Amador County – The Motherlode Taxed Enough Already Party opened a storefront office on Main Street in Jackson last week with an open house and recently released its recommendations on the upcoming statewide propositions.
Public Relations coordinator Virginia Manner said the group has had large turnouts and many people interested in learning more about the group.
The group does not have a president, but has a “facilitator,” in Austin Ford Junior. Manner said Ford stepped down from the Republican Central Committee after taking over as head of the TEA Party.
She said the party locally does not have candidates, or endorse candidates, but it has conducted a candidate forum for the Amador Water Agency board race.
While not taking sides in political office seats in Amador County, Manner said the party has released a list of opinions on how to vote for the statewide voter propositions on the ballot in the November 2nd election.
The Motherlode TEA Party website recommends a “no” vote on Proposition 19, which would legalize and tax marijuana. They also recommend a “no” vote on Prop 21, which would “increase vehicle license fees by $18 a year to fund state parks.
It recommends voting against Prop 22, which prohibits the state government “from taking designated type of local funds.” They also recommend “no” on Prop 24, which “eliminates three business tax breaks,” and Prop 25, which would allow state budget and tax increases to “be passed with a simple majority vote” rather than the current two-thirds majority requirement.
The website recommends voting “no” on Prop 27, which would “return the task of redistricting to the California State Legislature,” and repeal Prop 11. In a similar recommendation, Motherlode TEA Patriots recommend a “yes” vote on Proposition 20, allowing “Congressional district lines to be redrawn by a committee.”
Motherlode TEA Party recommends a “yes” vote on Prop 23, which “suspends AB32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, until unemployment falls below 5.5 percent.” It also recommends a “yes” vote on Prop 26, saying “voters must give permission before any new taxes can be imposed.”
The storefront office at 118 North Main Street in Jackson was funded by passing around the hat at some of the TEA Party functions held locally, where Manner said attendance has been strong. The party office hands out pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution, and is gathering books for a lending library.
She said privately funded T-shirts are for sale. The party has a website, mlteaparty.org, and a Facebook page.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
