About Us

CUT TAXES NOW!

About Us

Run Away Taxes are hurting homeowners and all Floridians. These taxes are due directly to out of control government spending. Cut Taxes Now is working for you to stop and reverse excessive taxation and spending by government.

Our Mission will work by capping tax and spending growth in the near term and shrinking government over the long term. Our detailed mission and campaign strategy tells how we will fight for you.

Our greatest strength is our members. Please join today and be part of the wave of citizens who will help Cut Taxes Now fight for all of Florida's hardworking Taxpayers.

Our Very Succesful TAX REVOLT RALLY on the steps of St. Petersburg City Hall in October 2006 demonstrated for the local governments that the citizens are demanding change. We also were the only group to openly oppose passage of the Penny for Pinellas tax based on unncessary creation of a $2 billion dollar slush fund when governments are already flush with cash from property taxes.

After extensive budget research, our group presented their findings to the St. Petersburg City Council on February 8, 2007 and were featured in the St. Petersburg Times doing so. We asked the City to limit its 2008 budget and tax growth to no more than inflation and population growth or 3%, whichever is less.

Our Group was formed in response to the outrageous property tax collections throughout the Tampa Bay Area and the state. While local government officials offer token cuts to the millage rate - the rate that determines the amount of property tax collected - actual tax collections are skyrocketing!

We are a non-partisan group that seeks to acheive for responsible government spending, a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and to expand our mission.

Cut Taxes Now Board Of Governors

David McKalip, M.D. (Chairman)

A St. Petersburg Neurosurgeon who formed this organization in September 2006 in response to high taxes and out of control spending.

Richard Knipe, M.D. (Vice Chair)

A St. Petersburg Oncologist who has spent several years working for tax releif in St. Petersburg.

J. Kipp Wall

Co-Founder of Iler, Wall and Shonter insurance agency which began in St. Petersburg and was acquired by BB&T. Coordinates Finance and Membership.

Judi Reed

A retired Federal Department of Justice Field agent and bank auditor. Coordinating our Research Committee.

David Simpson

Businessman and former journalist who is chairing our Communications committee.

Tom Gaitens (ex-officio)

Financial planner and political consultant and Florida Field Coordinator for FreedomWorks.

Cut Taxes Now Committees

Research Committee (Chair Sarah Lopez)

Core group within Cut Taxes Now which analyzes the tax and spending policies of local and state governments. Serves as the basis for much of our public education campaign to inform citizens on where their excessive tax dolllars go for the government's out of control spending.

Communication Committee (Co Chairs Jim Overby and David Simpson)

Creates member publications and other materials for disseminating our message.

Relations Committee (Chair Rod Moren)

Develops relationships with neighborhood associations, civic organizations, elected officials and candidates to assist in accomplishing our mission.

Finance/Membership Committee (Chair Dr. David McKalip)

Helps recruit members and raise money for our organzation.

Political Action (Board coordinator Tom Gaitens)

Creates and implements political campaigns to accomplish our mission

Our Goals

To Pass a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) to limit all state and local tax and spending growth to the lesser of 3% or inflation plus population growth wihtout a vote of the citizens.
To Educate Citizens about the Tax and Spending Records of government officials so citizens can be armed to demand smaller government and lower taxes.
To work with local citizens for meaningful tax reform.
To work with other interested parties to promote our mission.