-Jacksonville taxpayers urge remaining City Council members to Follow Example-

The Florida chapter of Americans for Prosperity today applauded the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee for rejecting Mayor Peyton's $60 million property tax hike by a unanimous 6-0 vote.

“By standing up to the Mayor, the Finance Committee took a brave step, and they should be commended for putting the taxpayers first,” said Dan Quiggle, state chairman of Americans for Prosperity.  “However, the citizens will not rest until this outrageous tax hike has been rejected by the full City Council.”

Americans for Prosperity is leading an aggressive grassroots effort against Mayor Petyton’s proposed tax increases, organizing citizens to call and email City Council members and urge them to stand up against the property tax hike.  
AFP members have shown up at Peyton's public meetings and distributed flyers exposing the financial impact of such tax hikes on Jacksonville citizens.  Additionally, AFP has purchased radio ads on WOKV and WBOB encouraging taxpayers to call the City Council.

"Families and businesses have been cutting back, but government spending is growing out of control,” stated Vic Wilhelm, Jacksonville resident and Americans for Prosperity member.  “Mayor Peyton signed a pledge promising to oppose any tax increase.  He is insulting the taxpayers by ignoring this pledge.”

AFP has been a strong proponent against Mayor Peyton's proposed tax increases in the past, despite the fact that Jacksonville city government spending has increased by over $100 million in the last three years.

“Americans for Prosperity defeated Mayor Peyton's proposed $250 million property tax hike in 2008,” said Quiggle. “The voices of Jacksonville taxpayers were heard then and we intend to send the same message now: ‘No new taxes!’”