AP: Tea party targets Kasich tax plan

COLUMBUS (AP) — A tea-party-linked group whose backers haven’t been disclosed is circulating an anti-tax pledge at the Ohio Statehouse against Gov. John Kasich’s proposed increase on oil and gas drillers.

Founder Chris Littleton says the nonprofit Ohio Rising is an independent grassroots organization.

Littleton tells The Associated Press that signers of the pledge won’t be disclosed until there’s critical mass. They’re agreeing to oppose Kasich’s plan to increase Ohio’s tax on oil and gas extraction in order to pay for statewide income-tax relief.

A review by AP found several conservative national groups backing the effort have received “energy education” grants from the American Petroleum Institute.

Republican State Rep. Andy Thompson of Marietta said he’s signed the pledge because he believes Kasich’s tax proposal could hurt the drilling industry.