Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Porn-site-surfing feds are here to help
Democrats have decided that in order to prevent Wall Street from starting more financial meltdowns, wrecking the economy and leaving the American taxpayer holding the bag, we need to give more oversight authority to the same government employees who were busy surfing Internet porn as private investors frantically tried to warn them about Bernie Madoff. Ann Coulter had it right: http://townhall.com/columnists/AnnCoulter/2010/04/29/washington_takes_a_break_from_porn_surfing_to_bail_out_wall_street
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
FedEx, Teamsters Battle Over Bill
FedEx and the Teamsters are battling over aviation legislation that will contain provisions to make it easier for unions to organize airline workers.
Congress is, yet again, attempting to expand the role of unions and regulation by forcing this bill on to the employees at FedEx. None of these articles interview or quote a FedEx employee ...do they even want this bill, which would probably force FedEx to downsize?
Something has gone terribly wrong when the health and well-being of a large American corporation depends on whether the government treats it as an "airline" or a "trucking company." Why should the government treat these two types of companies differently in the first place? And if it does treat them the same, why does that require the involvement of powerful unions?
The following is an article from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal. The FAA re-authorization bill is currently in House-Senate conference committee. As you’ll see, the Teamsters have made this issue a major priority to make the House bill (w/ the Brown Bailout language) override the Senate bill. Senator Hutchison is on the conference committee and has signaled her opposition to the Brown Bailout language; however continued communications are encouraged as the conference committee debate continues. - Peggy Venable, AFP-TX director
FedEx, Teamsters Battle Over Bill
Wall Street Journal
Josh Mitchell
April 19
FedEx Corp. and the Teamsters union are battling over whether wide-ranging aviation legislation will contain provisions to make it easier for unions to organize airline employees and harder for carriers to cut costs by allying with rivals or outsourcing maintenance.
A House version of the bill to fund the Federal Aviation Administration—a three-year, $54 billion package passed last year—contains several pro-union provisions. A two-year, $35 billion Senate version doesn't. Lawmakers from both chambers are set to negotiate a final version within the next few weeks.
Lobbyists for unions and industry groups are stepping up efforts to influence the outcome.
The Teamsters are pushing a measure that would make it easier for FedEx Corp. employees to unionize. FedEx says allowing workers to organize locally would contradict legal precedent and cause uncertainty, with the prospect of local strikes disrupting its entire operation.
Also, airline-employee unions are backing a provision to make it harder for carriers to collaborate on certain routes, which unions say can cost jobs in the U.S. And the AFL-CIO is lobbying for a measure to require U.S. inspections of overseas maintenance facilities, which some airlines use because they cost less than U.S. operations.
Passing the House version of the bill "is a major, major priority of ours," says Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department.
But industry groups say that the labor-backed provisions would hurt airlines and related industries, threatening thousands of U.S. jobs.
The provision designed to rein in industry alliances would strip airlines of longstanding antitrust exemptions within three years, forcing the carriers to reapply for the exemptions. The Air Transport Association, the industry's main trade group, says the bill would disrupt operations and could cost 15,000 jobs.
President Barack Obama, who was elected with strong union support, hasn't taken a public stance on the House's FAA bill. A White House spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.
A factor in the bargaining could be concerns that European Union objections to certain elements of the House bill would jeopardize U.S.-EU talks to further deregulate air travel over the Atlantic. The EU has warned the House bill would invite retaliatory measures from European countries.
The main proponent of the union-backed measures is House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D., Minn.), a longtime critic of airline alliances. Mr. Oberstar also supports tougher restrictions on foreign ownership of airlines.
Nine of his top 11 campaign contributors are labor unions, including the Teamsters, the Air Line Pilots Association and the Machinists/Aerospace Workers union, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The nine have contributed a total $722,800 to Mr. Oberstar's campaigns. Another top contributor is FedEx rival United Parcel Service Inc., which has given $83,400 to the lawmaker's campaigns, the center says.
Jim Berard, a spokesman for Mr. Oberstar, says the congressman is a union worker's son who has always fought for workers' rights and isn't influenced by campaign contributions.
Critics of the House bill, including airlines and FedEx, are also major campaign contributors and big spenders on lobbying. UAL Corp.'s United Air Lines Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. have contributed $43,100 and $40,100, respectively, to the campaigns of Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D., W.Va.), who sponsored the Senate version that the airline industry favors. A spokeswoman for Mr. Rockefeller didn't respond to a request for comment.
FedEx, based in Memphis, Tenn., is a top campaign contributor of Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), who has threatened to hold up the legislation if the provision on FedEx unionization is included. Mr. Corker's office didn't respond to a request for comment.
The House bill would place some of FedEx's drivers and other employees under the National Labor Relations Act, allowing employees to organize locally. UPS drivers are governed by that law. The Teamsters says the bill would ensure fairness across the industry.
"Their drivers, their loaders, their unloaders, they have the same training, they perform the same duties as all the other employees within the industry, who are rightfully covered" by the act, says Ken Hall, Teamsters vice president and package division director.
FedEx argues that it is properly covered under the Railway Labor Act because of the history and arrangement of its air and ground networks.
Congress is, yet again, attempting to expand the role of unions and regulation by forcing this bill on to the employees at FedEx. None of these articles interview or quote a FedEx employee ...do they even want this bill, which would probably force FedEx to downsize?
