Middletown Resident Group Becomes Political Action Committee

Editors Note:  The story has been updated to clarify both notable Republicans and Democrats are involved with the PAC.

The community group formed in the wake of the new Middletown Township earned income tax (EIT) isn’t going anywhere soon.

This week, the group announced Middletown Taxpayers United, which was formerly Middletown Township Taxpayers United, has formed a nonpartisan political action committee (PAC.)

Group organizers have formed Middletown Taxpayers United as a “nonpartisan political action committee dedicated to restoring fiscal responsibility and governmental transparency to the Township,” according to a press release from the group.

The PAC will be able to gather funds to eventually use in backing political candidates. No township supervisor seats are up for election in 2014 but 2015 is a different story.

The PAC is “dedicated to returning fiscal sanity to the township,” according to a release. The PAC also said in a statement they want to “restore fairness, transparency, honesty and integrity to our local government.”

The Middletown Taxpayers United started as a Facebook group in late 2013 and grew from there as word of the proposed EIT became known. While the makeup of the group is nonpartisan, the group has several notable township Democrats and Republicans involved with it. During recent rallies against the EIT and the Republican Board of Supervisors, members of both political parties showed up and voiced support for the group and their mission.

“We have already been successful in having the board adopt a motion to reduce the EIT to .5% but that is not enough,” MTU chairman Jerry Hofmann said. “Without instituting real reform on expenditures they will be back for the other .5% and then increasing the millage rate after that. The days of tax, spend and tax some more must come to a close in Middletown Township. It is simply unsustainable.”

The group thinks their mission has only just begun.

Hoffman added: “This Board is convinced they only have to make it past the February 15th budget finalization date to survive us but we aren’t going anywhere. They and their political backers better realize that we will be a force to be reckoned with through the 2015 Township elections and beyond.”

The group’s chairman also said he believes Middletown politicians are underestimating MTU, which has previously drawn large crowds to township supervisor meetings. 

Previous:

• Residents Upset About New Tax Turn Backs on Supervisors
• Residents to Rally Before Middletown Meeting on Monday
• Middletown Plans to Lower Controversial New Tax
• Citizen Group to Continue Fight Against Board Members Who Voted to Raise Taxes
• Controversial Tax Increase in Middletown Approved
• Residents Come out to Oppose Middletown Tax Increase