George Runner Named “Tax Fighter of the Year” by Grassroots Organization

Sacramento  –  Taxpayer Advocate/Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) today announced he was awarded Americans for Prosperity’s 2010 “Tax Fighter of the Year.” 

“I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award and recognition from this respected grassroots group,” Runner said. “I share AFP’s belief in limited government and free-market principles and I look forward to continuing my work with the organization.”

Peter Foy, president of the California chapter of AFP, presented Runner with the award (which is in the form of a Ronald Reagan bust) at a speaker series/award dinner last night at the Sacramento Sheraton Hotel.

“It was an easy decision to choose George Runner for this award,” Foy stated. “Runner has been a friend to taxpayers for nearly two decades.”

According to AFP’s website, the organization is composed of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state and federal levels. The grassroots members of AFP advocate for public policies that champion the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint.

Help Save a Million Jobs!

A plan created by Sacramento Bureaucrats could cost California over One Million Jobs!

 Sign the California Jobs Initiative Petition and help us stop CARB!

Dear Taxpayer:

If you’re angry about the federal government’s intrusion into your life with ObamaCare, you’re really going to hate California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (also know as AB 32), passed in 2006 by a liberal Legislature.

The political appointees at the California Air Resources Board, the state agency in charge of AB 32, have drafted a plan that will make every aspect of your life more expensive. Here’s what AB 32 will do: It will increase your electricity rates by upwards of 60 percent, increase gasoline costs by $3.7 billion a year, increase the cost of a new home by $50,000, and increase vehicle costs by up to $3,000. We need your help to stop this from happening – please sign the California Jobs Initiative Petition today.

If all that weren’t enough, the unelected CARB bureaucrats want to impose a new AB 32 cap-and-trade tax of more than $143 billion. The CARB members have audaciously claimed they will bypass the state Constitution and impose this tax without a two-thirds vote of the Legislature or a vote of the people. And they are doing this in the worst recession since the 1930s with unemployment rates far above the national average.

Add it up and it means the loss of more than one million California jobs.

Enough is enough! We have joined with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, National Tax Limitation Committee, the Republican Party and a growing coalition of citizens, businesses and taxpayers to put the California Jobs Initiative on the November ballot to temporarily suspend AB 32.

We need your help to collect the required 433,000 signatures to let voters – not unelected bureaucrats – decide what to do about AB 32.

Please follow this link to Sign the California Jobs Initiative Petition.

Sincerely,

P.S. Share this with as many of your friends and family as you can so we can fight taxes more effectively.

Letter to the Editor: For the Record

Editor: This letter is in response to the Wednesday Sun-Star editorial, “Politicians should stick to the truth.”

The Sun-Star erroneously used me as an example of a candidate who has mislabeled my job title on the June primary ballot.

In fact, my ballot designation of “Taxpayer Advocate/Senator” is a true and accurate statement (I have worked as taxpayer advocate for Americans for Prosperity since 2008 and as a state senator since 2004). My title was upheld by a Sacramento County Superior Court judge last week after I was sued by two opponents.

GEORGE RUNNER
Taxpayer advocate/California state senator
Sacramento

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/04/08/1378339/letter-for-the-record.html

Tax Day Tea Party

From the Sacramento Tea Party Patriot’s website:
Tax Day Tea Party

If you thought last year way great – make way because we are going to knock your socks off! Starting at 9 am, when the legislature begins their session, we want as many Tea Party Patriots as possible to pack the gallery with red shirts. We are going to make our presence known first thing in the morning. The actual Rally will begin at 12 noon. Every minute of this rally will be filled with excitement and energy like you would not believe! This rally is in tribute to our military and our patriots, you never know who could be brought on stage or who will be on the jumbotrons.

We will once again have fabulous speakers and entertainers, plenty of merchandise and information for you to take home and share with your local community.

What: Sacramento Tax Day Tea Party
Where: State Capitol, West Steps
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: Noon to 3:00 PM
Contact: Ginny Rapini at (530) 389-2464 or norcalteaparty1@aol.com

“Taxpayer Advocate/Senator Runner” is the Winner

Ballot designation challenge by BOE opponents Alby and Nakanishi denied

High Desert –  Taxpayer Advocate/Senator George Runner continued a long string of political victories today when a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge issued a court ruling that Runner is in fact a “taxpayer advocate” and that his ballot designation for Board of Equalization in the June primary will be “Taxpayer Advocate/Senator” as he requested.

“The Judge’s ruling was an accurate reflection of my work both in the Legislature and in local communities around the state on behalf of taxpayers,” said Runner. “Protecting taxpayers is something I have done for the last two decades as an elected official and businessman. This is something I want to continue on the Board of Equalization.”

The ballot designation that was approved by the Secretary of State was such a threat to the candidacies of former Assemblymembers Barbara Alby and Alan Nakanishi that they jointly attempted to get a judge to overrule the decision of the Secretary of State. They lost in court today.

Runner’s victory was in contrast to that of former Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi. Nakanishi went to court this morning without any ballot designation and lost his request to have “Jobs/Economy Specialist.” Instead, Nakanishi will appear on the ballot as “Jobs, Economy Analyst.” This same ballot designation would be available to any number of bureaucrats and seems out of place for an accomplished physician, former Mayor, and Assemblyman.

