan purchase health insurance.

Issues 2 and 3 will be won by Ohioans talking with those in their communities about the importance of these issues. Please help us spread the word! The calls are dialed for you and you only have to ask a couple of quick questions, very easy and painless. Any time you can spare between now and the election would greatly appreciated.

Thank you.