Saturday July 31st 2010

News Links

What Multnomah County Employees Make
Date: July 26th, 2010
Publication: Oregon Politico.com
Author: various

 A listing of Multnomah County employees and their total compensation - salary, health insurance, PERS, etc.  Revealing.


Cities Rent Police, Janitors to Save Cash
Date: July 19th, 2010
Publication: Wall Street Journal
Author: Tamara Audi

 Facing tremendous deficits, cities are realizing that too many government employees - and their outsized salary and benefit packages - are the problem


New Jersey Looks to Privatization to Solve Bloated Government
Date: July 9th, 2010
Publication: NorthJersey.com
Author: CLAIRE HEININGER

 A Commission reports back to Governor Christie with an aggressive plan to downsize government and improve services.


In Budget Crisis, States Take Aim at Pension Costs
Date: June 19th, 2010
Publication: New York Times
Author: Mary Williams Walsh

 States facing long-term budget problems created by government employee union demands begin to scale back on gold-plated retirement benefits.

To Avoid Voter Rage, Democrats Skip Town Halls
Date: June 6th, 2010
Publication: Politico.com
Author: Jeff Zeleny

 After being hammered on health care, wasteful spending, debt and a myriad of other issues, Democrats stop listening to their constituents.


Why US Debt Matters to You
Date: June 3rd, 2010
Publication: CNNMoney.com
Author: Jeanne Sahadi

 It's not just your kids and grandkids who will be impacted by President Obama and the Democrats federal spending and debt spree.

Tea Partiers Seek 'Teachable Moment,' Not Oregon Teacher's Job
Date: April 20th, 2010
Publication: Fox News.com
Author: Jana Winter

 Oregon Tea Party takes high road in case of teacher who called them 'racists, homophobes and morons.'  Anger management, sensitivity training should be on tap for angry Beaverton School District teacher.

Foes of Tea Party Movement to Infiltrate Rallies
Date: April 12th, 2010
Publication: Associated Press
Author: Valerie Bauman

 The real racists, bigots and homophobes want to crash April 15 Tea Parties

Rallying for Freedom
Date: April 10th, 2010
Publication: Albany Democrat-Herald
Author: AnneMarie Knepper

 AFP kicks off "Tea Party" season with a gathering in Albany - the first of more than 25 AFP sponsored or co-sponsored events this week.


Nearly Half of US Households Escape Fed Income Tax
Date: April 7th, 2010
Publication: Associated Press
Author: Stephen Ohlemacher

 Forty percent of households make a "profit" on the tax system through refundable credits, while the top 10 percent pay 73 percent of all federal income taxes

Oregon Pear Growers Sour on Land Law
Date: April 2nd, 2010
Publication: Wall Street Journal
Author: Joel Millman

 The law of unintended consequences catches up with central land-use planners as Oregon pear production plummets


Health Care Law Too Costly, Most Say
Date: March 29th, 2010
Publication: USA Today
Author: Susan Page

 By a strong majority, Americans believe the health care legislation will hurt their ability to receive good health care.


Tea Party Ignites Passions
Date: March 18th, 2010
Publication: Portland Tribune
Author: Steve Law

Fact Check: Premiums Would Rise Under Obama Plan
Date: March 17th, 2010
Publication: Associated Press
Author: RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

 The President misleads the nation about the impact of health reform on health insurance premiums which would continue to rise dramatically under his plan.

How Portland teachers use online classes, walking tours, yoga workshops—and your tax dollars—to
Date: March 17th, 2010
Publication: Willamette Week
Author: Beth Slovic

Under the guise of "continuing education" taxpayers pay for Mickey Mouse courses that allow teachers to receive higher pay and benefits

PERS Making Risky Investments to Recover
Date: March 12th, 2010
Publication: Victoria Taft Blog
Author: Pete the Banker

 The Oregon State government employee retirement system appears to have about 20 percent less money then it needs to pay promised future benefits.  If this were a private pension plan, it would be illegal.

Health Care: Going from Broken to Broke
Date: March 12th, 2010
Publication: Fortune.com
Author: Shawn Tully

 Despite the President's promises, the proposed health care plan would cause more US borrowing.

Lincoln City Gas Tax Shut Down
Date: March 12th, 2010
Publication: Newport News Times
Author: Terry Dillman

 AFP volunteers gather signatures to refer, then campaign and defeat tax increase in Lincoln City

Government Workers Feel No Economic Pain
Date: March 11th, 2010
Publication: Washington Times
Author: David M. Dickson

 While millions of Americans suffer in tough economic times, government workers enjoy job security and wages and benefits better than the private sector can offer.

