MYTH: Opponents allege that Steve Poizner supports increasing taxes.

FACT: Steve Poizner absolutely opposes raising taxes by one dime. Poizner is actually the only candidate running for governor that advocates cutting taxes for Californians.

Click To Hear In Steve’s Own Words About How He Opposes Tax Increases.

Poizner Has Been A Strong Anti-Tax Leader:

Poizner: “I absolutely oppose raising taxes by one dime. In fact, I am the only candidate running really that is actively advocating cutting taxes across the board.” (KTKZ’s “Capitol Hour With Eric Hogue,” 8/24/09)

The Fiscally Conservative Contra Costa Taxpayers Association “Loved Poizner’s Largely Anti-Tax Stump Speech.” “Contra Costa County continues to attract would-be gubernatorial candidates with a lunchtime speech this afternoon by Republican and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. He was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association. Predictably, this fiscally conservative audience of about 150 people loved Poizner’s largely anti-tax stump speech.” (Lisa Vorderbrueggen, “Poizner Appeals To Contra Costa Taxpayers Group,” Contra Costa Times’ “Political Blotter” Blog, www.ibabuzz.com, 4/15/09)

Poizner Led The Fight Against Proposition 1A, Which Would Have Increased Taxes On Californians By $16 Billion. “Over the next two months, I will be speaking out against the cynical and misleading 1A. I hope you will join me. Vote NO on higher taxes. Vote NO on Proposition 1A.” (Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Op-Ed, “The $16 Billion Tax Trick: We Need To Stop The Legislature From Trying To Fool Voters – Again,” FlashReport Blog, www.flashreport.org, 3/23/09)

Poizner Opposed Proposition 1A, Which He Called A “Cynical Trick” To “Fool Voters” To Approve Higher Taxes. “Worst of all, Proposition 1A is a cynical trick: it seeks to fool the voters into approving a two-year extension of higher car, income and sales taxes that will cost the average California family over $1,000 and total an estimated $16 billion. The Legislature’s leadership specifically wrote a slanted ballot description so that there is no mention of the tax increase. The legislators stacked the deck in the hopes of fooling the voters.” (Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Letter To California Republican Party, 3/24/09)

• NOTE: Proposition 1A Would Have Increased The Car Tax, Sales Tax, Income Tax, And Reduced Tax Credits Benefiting Working Families. “Passage of Proposition 1A means that the near-doubling of the car tax, the 1 cent statewide sales tax increase, the income tax hike and the reduction in the dependent tax credit would continue for an additional two years. That adds up to an estimated $16 billion in higher taxes.” (Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Op-Ed, “The $16 Billion Tax Trick: We Need To Stop The Legislature From Trying To Fool Voters – Again,” FlashReport Blog, www.flashreport.org, 3/23/09)

Poizner Opposed Giving The State Government “Another Dime – Not One More Dime.” “Poizner also expressed opposition to tax increases proposed in a May 19 special election as part of last year’s budget settlement. ‘Don’t give state government another dime – not one more dime,’ he said. ‘Because there’s been no effort at all to right-size and modernize state government. And we need to send a clear message to the Legislature and the governor: No more money. Go do your job.’” (Keith Matheny, “Poizner Discusses Run For Governor,” The [Palm Springs] Desert Sun, 4/18/09)

State Sen. John Benoit Called Poizner A “Strong Fiscal Conservative.” “Sen. Benoit: “(Poizner) has good experience in government and out. He brings an ability to look at government and bring some reasonable adjustments to the size of it. He is a strong fiscal conservative.” (Keith Matheny, “Poizner Discusses Run For Governor,” The [Palm Springs] Desert Sun, 4/18/09)

As Insurance Commissioner, Poizner Has Approved Nearly $2 Billion In Rate Reductions, Directly Benefiting California Drivers And Homeowners:

Here Are Just Some Of The Major Rate Reductions Poizner Approved:

Poizner Approved $255 Million In Rate Reductions For AllState Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces A $255 Million Dollar Rate Cut For Allstate Policyholders,” Press Release, 7/10/08)

Poizner Approved $219 Million In Rate Reductions For State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Commissioner Poizner Announces $219 Million Reduction For State Farms Auto Insurance Policyholders,” Press Release, 5/14/09)

Poizner Approved $101 Million In Rate Reductions For AAA Of Southern California Auto Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Commissioner Poizner Announces $101 Million Reduction For AAA Of Southern California Auto Policyholders,” Press Release, 2/6/09)

Poizner Approved $100 Million In Rate Reductions For Northern California AAA Customers. (California Department Of Insurance, “Insurance Commissioner Poizner Approves $100 Million Rate Reduction For Northern California AAA Customer,” Press Release, 10/24/07)

Poizner Approved $61 Million Reduction for Mercury Auto, Homeowners and Renters Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces $61 Million Reduction For Mercury Auto, Homeowners And Renters Policyholders,” Press Release, 6/11/08)