California Nurses Association, Courage Campaign, Arianna Huffington Team up for 'Yacht Party 2' TV Ad

California Nurses Association, Courage Campaign, Arianna Huffington Team up for 'Yacht Party 2' TV Ad

TV Ad Rebrands California Republican Party as the 'Yacht Party' for Supporting 'Yacht Tax' Loophole

LOS ANGELES, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Nurses Association and Courage Campaign have released a new ad branding the California Republican Party as the "Yacht Party" for its continued support of a tax loophole that allows buyers of yachts and private jets to avoid paying sales tax in California. The ad, titled "Yacht Party 2," will air tonight in Sacramento the day before Governor Schwarzenegger presents his revised budget cuts to reduce what he estimates is a $20 billion state budget deficit. The ad is being aired two days ahead of schedule, due to substantial support from an online fundraising campaign launched to Courage Campaign members on Monday.

The "yacht tax" -- so-called because it allows purchasers of large boats and private jets to avoid paying sales tax as long as the yacht or plane is kept out of California for 90 days -- was kept in place by Republicans in the state Assembly on February 19, who either voted against closing the loophole or did not appear to vote. By a 47-18 vote, the California Assembly narrowly rejected SB 8xxx, as it failed to muster the two thirds majority necessary on tax legislation.

Funded by the California Nurses Association and online donations from members of the Courage Campaign, the ad is intended to demonstrate the absurdity of the California Republican Party's commitment to protecting the lifestyles of the wealthiest Californians while school teachers and healthcare providers are losing their jobs.

The ad was distributed online Monday morning to Courage Campaign members in an email from Arianna Huffington, author of a new book entitled Right is Wrong: How the Lunatic Fringe Hijacked America, Shredded the Constitution and Made Us All Less Safe.

The Courage Campaign's "Yacht Party 2" ad can be viewed on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4QARWWmMLg

"Because Democrats do not hold a two-thirds majority in our state Legislature, a small minority of Republicans is able to hold Californians hostage to a $20 billion state budget deficit, refusing to raise taxes on the super-rich," said Arianna Huffington. "It's appalling that this tax cut cult is refusing to close a tax loophole for yacht and private jet owners."

Deborah Burger, member of the California Nurses Association Council of Presidents, said, "Our members work around the clock providing healthcare to a public when the state medical system is nearing collapse due to budget cuts. How dare the Republicans vote for yachts over sick people?"

Rick Jacobs, chair and founder of the Courage Campaign, connected "Yacht Party 2" to the presidential campaign:

"Marie Antoinette would be proud of the Republican Party in 2008, as they protect the lavish lifestyles of the obscenely rich while cutting education and healthcare for everyone else," Jacobs said. "John McCain has not spoken out about Republicans providing yacht subsidies for the richest Californians, but I'm sure he would welcome his colleagues from California sailing their yachts right up the Potomac. After all, Mr. McCain has nine houses, but he has no plan for Americans to keep or buy even one."

Other links related to the "Yacht Party 2" campaign:
"Yacht Party 2" campaign page:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/yachtparty2

NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE.

Courage Campaign is an independent political committee and online organizing network empowering grassroots and netroots activists to build a progressive California. In 2008, the Courage Campaign will catalyze action to increase California's importance in the race for the White House, hold our elected officials accountable, and block Blackwater from building a base on our border.

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee is the nation's largest RN union, representing 80,000 RNs across all 50 states. Read more at http://www.calnurses.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: California Nurses Association

CONTACT: Shum Preston, +1-510-273-2276, or Chuck Idelson,
+1-415-559-8991, both of California Nurses Association

Web site:

http://www.calnurses.org/

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