AFP-WI Launches New 7-Figure TV Ad: We Can’t Afford Tony Evers

Sep 14, 2018 by AFP

Group’s New Ad Spotlights Real Costs of Evers’ Policies

MADISON, Wis. – Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin (AFP-WI) on Friday announced a new $1.3 million ad buy to supplement its grassroots efforts urging Wisconsinites to vote against Tony Evers in the race for governor. The 30-second spot underscores Evers’ support for policies that would mean higher costs for road construction and his openness to increasing the gas tax by a dollar more per gallon. When asked about his support for a dollar per gallon gas tax hike, Evers said “everything is on the table.” When asked about how much of a gas tax increase he would consider too much, Evers said “I have no range.” The seven-figure investment is AFP-WI’s second television ad opposing Evers and will run on cable, broadcast, and digital platforms throughout the state.

VIEW THE AD HERE:

AFP-WI State Director Eric Bott issued the following statement:

“Anyone who’s ever commuted 40 minutes to a waitressing job or an hour to a construction site knows the pain of high gas prices. You feel it at the end of the week when there’s less in your pocket than you need. Working families should take note of Evers’ continued refusal to take huge gas tax hikes, unnecessary tolling, and higher fees off the table. Worse, Tony Evers’ policies might help the special interest lobbying groups supporting his campaign, but they won’t help the average citizen. His plan will drive up the cost of road construction, leaving fewer resources to fix our roads while we could all pay more every single time we fill up at the pump. Wisconsin needs a governor who will protect hardworking taxpayers instead of wasting their money and hiking their taxes. Wisconsinites can’t afford Tony Evers and should vote against him this November.”

Ad Script:

For working families, every dollar matters. But with Tony Evers, we could pay more – much more.

Evers is open to gas tax hikes. Even a dollar more per gallon.

New tolls too. He says everything is on the table.

Who’d benefit from Evers’ higher taxes? Good question. Because Evers’ policies will drive up the costs of construction.

Higher taxes. Higher costs. We can’t afford Tony Evers.

Background:

Evers is open to gas tax hikes. Even a dollar more per gallon.

Evers Did Not Reject The Idea Of A $1 Increase In The Gas Tax, Saying That He “Would Support Looking At Anything” And That “Everything Is On The Table.” “At a stop outside Mickies Dairy Bar in Madison, Evers didn’t say how much he was willing to raise the gas tax and didn’t reject the idea of a $1 increase. ‘I would support looking at anything,’ Evers said. ‘Whether it’s removing tax credits, whether it’s slimming down state government, whether it’s gas taxes. Everything is on the table. All I know is what he’s done has failed.’” (Patrick Marley And Molly Beck, “Scott Walker Touts Tax Breaks As He And Tony Evers Joust Over Road Funding,” Journal Sentinel, 8/15/18)

Evers: “I Have No Range” On How Much Of A Gas Tax Increase Would Be Too Much. “After his speech, he declined to tell reporters how much of a gas tax increase he would consider too much. ‘I have no range. My answer has consistently been all issues (are) on the table, whether it’s cutting spending, whether it’s gas tax, tolls — whatever,’ Evers said. ‘What we do know is we can’t do what Scott Walker did and screw it up so we are 49th of 50 states. Everything is on the table — including a gas tax.’” (Patrick Marley And Mary Spicuzza, “Scott Walker, Tony Evers Aren’t Spelling Out Their Plans For Wisconsin Roads,” Journal Sentinel, 8/16/18)

Evers is open to new tolls.

AP: “Democratic Candidate For Governor Tony Evers Says He’s Open To Looking At Toll Roads … As Part Of A Solution To Solve Wisconsin’s Transportation Funding Shortfall.” “Democratic candidate for governor Tony Evers says he’s open to looking at toll roads and raising the gas tax as part of a solution to solve Wisconsin’s transportation funding shortfall. Evers spoke to reporters Wednesday after his first meeting with lieutenant governor nominee Mandela Barnes. Evers was asked to react to Gov. Scott Walker saying Evers would raise the gas tax by a dollar a gallon. Evers says he’s open to looking at ‘anything,’ including toll roads, gas taxes, removing tax credits and ‘slimming down state government.’ Evers says, ‘All I know is everything (Walker’s) done has failed.’” (“The Latest: Group Backing Evers Launches $1.8 Million Ad Buy,” Associated Press, 8/15/18)

Evers: “My Answer Has Consistently Been All Issues (Are) On The Table, Whether It’s Cutting Spending, Whether It’s Gas Tax, Tolls — Whatever.” “After his speech, he declined to tell reporters how much of a gas tax increase he would consider too much. ‘I have no range. My answer has consistently been all issues (are) on the table, whether it’s cutting spending, whether it’s gas tax, tolls — whatever,’ Evers said. ‘What we do know is we can’t do what Scott Walker did and screw it up so we are 49th of 50 states. Everything is on the table — including a gas tax.’” (Patrick Marley And Mary Spicuzza, “Scott Walker, Tony Evers Aren’t Spelling Out Their Plans For Wisconsin Roads,” Journal Sentinel, 8/16/18)

Evers supports repealing Wisconsin’s prevailing wage reforms

“As Governor, Tony Will … Repeal Changes Made To Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage Laws …” “As Governor, Tony will … Repeal changes made to Wisconsin’s prevailing wage laws that simply take money out of Wisconsin’s workers pockets”. (“Tony On The Issues,” Tony For Wisconsin, Accessed 9/7/18)

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724.

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

###