Nebraskans Won't Let Bullying Tactics by Howie Rich Stop Efforts to Describe Risk of Higher Property Taxes
September 25, 2006.

Listen to the Ads Howie Rich Doesn't Want You to Hear at: www.notinnebraska.com/radio.html

Lincoln – Nebraskan citizen advocates today said they will not let efforts by lawyers acting on behalf of New York City real estate tycoon Howie Rich stop them from telling others about the risk of higher property taxes from Rich's effort, Initiative 423.
Those concerned that Initiative 423 would hike already-high property taxes around the state launched radio ads discussing Rich's involvement with the effort and the risk of property tax hikes. High-priced, out-of-state lawyers acting on behalf of Rich on Friday began harassing radio stations across the state in an attempt to intimidate them into pulling the ads.

"There is not a doubt in my mind that property taxes will increase and services will be cut if Initiative 423 is adopted by Nebraska voters," said Connie Benjamin, executive director of AARP-Nebraska. "In terms of delivering tax relief, Initiative 423 is a red herring."

The ads Rich doesn't want Nebraskans to hear are at:
www.notinnebraska.com/radio.html

Accountability and Disclosure reports show that $860,000 has been poured into the Amendment 423 effort so far, with nearly 100 percent of that from Howie Rich and his out-of-state shell organizations.

"There is no doubt that this effort to change Nebraska's Constitution is not a grassroots effort, but rather comes from the mind and pocketbook of this East Coast extremist," said Curt Beck, executive director of the Associated General Contractors-Nebraska. "This is not a grassroots effort. Initiative 423 is bought and paid for by extremists from New York trying to impose their dangerous views on Nebraskans."

Campaigns funded by Rich to get voters to restrict states' ability to provide services have been accused of fraud in state after state. His TABOR/SOS initiative, as it has been called, has been thrown off the ballot by judges in Oklahoma, Montana, Nevada, and Michigan.

In Nebraska, the signature-gathering firm Rich hired sent in felons — including a convicted murderer who assaulted a University of Nebraska student. Allegations of signature gatherers harassing Nebraskans were widespread.

A Public Broadcasting System (PBS) investigative show, NOW, ran an expose Friday night that documented involvement by the Rich in the TABOR effort, and how Rich front men in other states have tried to hide his involvement. The NOW expose can be viewed at http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/238/index.html.

Rich's network of front groups through which he has moved his money to avoid public scrutiny can be seen at http://www.howierichexposed.com/hidden_money.php.

"Howie Rich from New York City doesn't understand that Nebraskans like plain talk from straight shooters. Sending criminals into our state to pressure us into signing on to his bad idea, then harassing us when we try to blow the whistle on him is outrageous," said Jim Griess, executive director of the Nebraska State Education Association. "Mr. Rich is badly underestimating Nebraskans."

A proposal similar to Initiative 423 was recently suspended by voters in Colorado, the only state that has tried it. TABOR was widely seen as hurting Colorado's economy and pushing the state to the bottom of national rankings in a number of categories, from school spending to childhood immunizations.

Nebraskans opposed to Initiative 423, a TABOR-clone, say it will increase property taxes throughout the state. Initiative 423 is opposed by a diverse group of organizations and individuals, including the AARP, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Nebraska PTA, fire fighters, law enforcement, teachers and contractors.

"This amendment would increase property taxes, strangle economic development, and do long term damage to our streets and roads" Beck said. "We need realistic solutions to our tax and budget issues, not gimmicks that sound good but don't deliver."