AFP LAUNCHES 2ND WAVE OF TV ADS HOLDING SENATORS DONNELLY, MCCASKILL ACCOUNTABLE FOR “NO” VOTES ON TAX REFORM

Mar 14, 2018 by AFP

*In two new ads, individuals share how tax reform is improving their lives

*Grassroots group urging Donnelly and McCaskill to support hard-working families

Arlington, Va. – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) will launch Thursday the second wave of a major ad campaign in Missouri and Indiana, sharing stories from individuals in each state about how tax reform is benefiting them and highlighting U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (IN) and Claire McCaskill’s (MO) votes against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The grassroots group is investing nearly $4 million in TV and digital ads asking citizens to hold Senators Donnelly and McCaskill accountable by urging them to support policies that lead to higher paychecks for Indiana and Missouri families.

The effort expands on AFP’s previous seven-figure investment on the same topic in February. (Read more). The new pair of ads will run on television and digital platforms across Indiana and Missouri in the coming weeks.

VIEW THE INDIANA AD HERE: https://bit.ly/2Inddyl

VIEW THE MISSOURI AD HERE: https://bit.ly/2FQiIqY

In the Indiana ad, a small business owner named Cathy shares how the tax cuts are allowing her to invest in her business. She expresses disappointment at the fact that Senator Donnelly voted against putting money back in Americans’ pockets.

“Senator Donnelly just doesn’t realize the impact that these tax cuts have on the everyday person, and the everyday business. Joe Donnelly let Hoosiers down,” Cathy says.

In the Missouri spot, Lindsay, a working mother of three, shares her story about getting an email at work informing employees that they would receive a $2,000 bonus because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“It is clearly helping middle-class and everyday-working Americans. When I heard Claire McCaskill describe the tax cuts as ‘scraps,’ I think it’s disrespectful. Getting bonuses and tax cuts — that’s huge for families like mine,” Lindsay says.

The ads call on Senators Donnelly and McCaskill to “support bigger paychecks” for Hoosiers and Missourians.

Hardworking Americans are already seeing the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as hundreds of companies invest in their employees and communities by creating jobs and increasing wages. Senators Donnelly and McCaskill voted to deny individuals and families these benefits, choosing party over the well-being of citizens in their states.

This ad effort is part of AFP’s campaign to hold accountable lawmakers who voted against the pro-growth reform.

AFP President Tim Phillips released the following statement:

“As more Americans see the benefits of tax reform, they are rightly concerned to learn that some lawmakers, like Joe Donnelly and Claire McCaskill, voted against tax relief for individuals and families.

Where Senator McCaskill sees ‘scraps,’ a working mom sees more money for groceries. Meanwhile, Senator Donnelly chose partisan politics over the opportunity to help workers and families in his state.

AFP is committed to holding opponents of tax reform accountable for seeking to deny individuals like Lindsey and Cathy the opportunity to improve their lives.”

BACKGROUND:

Senator Donnelly Said No To Tax Reform

Senator Joe Donnelly Voted Against The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Of 2017. (H.R. 1, Roll Call Vote #323: Passed 51-48: R 51-0; D 0-46; I 0-2, 12/20/17, Donnelly Voted Nay)

Hoosiers Are Already Reaping The Benefits Of Tax Reform

First Merchants Corporation In Muncie, Indiana Announced It Will Increase Hourly Employees’ Wages $1 Per Hour As A Result Of The Tax Reform Bill. “First Merchants Corporation announced today that it will raise the wage paid to hourly employees by $1 per hour as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 signed by President Trump in Dec. 2017. … Additionally, as a reward for the company’s strong 2017 performance, all associates, excluding senior management, will receive a $500 one-time cash bonus. Part-time associates will receive a pro-rated share. The compensation investments will impact nearly 90 percent of First Merchants’ 1,700 employees and will be in addition to the company’s existing incentive programs and annual merit increases. … First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana.” (“First Merchants Announces Company-Wide Raise, Bonuses,” NASDAQ, 1/16/18)
First Farmers Bank & Trust In Converse, Indiana Announced That It Would Raise The Minimum Wage For All New Employees And Provide A Minimum Year-End Bonus Of $750 To All Full Time Employees. “In response to the recently passed legislation affecting corporate tax, Gene Miles, President and CEO of First Farmers Bank & Trust recently announced a new corporate wage and community support program that commits to four points of emphasis. 1. Raise the minimum hourly starting wage by $2.50 for all new FFBT employees. 2. Provide a minimum year-end bonus of $750 annually to all full time FFBT employees.” (Press Release, “First Farmers Announces Employee Wage Raise And Community Investment Program,” First Farmers Bank & Trust, 12/26/17)
- “The Biggest Wage Increase In Its 133-Year History.”(Carson Gerber, “A Tax-Bill Boom: Area Employees See Pay Raises, Bonuses After Corporate Tax Cut,” Kokomo Tribune, 1/14/18)
ABC 21: “Prominent Northeast Indiana Bank Pledges Raises, Cites Tax Reform As Reason.” “Fifth Third bank, which has numerous locations in and around Fort Wayne, says it will raise its minimum hourly wage and provide a one-time bonus to thousands of employees now that a Republican tax reform package has been passed. The company, based in Cincinnati, intends to set a minimum pay rate of $15 per hour and to distribute a one-time bonus of $1,000 to more than 13,500 employees. It says about 75 percent of its workforce will benefit from at least one of the measures. In a news release, officials cited newly passed tax legislation, which includes a reduction in corporate tax rates, as part of the reason for the decision.” (Jonathan Shelley, “Prominent Northeast Indiana Bank Pledges Raises, Cites Tax Reform As Reason,” WPTA, 12/20/17)