Something has gone terribly wrong when the health and well-being of a large American corporation depends on whether the government treats it as an "airline" or a "trucking company." Why should the government treat these two types of companies differently in the first place? And if it does treat them the same, why does that require the involvement of powerful unions?
The following is an article from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal. The FAA re-authorization bill is currently in House-Senate conference committee. As you’ll see, the Teamsters have made this issue a major priority to make the House bill (w/ the Brown Bailout language) override the Senate bill. Senator Hutchison is on the conference committee and has signaled her opposition to the Brown Bailout language; however continued communications are encouraged as the conference committee debate continues. - Peggy Venable, AFP-TX director
FedEx, Teamsters Battle Over Bill
Wall Street Journal
Josh Mitchell
April 19
FedEx Corp. and the Teamsters union are battling over whether wide-ranging aviation legislation will contain provisions to make it easier for unions to organize airline employees and harder for carriers to cut costs by allying with rivals or outsourcing maintenance.
A House version of the bill to fund the Federal Aviation Administration—a three-year, $54 billion package passed last year—contains several pro-union provisions. A two-year, $35 billion Senate version doesn't. Lawmakers from both chambers are set to negotiate a final version within the next few weeks.
Lobbyists for unions and industry groups are stepping up efforts to influence the outcome.
The Teamsters are pushing a measure that would make it easier for FedEx Corp. employees to unionize. FedEx says allowing workers to organize locally would contradict legal precedent and cause uncertainty, with the prospect of local strikes disrupting its entire operation.
Also, airline-employee unions are backing a provision to make it harder for carriers to collaborate on certain routes, which unions say can cost jobs in the U.S. And the AFL-CIO is lobbying for a measure to require U.S. inspections of overseas maintenance facilities, which some airlines use because they cost less than U.S. operations.
Passing the House version of the bill "is a major, major priority of ours," says Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department.
But industry groups say that the labor-backed provisions would hurt airlines and related industries, threatening thousands of U.S. jobs.
The provision designed to rein in industry alliances would strip airlines of longstanding antitrust exemptions within three years, forcing the carriers to reapply for the exemptions. The Air Transport Association, the industry's main trade group, says the bill would disrupt operations and could cost 15,000 jobs.
President Barack Obama, who was elected with strong union support, hasn't taken a public stance on the House's FAA bill. A White House spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.
A factor in the bargaining could be concerns that European Union objections to certain elements of the House bill would jeopardize U.S.-EU talks to further deregulate air travel over the Atlantic. The EU has warned the House bill would invite retaliatory measures from European countries.
The main proponent of the union-backed measures is House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D., Minn.), a longtime critic of airline alliances. Mr. Oberstar also supports tougher restrictions on foreign ownership of airlines.
Nine of his top 11 campaign contributors are labor unions, including the Teamsters, the Air Line Pilots Association and the Machinists/Aerospace Workers union, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The nine have contributed a total $722,800 to Mr. Oberstar's campaigns. Another top contributor is FedEx rival United Parcel Service Inc., which has given $83,400 to the lawmaker's campaigns, the center says.
Jim Berard, a spokesman for Mr. Oberstar, says the congressman is a union worker's son who has always fought for workers' rights and isn't influenced by campaign contributions.
Critics of the House bill, including airlines and FedEx, are also major campaign contributors and big spenders on lobbying. UAL Corp.'s United Air Lines Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. have contributed $43,100 and $40,100, respectively, to the campaigns of Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D., W.Va.), who sponsored the Senate version that the airline industry favors. A spokeswoman for Mr. Rockefeller didn't respond to a request for comment.
FedEx, based in Memphis, Tenn., is a top campaign contributor of Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), who has threatened to hold up the legislation if the provision on FedEx unionization is included. Mr. Corker's office didn't respond to a request for comment.
The House bill would place some of FedEx's drivers and other employees under the National Labor Relations Act, allowing employees to organize locally. UPS drivers are governed by that law. The Teamsters says the bill would ensure fairness across the industry.
"Their drivers, their loaders, their unloaders, they have the same training, they perform the same duties as all the other employees within the industry, who are rightfully covered" by the act, says Ken Hall, Teamsters vice president and package division director.
FedEx argues that it is properly covered under the Railway Labor Act because of the history and arrangement of its air and ground networks.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Correcting the Texas "Anti-Freedom" Network
Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the Texas Tribune's College Civics Fair at Texas Tech University. The fair is designed to expose students to different groups that encourage civic participation, so they invited Americans for Prosperity to host a booth.
I manned a booth directly across the aisle (no pun intended) from two organizations which hold vastly different views from AFP - The Sierra Club, and the Texas (anti) Freedom Network.
The Sierra Club representative seemed happy to spend his time ignoring passers-by while typing away at his laptop and talking on his phone. All I can say is - "PHEW!"
In Texas, one of the big efforts of the Sierra Club is to push the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to adopt the "greenhouse gas" standards of the EPA. Of course, we know better -- the EPA is operating outside of its authority on this issue and has based its regulations on highly suspect global warming "science." Thankfully, we have elected leaders in Texas who are fighting the EPA's overreach!
The TFN representative was totally engaged. He called out after students, urging them to sign the "Health Care Education Petition." Sounds nice, but the TFN rep explained further that the petition is designed to push for "comprehensive sex education" in all grade levels in Texas. Do 1st graders really need to learn about condoms and STD's at the same time they learn their ABC's?
