Members of the grass-roots coalition Americans for Prosperity stood before a 12foot inflatable ATM Monday outside the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley calling for an end to government overspending and tax hikes.

"Government simply looks at taxpayers like an ATM machine," said David Spady, state director of AFP. "It's time we say 'funds denied' to Sacramento."

Monday's press stop is part of the coalition's statewide campaign and petition drive- the "Already Taxed to the Max" tour- aimed at increasing public awareness about the Legislature's "pork-barrel" spending and at obtaining signatures to oppose new taxes.

Spady said government spending is out of control.

"They say we have a revenue problem," he said. "We say they have a spending problem."

According to the coalition, California is home to the fifthhighest tax burden in the nation, while the size of the state budget has increased by 30 percent, or $34 billion, over the past five years. Personal income taxes are the largest single revenue source, accounting for more than half of the general fund revenues.

Local elected officials who joined the SacramentotoSan Diego tour as it traveled through the state included Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy, who serves as the chair of AFP's California chapter.

"We're trying to inform the citizens of California about what's going on," Foy said. "We believe the $100 million we send to Sacramento should be spent wisely."

Every time the Legislature does not spend wisely, Foy said, it punishes taxpayers in the form of an ATM-like withdrawal.

The campaign kicked off May 14 on the steps of the state Capitol and will come full circle June 11 when a coalition of California taxpayers and AFP leaders present the governor with thousands of signed petitions.

Americans for Prosperity has chapters in 21 states across the nation and is committed to promoting limited government and prosperity for all Americans. As the government grows, the American dream gets further out of reach, Spady said.

Former Assemblymember Tony Strickland of Moorpark agreed, saying families cannot afford Sacramento's spending problem.

"A lot of people just can't make ends meet. They are seeing home mortgages go up and having to leave their homes in foreclosure. It's wrong that people across the state are having to choose between a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas."

Assemblymember Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita) sent out a clear message Monday that without action from citizens Californians can expect new taxes.

"Being in Sacramento, fighting the fight every day, I can tell you the endgame for this year's budget cycle is to raise taxes," Smyth said.

With this in mind, Strickland said, it's time to get rid of the waste, fraud and abuse in state government- which totaled more than $3 billion last year, according to AFP.

"We need to get California's fiscal house back in order," said Strickland, who is running for the California State Senate.

The consensus among AFP representatives, however, is that the state government doesn't want to make the cuts necessary to right the budget despite the pressure increased taxes place on local households and businesses.

"Every time you (raise taxes) it hurts families," Foy said. "We're not able to put food on the table, buy shoes or get a haircut."

Spady said the state needs to start making the same difficult decisions the average taxpayer is forced to make personally each day. To Foy, the solution is simple: "Don't spend what you don't have."

For more information about Americans for Prosperity or to sign the petition opposing tax increases, visit www.DontTaxCa.com.