Runner will now have the ballot designation that both of his major opponents feared, the support of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the endorsement of the California Republican Assembly, high name identification in the part of the district with the most voters, more slate cards than any other candidate and an enormous fundraising advantage.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer Supports George Runner for BOE

Sacramento – Taxpayer Advocate/Senator George Runner has received the endorsement of Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer in his race for the Board of Equalization, Runner’s campaign announced today.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Jerry Dyer, long-time Fresno Police Chief and an incredibly dedicated public safety official,” said Runner. “Jerry knows the hardships that have been created for police departments as a result of the state’s raiding of local funds. I am grateful for his support in my attempt to serve as taxpayer advocate for public safety departments throughout the district.”

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

Runner is currently leading in fundraising and the number of slate mail pieces and has the coveted endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. He also currently represents the voter heavy southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. Runner authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Runner Continues to Lead the Pack in Race for BOE

Raises more than Opponents nearly 3 to 1 combined

Sacramento — Senator/Taxpayer Advocate George Runner has demonstrated his continued financial advantage over the field in the race for Board of Equalization.

Runner reported raising $153,000 in the last reporting period. This is almost three times the combined total of his opponents.

“My campaign for Board of Equalization started much later than the others,” said Runner.  “Yet we have used the time to raise money, secure endorsements and lock down more pieces of slate mail than anyone else in this race.”

In the reporting period that was just completed the fundraising totals were:

Senator/Taxpayer Advocate George Runner     $153,000
Jobs/Economy Specialist Alan Nakanishi              $41,630
Acting Board Member Barbara Alby                     $14,550       

Runner has secured more than 5 million pieces of slate mail and earned the coveted endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.  He is the only candidate from the voter heavy southern portion of the BOE district.

“So far every measurable factor in this race has turned to be in our favor but we are not done,” added Runner.  “Our campaign plan is aggressive and will continue until June 8^th.”

Former U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott Endorses George Runner for Board of Equalization

Sacramento – Taxpayer Advocate and Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) has received the endorsement of former U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott. Runner is seeking election to the California Board of Equalization.

Runner expressed gratitude for Scott’s endorsement, saying, “It’s an honor to have the endorsement of McGregor Scott, a revered member of our legal system. I am grateful to have his support in my effort to advocate for relief of California’s overburdened taxpayers as a Board of Equalization member.”

As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California from 2003 to 2009, Scott ran an office of approximately 75 lawyers who represented the government in both criminal and civil matters in the federal courts in Sacramento and Fresno. Scott’s office prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including the “Lodi terror case” that resulted in a guilty verdict for material support to terrorists. From 1997 to 2003, Scott served as District Attorney of Shasta County, where he was elected twice. Scott left the U.S. Attorney post in 2003 to join Orrick law firm in Sacramento, where he is currently a member of the Litigation Group.

Runner recently received the endorsement of the prominent Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This endorsement, combined with an advantage in fundraising, a large base of support in the most highly populated part of the district, and an aggressive slate mail program, makes Runner the favorite in the June Republican primary.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Governor Pete Wilson and Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Bill Simon Endorse George Runner for BOE

Sacramento – Taxpayer advocate and Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) has received the endorsement of former California Governor Pete Wilson and staunch conservative Bill Simon in the race for Board of Equalization. 

“Governor Wilson represents the hard work and fiscal discipline that we desperately need in California,” said Runner. “Bill Simon is a strict conservative Republican who advocates for limited government and free market enterprise.”

“These men are both great champions of Republican principles and I am grateful for their confidence in my ability to bring California taxpayers the economic relief they are aching for.”

Earning the support of both Governor Wilson and Bill Simon shows that Runner has gained the confidence of Republican leaders across the state in the race for BOE.

When entering office, Wilson inherited California’s worst economy since the Great Depression. Insisting on strict budget discipline, Wilson revived the state’s business environment and left office with a $16 billion budget surplus. Also heralded for his tough stance on crime, Wilson signed California’s “Three Strikes” into law during his tenure.

Businessman Bill Simon is a well-known conservative Republican and served as Director of Policy for the Rudy Giuliani presidential exploratory committee in 2007. In 2004, Simon ran unsuccessfully against Gray Davis, losing the election by less than 5 percentage points. Davis was recalled two years later and replaced by the electorate with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Runner recently received the endorsement of the prominent Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This endorsement, combined with an advantage in fundraising, a large base of support in the most highly populated part of the district, and an aggressive slate mail program make Runner the favorite in the June Republican primary.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

George Runner Wins Endorsement from California Republican Assembly for Board of Equalization

From the floor of the California Republican Assembly’s 75th Endorsement Convention, Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) today announced that the conservative organization nominated him as its candidate for the Board of Equalization, district 2, beating out opponents Alan Nakanishi and Barbara Alby — both former legislators from Northern California.

“I am honored to have earned the support and confidence of the distinguished delegates of the California Republican Assembly,” Runner said. “I share with CRA an unwavering dedication to conservative values, which includes protecting taxpayers, supporting free enterprise and limiting government’s involvement in our lives.”

The CRA endorsement follows on the heels of Runner receiving the coveted endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association last month. Runner also earned the endorsement of former CRA presidents Mike Spence and Steve Frank, in addition to numerous local, state and national leaders who represent communities throughout the BOE 2nd District, which spans 34 counties from San Bernardino to Siskiyou.

Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE 2nd District in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert and Jessicaʼs Law. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Chartered in 1934, The CRA is the state’s oldest and largest Republican volunteer organization. President Ronald Reagan called the California Republican Assembly: “The conscience of the Republican Party.”