Category Archives: Front Page

Letter from Senator Kay Hagan on EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions

March 7, 2011

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me regarding S.J. Res. 26 and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue.

In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases are air pollutants subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act and directed the EPA to determine whether emissions from new motor vehicles endanger public health or welfare. Following an extensive two-year review process, under both the Obama and Bush Administrations, the EPA found that these gases do in fact threaten public health. This finding does not itself impose any requirements on industry or other entities, but does provide the basis for potential future regulation.

In order to prevent any regulations from taking effect, some members of Congress have worked to stop the EPA from moving forward. In particular, S.J. Res. 26 would have overturned the EPA finding that greenhouse gas emissions represent a threat to public health, and preemptively removed the ability for the EPA to regulate these emissions. On June 10, 2010, S.J. Res. 26 was considered by the full Senate and rejected with a vote of 47-53.

I strongly believe that the United States must serve as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that deteriorate our atmosphere and threaten our environment. Like you, however, I am concerned about the impact of any new federal policy on energy costs in North Carolina and American economic competitiveness. We cannot allow the impact of new energy initiatives to fall disproportionately on North Carolina or low-income citizens. Likewise, we cannot put American industries at a competitive disadvantage while we push other nations to adopt similar emissions reduction targets.

I believe that the most efficient and cost-effective method to regulate greenhouse gases is through a market-based approach that is thoroughly examined by Congress. I do not believe that Congress should overturn a scientific finding that affects the welfare of our nation, and for that reason I voted against S.J. Res. 26. With this in mind, I anticipate the opportunity work with my colleagues on comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation, and will work to ensure that the impacts of new energy policies will strengthen – not weaken – our state’s economy.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

 

Kay R. Hagan

Monday at the NC General Assembly

Via Washington Examiner

 

HEADLINES:

NC House Republicans set override vote on Perdue veto on health care overhaul challenge

Never before approved, 2007 land transfer tax given initial approval for repeal by NC House

House gives initial OK to end requirement for community colleges to join fed loan programs

House Democrats roll out alternative bill to GOP plan for charter school changes that ends cap

Education advocates tell NC legislative budget writers to avoid making deep budget cuts

Former Union County Sheriff McGuirt appointed to succeed Gibson in North Carolina House

THE BRIEF:

VETO OVERRIDE: Republicans will attempt to cancel Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto rejecting a measure designed to challenge a key provision of the federal health care overhaul law for North Carolina. House GOP leaders set an override vote for Wednesday. Over the weekend, Perdue vetoed a bill that attempts to block a provision of the federal law requiring most people in 2014 to buy health insurance or face a penalty. Perdue said the bill would have violated the U.S. Constitution and referred to a memo from Attorney General Roy Cooper’s office arguing the measure could harm other health programs. House Republicans may need a few more Democratic votes to get the three-fifths majority needed to override. The Senate also would have to override to let the bill become law. Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory is lending his voice to automated phone calls on behalf of Americans for Prosperity urging voters to ask lawmakers to vote for the override.

The American Bar Association Supports Sharia Law in USA!

Via the AmericanThinker

 

Tuesday, in an article called The ABA’s Jihad in The American Thinker, I exposed the Islamic supremacism taking root at the American Bar Association, breaking the story of the ABA’s support for Sharia law. I revealed the notice, circulated among ABA members, of an organized ABA campaign to oppose the anti-Sharia legislation that has been introduced in 14 state legislatures. Then on Wednesday the ABA issued a statement in response to my article, claiming that “the American Bar Association has taken no action in support of, or in opposition to, judges considering Islamic law or Sharia.”
How dishonest and disingenuous.
The ABA statement said that the organization has “nearly 400,000 members, many of whom volunteer with any of the ABA’s 2,200 entities. One of those 2,200 entities is the Section on International Law, which has elected to assemble a taskforce of several individuals to examine this issue.” The statement makes it sound as if this examination is completely neutral: “These individuals are examining whether the proposed changes to the law impact important constitutional questions.  They are also considering implications for international commerce.”
Above all, the ABA claims that this taskforce has nothing to do with the organization itself: “The actions of a few interested members within one section are not and cannot be interpreted to be those of the entire American Bar Association. Claims to the contrary are erroneous.”
This is spin and damage control. In my Tuesday article I quoted the Section on International Law stating that the ABA’s Executive Counsel “has organized a Task Force to review the legislation of 14 states — Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming — in which anti-Sharia legislation has been introduced.”
There was no way this Task Force could be understood as neutral. Clearly it was dedicated to working against anti-Sharia legal initiatives. The Section on International Law document said: “The Section’s Executive Counsel [sic] has organized a Task Force to review the legislation of 14 states — Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming – in which anti-Sharia legislation has been introduced.  The goal of the Task Force is to have a Report and Recommendation against such legislation as well as an informal set of ‘talking points’ that local opponents of these initiatives could use to make their case in each of these states.”
This should incite justifiable public outrage, and actually increase support for and awareness of the legislation among the grassroots electorate.
A source knowledgeable about the ABA has also informed me that the organization’s Middle East law committee recently began a lobbying campaign, which the ABA’s international law chair endorsed. It was a political act, not a neutral study. This source sent me ABA policy guidelines that make it clear that policies that are formulated by small committees or “entities” can and do become official ABA policy under certain circumstances, and those circumstances are present in the case of this pro-Sharia Task Force.
This puts the ABA on the spot: either its policy mechanism on Middle East law has been taken over by Middle East-based lawyer(s) with Islamic supremacist sympathies, or the Middle East law committee does represent the ABA’s actual positions.
Further, is there any ABA group or task force assigned to helping those who oppose Sharia to craft legislation to ban it? No. There is only an initiative to oppose those fighting the Sharia.
Particularly troubling is the non-democratic way in which the ABA made the decision to oppose the anti-Sharia initiatives of various states. A tiny minority of the ABA’s total membership steers its policies, which almost always are developed from the top down. The pro-Sharia initiative seems to have been pushed forward through what the ABA calls a “blanket approval” or even more rapid “technical comment” procedure, and seems to go beyond issuing mere statements to actively organizing lobbying to influence state legislation – a practice that is generally forbidden for tax-exempt organizations.
All this makes it obvious that the ABA’s statement disclaiming any support for Sharia was completely false and dishonest.
If the ABA continues to forward this deceitful rhetoric, I will expose even more information about its support for Sharia.
There is one way the ABA could make at least partial amends now: it’s time the ABA created a task force to help those of us who are fighting the introduction of Islamic law in America.
We’re waiting.

Obama Administration Running Guns to Mexico!