Hmmm... One thing you can count on from the TFN is that they LOVE to be disengenuous. They claim to be a "mainstream voice to counter the religious right" but their ideas line up with the radical fringe left. Most Americans consider themselves to be right-of-center, and a majority of Americans still subscribe to a religious faith.
The TFN rep went on to loudly criticize the Texas State Board of Education as "right-wing wackos" who "operate in the dark" pushing their "conservative political agenda." He brought up the example that's been widely circulated by those on the left, that the SBOE "eliminated Thomas Jefferson from Texas curriculum."
I could not sit silent while the TFN rep served up these lies. I stood up and asked whether TFN truly believes that Thomas Jefferson was stripped out of the entire curriculum, and to my surprise, the TFN rep said "No." He said TFN acknowledges that Jefferson was only removed from one section discussing Enlightenment Thinkers in the 5th grade curriculum, and no where else. He went on to say that "Bill White capitalized on that issue" by sending out deceptive press releases and saying Thomas Jefferson was completely taken out of the curriculum.
The honesty was short-lived as the TFN guy incorrectly characterized the SBOE as a "partisan elected body that operates in the dark." He acted as if having an "elected" board was a bad thing, saying that voters usually vote down ballot and are really ignorant of who they elect to the SBOE. Typical left-wing answer -- the voters are too stupid to make decisions for themselves.
He also mischaracterized the way the SBOE works -- they operate under the same rules for transparency as every government entity, holding public meetings and inviting public testimony. Hundreds of informed voters spoke at the past two SBOE meetings to give input on what should or shouldn't be included in the Social Studies curriculum, and they were heard!
The TFN would rather strip away our right to choose representatives on the SBOE and have partisan elected officials appoint board members. Clearly, "Freedom" is a misnomer for this group!
I manned a booth directly across the aisle (no pun intended) from two organizations which hold vastly different views from AFP - The Sierra Club, and the Texas (anti) Freedom Network.
The Sierra Club representative seemed happy to spend his time ignoring passers-by while typing away at his laptop and talking on his phone. All I can say is - "PHEW!"
In Texas, one of the big efforts of the Sierra Club is to push the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to adopt the "greenhouse gas" standards of the EPA. Of course, we know better -- the EPA is operating outside of its authority on this issue and has based its regulations on highly suspect global warming "science." Thankfully, we have elected leaders in Texas who are fighting the EPA's overreach!
The TFN representative was totally engaged. He called out after students, urging them to sign the "Health Care Education Petition." Sounds nice, but the TFN rep explained further that the petition is designed to push for "comprehensive sex education" in all grade levels in Texas. Do 1st graders really need to learn about condoms and STD's at the same time they learn their ABC's?
Hmmm... One thing you can count on from the TFN is that they LOVE to be disengenuous. They claim to be a "mainstream voice to counter the religious right" but their ideas line up with the radical fringe left. Most Americans consider themselves to be right-of-center, and a majority of Americans still subscribe to a religious faith.
The TFN rep went on to loudly criticize the Texas State Board of Education as "right-wing wackos" who "operate in the dark" pushing their "conservative political agenda." He brought up the example that's been widely circulated by those on the left, that the SBOE "eliminated Thomas Jefferson from Texas curriculum."
I could not sit silent while the TFN rep served up these lies. I stood up and asked whether TFN truly believes that Thomas Jefferson was stripped out of the entire curriculum, and to my surprise, the TFN rep said "No." He said TFN acknowledges that Jefferson was only removed from one section discussing Enlightenment Thinkers in the 5th grade curriculum, and no where else. He went on to say that "Bill White capitalized on that issue" by sending out deceptive press releases and saying Thomas Jefferson was completely taken out of the curriculum.
The honesty was short-lived as the TFN guy incorrectly characterized the SBOE as a "partisan elected body that operates in the dark." He acted as if having an "elected" board was a bad thing, saying that voters usually vote down ballot and are really ignorant of who they elect to the SBOE. Typical left-wing answer -- the voters are too stupid to make decisions for themselves.
He also mischaracterized the way the SBOE works -- they operate under the same rules for transparency as every government entity, holding public meetings and inviting public testimony. Hundreds of informed voters spoke at the past two SBOE meetings to give input on what should or shouldn't be included in the Social Studies curriculum, and they were heard!
The TFN would rather strip away our right to choose representatives on the SBOE and have partisan elected officials appoint board members. Clearly, "Freedom" is a misnomer for this group!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Revere America: Repeal and Replace ObamaCare
We at Americans for Prosperity are joining Revere America as they kicks off a Texas petition campaign to repeal and replace ObamaCare on the 235th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride.
Revere America, an organization dedicated to advancing common sense public policies rooted in freedom and free markets, will be holding a petition-signing rally to kick off their national campaign to gather the signatures of one million Americans who want to repeal, reform and replace ObamaCare. On the 235th anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous ride for freedom, former Governor George Pataki (R-NY) will stump for responsible reforms to our healthcare industry.
WHO:
Former Governor George Pataki (R-NY), Revere America Chairman
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Attorney General Greg Abbott
Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams
State Senator Dan Patrick
State Representative Linda Harper-Brown
WHAT:
Rally for Revere America’s national petition drive to gather the signatures of one million Americans who want to repeal, reform and replace ObamaCare.
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
8:15 a.m. Central Time
WHERE:
Texas State Capitol (South Steps)
112 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP:
Please RSVP to Corbin Casteel at 512-482-8245 or wcc@casteelerwin.com
Revere America, an organization dedicated to advancing common sense public policies rooted in freedom and free markets, will be holding a petition-signing rally to kick off their national campaign to gather the signatures of one million Americans who want to repeal, reform and replace ObamaCare. On the 235th anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous ride for freedom, former Governor George Pataki (R-NY) will stump for responsible reforms to our healthcare industry.
WHO:
Former Governor George Pataki (R-NY), Revere America Chairman
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Attorney General Greg Abbott
Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams
State Senator Dan Patrick
State Representative Linda Harper-Brown
WHAT:
Rally for Revere America’s national petition drive to gather the signatures of one million Americans who want to repeal, reform and replace ObamaCare.
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
8:15 a.m. Central Time
WHERE:
Texas State Capitol (South Steps)
112 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP:
Please RSVP to Corbin Casteel at 512-482-8245 or wcc@casteelerwin.com
AFP: "We love tea parties!"
Americans for Prosperity Partnering in Tax Day Tea Parties Across the U.S.A.
Tea parties and rallies in all 30 AFP state chapters and affiliates
ARLINGTON, Va. – It’s Tax Day in America, and for the second year in a row, that means it’s Tea Party Day. Americans who want lower taxes and more freedom are pouring out of their homes and businesses to send that message in their hometowns, state capitals, and Washington, D.C.
Americans for Prosperity, which has 30 state chapters and affiliates, is partnering in major tea party events in location across the country, from Tempe, Arizona, to Portland, Oregon and Atlanta, Georgia. The tea parties even started earlier in the week – on Tuesday, about 400 AFP and tea party activists gathered on the lawn of the Missouri state Capitol. In Sacramento, 450 attended AFP Foundation’s California Defending the American Dream® Summit on Wednesday.
“The passion and energy on the ground from hundreds of thousands of tea party and AFP activists is electric,” said Tim Phillips, president of AFP. “They are more committed than ever to limiting government and protecting our freedoms.”
Tim Phillips is speaking at the Arizona tea party at Diablo Stadium in Tempe today at 6:00 local time. AFP state directors are helping lead events around the nation, from Maryland and Virginia to Nebraska, Texas, Washington state and California. For more information about state chapters, please visit www.americansforprosperity.org.
AFP is promoting the petition at www.NovemberIsComing.com, where more than 360,000 Americans have told members of Congress that their votes on big-government legislation will determine their fate at the polls in November.
Tea parties and rallies in all 30 AFP state chapters and affiliates
ARLINGTON, Va. – It’s Tax Day in America, and for the second year in a row, that means it’s Tea Party Day. Americans who want lower taxes and more freedom are pouring out of their homes and businesses to send that message in their hometowns, state capitals, and Washington, D.C.
Americans for Prosperity, which has 30 state chapters and affiliates, is partnering in major tea party events in location across the country, from Tempe, Arizona, to Portland, Oregon and Atlanta, Georgia. The tea parties even started earlier in the week – on Tuesday, about 400 AFP and tea party activists gathered on the lawn of the Missouri state Capitol. In Sacramento, 450 attended AFP Foundation’s California Defending the American Dream® Summit on Wednesday.
“The passion and energy on the ground from hundreds of thousands of tea party and AFP activists is electric,” said Tim Phillips, president of AFP. “They are more committed than ever to limiting government and protecting our freedoms.”
Tim Phillips is speaking at the Arizona tea party at Diablo Stadium in Tempe today at 6:00 local time. AFP state directors are helping lead events around the nation, from Maryland and Virginia to Nebraska, Texas, Washington state and California. For more information about state chapters, please visit www.americansforprosperity.org.
AFP is promoting the petition at www.NovemberIsComing.com, where more than 360,000 Americans have told members of Congress that their votes on big-government legislation will determine their fate at the polls in November.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Taxpayers have their day in Senate Finance Hearing
At today's Texas Senate Finance Committee meeting:
Sen. Williams said, “people don’t participate because they can’t understand it and it is a game which discourages taxpayer participation.
Cheryl Johnson – Galveston County Tax Assessor and Collector:
In 1997, Texas passed a residential property tax cap of 10% which has made a huge difference. What was once a Houston problem has now spread across the state…
Proposed extending the cap to all real property (something Peggy Venable, then with CSE, advocated in 1997).
Another alternative is to move from a market value system to sales tax price only – eliminating the CAD’s moving to this system. This would result in $10 million savings in the Comptroller’s office.
"I agree with TAC – you have made a number of changes in the law encouraging public participation, but many citizens don’t understand. Issuing mandates for more public hearings likely won’t increase public participating."
The representative from the Texas Municipal League:
Prop taxes make up 35% of city budgets, and are the #1 source of revenue and sales taxes make up about 27%. Cities make up just 17% of the homeowners’ property tax bill. (He whined that state aid isn’t given to cities to do their job.) “Our mayors and city managers like that” as it provides grater autonomy to the cities. He said they want “no trickly limits” in their ability to raise our taxes. Regarding transparency and truth in taxation “there may not be much more that we can do” citing Sen. Williams’ SB 18 in ’05, former Rep. Fred Hill's legislation in 2007 and Rep. Dan Gattis in 2011 all passing bills which were intended to increase public participation. (Show me one thing Fred Hill did to help taxpayers!) "If the perception is no one is showing up is because in a lot of cities, citizens trust local officials, and see no need to protest."
