Campaign to push tax package raises $43,500
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A political action committee formed to promote a $901 million tax package on the Nov. 14 ballot raised $43,500 in campaign contributions in the past few days, according to campaign finance disclosure reports.
The latest contributions bring to $482,780 the total that the Committee for the Future of East Baton Rouge has raised so far this year to pass the tax measure. The contributions for the most recent reporting period were made between Oct. 28 and Nov. 4.
Three companies — Entergy Services, Inc.; C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates of Lafayette; and United Marketing & Media of Birmingham, Ala. — each contributed $10,000 to the campaign. And Republic Services, Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz., contributed $5,000.
GOTECH, Inc., of Baton Rouge; the Baton Rouge Area Chamber; and Starmount Life Insurance Co. of Baton Rouge each contributed $2,500. The Dutchess Trust of Baton Rouge contributed $1,000.
“The contributions are rolling in and the support is staying strong,” said Jim Ellis, chairman of the Committee for the Future of East Baton Rouge Parish.
The tax package, like one that narrowly failed last year, calls for a half-cent sales tax increase that excludes the purchase of food and prescription drugs and a 9.9-mill property tax.
If approved, the taxes would fund drainage system improvements; the construction of a new public safety complex and Parish Prison; traffic light upgrades and synchronizations; the consolidation of local government offices at City Hall; expanding the River Center and construction of the Alive riverfront attraction.
The Committee for the Future of East Baton Rouge reported spending $118,854 to promote the tax proposal during the period Oct. 27 through Nov. 4. Most of the money — $93,269 — was used to produce and air advertising spots on radio and television, according to campaign finance filings.
The remainder was spent on direct mail and print advertising, yard signs, promotional T-shirts and similar items, the filings show. The tax package has drawn opposition this year from the Baton Rouge Tea Party. However, its campaign to defeat the tax is relying largely on volunteers conducting a grass-roots campaign.
Baton Rouge Tea Party LLC reported this week that it had collected $10,266 in contributions. Most came from two contributors who each gave $5,000.
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