CBS, yes CBS is breaking news that shows the Obama Administration has been running guns to Mexico!

 

Agent: I was ordered to let U.S. guns into Mexico

ATF agent says “Fast and Furious” program let guns “walk” into hands of Mexican drug cartels with aim of tracking and breaking a big case

By Sharyl Attkisson
  • Video ATF agent: It’s not overATF special agent John Dodson explained to Sharyl Attkisson that there is no telling where their gun exchange program will end.
  • Video ATF agent explains why he let guns “walk”Sharyl Attkisson spoke with ATF special agent John Dodson who explained the reasoning behind the ATF’s “Fast and Furious” program that guns “walk” into hands of Mexican drug cartels with aim of tracking and breaking a big case.
(CBS News)WASHINGTON – Federal agent John Dodson says what he was asked to do was beyond belief.

He was intentionally letting guns go to Mexico?

“Yes ma’am,” Dodson told CBS News. “The agency was.”

An Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms senior agent assigned to the Phoenix office in 2010, Dodson’s job is to stop gun trafficking across the border. Instead, he says he was ordered to sit by and watch it happen.

Investigators call the tactic letting guns “walk.” In this case, walking into the hands of criminals who would use them in Mexico and the United States.

Sharyl Attkisson’s original “Gunrunner” report

Center for Public Integrity report

Dodson’s bosses say that never happened. Now, he’s risking his job to go public.

“I’m boots on the ground in Phoenix, telling you we’ve been doing it every day since I’ve been here,” he said. “Here I am. Tell me I didn’t do the things that I did. Tell me you didn’t order me to do the things I did. Tell me it didn’t happen. Now you have a name on it. You have a face to put with it. Here I am. Someone now, tell me it didn’t happen.”

Agent Dodson and other sources say the gun walking strategy was approved all the way up to the Justice Department. The idea was to see where the guns ended up, build a big case and take down a cartel. And it was all kept secret from Mexico.

ATF named the case “Fast and Furious.”

Surveillance video obtained by CBS News shows suspected drug cartel suppliers carrying boxes of weapons to their cars at a Phoenix gun shop. The long boxes shown in the video being loaded in were AK-47-type assault rifles.

 

So it turns out ATF not only allowed it – they videotaped it.

Documents show the inevitable result: The guns that ATF let go began showing up at crime scenes in Mexico. And as ATF stood by watching thousands of weapons hit the streets… the Fast and Furious group supervisor noted the escalating Mexican violence.

One e-mail noted, “958 killed in March 2010 … most violent month since 2005.” The same e-mail notes: “Our subjects purchased 359 firearms during March alone,” including “numerous Barrett .50 caliber rifles.”

Dodson feels that ATF was partly to blame for the escalating violence in Mexico and on the border. “I even asked them if they could see the correlation between the two,” he said. “The more our guys buy, the more violence we’re having down there.”

Senior agents including Dodson told CBS News they confronted their supervisors over and over.

 

Their answer, according to Dodson, was, “If you’re going to make an omelette, you’ve got to break some eggs.”

There was so much opposition to the gun walking, that an ATF supervisor issued an e-mail noting a “schism” among the agents. “Whether you care or not people of rank and authority at HQ are paying close attention to this case…we are doing what they envisioned…. If you don’t think this is fun you’re in the wrong line of work… Maybe the Maricopa County jail is hiring detention officers and you can get $30,000 … to serve lunch to inmates…”

“We just knew it wasn’t going to end well. There’s just no way it could,” Dodson said.

 

On Dec. 14, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was gunned down. Dodson got the bad news from a colleague.

According to Dodson, “They said, ‘Did you hear about the border patrol agent?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ And they said ‘Well it was one of the Fast and Furious guns.’ There’s not really much you can say after that.”

Two assault rifles ATF had let go nearly a year before were found at Terry’s murder.

Dodson said, “I felt guilty. I mean it’s crushing. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Sen. Grassley began investigating after his office spoke to Dodson and a dozen other ATF sources — all telling the same story.

Read Sen. Grassley’s letter to the attorney general

The response was “practically zilch,” Grassley said. “From the standpoint that documents we want – we have not gotten them. I think it’s a case of stonewalling.”

Dodson said he hopes that speaking out helps Terry’s family. They haven’t been told much of anything about his murder – or where the bullet came from.

“First of all, I’d tell them that I’m sorry. Second of all, I’d tell them I’ve done everything that I can for them to get the truth,” Dodson said. “After this, I don’t know what else I can do. But I hope they get it.”

Dodson said they never did take down a drug cartels. However, he said thousands of Fast and Furious weapons are still out there and will be claiming victims on both sides of the border for years to come.

Late tonight, the ATF said it will convene a panel to look into its national firearms trafficking strategy. But it refused to comment specifically on Sharyl’s report.

Statement from Kenneth E. Melson, Acting Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives:

 

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will ask a multi-disciplinary panel of law enforcement professionals to review the bureau’s current firearms trafficking strategies employed by field division managers and special agents. This review will enable ATF to maximize its effectiveness when undertaking complex firearms trafficking investigations and prosecutions. It will support the goals of ATF to stem the illegal flow of firearms to Mexico and combat firearms trafficking in the United States.”

© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

Click here for CBS link

Help override Gov Perdue's veto of Health Care Freedom

Breaking News: Governor Perdue has Vetoed House Bill 2,
The Health Care Freedom Act

The Health Care Freedom Act was approved by wide margins by both the North Carolina House and Senate. This important bill would block the unconstitutional provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requiring Americans to buy insurance beginning in 2014 or face a monetary penalty.

Despite calls from hundreds of thousands of citizens and the urging of Americans for Prosperity, Attorney General Cooper has refused to defend the constitutional rights of North Carolina citizens by challenging Obamacare’s constitutionality in court and now Governor Perdue has vetoed this common sense legislation.

Join your other AFP activists in North Carolina by telling the legislature to override Governor Perdue’s veto and pass the North Carolina Health Care Protection Act immediately!

Click here to compose an email to your NC Legislators.

Tea Party Being Hijacked by Progressives

The Foundary

 

Posted March 7th, 2011 at 9:59am in First Principles

Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) recently asserted that there is a “potential alliance” forming between Progressive and Tea Party lawmakers on the issue of defense spending cuts. Others have also noted this opportunity:  “Arguably, the new Tea Party push on defense spending merely echoes long-standing progressive attacks on the Pentagon budget as the nation’s number one ‘entitlement’ program.”

