News
RELEASE: YES On 4 Leads in New Poll, Earns Support of Business Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 28, 2009
PORTLAND - The YES On 4 | TABOR NOW campaign held a press conference in Portland today to highlight new poll results showing more Maine voters support Question 4 to limit government spending and require voter approval of spending and tax hikes. At the press conference, the YES On 4 campaign also highlighted the support from Maine's business community.
A Critical Insights poll of 600 likely Maine voters, conducted October 23-26, shows YES On Question 4 leading with 47 percent. 8 percent remain undecided, while 45 percent are opposed to the measure. These results come after the opposition campaign outspent proponents at a rate of 12 to 1.
At the event, an analysis of opponents' funding sources was also provided. Based on funding reports, Citizens Unified to Protect Maine's Future, the principal political action committee (PAC) working to defeat tax and spending relief, raised $1,892,874 between July 16 and October 20.
PAC reports reveal that, in donations and in-kind contributions, 67 percent of their funding, $1,274,216, came from union bosses and out-of-state special interests including the SEIU, the National Education Association and other forced union dues-funded Big Labor groups. 20 percent of their funding, $370,000, came from S. Donald Sussman, a Connecticut resident and Wall Street hedge fund founder whose firm received $200 million in taxpayer-funded bailout money. Another $170,219-9 percent of Citizens Unified's funding-was received from the Maine Municipal Association, which is funded entirely by Mainers' property tax dollars. Less than 1 percent of the group's funding was raised from Maine citizens.
"Follow the money, and it becomes clear," said Tarren Bragdon, CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center. "Even though opponents of Question 4 are outspending us at a rate of 12 to 1, they are running a campaign funded by union bosses and DC special interests, an out-of-state Wall Street bailout recipient, and our own tax dollars. But still, YES On 4 continues to lead in the polls and attract the support of Maine's citizens and business community."
The press conference also highlighted the support for Question 4 among Maine's business community. The YES on 4 campaign has received endorsements from the Portland Regional Chamber, the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, Maine Motor Transport Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine, Maine Merchants Association and many small business owners across the State.
Chris Hall, Senior Vice President-Government Affairs for the Portland Regional Chamber, spoke in support of Question 4 at the event. "We encourage Maine's business community to support a YES On Question 4 vote, to achieve the tax-and-spending predictability and responsible fiscal policies that will attract new jobs and investment to Maine," Hall said. "Question 4 is our chance to create a thriving economy that will help us improve the services Maine offers its residents, and create new opportunities for success."
Question 4 on the November 3 ballot asks: "Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes?"
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CONTACT
David Crocker, Chairman david@tabornow.com
YES On 4 | TABOR NOW