David Hartman, president of the Lone Star Foundation
Presented a study done of the 5 largest metro areas in Texas which tracks the increase in property taxes.
Recommendations – outlined his paper’s recommendations which can be found on their paper online: (www.afptx.org or www.LoneStarStrong.com and look under Research tab)
John Kennedy representing the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association of Texas (representing business taxpayers)
The current system does not work. The current system was crafted in the ‘70’s and the effective tax rate notice is how we try to do that now and the newspaper ad is “hiding the forest from the trees” and we want a simplified notice w/3 numbers:
• Show the tax rate levied last year
• The tax rate that would be levied this year to provide the same level of services
• Show them the rate the jurisdiction is proposing to levy.
Some local gov’t s say that is too expensive to go to all taxpayers. Not so, says John. This notice could be put in the newspaper and if they want to find out what it means for their property, apply these 3 tax rates and see what you paid last year, what you would pay this year with no expansion of the budget, and
The bill passed the House and got on a local calendar, but the TAC objected and Rep. Charlie Howard who sponsored it said that he would not pursue it in the Senate if TAC objected (shame on Howard!!!) The bill was not considered in the Senate. It needs to be passed next session!
Joe Stewart – Texas Association of Realtors
Representing the realtors of Texas wants to allow HB 8 to “work for us” to audit all appraisal districts, and the work is in motion now.
HB 1221, Charlie Howard’s bill would have created a new calculation would have created an even playing field. It would have created a new calculation – same services tax rate. It would give taxpayers info on what tax rate would bring in the same tax revenue. It would have provided transparency and is important to us.
No similar bill was introduced in the Senate. It was discussed that Rep. Charlie Howard didn’t want a hearing in the Senate.
Sen. Williams – plenty of us would be willing to “spot” local governments that money could not overcome the objections of the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Municipal League. That is my recollection of it.
Lots of bills have been filed…we did spot some of the property tax growth to the local taxing entity – they need to be able to capture that” but there are plenty of us are willing to spot them the growth in their property tax rolls and exclude that from the rollback calculation
“That is not satisfactory…they (local government groups Texas Association of Counties and Texas Municipal League) want to get their hooks in that other money…it is boundless…the worst thing I’ve ever seen.” – Sen. Williams
Sen. Williams said, “people don’t participate because they can’t understand it and it is a game which discourages taxpayer participation.
Cheryl Johnson – Galveston County Tax Assessor and Collector:
In 1997, Texas passed a residential property tax cap of 10% which has made a huge difference. What was once a Houston problem has now spread across the state…
Proposed extending the cap to all real property (something Peggy Venable, then with CSE, advocated in 1997).
Another alternative is to move from a market value system to sales tax price only – eliminating the CAD’s moving to this system. This would result in $10 million savings in the Comptroller’s office.
"I agree with TAC – you have made a number of changes in the law encouraging public participation, but many citizens don’t understand. Issuing mandates for more public hearings likely won’t increase public participating."
The representative from the Texas Municipal League:
Prop taxes make up 35% of city budgets, and are the #1 source of revenue and sales taxes make up about 27%. Cities make up just 17% of the homeowners’ property tax bill. (He whined that state aid isn’t given to cities to do their job.) “Our mayors and city managers like that” as it provides grater autonomy to the cities. He said they want “no trickly limits” in their ability to raise our taxes. Regarding transparency and truth in taxation “there may not be much more that we can do” citing Sen. Williams’ SB 18 in ’05, former Rep. Fred Hill's legislation in 2007 and Rep. Dan Gattis in 2011 all passing bills which were intended to increase public participation. (Show me one thing Fred Hill did to help taxpayers!) "If the perception is no one is showing up is because in a lot of cities, citizens trust local officials, and see no need to protest."
David Hartman, president of the Lone Star Foundation
Presented a study done of the 5 largest metro areas in Texas which tracks the increase in property taxes.
Recommendations – outlined his paper’s recommendations which can be found on their paper online: (www.afptx.org or www.LoneStarStrong.com and look under Research tab)
John Kennedy representing the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association of Texas (representing business taxpayers)
The current system does not work. The current system was crafted in the ‘70’s and the effective tax rate notice is how we try to do that now and the newspaper ad is “hiding the forest from the trees” and we want a simplified notice w/3 numbers:
• Show the tax rate levied last year
• The tax rate that would be levied this year to provide the same level of services
• Show them the rate the jurisdiction is proposing to levy.
Some local gov’t s say that is too expensive to go to all taxpayers. Not so, says John. This notice could be put in the newspaper and if they want to find out what it means for their property, apply these 3 tax rates and see what you paid last year, what you would pay this year with no expansion of the budget, and
The bill passed the House and got on a local calendar, but the TAC objected and Rep. Charlie Howard who sponsored it said that he would not pursue it in the Senate if TAC objected (shame on Howard!!!) The bill was not considered in the Senate. It needs to be passed next session!
Joe Stewart – Texas Association of Realtors
Representing the realtors of Texas wants to allow HB 8 to “work for us” to audit all appraisal districts, and the work is in motion now.
HB 1221, Charlie Howard’s bill would have created a new calculation would have created an even playing field. It would have created a new calculation – same services tax rate. It would give taxpayers info on what tax rate would bring in the same tax revenue. It would have provided transparency and is important to us.
