The group, Brookhaven Citizens Against Higher Taxes, led a two-part effort against the ballot measure. First, the coalition launched a $300,000 public awareness campaign to alert the community of the danger of passing the ballot measure, and it obtained more than 3,000 voter signatures opposing the tax.
Secondly, the group challenged the validity of the proposition in court because language on the ballot omitted critical information about who would be liable for the tax. This opened the possibility of having the measure taken off the ballot.
Less than a week before the election, ruling that the proposition was misleading to voters, a state Supreme Court justice ordered the measure to be removed from the ballot, and the Long Island Builders Institute declared victory.
The tax may appear on next year’s ballot, although the Long Island association, working through the Brookhaven Citizens Against Higher Taxes, has mobilized public opinion against the tax. Polls taken in late October showed that the ballot measure was on its way to defeat. Most importantly, the group ignited a firestorm of opposition against higher taxes in the community.
The Long Island Builders Institute’s campaign was aided by a $25,000 grant from NAHB’s State & Local Issues Fund, a program that provides financial support for home builders associations facing nationally significant legislative, regulatory or political challenges.
To learn more about the Long Island Builders Institute’s success, contact Robert Wieboldt at 631-232-2345 or e-mail NAHB’s Dan Quinonez or call him at 800-368-5242 x8585.
For more information on NAHB’s State & Local Issues Fund, e-mail Sam Leyvas or call him at 800-368-5242 x8326.
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