Courage Campaign airs "Yacht Party" television ad with funding from small donors, SEIU-UHW and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2008
Re-brands California Republicans as the “Yacht Party” for supporting “yacht tax” loophole
LOS ANGELES — Today, the Courage Campaign is launching “Yacht Party” — a 30-second TV ad re-branding California Republicans as the “Yacht Party” for refusing to close a “yacht tax” loophole despite an initial $16 billion state budget deficit. United Healthcare Workers – West (SEIU-UHW) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez are teaming up with over 550 small donors to air the ads in Sacramento and San Francisco today and Thursday as well as Walnut Creek, Palm Springs, and other areas at times not yet determined.
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 2/3rds majority necessary on tax legislation.
“With California facing a catastrophic budget crisis, it is unconscionable that Republicans in the state legislature refuse to end tax loopholes for the super-rich,” said Rick Jacobs, founder and Chair of the Courage Campaign. “The Republicans would rather stuff tax dollars into the pockets of a few rich people than support education and fix roads.”
The “Yacht Party” concept originated on Calitics, a California community blog. Netroots activists formulated the term and then produced a short YouTube video, created by blogger David Dayen. The general concept was then turned into a 30-second TV ad by the Courage Campaign.
The Courage Campaign’s “Yacht Party” ad can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AISA-Rj2mzc
“American politics has changed fundamentally,” said Jacobs. “When a blogger tells a story about Republicans saving a yacht tax loophole rather than saving our schools, we can deliver that message across California, from Sacramento and San Francisco to Walnut Creek and Palm Springs.”
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez applauded “Yacht Party,” contributing $5,000 to the ad campaign.
“Leadership comes from and for the people, not from a few and for the rich,” said Nunez. “My entire career has been about building the middle class, about shaping the California dream for all of us. I’m pleased to join with the Courage Campaign and our friends in the netroots and grassroots, who are telling the real story of Republicans who care most for the few and apparently not at all for teachers, students and our families.”
Sal Rosselli, President of SEIU United Healthcare Workers – West, expressed the support of the members of SEIU-UHW as well, contributing $5,000 to air the ad.
“The 150,000 members of SEIU UHW are pleased to join the netroots and grassroots in sending a clear message that subsidizing the rich is not the way to build a strong economy, “ said Rosselli. “We urge Republican legislators to help fix the state budget deficit by supporting policies that grow the middle class and close tax loopholes that privilege the wealthiest Californians.”
The Courage Campaign plans to air the ad in the state capital, major metropolitan areas, and regions where Republicans are most vulnerable. The first round of ads will be placed on cable television in Sacramento, San Francisco, Walnut Creek and Palm Springs on MSNBC, CNN, as well as the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report on Comedy Central.
Over 550 small donors have contributed over $18,000 to fund the “Yacht Party” ad campaign on the Courage Campaign web site and via ActBlue, an online donation hub for Democrats and progressive causes. The Courage Campaign’s “Watch ‘Yacht Party’: Make the Match!” contribution page on ActBlue can be viewed here:
http://www.actblue.com/page/yachtpartymatch
“These small donors, from priests to teachers to directors, have contributed an average of $33 per person to spread the message that protecting a loophole for yacht owners is unacceptable when Californians are facing a gaping budget deficit,” said Jacobs. “This is the first ad in our campaign to help Courage Campaign members and Californians at large understand the structural reasons that have caused this massive budget deficit and explore common-sense solutions for fixing it.”
The script for “Yacht Party” follows:
———
Narrator:
“With California facing a $16 billion deficit, Republican Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee supported a tax loophole for yacht and private jet owners.”
“So did Republican Sharon Runner.”
“So did every Republican in the Assembly.”
“Every Democrat voted to close the loophole.”
“Tax loopholes for Yacht owners.”
“Brought to you by the California Republican Yacht Party.”
“Paid for by Courage Campaign.”