No similar bill was introduced in the Senate. It was discussed that Rep. Charlie Howard didn’t want a hearing in the Senate.
Sen. Williams – plenty of us would be willing to “spot” local governments that money could not overcome the objections of the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Municipal League. That is my recollection of it.
Lots of bills have been filed…we did spot some of the property tax growth to the local taxing entity – they need to be able to capture that” but there are plenty of us are willing to spot them the growth in their property tax rolls and exclude that from the rollback calculation
“That is not satisfactory…they (local government groups Texas Association of Counties and Texas Municipal League) want to get their hooks in that other money…it is boundless…the worst thing I’ve ever seen.” – Sen. Williams
Monday, April 12, 2010
Obama's Secret Power Grabs
President Obama seems to believe that most of his sweeping agenda to transform the country can be accomplished without even a vote of Congress.
By Phil Kerpen - FOXNews.com
While Congress considers sweeping new legislation to permanently institutionalize the bailouts and federal control of our financial system (right on the heels of their health care takeover, of course) several other sweeping power grabs are going on outside the spotlight of legislative debate. Indeed President Obama seems to believe that most of his sweeping agenda to transform the country can be accomplished without even a vote of Congress. The chart seen below and found at www.ObamaChart.com shows what the administration is up to.
Obama has a pattern of sidestepping Congress that will only get worse in the aftermath of the health care fight and the pending financial “reform” legislation. For a full explanation of all of these threats as well as action items on how to stop them, please check out the interactive version of the chart on www.ObamaChart.com.
By Phil Kerpen - FOXNews.com
While Congress considers sweeping new legislation to permanently institutionalize the bailouts and federal control of our financial system (right on the heels of their health care takeover, of course) several other sweeping power grabs are going on outside the spotlight of legislative debate. Indeed President Obama seems to believe that most of his sweeping agenda to transform the country can be accomplished without even a vote of Congress. The chart seen below and found at www.ObamaChart.com shows what the administration is up to.
Obama has a pattern of sidestepping Congress that will only get worse in the aftermath of the health care fight and the pending financial “reform” legislation. For a full explanation of all of these threats as well as action items on how to stop them, please check out the interactive version of the chart on www.ObamaChart.com.
What does ObamaCare do to SCHIP?
What does ObamaCare do to SCHIP? According to Americans for Prosperity Foundation, it simply shatters any semblance of state control.
The State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was scheduled to expire, yet again, at the end of 2013. ObamaCare extended funding and authorization through the end of 2015. http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/MEDICAID.pdf
The Arizona legislature passed and Gov. Brewer signed a new budget canceling Arizona's SCHIP program (called KidsCare) in order to cover a $2.6 billion budget gap. This was done before the passage of the healthcare legislation. Now the Arizona Medicaid agency (AHCCCS) is arguing that "maintenance of effort" requirements in the new law make reduction of benefits for children a non-option, as that would result in the end of Medicaid matching funds.
http://www.azahcccs.gov/shared/news.aspx#FY_2011_State_Budget
http://www.azahcccs.gov/reporting/Downloads/HealthCareReform/GovernorBrewerLetter_03-25-10.pdf
http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/FederalHealthcare.pdf (analysis by Arizona Joint Leg. Budget Committee)
Analysis: Aside from the new populations that healthcare "reform" is going to dump into Medicare and Medicaid, the bill also severely restricts the states' freedom in terms of their SCHIP programs.
Just when states need the most fiscal flexibility in order to balance their severely out-of-balance budgets, the federal government has mandated that current levels of SCHIP eligibility cannot be curtailed without the loss of all federally-provided Enhanced FMAP (FMAP - percentages for the state and federal share of expenditures for certain federal programs) funds.
The illusion of state-controlled Medicaid and SCHIP programs is now totally shattered.
The State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was scheduled to expire, yet again, at the end of 2013. ObamaCare extended funding and authorization through the end of 2015. http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/MEDICAID.pdf
The Arizona legislature passed and Gov. Brewer signed a new budget canceling Arizona's SCHIP program (called KidsCare) in order to cover a $2.6 billion budget gap. This was done before the passage of the healthcare legislation. Now the Arizona Medicaid agency (AHCCCS) is arguing that "maintenance of effort" requirements in the new law make reduction of benefits for children a non-option, as that would result in the end of Medicaid matching funds.
http://www.azahcccs.gov/shared/news.aspx#FY_2011_State_Budget
http://www.azahcccs.gov/reporting/Downloads/HealthCareReform/GovernorBrewerLetter_03-25-10.pdf
http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/FederalHealthcare.pdf (analysis by Arizona Joint Leg. Budget Committee)
Analysis: Aside from the new populations that healthcare "reform" is going to dump into Medicare and Medicaid, the bill also severely restricts the states' freedom in terms of their SCHIP programs.
Just when states need the most fiscal flexibility in order to balance their severely out-of-balance budgets, the federal government has mandated that current levels of SCHIP eligibility cannot be curtailed without the loss of all federally-provided Enhanced FMAP (FMAP - percentages for the state and federal share of expenditures for certain federal programs) funds.
The illusion of state-controlled Medicaid and SCHIP programs is now totally shattered.
New Contract with Texas
A new organization has emerged – Independent Conservative Republicans of Texas, founded by Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston. FoxNews host Mike Huckabee and radio talk show host Laura Ingraham both did long segments on it earlier this week. The message is a simple one – a contract with Texas (below). To see if your Senator or State Rep have signed on, go to the website: www.icrepublicans.com
Independent Conservative Republicans of Texas: Contract with Texas
We give our word to stand for conservative principles
and to put people before party.
