A regional anti-tax group is trying to expand its membership and decide which issues to advocate in the coming year.—-
The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) will hold three membership recruitment meetings in the next few weeks. The group’s motto is, “limiting the rate of taxes and spending and stopping the abuse of power by government officials.”
According to the group’s Web site, “COAST advances this cause by consistent and principled adherence to limited government and lower taxes in fighting legislation and ballot initiatives that increase taxes and spending beyond the rate of inflation, and by supporting candidates for public office who advance these principles.”
Meetings will be held:
** Monday, Jan. 19, at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 6111 Montgomery Road, in Pleasant Ridge;
** Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Babe’s Café, 3389 Glenmore Ave., in Cheviot; and
** Monday, Feb. 2, at Village Heritage Green Clubhouse, 9475 Old Village Drive, in Loveland.
All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
Although COAST pegs itself as an organization concerned with fiscal issues, critics note that it has veered into socially conservative causes at times. Those include COAST’s opposition last spring to a resolution by Hamilton County commissioners proclaiming June 14 as “Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Day.”
In its newsletter, COAST criticized the two Democratic commissioners who approved the proclamation. “In yet a further waste of county resources, Commissioners Todd Portune and David Pepper proclaimed Saturday, June 14, 2008, as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Day,” it stated.
“COAST is just bursting with pride at this proclamation on behalf of our county. We are sure (Sheriff) Simon Leis is also proud of his endorsed County Commission candidate,” referring to Portune.
Commissioners noted that the only expense involved was approximately 20 cents, to make a photocopy of the proclamation. Also, they added that COAST never objected to other county proclamations such as the one for the National Day of Prayer.
COAST’s leaders include attorney Christopher Finney, longtime adviser to conservative Republican politician Phil Heimlich, and State Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr. (R-Mount Lookout), an anti-abortion activist.
To learn more about COAST, click here.
