FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2006
CONTACT: Ryan Banfill (850) 222-1996
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The VoteJacksonville.com Coalition announced today it would file complaints alleging that "Neighbors Protecting Neighbors," the developer-financed group paying for commercials opposing the Navy at Cecil Field, was misleading the public and its own contributors about its tax status.
The complaint with the Internal Revenue Service will allege that documents soliciting contributions to "Neighbors Protecting Neighbors" fail to disclose that any donations to the group are not tax-deductible. According to Section 6113 of the Internal Revenue Code, political committees with receipts of more than $100,000, such as "Neighbors Protecting Neighbors," must include an IRS disclaimer stating that contributions are not tax deductible.
Also today, VoteJacksonville.com announced it would file a complaint with the Florida Division of Elections alleging that "Neighbors Protecting Neighbors" has repeatedly failed to label its communications with state-mandated disclaimer language.
Section 106.143(1)(b)1 of the Florida Statutes states that political advertisements must be marked "paid political advertisement" or "pd. pol. adv." In Division of Elections opinion DE 06-12, the Division found that the exact words contained in quotes in Section 106.143(1)(a), Florida Statutes must be used for the disclaimer to be legal. Since "Neighbors Protecting Neighbors" does not use the exact words "paid political advertisement," it would appear the group has violated the law.
According to a 2005 report commissioned by Enterprise Florida, the Navy's return to Cecil Field would bring more than 31,000 new jobs to North Florida and boost the region's economy by $2.6 billion a year. The economic stimulus would also bring $900 million in new revenue to state and local government over 10 years.
More than 38,000 Jacksonville voters signed petitions to trigger a referendum to return Cecil Field to the Navy. According to BRAC law, if Jacksonville meets BRAC requirements and turns over the title to Cecil Field by Dec. 31, a Navy jet base will transfer to Cecil Field automatically.
Pd. Pol. Adv. paid for by VoteJacksonville.com, 14286 Beach Blvd Ste 19 #224, Jacksonville, FL 32250
Ryan Banfill
Senior Account Manager
Ron Sachs Communications
(850) 222-1996
(850) 224-2882 fax
james@ronsachs.com