We give our word to be fiscally accountable,
limit the size of government,
and fight for free market principles.
We give our word to protect our borders
and to support a strong military.
We give our word to protect life, support strong family values,
and uphold the Judeo-Christian beliefs our nation was founded upon.
We give our word to defend the Constitution
and protect the sovereign rights of Texas.
Independent Conservative Republicans of Texas: Contract with Texas
We give our word to stand for conservative principles
and to put people before party.
We give our word to be fiscally accountable,
limit the size of government,
and fight for free market principles.
We give our word to protect our borders
and to support a strong military.
We give our word to protect life, support strong family values,
and uphold the Judeo-Christian beliefs our nation was founded upon.
We give our word to defend the Constitution
and protect the sovereign rights of Texas.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Policies and Electons Matter
Policies matter (www.LoneStarStrong.com project)
And
Elections matter (www.NovemberIsComing.com project)
And
Elections matter (www.NovemberIsComing.com project)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Policy Matters Forum Tuesday in Austin
AFP Foundation and Lone Star Foundation host policy forum
Texas has the most vibrant economy in the country today. We Texans may from time to time take for granted the relative good economy we are enjoying here in the Lone Star State. Few citizens realize the progress Texas has made to be the best economy in the nation.
AFP-Texas Foundation is launching a new effort – Lone Star Strong (www.LoneStarStrong.com) to show how limited-government policies result in economic expansion and prosperity. The first research paper for this site compares Texas' policies and economy to that of other states.
The paper written by Dr. Noel Campbell, Policy Matters: a Comparative Analysis of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and other States, looks at how policies have impacted economic growth and prosperity in the states.
At the same time, we realize that taxpayers are impacted by taxation and spending at the local level and the policy forum will feature an updated study by the Lone Star Foundation: RX for Property Tax Reform written by Will Lutz and David Hartman.
The public, media and policymakers and their staff are invited to attend the briefing.
Policy Matters Briefing
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
1-3 pm
Texas Capitol, Rm E2.012.
Texas has the most vibrant economy in the country today. We Texans may from time to time take for granted the relative good economy we are enjoying here in the Lone Star State. Few citizens realize the progress Texas has made to be the best economy in the nation.
AFP-Texas Foundation is launching a new effort – Lone Star Strong (www.LoneStarStrong.com) to show how limited-government policies result in economic expansion and prosperity. The first research paper for this site compares Texas' policies and economy to that of other states.
The paper written by Dr. Noel Campbell, Policy Matters: a Comparative Analysis of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and other States, looks at how policies have impacted economic growth and prosperity in the states.
At the same time, we realize that taxpayers are impacted by taxation and spending at the local level and the policy forum will feature an updated study by the Lone Star Foundation: RX for Property Tax Reform written by Will Lutz and David Hartman.
The public, media and policymakers and their staff are invited to attend the briefing.
Policy Matters Briefing
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
1-3 pm
Texas Capitol, Rm E2.012.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
FCC loses lawsuit; consumers win
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals slapped the FCC today by ruling in Comcast v. FCC that the regulatory body overstepped its legal bounds when it tried to regulate Internet management practices. This precludes Net Neutrality regulation, which is at heart regulation of how ISPs manage their networks.
We saw the story in the NYT and on RedState.com, so we are linking to the latter:
http://www.redstate.com/neil_stevens/2010/04/06/fcc-loses-internet-regulation-lawsuit/
It is a blow to the Administration’s efforts to regulate the Internet (invented by Al Gore, remember?), circumventing Congress and our constitution as they are with the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
If even the overwhelmingly Democratic Congress won’t do it, this Administration will attempt to do their will thru regulations – limit our freedoms and liberties.
Gov. Perry, AG Abbott and Ag Commissioner Staples have sued the EPA challenging their authority to regulate greenhouse gases just as Texas has sued the federal government over its authority to force Americans to purchase health insurance under ObamaCare. It’s partisan politics at its worse.
Didn’t Obama say he didn’t see Red States, or Blue States, just the “United States”? He’s done everything he can to divide these United States.
What can you do? Go to www.NovemberIsComing, sign up and share the site with others. Our goal is to hit a million sign-ups this month!
We saw the story in the NYT and on RedState.com, so we are linking to the latter:
http://www.redstate.com/neil_stevens/2010/04/06/fcc-loses-internet-regulation-lawsuit/
It is a blow to the Administration’s efforts to regulate the Internet (invented by Al Gore, remember?), circumventing Congress and our constitution as they are with the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
If even the overwhelmingly Democratic Congress won’t do it, this Administration will attempt to do their will thru regulations – limit our freedoms and liberties.
Gov. Perry, AG Abbott and Ag Commissioner Staples have sued the EPA challenging their authority to regulate greenhouse gases just as Texas has sued the federal government over its authority to force Americans to purchase health insurance under ObamaCare. It’s partisan politics at its worse.
Didn’t Obama say he didn’t see Red States, or Blue States, just the “United States”? He’s done everything he can to divide these United States.
What can you do? Go to www.NovemberIsComing, sign up and share the site with others. Our goal is to hit a million sign-ups this month!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tea Partiers - Congratulations!
