Colorado Politics

Americans for Prosperity target Bennet over corporate welfare

Coloradans will soon receive a campaign-style mailer that takes aim at tax handouts for special interests and corporate welfare, featuring the face of Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Denver.

The mailer is part of a multi-year, multi-million dollar campaign, said Americans for Prosperity, the conservative organization behind the campaign.

The first phase of the nationwide campaign is, in total, a seven-figure buy, an AFP spokesman said.

Bennet isn’t up for re-election until 2022, but he’s announced his plans to run for president. 

RELATED: Fields: Senator Bennet’s support of crony capitalism

His Senate office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

The Americans for Prosperity campaign, however, also will target Democratic U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Arvada and Republican Rep. Scott Tipton of Cortez.

The campaign especially targets the federal Export-Import Bank, which makes loans and credit guarantees for purchases of U.S. products.

The bank divides conservatives because of President Trump’s support for it, as well as such prominent business groups as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

“Using subsidies, tax carve-outs and protectionist policies, Congress has created an environment where the well-connected are better off,” Americans for Prosperity’s Colorado director Jesse Mallory tells Colorado Politics. “The Ex-Im Bank and tax extenders are typical, mundane D.C. policies that only the well-connected can take advantage of.

“The average individual may not know much about it, but they’re paying for it. It must stop. We urge Sen. Bennet, Rep. Perlmutter and Rep. Tipton to unrig the economy and oppose any corporate welfare.”

Bennet argued for the bank’s reauthorization under the Obama administration in 2015, citing support from Colorado business groups, as well.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., during a rally with young voters on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder on Oct. 24, 2018.
(Photo by David Zalubowski / AP)
These mailers that argue against tax dollars and special interests will be mailed in Colorado.
Courtesy of Americans for Prosperity
Tags


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests