Small business group launches ads criticizing House Republicans for budget intransigence

  • Posted on: 12 June 2015
  • By: admin

Maine Small Business Coalition radio ad criticizes Rep. Ken Fredette for threatening to shut down state government in order to preserve tax cuts for the super-rich

On Friday, the Maine Small Business Coalition (MSBC) launched a series of statewide advertisements on local radio, expressing the frustration of small business owners with House Republicans’ insistence on a state budget that cuts taxes for the wealthiest Mainers. The ads are in response to reports that House Republican Leader Ken Fredette is willing to shut down the state government in order to enact massive income tax cuts for the top ten percent of wage earners.

“Small business owners continue to be disappointed with House Republicans clinging to the failed policies of trickle down economics, and that they’re willing to paralyze our state government to pursue them,” said Will Ikard, director of MSBC. “Small business owners see every day the true drivers of out local economies – working Mainers who spend their money at our stores and restaurants. The best way to strengthen our local communities is to pass policies that ensure all Mainers can afford to participate in our economy.”

On Saturday, the Joint Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan, compromise budget; however, House Republicans and Governor LePage have pledged to oppose any budget deal that does not include tax cuts for the top income-earners.

“When the super-wealthy get a tax cut, they invest it in Wall Street,” said Alex Jackimovicz, owner of Jackimovicz Electrics in Boothbay and a member of the MSBC Steering Committee. “That’s great if you own a hedge fund or are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, but not if you own a small business here in Maine. When working Mainers do better, they spend more in their towns and the entire community prospers together. That’s why we support the compromise budget and why we’re running these ads.”

Audio of the radio ad can be found here: http://bit.ly/1JOjteg