Taking Responsibility for Earmarks
Date: March 11th, 2010
Publication: Politico.com
Author: Tim Phillips, AFP President

Fixing America's Fiscal Crisis
Date: March 5th, 2010
Publication: Fortune Magazine (Online version)
Author: Shawn Tully

 Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan has a plan the Congressional Budget Office says will get the US completely out of debt by mid-century by making Americans more responsible for themselves instead of relying on government

Next Oregon Budget Will Need Another Federal Bailout
Date: February 17th, 2010
Publication: The Oregonian
Author: Harry Esteve

 Despite hammering individuals and businesses for $733 million in new taxes, the next budget may require billions in new federal spending to support the massive spending increases necessary to please the government employee unions.


Tea Party Convention: Lessons on Palin and the Movement
Date: February 8th, 2010
Publication: Yahoo.com/Time
Author: Jay Newton-Small

Recession Chugs On, Except in Government
Date: February 8th, 2010
Publication: Washington Examiner
Author: Editorial Board

Boston College Study Shows $70 Billion in Wealth Leaving New Jersey
Date: February 4th, 2010
Publication: Forbes.com
Author: Staff

 Higher taxes on "the rich" cause them to flee New Jersey - hurting state revenues and charitable giving. 

Business Advisory on Measure 67
Date: February 1st, 2010
Publication: Oregon Business Report
Author: Patrick J. Green & John A. DiLorenzo, Jr.

 Reviews what strategies businesses which decide to remain in Oregon may take to minimize the destructive impact of Measure 67


Measure 66 & 67 Results, County-by-County
Date: January 28th, 2010
Publication: Oregon Business Report
Author: Staff

 This appears to combine the two Measures

C'mon Over!
Date: January 28th, 2010
Publication: Vancouver Columbian
Author: Editorial Board

 The Columbia recognizes the fatal flaw of Measures 66 & 67 better than Oregon voters.

Obama Has Suspicious Number of Letter-Writing Fans Named "Ellie Light"
Date: January 22nd, 2010
Publication: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Author: Sabrina Eaton

 A Democrat operative gets outed for providing phony addresses for letters to the editor across the country.

Street Fee Opponents Begin Gathering Signatures
Date: January 20th, 2010
Publication: Dallas Itemizer-Observer
Author: Jolene Guzman

Harney County Residents Turn Out for People's Tea Party
Date: January 20th, 2010
Publication: Burns Times Herald
Author: Tim Smith

Anti-Tax Advocates Quietly Roll Out New Strategy
Date: January 18th, 2010
Publication: The Oregonian
Author: Dana Tims

 AFP joins with allies to win battles to limit government at the local level.


Anti-Business Climate Nurtures 66, 67
Date: January 16th, 2010
Publication: The Oregonian
Author: Phil Knight

 Nike Chairman calls 66, 67, "Oregon Assisted Suicide Law II"  Nuff Said.

Oregon at the Tax Crossroad
Date: January 15th, 2010
Publication: Wall Street Journal
Author: Editorial Board

 



Don't Believe That $10 Big Lie
Date: January 15th, 2010
Publication: McMinnville News Register
Author: Jeb Bladine

 The paper's editor and publisher lays out what's behind the News Register paying "only" $10 in state taxes last year.

City Council Passes Street Maintenance Fee
Date: January 13th, 2010
Publication: Salem Statesman Journal
Author: Justin Much

 AFP Polk County Chapter Leader organizes opposition to street fee - referral effort under way.


Lawmakers Need to Find Better Solution
Date: January 10th, 2010
Publication: Salem Statesman-Journal
Author: Editorial Board

 Another major paper joins the chorus against job killing tax increases


Raising Taxes in a Recession is Not the Solution
Date: January 10th, 2010
Publication: Roseburg News Review
Author: Editorial Board

Tax Measures Debated at Forum
Date: January 8th, 2010
Publication: La Grande Observer
Author: Bill Rautenstrauch

 AFP Union County Chapter and La Grande Chamber of Commerce bring tax fight to La Grande


Douglas County group protests health care reform
Date: January 5th, 2010
Publication: Roseburg News-Review
Author: Inka Bajandas

 AFP East Douglas County Chapter stages "Die-In" over Obamacare.

The Oregonian - Wrong Time, Wrong Taxes: Vote No on 66, 67
Date: January 3rd, 2010
Publication: The Oregonian
Author: Editorial Board

 In a rare break from their support of Democrats and government unions, the Oregonian Editorial Board meets a tax it doesn't like.


