Beebe says conservative group 'trashing' Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday said a conservative group's television ad that claims people are leaving Arkansas because of high taxes and government debt is "trashing" the state and its residents.

Beebe, a Democrat, criticized the Americans for Prosperity spot, saying that though he thinks it is aimed at him and other Democrats, the ad instead insults the state. The advocacy group, formed by conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, began airing the ad over the weekend as part of a $175,000 ad buy.

"I'm going to defend our people. That's what I'm trying to do here because it's not just trashing me or individuals," Beebe told reporters at the state Capitol. "It's sending a message to the rest of the world that's not accurate about how well Arkansas has fared and how well Arkansas has done and how high we have climbed in so many rankings."

The 30-second spot, which is airing in the 1st, 2nd and 4th congressional districts, doesn't mention Beebe or any candidates by name. Teresa Oelke, the group's state director, said the ad will air for the next 20 days, possibly longer. Oelke said she raised the money in Arkansas to run the ad.

"For those who came before us, Arkansas held the promise of opportunity," the narrator says in the television spot. "But, slowly, our opportunities are being eroded by the ever-growing burden of government debt and the taxes needed to support it. As the cost of everyday living becomes too much, many are leaving our state to seek greater opportunity elsewhere."

The ad comes at a time when Beebe and the Democratic Party are trying to prevent a Republican takeover of the state Legislature. Democrats have been relying heavily on Beebe, a popular two-term governor who is not on the ballot this year, touting his record during their campaigns for dozens of House and Senate seats.

Beebe said the ad is misleading voters about his record and cited figures from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, which say the state has had net tax cuts totaling $730 million since he took office in 2007.

Oelke said the tax claim is backed up by a ranking on state and local tax burden from the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based nonprofit, which earlier this year said the state was 31st out of 50 states in tax climate.

Oelke said she disagreed with the governor's criticism and said it wasn't aimed at him or any party.

"I think the ad's aspirational, that we can do better," she said. "I love the state of Arkansas. I love the people of Arkansas. I believe in the can do spirit of the people of Arkansas and again, I believe that with economic freedom you can have more opportunities."

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