But defense is no entitlement program. It is one of the core responsibilities of the federal government, and a necessity for sustained security and an independent American foreign policy. The issue of defense spending is exacerbated by a gross misunderstanding among average Americans about the share of military spending in the budget. According to a recent poll, 63% of those asked believe that the United States spends more on the military than on Social Security and Medicare. This is far from reality: roughly 58% of the 2010 U.S. budget was spent on domestic entitlements and welfare spending, whereas 20% was spent on defense.

The US need not police the world, but since the beginning, military preparedness for threats both manifest and unknown has been a priority. In George Washington’s first annual address to Congress in 1790, he cautioned future Americans to safeguard defense:

Among the many interesting objects which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent on others, for essential, particularly for military supplies.

America’s traditional spending priorities deserve to be voiced in the current budget debate.

While Progressives and some Libertarians are attempting to form political alliances to cut American military spending, China plans to increase its military spending by 12.6% (to $91.5 billion) in 2011, prompting concern from countries in the region. China may not constitute a direct military threat at this time, but according to George Washington’s understanding of Congress’ role, the imminence of a threat is secondary to ensuring “effectual means” to provide for U.S. security.

Progressives such as Barney Frank do not “merit particular regard” for American security and independence abroad. Indeed, they would rather sacrifice military preparedness on the altar of domestic entitlement spending, in an effort to survive the current spending cuts with their bloated welfare programs intact. What could be further from the goals and values of the Tea Party movement?

 

The Foundry

Flat Tax vs. FairTax Debate

The Tax Foundation

July 14, 2008

Flat Tax vs. FairTax Debate

by Joseph Henchman

One of last week’s FreedomFest 2008 events was a debate between proponents of the FairTax and the Flat Tax. Both are tax reform proposals that would replace much of our existing federal tax system. The FairTax is a national sales tax imposed on retail transactions, coupled with a “prebate” sent to each American each month. There are many Flat Tax proposals, but all aim to eliminate many of the deductions and credits in the tax code, and tax all income at one rate.

Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute began by arguing that a flat tax is preferable because 25 nations have already adopted it; no nation has yet replaced an income tax with a national sales taxes. He argued that because a flat tax is a low-rate system with no double taxation, it can produce greater economic growth. Mitchell also expressed concern that if the U.S. adopted a national sales tax, it could end up with both the existing income tax plus the national sales tax.

David Tuerck of the Beacon Hill Institute argued that the FairTax ensures that all Americans pay taxes, unlike income tax systems which can have large numbers of voting Americans not paying tax. He also noted that flat income taxes tend to erode and become less flat as “rent-seeking special interests” turn the tax code into a “grab bag.” Tuerck also argued that administrative costs of the FairTax would be easier, since approximately 1.1 million businesses would have to pay the FairTax, compared to 132 million+ income tax filers.

Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal editorial board emphasized that the flat tax would create much growth, and that it is more politically possible than the FairTax. Richard Rahn of the Cato Institute responded that it is defeatist to view tax reform as politically unpalatable, and that a FairTax is preferable since it would tax consumption, not income, and eliminate the IRS.

After the debate concluded, the audience voted on which plan they preferred. The vote was very close, but the FairTax won, according to the moderator, “by a nose.”

More on the FairTax vs. Flat Tax debate:

FairTax Facts – Wall Street Journal editorial by Leo Linbeck (pro-FairTax)

What’s Foul About the FairTax – Boston Globe editorial by Bruce Bartlett (anti-FairTax)

Un-FairTax – Washington Post editorial (anti-FairTax)

Huckabee’s Flat Tax is a Fair Tax – editorial in The Fergus Daily Journal (pro-FairTax)

And read the Tax Foundation’s statement on tax reform proposals here.

Shutting Down TARP & Saving Taxpayers $8 Billion – With More to Come

March 6, 2011 | Posted by Speaker Boehner’s Press Office  | Permalink
This week, the House will begin the process of shutting down the TARP bailout program, saving taxpayers $8 billion in mandatory spending — with more savings to come. Economists agree that immediate and meaningful spending cuts are needed to help promote private-sector job creation. Read more about GOP efforts to cut spending and create a better environment for job growth below. And check out the weekly Republican address by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) who says the path to prosperity lies in liberating our economy from the shackles of big government and out-of-control spending:

ON FACEBOOK? “Like” the Office of Speaker Boehner here:

 

Liberating Our Economy from the Shackles of Debt & Big Government

 

  • WATCH: Speaker Boehner discussed Taylor’s analysis with FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren.
  • Republican freshmen signed a letter to the president urging swift action on pending trade agreements to help “create badly needed jobs for Americans.” Experts say these agreements will “increase business and employment opportunities for Americans for years to come.”

 

America’s Massive Debt Poses a “Mortal Threat to Our Country” & Our Economy

 

  • WATCH: In a speech to the National Religious Broadcasters, Speaker Boehner said we have a moral responsibility to rein in the federal debt which poses a “mortal threat to our country.”
  • The Government Accountability Office uncovered billions of dollars in wasteful government spending.
  • A joint-Congressional report found that the massive Medicaid expansion in the $2.6 trillion ObamaCare law is twice what had been estimated and will overwhelm states with new costs.
  • Meanwhile, the Democrats who run Washington are pushing an inadequate status quo plan that keeps government spending at current “stimulus”-inflated levels.

 

As Gas Prices Rise, GOP Works to Stop the EPA From Imposing a Job-Crushing National Energy Tax

 

  • Experts agree that polices pushed by the Democrats who run Washington are raising fuel costs and jeopardizing American jobs.
  • The sharp increase in fuel costs is “putting the squeeze on drivers’ wallets” and “forcing tough choices on small-business owners” – which could mean fewer jobs for American workers.
  • Republicans introduced the Energy Tax Prevention Act to stop the EPA from imposing a national energy tax that would further drive up fuel costs for families and small businesses. Republicans are committed to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that increases American-made energy production, provides for more clean renewable and alternative fuels, and increases conservation.

 

As always, we appreciate your interest in the new House majority and encourage you to stay connected with the Office of the Speaker on Facebook, Twitter, and on Speaker.gov. Have a great week!

– Speaker Boehner’s Press Office

 

 

SPEAKER PRESS OFFICE
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH)
H-232, THE CAPITOL
(202) 225-0600 | SPEAKER.GOV

North Carolina Democratic Governor Vetoes GOP Challenge to Health Care Law

Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue has vetoed a Republican-backed challenge to the federal health care overhaul that North Carolina’s attorney general argues is unenforceable.

Perdue announced Saturday her rejection of the measure, which attempts to block a provision requiring most people in 2014 to buy health insurance or face a penalty. The challenge was a GOP fall campaign platform plank.

