Last week, State Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) introduced
the “Illegal Immigration Reform Enforcement Act of 2011,” or HB 87.
The Libertarian Party of Georgia opposes the bill, citing the huge
cost to enforce it even though the General Assembly is tasked with a
nearly $2 billion budget crisis. They also say that the bill could
have catastrophic effects on the economic well-being of the state, as
well as in the lives of its residents if passed.
As proposed, HB 87 would make criminals of many otherwise law abiding
Georgians trying to make a living. The bill makes it a criminal offense
by merely “encouraging” an illegal immigrant to enter the state. It
also allows almost any citizen to bring a lawsuit against any business,
local or State government agency or official by just accusing them of
violating immigration law. Further, HB 87 burdens every employer doing
business in Georgia with using the Department of Homeland Security’s
E-Verify system.
"As it is written, this bill will have a tremendous impact on the every day
lives of all Georgians and will cost the State quite a bit of money
defending it from the several lawsuits already planned," says
Libertarian Party of Georgia Legislative Director Jeff Sexton. "We are
calling on Representatives to truly get serious about immigration, and
enact genuine reform that respects the rights of all individuals."
One other aspect troubling the Libertarian Party of Georgia is the
provision within that allows law enforcement officers to indefinitely
detain anyone unable to provide their driver’s license or other "proof"
document. HB 87 allows for anyone forgetting their driver's license to
be jailed even after release would normally be required without
probable cause. It also re-introduces the secure and verifiable
document issue, something that has landed the state in the courts as a
defendant for the way Georgia tried to use it in election law...
another action that could cost the state significant legal bills to
defend.
“This bill is a reaction to a poor national immigration policy, and it acts
to treat a symptom, rather than cure the underlying illness. That
illness is the cost of the welfare state, and neither Democrats nor
Republicans are willing to address it,” explained Brett Bittner, the
Party’s Executive Director. “Instead, they’ve politicized the
immigration issue to the point that we can no longer have a discussion
about a solution that works for every Georgian.”
“Our main economic engines, agriculture, poultry, and manufacturing, will be
hit hardest by the proposed legislation,” Bittner says further. “They
will find themselves with an increased cost of labor and compliance, or
they will simply close up shop, because the arduous regulations are
simply too much.”
Currently, HB 87 has been placed in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee,
chaired by HB 87 co-sponsor Rep Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), where it is
scheduled to have a hearing this Friday, February 4, at 9:30am. Others
listed as co-sponsors include Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), Rick Austin
(R-Demorest), Stephen Allison(R-Blairsville), and Edward Lindsey
(R-Atlanta).
The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the
only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and
personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com
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Showing posts with label peachtree city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peachtree city. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Libertarians say Kagan is bad, but bigger problem exists
Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party, issued the following statement today:
"Elena Kagan is another bad pick for the Supreme Court. If confirmed, it is likely that she will vote on cases with the intent of advancing political policy goals.
"Kagan will probably vote to advance liberal policy goals, just as some other justices vote to advance conservative policy goals. That is not the place of justices, who should be applying the Constitution, not trying to rewrite it to make society work better according to their views.
"However, the bitter battles over Supreme Court justices expose a more serious problem in our federal government: the legislative and executive branches simply refuse to take the Constitution seriously.
"Once upon a time, Congress felt it had a duty to legislate in accordance with the Constitution. Likewise, past presidents believed that they should veto laws that were not clearly constitutional. But in more recent years, both branches have thrown this crucial duty away. Now their attitude seems to be, 'We can pass anything we want to, and let the Supreme Court deal with it if they don't like it.' That was absolutely not what the American Founders had in mind.
"We shouldn't have to worry so much about who gets appointed to the Supreme Court. It shouldn't be the case that a single justice can make all of American society lurch from one direction to another. They shouldn't have that much power.
"Republicans who want to throw stones at Kagan, ought to ask themselves why they supported the Bush Administration's blatantly unconstitutional Patriot Act, or why they supported huge expansions of the blatantly unconstitutional Medicare program. When they were in power, they showed absolutely no respect for the Constitution.
"I wish that President Obama had picked a nominee with more regard for the original intent of the Constitution. But even more than that, I wish that he and the members of Congress would stop shirking their responsibility to apply the Constitution themselves."
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"Elena Kagan is another bad pick for the Supreme Court. If confirmed, it is likely that she will vote on cases with the intent of advancing political policy goals.
"Kagan will probably vote to advance liberal policy goals, just as some other justices vote to advance conservative policy goals. That is not the place of justices, who should be applying the Constitution, not trying to rewrite it to make society work better according to their views.
"However, the bitter battles over Supreme Court justices expose a more serious problem in our federal government: the legislative and executive branches simply refuse to take the Constitution seriously.
