For Immediate Release:  April 17, 2010
Contact: Dallas Woodhouse  (919) 839-1011, ext. 3 or cell (919) 671-1050 or email  dwoodhouse@afphq.org

Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina State Director Responds to Absurd Charges Printed in Jacksonville Newspaper  

RALEIGH - Dallas Woodhouse, State Director of the grassroots free-market group Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina today released a detailed statement in response to charges made against the organization by North Carolina State House Candidate Tracey Louise Miller.

“In a recent news article N.C. House Candidate Tracey L. Miller made a series of erroneous and irresponsible charges against the North Carolina State Chapter of Americans for Prosperity. As the charges, however absurd, did make the print media, I feel an obligation to correct her assertions.

Americans for Prosperity has not and does not donate money to candidates for political office. To do so would violate our principles, our by-laws as well as state and federal law.

All funds raised by our local AFP chapters are sent to the state office, where they are processed and carefully recorded.  These funds are placed in the general treasury of Americans for Prosperity or the Americans for Prosperity Foundation.

All expenses for our North Carolina operations, including Onslow County, are initially approved by me and reviewed by legal and accounting staff to ensure they match the high ethical standards set by our board of directors and are fully compliant with all federal and state laws.

It would be impossible for any of our local chapters to use AFP funds to support a local candidate, and candidate Miller should be more responsible with respect to scurrilous accusations.

Americans for Prosperity is an issues organization dedicated to defeating a sales tax increase in Onslow County this May that voters have already twice rejected.   

It is of serious concern that two of the three candidates (Tracey Miller and Phillip Shepard) in the NC House 15 race, have not made pledges against higher taxes and are currently in support of the proposed sales tax increase.

Martin Aragona has signed the AFP no tax pledge and is on record as opposing the sales tax increase. Again, while we do not endorse candidates, we do engage in various voter education activities.  Because of her stance on taxes and her lack of unqualified support for removing the cap on charter schools (See NC Family Policy Council Voter Guide and AFP Pledge), Tracey Miller may not like our voter education materials.  As such we feel obliged to return all donations she has made to our organization.

Her personal attacks on our local leader Tye Rudy and our organization have been unfounded and unfair. She has not been responsible in her attacks. http://www.tracey-debow.com/newsindistrict15/whoistyerudy.html

As the North Carolina State Director of Americans for Prosperity, I am responsible for approving the selection of our local leaders. Tye Rudy has my full support.

There is a need for Americans for Prosperity in Onslow County. Electing Republicans is clearly not enough to keep taxes in check. All of the Republican Onslow county commissioners and two of three Republicans in the NC House 15 race are in support of higher taxes.  Consistent with our mission we will continue to oppose tax increases and work to inform voters of the position of candidates and elected officials on a variety of issues including taxes.

While our political opponents make unwarranted complaints we will continue to work on behalf of taxpayers with honor and integrity, and without apology.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 975,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 60,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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