Perdue had sounded willing to let the bill become law without her signature. She changed her mind when Attorney General Roy Cooper wrote that the federal law trumped state legislation and suggested the language could harm state health programs.

General Assembly leaders must decide whether to attempt an override. It’s Perdue second veto in under two weeks.

Meeting Minutes, 3/1/2011

MINUTES OF CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
1 MARCH 2011

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:08 PM by President BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance led by Greg “Rudi” Rudolph
Invocation by ROY MUSSER
23 were in attendance

President BOB introduced our guest speaker for the evening – Greg ‘Rudi’ Rudolph, Shore Protection Manager, who spoke on ‘Proposed Sea-Level Rise State Policy’ utilizing power point visuals.  This program is funded by the local occupancy tax.  Some of the items he touched on were ‘climate and sea level’, ‘state approach’ and ‘proposed policy’.  Scientists estimate the average air temperature and sea level has increased by approximately 13 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 feet, respectively in the past 18,000 years.  Although greenhouse gases are considered the main vehicle behind global warming and sea-level rise, factors such as dust from volcanic eruptions and air pollution, solar activity, ocean currents, water evaporation from oceans, and a host of other variables can impact climate and/or sea level response.  The Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) was charged with protection, preservation, development, and management of the southeastern coastal plains.  In the 1990’s CRC developed a scientific panel to study beach nourishment sediment, inlet hazard zones boundaries, and other more science-intense topics.  This data is usually used to help create policies.  The panel recommended that a rise of 1 meter (39 inches) be adopted as the amount of anticipated rise by 2100 for policy development and planning purposes.  This 1 meter is considered a bench mark for use in land planning development, which could impact Carteret County in health and human safety, building requirement, even flood insurance, especially ‘down east’.  It is important to remember and realize there is no absolute certainty pertaining to the benchmark.  BOB thanked Mr. Rudolph and asked him to keep us informed as to the development of this program and encouraged him to please come back any time.

Treasurer’s Report – NANCY BOCK, Treasurer, reported that we have $1,359.00 in the bank.

April Rally Discussion –
We need to get up with Rev. Willie Montague to find out what the cost of his travel here will cost.
BOB will contact Bob Chambers, Newport, about a permit for the rally.
NANCY wanted to know if the sound system had been secured.  BOB will get up with them to determine cost.  BOB has a covered trailer for the sound system that we can use in case of rain.  ALEX DAVIS set up the system last year, so maybe we can talk him into coming back and help.
KEN LANG reported on the speakers he has lined up –
Becky Gray, John Locke Society, has agreed to speak, and would like to have a table available for their promotional supplies.
Katy Trout, with Civitas, will provide a speaker and will also need a table.
CATIE MIDGETT, a teen member of the Crystal Coast TEA Party Patriots, has agreed to speak again at this rally.  CATIE has spoken at the last three or four rallies.
KEN said he had talked with Lockwood Phillips and he has agreed to MC the event.  KEN also asked him about coming and speaking at one of our meetings.  KEN hopes to get this arranged within the next couple of weeks.
DIANE LANG and FRED DECKER talked to State Senator Jean Preston at the CCRW Reagan Birthday Dinner last Saturday night at the Leon Mann Senior Citizens Center.  Sen. Preston said she thought she might be able to rearrange her schedule and attend.  She would talk with her aides and hopefully work something out.
KEN said he had sent an invitation to the Carteret County Board of Commissioners and, so far, only Billy Smith had responded.  Mr. Smith said he thought there was something else going on during that time frame but would check and get back with us about his availability.  KEN said he had had no other response from the commissioners.  He hopes to be able to invite them to attend one our meetings and talk with us.

ROY MUSSER said he had attended the rally in Raleigh, Saturday, February 26th.  The pro-union rally was organized by the State Employees Association of NC (which does not have formal negotiation rights, because NC is one of two states that ban collective bargaining for public workers).  Roy said there were about 200 to 250 supporters of Wisconsin’s public employees in dispute with Gov. Scott Walker.  Roy was among the smaller group of anti-union (100 to 150, many who said they were affiliated with the TEA Party movement) demonstrators.  He reported that there was a lot of ugly name calling and he really had to work hard to maintain his cool.  He said he didn’t think he would be going to another rally without a chaperon!  He was interviewed by the Raleigh News and Observer and told them “We’re trying to get all the sickness out of this country so we can get back to the foundation.”

HOWARD and PEGGY GARNER and NANCY BOCK reported on the Carteret County Republican Women Reagan Birthday dinner.  Pat McCrory was the guest speaker and gave a very interesting and informative speech.  He was not really enthused with Charlotte being tapped for the next Democratic convention.

Upcoming Events –
March 11 – Joe McCleese and wife will be speaking at a meeting in Greenville at Parker’s Barbecue.
March 12 – The program which was to be hosted by Chris Parr at the Carteret Community College, Morehead City, has been cancelled.
March 12 – BOB will be promoting the TEA Party Patriots at the Saint Patrick Day Festival in Emerald Isle.

CLAYTON and GRACE GILLIKIN reported that they had not been able to obtain any further information on having a barbecue fund raiser down east, but would keep trying.

TOM AUSTIN thought that we ought to attend the viewing of the Ayn Rand movie ‘Atlas Shrug’ with all of us wearing our TEA Party shirts.  We might want to get a copy of a DVD of hers and show it at one of our meetings.

HOWARD said he had told Senator Jean Preston that he really liked and agreed with the bills that had come out so far in Raleigh.  She told him if he liked those he would really be impressed with what is coming up.

Meeting adjourned approximated 8:00PM

Minutes submitted by Secretary PEGGY GARNER

JLF Experts, Outside Groups Rebut N.C. Attorney General in New Letters

Cooper’s analysis of House Bill labeled ‘incomplete,’ concerns called ‘unfounded’

By CJ Staff

March 01, 2011

RALEIGH — The John Locke Foundation, Center for Constitutional Litigation, and a scholar with the libertarian Cato Institute have submitted letters to N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue that bolster the legal case for a bill protecting North Carolinians from federal government overreach on health care.

The letters specifically target N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper’s Feb. 23 memo arguing that House Bill 2, the North Carolina Health Care Protection Act, is unconstitutional. That bill is designed to exempt North Carolinians from the individual health insurance mandate tied to the March 2010 federal health care reform law. Cooper’s memo urges Perdue to veto H.B. 2.

“[Cooper’s] concerns are unfounded and therefore do not provide a valid reason for vetoing H.B. 2,” according to the letter (PDF link) from Daren Bakst, JLF Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies, and Joseph Coletti, Director of Health and Fiscal Policy Studies.