Senator McCaskill Said No To Tax Reform, Describing The Benefits To Missourians As “Scraps”

Senator Claire McCaskill Voted Against The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Of 2017. (H.R. 1, Roll Call Vote #323: Passed 51-48: R 51-0; D 0-46; I 0-2, 12/20/17, McCaskill Voted Nay)
McCaskill Called The Benefits Of Tax Reform “Scraps” For Missourians. McCaskill: “I wanted to support real tax reform. This isn’t it—this is a bad deal for Missouri families. Working people in Missouri deserve better than to get scraps, while corporations and wealthy business owners make out like bandits in a plan that explodes our deficit and compromises our military. But I’m still going to keep fighting for my state—and if Congressional leaders decide to toss out this proposal and start fresh with a genuinely bipartisan approach that delivers real tax relief to working people, cleans out the loopholes exploited by the rich and corporations, and lowers the corporate tax rate, I’ll be the first to sign up.” (Press Release, McCaskill: ‘I Wanted To Support Real Tax Reform. This Isn’t It—This Is A Bad Deal For Missouri Families,” Senator Claire McCaskill, 11/16/17)

Missourians Are Already Reaping The Benefits Of Tax Reform

Missouri-Based Great Southern Bancorp Inc. Will Give All Full-Time Employees A $1,000 Bonus And All Part-Time Employees A $500 Bonus As A Direct Result Of Tax Reform. “A Springfield-based banking company plans to give one-time bonuses to more than 1,200 employees following the federal tax overhaul recently approved by Republicans in Washington, D.C. Great Southern Bancorp, Inc., says it will pay $1,000 in cash to all full-time employees and $500 to part-time workers who were employed by the bank on Dec. 31. In a news release, Great Southern specifically cited the federal tax reform legislation that Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law in December.” (Will Schmitt, “Citing GOP Tax Reform, Springfield Bank To Pay Bonuses To All Employees,” Springfield News-Leader, 1/4/18)
Missouri-Based Hostess Will Give Employees A $1,250 Bonus In Addition To A Year Of Free Snacks. “Kansas City-based Hostess Brands will give corporate and hourly baker employees a $1,250 bonus, which includes $750 in cash and a $500 401(k) contribution. More than 1,000 employees will receive bonuses. But the Twinkies maker is sweetening the deal even more with free Hostess snacks for a year. Once a week, employees will be able to take home a multipack of the ‘product of the week,’ which will be chosen weekly by a representative from each Hostess bakery.” (Leslie Collins, “Hostess Brands Sweetens New Tax Reform Law With Employee Bonuses,” Kansas City Business Journal, 2/1/08)
Kansas City Power And Light Requested A Rate Update To Pass Along 100% Of Its Savings From Tax Reform, Totaling $65 Million For Customers In Missouri. “KCP&L and KCP&L-Greater Missouri Operations Company (KCP&L-GMO), subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), recently requested rate updates for their Missouri customers. The requests will update rates for several customer experience enhancements, including technology and green initiatives. Additionally, the companies are asking to pass along to customers 100% of the savings resulting from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. This will result in approximately $65 million in savings for customers in Missouri.” (Kansas City Power And Light, “KCP&L Files Rate Update Requests With Missouri Public Service Commission,” Press Release, 1/31/18)

For further information or an interview, reach Gabrielle Braud at GBraud@afphq.org or (571) 329-1846.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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