"Once upon a time, Congress felt it had a duty to legislate in accordance with the Constitution. Likewise, past presidents believed that they should veto laws that were not clearly constitutional. But in more recent years, both branches have thrown this crucial duty away. Now their attitude seems to be, 'We can pass anything we want to, and let the Supreme Court deal with it if they don't like it.' That was absolutely not what the American Founders had in mind.
"We shouldn't have to worry so much about who gets appointed to the Supreme Court. It shouldn't be the case that a single justice can make all of American society lurch from one direction to another. They shouldn't have that much power.
"Republicans who want to throw stones at Kagan, ought to ask themselves why they supported the Bush Administration's blatantly unconstitutional Patriot Act, or why they supported huge expansions of the blatantly unconstitutional Medicare program. When they were in power, they showed absolutely no respect for the Constitution.
"I wish that President Obama had picked a nominee with more regard for the original intent of the Constitution. But even more than that, I wish that he and the members of Congress would stop shirking their responsibility to apply the Constitution themselves."
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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Opinion: Governor Perdue Should Veto HB 1055 and Demand Lawmakers Pass A Clean Version
In order for Governor Perdue to maintain his record of fiscal responsibility, he should veto House Bill 1055. The legislature combined permanent tax cuts with much-needed revenue increases in HB 1055, turning the governor's fiscally responsible proposal into a last minute tax giveaway.
The final version, which passed April 14, adds to the alarming and long-term structural deficit in Georgia. In addition, this bill along with HB 1023 - which has permanent tax cuts of $380 million - could have serious negative implications for Georgia's AAA bond rating.
There is another option- an option that would allow the governor to achieve his original proposals of a temporary hospital fee and updates to user fees. House Bill 307, which contains the temporary hospital provider fee, is still viable. The governor still has an opportunity for the clean bill he desires, if lawmakers revise HB 307 to contain both revenue measures.
Lawmakers of both parties should vote for an amended version of HB 307 that contains two things - the temporary hospital provider fee and updates to user fees. However, lawmakers are not likely to pursue this sensible alternative unless the governor immediately vetoes HB 1055.
Alan Essig
Georgia Budget & Policy Institute
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The final version, which passed April 14, adds to the alarming and long-term structural deficit in Georgia. In addition, this bill along with HB 1023 - which has permanent tax cuts of $380 million - could have serious negative implications for Georgia's AAA bond rating.
There is another option- an option that would allow the governor to achieve his original proposals of a temporary hospital fee and updates to user fees. House Bill 307, which contains the temporary hospital provider fee, is still viable. The governor still has an opportunity for the clean bill he desires, if lawmakers revise HB 307 to contain both revenue measures.
Lawmakers of both parties should vote for an amended version of HB 307 that contains two things - the temporary hospital provider fee and updates to user fees. However, lawmakers are not likely to pursue this sensible alternative unless the governor immediately vetoes HB 1055.
Alan Essig
Georgia Budget & Policy Institute
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Libertarians question Republican participation in Tea Parties
Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party, issued the following statement today:
"Many Libertarians around America are planning to go to Tea Party rallies tomorrow. I also expect lots of Republican activists and politicians to be there. But frankly, I don't think those Republicans belong there. The people participating in these rallies are saying 'There's too much government spending,' but Republicans, decade after decade, have supported massive increases in government spending. During the George W. Bush administration, Republicans in Congress supported spending trillions of dollars on foreign wars, a massive Medicare expansion, and banker bailouts. Republicans doubled the budget and doubled the federal debt. Why can't the Republican Party just admit that it loves big government?
"If I thought there would be many Democrats at these rallies, I'd criticize them too. However, I think it's safe to say that they'll be few and far between.
"Many Libertarians are enthusiastic about the Tea Parties, but many are not. Many Libertarians are concerned that participating causes us to get lumped in with conservatives and Republicans. In our online poll at LP.org, 28% so far say that 'The Tea Parties have become too Republican-flavored.'
"Libertarians are often frustrated when the press characterizes us as 'right-wing' or 'conservative.' Although we certainly support reducing government spending, which most conservatives also claim to support, we differ from right-wingers on many issues: for example, we oppose foreign interventionism, support immigrant-friendly policies, oppose overreaction to terrorism, and oppose the War on Drugs.
"Libertarians are neither left-wing nor right-wing. We're in a different place on the political map, as illustrated by the popular World's Smallest Political Quiz.
"Some of the people in the tax day Tea Party crowds will be right-wingers, and some will be Libertarians. For those Tea Partiers who support Libertarian principles of very limited government spending, government tolerance on social issues, and a non-interventionist foreign policy, the Libertarian Party is ready to welcome them with open arms."
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"Many Libertarians around America are planning to go to Tea Party rallies tomorrow. I also expect lots of Republican activists and politicians to be there. But frankly, I don't think those Republicans belong there. The people participating in these rallies are saying 'There's too much government spending,' but Republicans, decade after decade, have supported massive increases in government spending. During the George W. Bush administration, Republicans in Congress supported spending trillions of dollars on foreign wars, a massive Medicare expansion, and banker bailouts. Republicans doubled the budget and doubled the federal debt. Why can't the Republican Party just admit that it loves big government?