Bakst and Coletti’s letter specifically challenges Cooper’s assertions about the potential conflict between state law and the federal Constitution, along with Cooper’s prediction that H.B. 2 could threaten state Medicaid funding.

Clint Bolick of the Center for Constitutional Litigation, a program of the Arizona-based Goldwater Institute, also rebuts (PDF link) Cooper’s arguments. “House Bill 2 is a version of the Health Care Freedom Act, which we helped draft,” Bolick writes. “Different versions of the Act have been adopted as constitutional amendments or statutes in several states. In no state has the constitutionality of the Act been challenged, nor to our knowledge has Medicaid funding been threatened in any state that has enacted the Act.”

Ilya Shapiro, Cato Institute senior fellow in constitutional studies, focuses (PDF link) on H.B. 2’s protection of two “essential rights.” “First, it protects a person’s right to participate or not in any health care system and prohibits the government from imposing fines or penalties on that person’s decision,” Shapiro writes. “Second, it protects the right of individuals to purchase — and the right of doctors to provide — lawful medical services without government fine or penalty.”

The N.C. House approved H.B. 2 with a 69-49 vote Feb. 22, less than a week after the Senate endorsed the measure 30-18. Lawmakers presented the bill to Perdue Thursday. She has a total of 10 days to decide whether to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.

Perdue had signaled she would allow H.B. 2 to become law without her signature. Then Cooper submitted his memo. In addition to labeling H.B. 2 unconstitutional, Cooper argued the bill “could create other problems for the state,” according to the JLF letter.

Cooper’s memo argues one piece of H.B. 2 could jeopardize state Medicaid funding by prohibiting the state from assessing a new federally mandated fee designed to help combat Medicaid fraud and abuse.

“H.B. 2 does not prohibit a fee for the purposes of fighting fraud and abuse,” Bakst and Coletti counter. “The Attorney General is reading the bill to mean that no fee can ever be imposed on a person who contracts with a public health care system, unrelated to why the fee is being imposed. This ignores the language of the bill.”

The JLF experts also tackle Cooper’s “incomplete” analysis of the supremacy of federal law over a state law such as H.B. 2. “States often enact laws that conflict with federal laws,” he explains. “This by itself does not make the state law unconstitutional.”

The attorney general’s memo is “100 percent backward” when it suggests the state and its residents must comply with the 2010 federal health care reform law until and unless a court orders otherwise, Bakst and Coletti write. “The state and its residents have every right to not comply with the law until a court orders otherwise. North Carolina does not have to pre-emptively strike down its own laws.”

Bolick’s letter concludes by addressing the significance of the Feb. 23 memo from Cooper and N.C. Solicitor General Christopher Browning.

“It is troubling that the Attorney General and Solicitor General would conclude in advance that House Bill 2 is unconstitutional,” Bolick writes. “Their incomplete analysis of applicable constitutional principles and precedents will serve the State of North Carolina poorly in any future defense of the state’s rights under the U.S. Constitution.

“Especially given that two federal courts have invalidated the individual mandate, the question of the constitutionality of House Bill 2 is very much an open question,” he adds. Bolick writes there is “no constitutional impediment” to Perdue signing the bill, allowing it to become law without her signature, or enforcing it after enactment.

 

Carolina Journal Online

Veterans Support Organization – Fraud?

Veterans Support Organization

Updated: Thursday, 03 Feb 2011, 9:44 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 03 Feb 2011, 9:44 PM EST

MYFOXNY.COM – You may have seen people dressed in camouflage fatigues outside your local mall or grocery store. They are part of a group called VSO — Veterans Support Organization — collects money for veterans.

But where is the money actually going? Arnold Diaz investigated.

 

Video, FoxNews, NY

State tries to quell sea level policy concerns

NEWS-TIMES

BY BEN HOGWOOD
Published: Sunday, February 20, 2011 2:05 AM EST

MOREHEAD CITY — The chairman of a state rule-making board sent a letter to the county this month hoping to ease concerns it has with a sea-level rise draft policy.

Bob Emory, the chairman of the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, wrote to Doug Harris, chairman of the County Board of Commissioners, to assure him the county’s concerns would be taking into consideration, and that the draft policy could still be reworked.

The board has told the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, which is drafting the proposal that will be considered by the CRC, that if the policy goes into effect, it will have a devastating effect on coastal areas. The draft policy states the sea level will go up by a meter by 2110, a figure the county believes is inflated.

While policies to not enact any rules, they are used as a basis for future regulations.

The county, which first heard about the proposal during a meeting in December, has also sent letters to other coastal counties seeking allies to prevent the policy from being implemented.

“The general purpose of policy development is to establish management objectives to provide guidance for CRC decisions,” Mr. Emory wrote in the letter dated Feb. 7. He added that this is not something the CRC has done often recently and there can be some confusion over the implications.

“The draft policy presented at your meeting is the result of recognition that sea-level rise, like erosion and storms, is a natural hazard indigenous to the shoreline.

The commission’s objective for managing coastal hazards is to minimize unreasonable danger to life and property and to achieve a balance between the financial, safety and social factors that are involved with development in the coastal areas.”

The county has said the data on which the 1-meter estimate is based is flawed, and that if the policy goes through, it would impact where and how public and private development takes place on the coast.

Mr. Emory stated the CRC would take the county’s concerns into account. “The input of stakeholders, particularly local governments is an important consideration for the commission,” he wrote.

He continued, “The commission is committed to incorporating the concerns of local government into the development of a sea-level rise policy that reflects the seriousness of the issue as well as any economic effects that may be associate with its adoption.”

The letter did little to ease the worry. A letter signed by Chairman Harris and dated Feb. 17 states: “The scale of economics involved with this proposal is so ubiquitous, that it becomes difficult for local governments to essentially tell our constituency, ‘Not to worry. It’s only a draft, and trust us, the CRC is in no rush to adopt anything without additional input. Also the end outcome will likely be different.’ ”

It closes, “I hope this letter is not perceived as defensive or antagonistic, but rather characterizes the perspective many of the local governments have concerning the draft sea-level rise policy and its practical implementation. We look forward to working with the CRC and NCDCM staff concerning this important issue.”

http://www.tidelandnews.com/articles/2011/02/20/news-times/news/doc4d6056ce836bb339636467.txt

OH Tea Party Faces Off Union

Below is an email talking about how the OH Tea Party is facing off the OH teachers union. The union is sending in paid “protesters” similar to what is going on in WI. Take note, it might happen in NC.

