Dear Republican Leaders:

The recent tax legislation passed by the Alabama legislature to be voted on September 9 represents legislation contrary to Republican principles and standards. This legislation calls for MORE taxes from taxpayers and results in BIGGER government.

Republican leaders from across the state are meeting this Saturday, June 28, 2003 at the Embassy suites in Montgomery for an organizational meeting that will give you and other Republican leaders 27 SPECIFIC things you can do to help defeat this horrible tax increase.

My question for you is, if Don Siegleman had been elected instead of Bob Riley and it was Don Siegleman who was in office presenting the largest tax increase ever for the State of Alabama-WOULD YOU BE SUPPORTING THIS TAX PACKAGE ??? We wouldn't support Siegleman's tax increase and certainly did not expect it from our own elected republican governor. I, too, had to answer that question and I personally have a hard time stomaching this bad legislation.

The meeting will last from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We have invited all Republican members of the House and Senate legislators, John Giles- State director of the Christian Coalition, several CPA's and Tax attorneys to better help you understand the cost of this tax increase.

Republicans have a difficult battle ahead to defeat this referendum. However, it is important that we get the facts out to voters of this state concerning the fiscal condition of Alabama and offer alternatives to a LARGE TAX INCREASE. State tax revenue along with state spending has been on the rise in recent years. The people of the State of Alabama do not need to be burdened by more tax increases when spending continues to rise.

As Republicans, we must defend our principles of promoting LOWER TAXES AND SMALLER GOVERNMENT. Please join us Saturday to find out more about what YOU can do.

Sincerely yours,

Roger E. McConnell