"Wing-nuts", "Narrow-minded tea party nut jobs" -- Congratulations! You have the heart of the Democratic party scared and on the run.
All over the lame street media, we hear that tea party event attendees spew hate and are anti-American. Our opponents will do anything to minimize the tea party movement and to attempt to demonize us. But look at this message from James Carville on behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. It's clear they fear the tea party movement - and they should! http://www.dccc.org/page/invite/fire
Here is part of the online mailer:
This is nuts. At a time when most of America is celebrating historic health care legislation that’s been a century in the making, a few narrow-minded tea party nut jobs are trying to tarnish this great achievement.
But if you think these vile two-bit wing-nuts are just gonna slink back into whatever century they crawled out from now that health care reform is the law, think again.
The same uncorked tea party rage that we saw before the health care vote is now being used against the courageous House Democrats who stood strong and made it happen.
In fact, the slimy thugs at the Republican National Committee already raised $1,494,084 in their “Fire Nancy Pelosi” campaign. That’s why I’m asking you to help my Democratic friends in the House by contributing to their Million Dollar Match campaign.
Contribute to support Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats...(bla, bla, bal)
____________________________
To that vile rhetoric, we have one messagae: Patriotic Americans are going to Take Back America...November Is Coming. Clearly, Congress didn't listen to the people who overwhelmingly disapproved of the massive take-over of our health care system, violation of our Constitution and erosion of our liberty. Together we can put the “NO” back into November. Go to: www.NovemberIsComing.com
All over the lame street media, we hear that tea party event attendees spew hate and are anti-American. Our opponents will do anything to minimize the tea party movement and to attempt to demonize us. But look at this message from James Carville on behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. It's clear they fear the tea party movement - and they should! http://www.dccc.org/page/invite/fire
Here is part of the online mailer:
This is nuts. At a time when most of America is celebrating historic health care legislation that’s been a century in the making, a few narrow-minded tea party nut jobs are trying to tarnish this great achievement.
But if you think these vile two-bit wing-nuts are just gonna slink back into whatever century they crawled out from now that health care reform is the law, think again.
The same uncorked tea party rage that we saw before the health care vote is now being used against the courageous House Democrats who stood strong and made it happen.
In fact, the slimy thugs at the Republican National Committee already raised $1,494,084 in their “Fire Nancy Pelosi” campaign. That’s why I’m asking you to help my Democratic friends in the House by contributing to their Million Dollar Match campaign.
Contribute to support Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats...(bla, bla, bal)
____________________________
To that vile rhetoric, we have one messagae: Patriotic Americans are going to Take Back America...November Is Coming. Clearly, Congress didn't listen to the people who overwhelmingly disapproved of the massive take-over of our health care system, violation of our Constitution and erosion of our liberty. Together we can put the “NO” back into November. Go to: www.NovemberIsComing.com
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Repeal and Replace ObamaCare
April 1, 2010
So what do we mean by that, exactly? The fallout from ObamaCare is just beginning, with news articles every day showing the damage the health overhaul law is poised to inflict on our economy and health sector.
The latest Rasmussen poll found 54% of those surveyed want the law repealed. But there are real problems in our health sector that demand it be replaced with a better plan.
Opponents of ObamaCare have seized on the repeal and replace theme as an acknowledgement that we must stop this government takeover of our health sector and offer better ideas.
So here is a handy guide to the key policy ideas behind Repeal and Replace, letter by letter:
- Repeal ObamaCare's massive new taxes
- Eliminate job-killing mandates on businesses
- Protect citizens from IRS enforcers by repealing the individual mandate
- Eliminate cuts in benefits to seniors on Medicare Advantage
- Avoid crippling the states with expensive mandates
- Limit government intrusion into personal medical decisions
AND
- Real help for people to purchase health insurance they choose
- Expand states' ability to help people with pre-existing conditions
- Put Medicare savings into saving Medicare
- Lawsuit abuse reform
- Allow doctors and patients to control medical decisions
- Control costs though consumer-friendly health reform
- Expand access through cross-state purchasing of health insurance
AND STOP THE RECKLESS DEFICIT SPENDING
This from the Galen Institute: www.galen.org
So what do we mean by that, exactly? The fallout from ObamaCare is just beginning, with news articles every day showing the damage the health overhaul law is poised to inflict on our economy and health sector.
The latest Rasmussen poll found 54% of those surveyed want the law repealed. But there are real problems in our health sector that demand it be replaced with a better plan.
Opponents of ObamaCare have seized on the repeal and replace theme as an acknowledgement that we must stop this government takeover of our health sector and offer better ideas.
So here is a handy guide to the key policy ideas behind Repeal and Replace, letter by letter:
- Repeal ObamaCare's massive new taxes
- Eliminate job-killing mandates on businesses
- Protect citizens from IRS enforcers by repealing the individual mandate
- Eliminate cuts in benefits to seniors on Medicare Advantage
- Avoid crippling the states with expensive mandates
- Limit government intrusion into personal medical decisions
AND
- Real help for people to purchase health insurance they choose
- Expand states' ability to help people with pre-existing conditions
- Put Medicare savings into saving Medicare
- Lawsuit abuse reform
- Allow doctors and patients to control medical decisions
- Control costs though consumer-friendly health reform
- Expand access through cross-state purchasing of health insurance
AND STOP THE RECKLESS DEFICIT SPENDING
This from the Galen Institute: www.galen.org
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