Craig Joins Ballot Initiative To Stop Taxation Without Representation

Upton, MA…Today chief organizers for the ballot question to repeal the automatic gas tax hikes, State Representative Geoff Diehl, Steve Aylward and Marty Lamb announced that Iraq War Veteran and candidate for State Representative Shawn Craig will be coordinating their effort in Upton.

“I am glad that Shawn Craig will be helping us out in Upton, Grafton and Northbridge area as we need to get another 11,000 signatures.  I am proud to have him as a member of our team,” said State Representative Geoff Diehl.  “Shawn understands that automatic gas tax hikes are wrong and that this form of taxation hurts the middle class and working poor the most.”

“It is outrageous that Beacon Hill is increasing our gas tax every year for the rest of lives without a vote.  That’s taxation without representation.  It is wrong and we are going to stop it,” said Steve Aylward, lead sponsor of the ballot initiative.

Last fall the ballot campaign collected 120,000 raw signatures to start the process of getting their question on the November 2014 ballot.  The legislature has failed to act, so the group now has to collect another 11,000 signatures by June 18th to finally secure placement.

Craig will be working with the team to help collect the needed signatures.  He will be out door knocking this weekend in the three towns to get signatures.

“This automatic gas tax hike should have been repealed with the tech tax.  If the legislature wants more of our hard earned paychecks, then they should have to vote on it.  This linking of the gas tax to inflation is an abdication of responsibility,” said Craig.

Those people wanting to help Craig in Upton, Northbridge and Grafton can contact him at 508-603-9758508-603-9758.

The initial supporters of the ballot initiative include Marty Lamb, Chris Pinto, Republican National Committee woman Chanel Prunier, Les Gosule who passed Melissa’s law in 2012, Jeff Bailey, State Representative Leah Cole, Stephen Coulter, Alex Vispoli, State Representative Geoff Diehl, State Representative Jim Lyons, State Representative Marc Lombardo, Rick Gleason of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, Rich Howell, Paul Craney of Mass Fiscal, Desiree Awiszio, Jamie Kang, Mike Mosca, Marylou Daxland, Katie Regan, State Representative Shaunna O’Connell, John O’Mara of the Northborough Tea Party, and many more.

Last summer the legislature passed the so-called transportation bill which included a gas tax hike, a new tax on computer software, and a cigarette tax increase. It also linked the gas tax to the CPI which allows the gas tax to increase every year without a vote of the legislature.

The attorney for the group is former U.S. Attorney Mike Sullivan.

For more information visit StopAutomaticTaxHikes.com.