Welcome to the Citizens for Common Sense Media Page!  Here we will post the latest of Citizens for Common Sense in the paper, on television, radio, or other news mediums.

 

 

 

 

TAX ABATEMENT RADIO ADS

           See below for voice credit, airing information, and typed-out scripts.
Text Box: CAST Two Taxpayers- Taxpayer 1 Kelly Havens Taxpayer 2 Myer Blatt Spokesperson Brian McLaughlin  Two Businessmen- Businessman 1 Brian McLaughlin Businessman 2 Jim Rossow Spokesperson Kelly Havens Text Box: Script for Tax Abatement Radio Spot #1 – Two Taxpayers Taxpayer 1: Hey, why are you wearing that red t-shirt? Taxpayer 2: Oh, our county government is reaching into taxpayers' pockets again with a tax abatement ordinance that would scare business away from St. Joe County. Taxpayer 1: But isn't it good to make business accountable if they get abatements? Taxpayer 2: Sure, if that's what this did. But it doesn't change that; it just creates a whole new list of things a business would have to do, like use only union wages for their construction. It'd cost them so much, no one would come. Taxpayer 1: All this for union labor? Taxpayer 2: Yeah, and only 15% of construction workers are union. That's a special interest! 85% of local workers would get shut out – discriminated against! Taxpayer 1: And if businesses don't come here at all because of this. . . Taxpayer 2: The tax burden shifts to us – MORE MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKETS! Taxpayer 1: At a time like this? Who's doing this to us? Taxpayer 2: The St. Joe County Council. They're holding a public hearing Tuesday, March 17 at 7 P.M. at the County-City Building in South Bend. Taxpayer 1: Well, I'll be there! I can't afford any more taxes – and I want to help our local economy! Taxpayer 2: Hey, we'll have a red shirt for you. See you Tuesday, March 17. Paid for by CitizensforCommonSense.info Text Box: Script for Tax Abatement Radio Spot #2 – Two Businessmen Businessman 1: Hey, Jim! What brings you to Chicago? Businessman 2: Same as you. My business wants to open a new division and I'm meeting with a site locator. What do you hear about South Bend? Businessman 1: Are you kidding? Their county's about to vote in a new tax abatement ordinance. Businessman 2: Wait – you mean the one on the BNA report, where you have to choose points like paying union wages for all your construction? Businessman 1: That's the one. Can you believe a County Councilmen actually said “the prevailing wage is the only way to let union shops bid competitively”? Businessman 2: Doesn't he know only 15% of construction workers are union. 85% of their own local workers could give us a cheaper package! Why would they discriminate against those workers and cater to a special interest like that? Businessman 1: I don't know; it's only going to hurt them when businesses pass by. Sad what it'll do to the St. Joe County taxpayers. Businessman 2: Well, yeah. The more businesses they scare away, the more the tax burden shifts onto them – MORE MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKETS! Businessman 1: If I were them, I'd show up at the public hearing Tuesday, March 17 at 7 P.M. at the County-City Building in South Bend. Businessman 2: To keep taxes down and help their local economy? I'd be there. Tuesday, March 17. Paid for by CitizensforCommonSense.info Text Box: Airing Information Station: WSBT radio—960 AM Dates: Monday, March 9th — Friday, March 13, Monday, March 16th — Tuesday, March 17 Programs/ Rush Limbaugh / 12 P.M.— 3 P.M. Time Slots: Glenn Beck / 3 P.M.— 6 P.M.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

RADIO ADS

           See below for voice credit, airing information, and typed-out scripts.
Text Box: CAST Two Taxpayers- Taxpayer 1 Brandyn Baumbaugh Taxpayer 2 Kelly Havens Spokesperson Brian McLaughlin  Two Businessmen- Businessman 1 Brian McLaughlin Businessman 2 Myer Blatt Spokesperson Brandyn Baumbaugh Text Box: Script for RTD Radio Spot #1 – Two Taxpayers Taxpayer 1: Can you believe it? St. Joe County is being hit up for ANOTHER option tax. Taxpayer 2: Wait – you mean St. Joe County, Indiana – where we just got hit with a double option tax starting this month? Taxpayer 1: Yep, now they want another .25% to pay for a “regional transportation district.” Taxpayer 2: What — trains and buses? Aren’t those private? Taxpayer 1: Should be, but we’re one of four counties that got singled out to form a taxing district to pay for South Shore extensions and county bus systems. Taxpayer 2: Well South Shore ought to be able to pay for itself! And county buses should be — by county. Taxpayer 1: That’s what’s really crazy. We’d be paying for the other counties’ buses, but Transpo didn’t want in. Taxpayer 2: Well, neither do we! Taxpayer 1: The good news is – we get to vote “NO” on it. It’s just the one question: Do you want this District? Yes or No. The bad news is – almost no one knows about the vote. It’s next Tuesday, November 3. And it probably won’t be at your regular polling place either. To save money, they’re using just a few centralized places. Taxpayer 2: Well, I’m going to call Voter Registration today to find out where I vote on Tuesday! I do NOT need any more taxes – especially for things we don’t even want! Paid for by CitizensforCommonSense .info Text Box: Script for RTD Radio Spot #2 – Two Businessmen Businessman 1: Speaking of taxes – and who isn’t – did you hear what they’re doing to St. Joe County? Businessman 2: I know they just doubled their option tax… Businessman 1: Well, get this. Now they’re trying to get them to pay another option tax to join some “Regional Transportation District.” Businessman 2: Oh yeah, four counties in northern Indiana got singled out. But I thought Lake or Porter didn’t want it and LaPorte is even refusing to vote. Businessman 1: It’s crazy. There’s not much in it for St. Joe. They use the South Shore the least and their bus system isn’t even included. They’d just be paying for the other counties’ buses. Businessman 2: Geesh, who dreamed that up? Businessman 1: I guess Pat Bauer insisted it be in the state budget bill at the last minute. No one can figure it. Businessman 2: Do the people have any way to stop it? Businessman 1: St. Joe County people get to vote on whether to join the District, but no one knows about it. It’s a special election next Tuesday, November 3. Just the one question, yes or no, but only a few polling places will be open. Businessman 2: Well, I hope the people call Voter Registration and find out where to vote by Tuesday, so they can vote “NO” to joining this District and paying yet another tax. Paid for by CitizensforCommonSense.info Text Box: Airing Information Station: WSBT radio—960 AM Dates: Monday, March 9th — Friday, March 13, Monday, March 16th — Tuesday, March 17 Programs/ Rush Limbaugh / 12 P.M.— 3 P.M. Time Slots: Glenn Beck / 3 P.M.— 6 P.M.