Kent County Families for Fiscal Responsibility is a non-partisan, grass roots group dedicated to good governance and protecting the taxpayers of Kent County. KCFFR was formed in 2007 by citizens from across Kent County.
>> Lean about our core volunteer staff members
We focus on transparency and accountability of local government. We have taken public stands against off-date elections (such as in February and May), wasteful spending by local governments, and the unwillingness of some local government entities to make basic information about budgets and operations available to the public. We currently maintain two sub-projects under the KCFFR umbrella:
- ITP Watch – Keeping an eye on the operations of the ITP/The Rapid. The Rapid is one of the least transparent government units in the county and we are shining the light where they don’t want it to be.
- Kent County Open Government Project – Similar to ITP Watch, The KCOGP is working to improve transparency across all government units in the county. KCOGP is a clearinghouse for the data that local governments post online.
We accept no money from special interest groups or political parties and we are a volunteer-only organization.
Our recent successes include:
- After Kent County voters rejected an increased millage for Grand Rapids Community College in May 2007, the trustees of GRCC decided to ignore the will of the voters and ask for the tax increase, again, in August of that year. We decided that it was unacceptable for those who run GRCC to have so little respect for the taxpayers of the county. We worked very hard, behind the scenes, to get out the vote and inform residents of GRCC’s attempt at flouting their vote. We were successful in sending a message and the tax increase failed, for the second time that year.
- In early 2009, The Rapid attempted to raise taxes for a redundant and unneeded bus line, referred to as the Silver Line. After we raised significant objections to the plan and pointed out its failings and waste through an on the ground grass-roots campaign, the voters of the six cities of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Walker, Kentwood, and Wyoming sent a clear message to The Rapid: NO!
Join us in our struggle to stop irresponsible government spending and out of control taxation. Email us at info@kcffr.org if you would like to help out. Alternatively, join our Facebook page to keep in touch and keep up to date on our activities.
Join us as well by contacting your state representative and call for an end to multiple taxpayer paid elections throughout the year. Help us put an end to this unfair practice allowing counties and municipalities to request tax hikes multiple times throughout the year until they pass.
