NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release – Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Contact: Ted Maravelias (603) 770-8072
E-Mail: TMaravelias@afphq.org 

WINDHAM FAMILIES TO LOSE THEIR HOMES AS LOCAL TAXES SKYROCKET TO RECORD RATES

Americans For Prosperity Calls For Full Transparency In Town Spending

WINDHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE— Americans For Prosperity, a grassroots free market group, today called for an immediate reconsideration of the recently released residential tax rate for the Town of Windham.  With a record 11.8% increase this year, bringing the tax rate to $18 per thousand, AFP wonders where hard working families will come up with the extra money in these uncertain economic times to fund an already out of control Windham School System. 

AFP is also calling on Town Administrator David Sullivan to publish each and every expense, including check registers, on the Internet so citizens can see where their money is being spent. 

“The residents of Windham have a right to know where their tax dollars are being spent,” said Ted Maravelias, Deputy State Director of Americans For Prosperity and a Windham resident. “Mr. Sullivan should immediately implement a system where each person can see exactly where his/her tax dollars are going.”

Based on the new tax rates, projections include an increase of approximately $1,000 per year on a house valued at $500,000.

“This record tax hike will have devastating effects on Windham families struggling to make ends meet. This year’s record increase in property taxes is only the beginning.  We need better transparency in spending,” said Maravelias.

A large percentage of the proposed tax increase, 75.6%, is expected to fund new Windham schools, despite the fact town officials acknowledged there is an insufficient tax base to afford the project.

“As a direct result of the new high school, many families will be forced to leave Windham because they can no longer afford to live here. Many taxpayers will not be able to sell their house because of overbuilding and the housing bubble,” said Maravelias. “For them, this is not just a massive tax increase; it is the end of a standard of living they are used to providing for their families. How sad to think that this tragedy could have been avoided.”

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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. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org