Press Release
October 16, 2006
For Immediate Release

Two of the candidates seeking election to the Sedgwick County Commission have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The pledge is a candidate commitment not to raise taxes if elected to office. The two candidates signing the pledge cross party boundaries. They are Kelly Parks, R-Valley Center and Gwen Welshimer, D-Wichita running in separate county commission contests this year.

"The Kansas Taxpayers Network decided to offer the Taxpayers Protection Pledge in the wake of the large property tax hike approved unanimously by the Sedgwick County commission in August. This was the largest, but not the only increase in county taxes during the last four years."

"Voters need to know if the candidates have a real commitment to fiscal responsibility or not. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is an important tool for voters and the Kansas Taxpayers Network (KTN), the oldest taxpayer organization in Kansas, has been offering this pledge to statewide and legislative candidates since 1996," said Karl Peterjohn, KTN Executive Director. Statewide tax pledge signers are also posted on KTN's website: www.kansastaxpayers.com.

The county pledge says, "I, (name), a candidate for the Sedgwick County Commission pledge to the people of my district and to all of the taxpayers in Sedgwick County that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes in Sedgwick County, Kansas."