Seven Conservative Power Players to Watch in 2010
Date: December 30th, 2009
Publication: Politics Daily
Author: Matt Lewis

 Among those on this 'watchlist" are AFP National President Tim Phillips and AFP grassroots activists nationwide

Tax Foes Organize Protest
Date: December 26th, 2009
Publication: The World (Coos Bay)
Author: Nate Traylor

 AFP Joins with allies to urge a "no" vote on Measures 66 & 67


Scores Turn Out to Voice Health Care Concerns at Capitol
Date: November 21st, 2009
Publication: Salem Statesman Journal
Author: Justin Much

 Docs 4 Patient Care rally brings coalition together - 4 times as many rally against as for government take over of health care as US Senate debates.


Hot Air Tour Event Coverage
Date: November 18th, 2009
Publication: The Oregonian/Oregon Live
Author: Matthew Preusch/Aimee Green

 "Why are there so many of them?" Epstein asked. "This is Portland. We're supposed to be green. ...This is very upsetting."  I mean, that says it all, doesn't it?


Four Petitions Seek to Limit Damascus Government
Date: October 30th, 2009
Publication: The Oregonian
Author: Dana Tims

AFP-Oregon partners with Ask Damascus to rein in expansionist government


AFP Chapter Leader Helps Lift American Flag Ban
Date: October 15th, 2009
Publication: The Washington Times
Author: Jim Robbins

 AFP Multnomah County Chapter Leader Jeff Reynolds uses Facebook to help spike a misguided anti-American flag policy at an Albany apartment complex


Last Push For Tax Challenge Underway
Date: September 23rd, 2009
Publication: Illinois Valley News
Author: Scott Jorgensen

 AFP efforts accelerate as deadline for signatures approaches


Hundreds Gather for Protest in GP
Date: September 16th, 2009
Publication: Illinois Valley News
Author: Scott Jorgensen

 AFP's Josephine County Chapter organizes a big 9-12 rally in Grants Pass


Editor's Mailbag: Watching Others Too?
Date: September 15th, 2009
Publication: Albany Democrat Herald
Author: Kathleen Lazare

Secretary of State's private investigators look into AFP training prompts reader response


Investigation into AFP Signature Campaign Finds "Thorough training"
Date: September 10th, 2009
Publication: The Oregonian
Author: Jeff Mapes

Tea Party Takes Over Pioneer Courthouse Square
Date: September 8th, 2009
Publication: Jeff Mapes Blog, The Oregonian
Author: Jeff Mapes

Tea Party patriots rally in the heart of Oregon liberalism and gather signatures to ask voters to repeal the Legislature's $2 billion in tax increases.


State tax increases spark political battle
Date: September 4th, 2009
Publication: Medford Mail Tribune
Author: Elon Glucklich

The Ashland League of Women Voters drops its pretense of being non-partisan by speaking out in favor of tax increases and denying women a vote on them, while AFP fights to give all voters a say in the debate over job killing tax increases.


Want our government to get off our backs and out of our pocketbooks
Date: July 8th, 2009
Publication: Forest Grove News-Times
Author: Jeffery Reynolds

 AFP and other groups march together in the Hillsboro 4th of July Parade


AFP Takes on Tax Increases
Date: June 24th, 2009
Publication: Illinois Valley News
Author: Scott Jorgensen

The Oregon Travail
Date: June 20th, 2009
Publication: The Wall Street Journal
Author: None

AFP To Ask Voters for Tax Referral
Date: June 12th, 2009
Publication: Capital Press (Salem)
Author: Mitch Lies

 State Director Jeff Kropf says AFP will join in effort to repeal billions in tax and fee increases.


AFP Defending the American Dream Summit
Date: May 30th, 2009
Publication: Eugene Register Guard
Author: David Steves

 AFP grassroots activists meet to discuss battling tax increases while Legislators stay insulated in the Capitol


AFP Defending the American Dream Summit
Date: May 30th, 2009
Publication: Oregon Catalyst
Author: In The News

More than 300 people take Friday off to rally against tax increases


AFP Defending the American Dream Summit
Date: May 30th, 2009
Publication: Associated Press - KGW.com
Author: Brad Cain, AP

Local and national speakers urge Oregon activists to fight tax increases, take State back


AFP Defending the American Dream Summit
Date: May 29th, 2009
Publication: Finding Ponies Blog
Author: Jim Fister

Notes and commentary written live from the summit by Blogger Jim Fister


AFP Ethics Complaint Upheld
Date: May 20th, 2009
Publication: Lakeside Info

 A Lakeside City Council member is fined for inappropriate behavior after AFP files an ethics complaint.


AFP Members Win Court Case
Date: November 17th, 2008
Publication: Upper Rogue Independent
Author: Editor

 Local paper picks up AFP press release