Subject: Rally in Canton on Tuesday, Monthly Meeting Wednesday

Dear Charles,

First of all I want to thank the 100 members of the Portage County TEA Party who took time off from work and paid their own way to Columbus on Thursday to support Senate Bill #5.  Thanks also to those of you who donated money to help pay for some of the riders.  Our members represented you with honor and courage in an environment that I can only describe to you as being surreal.  The Unions tried to intimidate us, they pushed us and shoved us, took our signs, and yelled profanities at us and we did not back down an inch. (We will show you some video from the event at our meeting on Wednesday at Maplewood.)   We stood toe to toe with them for hours on end and by time we were done, they knew that we are a force to be reckoned.  Every one of them was paid to be there, some even admitted to us that the Democratic Party paid their way, if the Union did not. It was important that we showed up Thursday to prevent a situation like they have in Wisconsin, where the people are letting the unions intimidate them. Understand, in the entire life of most of these Union works, no one has ever stood up to them and they could bully elected officials because the citizens did not do their duty.  Those days are over.

It was also important for our elected officials to see us there, and in fact we now know that two Republican Senators who were on the fence declared on Friday that they would vote yes on SB5 because of the showing we made on Thursday.  We also felt that we won the day in the media. The fact that common citizens would pay their own way to support elected officials was news.  We came across as intelligent and reasonable while the union people came across as radical and ignorant.  Pear Pullman from our group was on the Cleveland TV stations, Leo Nagle’s picture was in the Columbus Dispatch, I was on National Public Radio and quoted in several newspapers.  We did a good job and all of our members should be proud.

But the battle has just begun. It has come to my attention that the Unions are going to employee a Sal Alinsky tactic against the Governor. They are going to send there phony pay-to-protest people to every place the Governor goes in an effort to stop people from meeting with him.  Just like Glenn Beck has taught us, they are going to isolate him and then destroy him.  However, [they have never had to deal with the TEA Party before and] we are not going to let that happen.  So, for those of you who could not take a full day off to go to Columbus, your job now is to get out of work a little early this Tuesday and get to the Canton Civic Center around 4:00 PM. The address is 1101 Market Avenue N # 1, Canton, OH. The Governor is going to be speaking at 5:00 PM.  We are going to coordinate with the Stark 912 Group as well as the Akron 912 Group and the Republican Party in Portage and Summit Counties.  Wear Red and bring signs, here are some sign ideas:

We support Governor Kasich!

VOTE YES ON SB 5 !

I’m Not Being Paid to be here!

I Paid my way to the rally – who paid your way?

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

500,000 unemployed Ohioans would love your job

I’ll take your job – if you don’t want it!

It’s not our job to take care of you for life!

Now, here is where we stand on SB5.  We only need 17 votes to win, because their are 33 Ohio Senators and you just need a simple majority. Their are 23, Republican Senators and 10 Democrat Senators.  Though it should be a easy win, things are never easy in politics.  Their were 8 Republican Senators on the fence as of Thursday.  We got two to commit, so we are at 17, but you need to do better than that or one person can send it down.  So here are the Senators in play:

Definite No’s:

Jim Hughes

Tom Patton

Scott Oelslager

Possible No’s:

Bill Seitz – because he is “eccentric” and no one – including him knows what he will do, but would vote with the majority if it was clear cut.  Call him and ask him to vote yes, he likes attention, 614-466-8068.

Possible Gets:

Frank LaRose – I believe we have already have him, he just wants a few tweaks in the bill before deciding, so call him and ask him to vote yes.  614-466-4823

Gayle Manning – 13th District.  Former Teacher who does not like the Teachers Union.

I am told she is the key, if we get her everyone else who has any issues falls in line.

Call her and ask her to vote yes.  Tell her the citizens are behind her. 614-466-7613

Got’s:

Jimmy Stewart – Committed on Friday – Call him and thank him 614-466-8076

Bill Beagle – Committed on Friday – Call him and thank him 614-466-6247

Finally, you need to be at the Monthly meeting next Wednesday night, at Maplewood Career Center on State Route 88 just North of Ravenna at 7:00 PM.   Our speakers will be Sheriff David Doak and Ravenna Mayor Joe Bica.  ( I have attached the press release.) Afterwords, we will discuss our groups strategy going forward for the next month. It is time to get off the couch and get back in the game, the very fate of our country is at stake. Come to the meeting Wednesday night at Maplewood at 7:00 PM.

Best Regards,

Portage County TEA Party

4682 State Route 43 • Kent, Ohio • 44240 • 330-474-3878 • 330-673-4672 (Fax)

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 18, 2011

SHERIFF DAVID DOAK, MAYOR JOE BICA TO SPEAK AT MONTHLY MEETING

Kent, Ohio –  The Portage County TEA Party announced today that Portage County Sheriff, David Doak, and Ravenna Mayor, Joe Bica, will be speaking at the groups monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Maplewood Career Center, at 7075 Ohio 88, Ravenna, OH, starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public and free of charge. Refreshments will be served. After the speaker portion of the meeting, the group will hold a short meeting to discuss current issues and activities.

Tom Zawistowski, Executive Director of the Portage County TEA Party, said “ We are extremely excited about both speakers for this months meeting.  In the Constitution, the County Sheriff is the person most responsible for protecting the individual rights of citizens.  Many of our members have never had the opportunity to meet Sheriff Doak, and are not aware of the many challenges being faced by the sheriff’s department on a daily basis.”  He went on to say “Mayor Joe Bica, is the first mayor that we have had the opportunity to have speak to our group.  He is going to speak specifically about his effort to collaborate with other municipalities, departments and government agencies, to save money and reduce the size of government at the local level. We are looking forward to learning about his efforts.”

The TEA Party is not a political party but a political movement.  It is loosely based on the Boston Tea Party of 1773 in which American Colonists rebelled against the “Taxation Without Representation” of the King of England and the English Parliament by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.  The initials TEA are today used to show that many current American citizens feel that they are “Taxed Enough Already” by the U.S. Government as well as state and local governments. The movement is attempting to motivate common American citizens to take a more active role in their own self governance at the local, state and federal level.

#30#

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

CONTACT: Tom Zawistowski

TomZ@PortageCountyTEAParty.com

1-800-846-4630 Ext 104

GOP, counties unhappy with Perdue's N.C. budget

The Associated Press
© February 18, 2011

By Gary D. Robertson

RALEIGH, N.C.

Gov. Beverly Perdue unveiled a spending plan Thursday that would eliminate 10,000 employee positions next year and keep mostly in place a temporary sales tax to close a $2.4 billion gap, saying it would make North Carolina government more efficient and protect teacher jobs.

