News release from the Henry for Mayor campaign:
The Paula Hughes resume: 10 years of supporting tax increases
Hughes has 10 year record of supporting tax increases, signing “taxpayer protection pledge” is blatant election-year political game
Paula Hughes says one thing, but does another — and raising taxes is no exception. From 2000 to 2009, Hughes had an unbroken record of supporting, calling for or voting for tax increases on Fort Wayne families. But that didn’t stop her from signing an election year “promise” that she’d never do it again.[1]
That’s why today, the Henry for Mayor campaign is releasing the Paula Hughes Resume — attached to this email. The resume highlights Hughes’s experience and work qualifications: raising taxes for 10 years and running away from her own record. The resume is attached.
“It’s not about whether these were good or bad projects — the point is, how can you trust someone who tries to hide from their record,” said Henry for Mayor campaign manager Justin Schall. “Hughes supported increases for 10 years straight — then makes a campaign promise to never do it again. Who knows what she’ll do or say next.”
Here are the facts about Paula Hughes 10 year record of supporting, calling for or voting for tax increases:
PAULA HUGHES’S REAL RECORD:
[list type=”black”]
[li]2000 she supported an $82 million downtown arena paid for mostly by tax increases and extensions.[2][/li]
[li]2001 she supported property taxes to pay for an $84 million library expansion.[3][/li]
[li]2002 she proposed a $100 million downtown improvement plan that included city funding.[4][/li]
[li]2003 she voted to raise property taxes.[5][/li]
[li]2004 she voted to raise property taxes.[6][/li]
[li]2005 she voted to raise property taxes.[7][/li]
[li]2006 she voted to raise the hotel tax.[8][/li]
[li]2007 she voted to raise property taxes.[9][/li]
[li]2008 she voted to increase property taxes for the airport authority.[10][/li]
[li]2009 she voted to raise property taxes.[11][/li]
[/list]PAULA HUGHES’S ELECTION YEAR STATEMENTS:
[list type=”black”]
[li]January 14, 2011: Hughes signs a campaign “promise” to never raise taxes.[12][/li]
[li]August 18, 2011: Hughes again affirmed her “promise” never to do it again.[13][/li]
[/list]Please see “Hughes Ten Years of Taxes” and the “Hughes Resume” for further citations and backup.
CITATIONS
[1] “Paula Hughes Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge”.
[2] “GROUP GIVEN DEADLINE FOR ARENA PLANS COMMISSIONERS WANT DOWNTOWN SPECIFICS BY NOV. 29.” Dawson, News-Sentinel, 10/19/2000
[3] “The debate over the library It could revitalize downtown, say supporters. It’s too big, say opponents.” Perez, News-Sentinel, 9/27/2001
[4] “Enthusiasm is there for downtown improvement; funding is next step,” Leininger, News-Sentinel, 11/21/2002
[5] “Depth of budget cuts remains to be seen; The first draft was met with shock.” Leininger, News-Sentinel, 7/9/2003
[6] “3 hopefuls share ideas to run city,” Lanka, Journal Gazette, 4/24/2011
[7] “Family programs’ tax hike slashed; Daniels gives counties flexibility,” Lanka, Journal Gazette, 12/16/2005
[8] “Council backs 1% hotel tax hike,” Lanka, Journal Gazette, 12/22/2006
[9] “County passes state-tax review,” Leininger, News-Sentinel, 9/14/2007
[10] “Airport makes tax case to county Big increase essential to avoid bond suit, council told,” Lanka, Journal Gazette, 8/13/2008
[11] “County taps $180,000 for extra Courthouse fixes,” Iacone, Journal Gazette, 10/16/2009
[12] “Hughes signs a pledge for tax protection,” WANE TV, 1/14/2011
[13] “Shine to mediate county officials’ clash,” Kelly/Lanka, Journal Gazette, 8/21/2011
Henry for Mayor campaign website
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