The $19.9 billion spending plan for the year starting July 1 tracks a previously announced plan to narrow 14 agencies and departments into eight, while cutting or eliminating 139 additional programs. If Perdue’s bill became law, school bus replacement would shift to local districts and all highway welcome centers and most state parks would be closed two days a week.

While her two-year budget proposal to the Legislature would pay for all teachers and teacher assistants currently funded by the state, other public employees wouldn’t be as protected. As many as 3,000 of the positions designated for elimination are currently filled, Perdue’s budget office said. There are currently about 266,000 state-funded positions.

“I don’t sleep well at night, worried about (workers), but at the end of the day, I do know, quite frankly as the governor, that this is the right decision as we move forward with a leaner state government,” Perdue said at a news conference.

GOP leaders newly in charge of the General Assembly and forming their own spending plan said there were positive steps in the incumbent Democrat’s proposal which spends less than the current budget year when $1.6 in federal stimulus funds are added. But they said it doesn’t cut far enough and breaks a promise by keeping intact through mid-2013 three-quarters of a penny of the one-cent sales tax set to expire June 30.

While the measure would lower the base tax most consumers currently pay from 7.75 percent to 7.5 percent, and still generate $827 million next year, the change is still a tax increase, said Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, who had pledged with other Republicans to let the one-cent sales tax expire.

“The people of North Carolina in November sent a strong message, and that message was balance the budget and don’t raise taxes. The governor sent a message back to the people today: ‘I’m balancing the budget by raising your taxes,'” Berger said.

Perdue defended the sales tax, saying it helped her avoid eliminating funds for an additional combined 12,500 teachers and teacher assistants. Democrats in charge of the Legislature in 2009 and Perdue agreed to the penny sales-tax increase to help close shortfalls during the Great Recession.

“North Carolina, as we speak, has 5,000-plus K-12 students. Somebody has to pay for those students,” Perdue told reporters.

She also took heat from local government leaders who said her budget would reduce public education funding by $350 million, shifting more responsibility to the districts and the counties.

Funding for clerical and custodial positions would be reduced by 15 percent, or 1,700 positions, and for school bus transportation by 10 percent, or 1,900 positions. Local governments also would be required to replace their own school buses. County commissioners are worried the changes could lead to local property tax increases.

“We hear ‘we are not going to touch the classroom,'” said Joe White, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education member and president of the North Carolina School Boards Association. “Unfortunately, those of us who are in the (education) business know that when you cut so many people that support the classroom … you have literally had a great impact on the classroom.”

Perdue said it was time to reconsider the delineation of responsibilities between state and local governments on school funding. House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, said he was concerned about putting that kind of burden on counties all at once.

The proposal didn’t contain an effort to revive the video poker industry through heavy regulation. Perdue earlier had sounded intrigued by the idea, which could have generated several hundred million dollars annually.

“I didn’t want the next six months, quite frankly when so much is at stake for North Carolina … to be distracted by this philosophical and moral debate over gambling and other video poker and the lottery,” she said.

The two-year budget would place cuts of 7 percent to 15 percent on most state programs compared to last year’s recurring funding levels, while the public schools and higher education would see 4 to 6 percent reductions.

State employees and teachers would get not pay raises for the third year in a row and give up to $20,000 early retirement bonuses. Some workers would be required to pay a monthly premium for their own health insurance for the first time.

“The governor has outlined a budget plan that will throw North Carolina into a race to the bottom,” said Dana Cope, executive of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, which offered ideas this week that would have protected jobs. “She could have implemented enough of them so that she’d prevent any North Carolinian from being in the unemployment line.”

As previously announced, Perdue said she wants the Legislature to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 6.9 percent to 4.9 percent. She also wants to provide an unemployment tax credit for 135,000 small businesses, spend $75 million on improvements to university and government buildings and set aside $150 million for the state’s rainy-day reserve fund.

Highlights of Gov. Beverly Perdue’s $19.9 billion budget released Tuesday for the 2011-12 fiscal year. For tax changes, figures are for the amount of revenue generated or lost. For spending changes, figures are for amount spent or saved compared to what was projected to maintain current services.

Taxes, reserves or salaries
— extend 0.75 cents of the temporary penny sales tax for another two years: $827 million.
— reduce corporate income tax rate from 6.9 percent to 4.9 percent: -$115 million.
— repeal law giving portion of corporate income tax for public school construction: $72 million.
— provide unemployment insurance tax credit for 135,000 small businesses: -$65 million.
— no salary increases for state employees, teachers.
— cover expected 7.1 percent premium increase for state employee health insurance plan: $117.1 million.
— require state employees on more generous health insurance plan to pay $21.50-per-month premium for individual coverage: -$89 million.
— provide $10,000-$20,000 incentive bonus for eligible workers to retire, allocated in limited amounts throughout state government.
— set aside $75 million from year-end credit balance for repairs, renovations of government buildings.
— contribute more to state retirement system: $115 million.
— severance reserve for laid-off state workers: $30 million.
— rainy-day reserve fund: $150 million.
— set aside $25 million from year-end credit balance to help local governments and nonprofits interested in consolidating or regionalizing services.

K-12 education
— require local school district to pay for workers’ compensation claims: -$34.7 million.
— make payments of tort claims a local responsibility: -$4.6 million.
— reduce allotment for local central office staff by 10 percent, potentially eliminating 140 positions: -$10.8 million.
— reduce instructional support allotment by 5 percent, potentially eliminating 290 positions: -$23 million.
— reduce school building administration funds by 7.5 percent, potentially eliminating 380 positions: -$24.6 million.
— 35 percent allotment reduction for textbooks: -$40 million.
— reduce allotment to districts for custodial and clerical positions by 15 percent, or 1,700 positions: -$59.6 million.
— reduce school bus transportation allotment by 10 percent, or potentially 1,900 positions: -$40.3 million.
— make school bus replacement a local responsibility: -$56.9 million.
— direct 10 percent reduction in Department of Public Instruction, or 40 positions: -$4.4 million.
— eliminate dropout prevention grants: -$13 million.
— pay for instruction supplies and positions to teach an extra 5,323 students in 2011-12 school year: $38.3 million.

University of North Carolina system
— direct University of North Carolina system to reduce combined spending in operating budget by 9.5 percent, with 1,900 positions to be eliminated, partially offset by tuition increases: -$252.6 million.
— reduce legislative aid to residents who attend private college by 6.5 percent: -$12.2 million.
— reduce 25 percent charity care subsidy to UNC Hospitals: -$11 million.
— operation and maintenance of new system building coming online next year, including 283 positions: $18.5 million.
— pay for instruction of additional 2,337 students in 2011-12 school year: $23.3 million.
— consolidate research stations and farms at N.C. State University: $8.7 million.
— use N.C. Education Lottery Funds to help pay for need-based financial aid: $34.9 million.

Community colleges
— eliminate eight specialized centers and programs: -$3.8 million.
— raise tuition by $5.50 per credit hour, or $176 per year: -$25.3 million.
— direct 3 percent reduction in state aid budget to community college system, with as many as 620 position eliminated: -$32.3 million.
— pay for instruction of additional 9,712 full-time equivalent students in 2011-12 school year: $17.9 million.

Health and Human Services
— find efficiencies in department budget to reduce 25 positions: -$1 million.
— reduce Smart Start early childhood initiative by 10 percent: -$9.4 million.
— create up to 5.5 percent assessment on hospital and other Medicaid providers as a way to draw down more federal funds: -$60.2 million.
— adjusting Medicaid provide reimbursement rates, for private duty nursing, imaging and ultrasounds: -$8.4 million.
— modify Medicaid pharmacy services to find efficiencies: -$15.9 million.
— modify optional and mandatory Medicaid services: -$16.5 million.
— set aside $75 million in year-end credit balance for mental health trust fund.
— reduce administrative funds to operate local mental health management offices: -$3.3 million.

Justice and Public Safety
— consolidate Departments of Juvenile Justice, Correction and Crime Control and Public Safety into one Department of Public Safety. Sixty positions would be eliminated.
— reduce administrative functions in judicial branch by 16 percent, or 54 positions: -$9.1 million.
— reduce funds for family and drug treatment courts, dispute resolution and other programs: -$1.9 million.
— reduce courthouse operations expenses by 1 percent, or 71 positions: -$3.3 million.
— shift requirement that sheriffs check whereabouts of registered sex offenders by first-class mail, not certified mail: -$93,000.
— close Woodson Wilderness Camp for juvenile offenders, eliminate 20 positions: -$970,000.
— close Swannanoa Youth Development Center, affecting 26 positions: -$1.4 million.
— eliminate 77 correction positions: -$2.9 million.
— find $12.4 million in savings, eliminate 237 positions from Justice Reinvestment recommendations.
— fund operations and staffing for four new prisons, including 280 positions: $10 million.

Natural and Economic Resources
— merge Employment Security Commission into Department of Commerce, resulting in 53 position eliminations.
— close welcome centers two days a week, privatize them in 2012-13 fiscal year: -$600,000
— One North Carolina Fund economic incentives initiative: $10 million.
— Job Maintenance and Capital Development Program: $8.5 million.
— direct reductions at Department of Agriculture at agency’s discretion: -$5.2 million.
— reduce Department of Environment and Natural Resources by 68 positions, largely in permitting offices: -$418,000.
— close Rendezvous and Turnbull Creek educational state forests due to low attendance: -$131,000.
— reduce Division of Parks and Recreation budget by 10 percent, requiring most parks to close two days a week: -$3.1 million.
— matching money for clean and drinking water revolving funds: $14.5 million.
— Clean Water Management Trust Fund: -$50 million.

Transportation
— reduce public transportation, aviation and ferry funds: -$6.9 million.
— repair, replace and maintain ferry vessels: -$2.1 million.

Other state agencies
— consolidate Department of Administration, State Controller’s Office, Office of Information Technology Services and Office of State Personnel into a new Department of Administration and Management, reducing 21 positions and other human resources jobs.
— delay filling intern positions at the General Assembly: -$1.25 million.
— eliminate four positions from the Officer of the Governor: -$433,000.
— purchase land buffers for military installations: $1 million.
— reduce six positions in State Auditor’s Office: -$784,000.
— increase Department of Insurance company and insurance adjuster licensing fees: -$4.5 million.
— pay for new Department of Revenue tax computer system: $3 million.
— reduce grants for arts, libraries, NC Symphony by 10 percent: -$2.3 million.
— consolidate, reduce management layers at North Carolina State Library, eliminating nine positions: -$500,000.
— centralize human resources functions, cutting 92 positions: -$2.8 million.

Source: Office of State Budget and Management / The Associated Press

DNC playing role in Wisconsin protests

February 17, 2011

DNC playing role in Wisconsin protests

The Democratic National Committee’s Organizing for America arm — the remnant of the 2008 Obama campaign — is playing an active role in organizing protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s attempt to strip most public employees of collective bargaining rights.

OfA, as the campaign group is known, has been criticized at times for staying out of local issues like same-sex marraige, but it’s riding to the aide of the public sector unions who hoping to persuade some Republican legislators to oppose Walker’s plan. And while Obama may have his difference with teachers unions, OfA’s engagement with the fight — and Obama’s own clear stance against Walker — mean that he’s remaining loyal to key Democratic Party allies at what is, for them, a very dangerous moment.

OfA Wisconsin’s field efforts include filling buses and building turnout for the rallies this week in Madison, organizing 15 rapid response phone banks urging supporters to call their state legislators, and working on planning and producing rallies, a Democratic Party official in Washington said.

The @OFA_WI twitter account has published 54 tweets promoting the rallies, which the group has also plugged on its blog.

“At a time when most folks are still struggling to get back on their feet, Gov. Walker has asked the state legislature to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights. Under his plan, park rangers, teachers, and prison guards would no longer be able to fight back if the new Republican majority tries to slash their health benefits or pensions,” OfA Wisconsin State Director Dan Grandone wrote supporters in an email. “But that’s not even the most shocking part: The governor has also put the state National Guard on alert in case of ‘labor unrest.’ We can’t — and won’t — let Scott Walker’s heavy-handed tactics scare us. This Tuesday and Wednesday, February 15th and 16th, volunteers will be attending rallies at the state

He continued:

Gov. Walker won’t even talk to state workers about his proposal to strip them of their rights. He is ignoring Wisconsin voices today and asking for the power to drown them out permanently tomorrow.

We’re ready to do all we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. OFA volunteers are going to fight for our friends with state jobs, our allies in organized labor, and the freedom of all Wisconsinites to organize their communities.

UPDATE: House Speaker John Boehner called on Obama to pull OfA out of the effort:

“I’m disappointed that instead of providing similar leadership from the White House, the president has chosen to attack leaders such as Gov. Walker, who are listening to the people and confronting problems that have been neglected for years at the expense of jobs and economic growth,” Boehner said in a statement. “I urge the president to order the DNC to suspend these tactics.”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/DNC_playing_role_in_Wisconsin_protests.html