"If I thought there would be many Democrats at these rallies, I'd criticize them too. However, I think it's safe to say that they'll be few and far between.
"Many Libertarians are enthusiastic about the Tea Parties, but many are not. Many Libertarians are concerned that participating causes us to get lumped in with conservatives and Republicans. In our online poll at LP.org, 28% so far say that 'The Tea Parties have become too Republican-flavored.'
"Libertarians are often frustrated when the press characterizes us as 'right-wing' or 'conservative.' Although we certainly support reducing government spending, which most conservatives also claim to support, we differ from right-wingers on many issues: for example, we oppose foreign interventionism, support immigrant-friendly policies, oppose overreaction to terrorism, and oppose the War on Drugs.
"Libertarians are neither left-wing nor right-wing. We're in a different place on the political map, as illustrated by the popular World's Smallest Political Quiz.
"Some of the people in the tax day Tea Party crowds will be right-wingers, and some will be Libertarians. For those Tea Partiers who support Libertarian principles of very limited government spending, government tolerance on social issues, and a non-interventionist foreign policy, the Libertarian Party is ready to welcome them with open arms."
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Chance at the Middle Class: President's Budget Restores Hope for Millions of Working Families
/PRNewswire/ -- With the nation in the midst of a deep economic recession, advocates working to safeguard the economic security and mobility of working Americans applaud the Administration's decision to renew funding for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). CSBG funds a nationwide network of community-based organizations. Their sole purpose is to stimulate a better focusing of all available local, state, private, and federal resources with the goal of enabling families and communities to achieve economic mobility.
Described by many as one of the nation's best strategies to create economic security and mobility for families and communities, the CSBG network has long been an incubator to implement and replicate innovative programs aimed at ensuring economic stability for all hard-working Americans. Both Head Start and the Weatherization Assistance Program are products of the CSBG network. In addition, the network is a major provider of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. These programs not only support working families, they also contribute to broader economic growth through various proven outcomes such as job creation, energy savings, and long-term academic achievement.
As American as apple pie, CSBG represents democracy in action. CSBG has successfully devolved decision-making to the local level, creating an effective example of how the federal government, in partnership with states, can best attack poverty and promote economic security. All CSBG eligible entities, primarily Community Action Agencies (CAAs), are governed by community-based boards. These boards assure CAAs assess and respond to the unique causes and consequences of economic insecurity in their communities.
By renewing funding for CSBG, the President provided 7 million working families an opportunity to realize the American dream. "The Community Services Block Grant is vital to our nation's efforts to create opportunities for economic security on behalf of America's families and communities," said Vaughn Clark, Director of the Office of Community Development for the State of Oklahoma and chair of the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP). Clark praised the Administration's renewed funding of CSBG, emphasizing that it "gives America's most vulnerable citizens a ladder to the middle class."
NASCSP is a professional association whose members are state administrators of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). NASCSP builds capacity in states to respond to poverty issues.
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Described by many as one of the nation's best strategies to create economic security and mobility for families and communities, the CSBG network has long been an incubator to implement and replicate innovative programs aimed at ensuring economic stability for all hard-working Americans. Both Head Start and the Weatherization Assistance Program are products of the CSBG network. In addition, the network is a major provider of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. These programs not only support working families, they also contribute to broader economic growth through various proven outcomes such as job creation, energy savings, and long-term academic achievement.
As American as apple pie, CSBG represents democracy in action. CSBG has successfully devolved decision-making to the local level, creating an effective example of how the federal government, in partnership with states, can best attack poverty and promote economic security. All CSBG eligible entities, primarily Community Action Agencies (CAAs), are governed by community-based boards. These boards assure CAAs assess and respond to the unique causes and consequences of economic insecurity in their communities.
By renewing funding for CSBG, the President provided 7 million working families an opportunity to realize the American dream. "The Community Services Block Grant is vital to our nation's efforts to create opportunities for economic security on behalf of America's families and communities," said Vaughn Clark, Director of the Office of Community Development for the State of Oklahoma and chair of the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP). Clark praised the Administration's renewed funding of CSBG, emphasizing that it "gives America's most vulnerable citizens a ladder to the middle class."
NASCSP is a professional association whose members are state administrators of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). NASCSP builds capacity in states to respond to poverty issues.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
U.S. Department of Labor unveils new 'Open Government' efforts
/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a broad array of efforts designed to improve the public's accessibility to its agencies and ensure the department can function more effectively. The work is part of the Obama Administration's continued commitment to improved accountability, transparency and service to the American public.
"True progress is not something that happens to people. It happens because of them. And, it all begins with information that can be shared in a timely and effective manner," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "People deserve to know what their government is doing on their behalf, and what they can do to participate actively in that work. I am proud of the steps we are taking to make that possible, and I look forward to broadening our efforts further."
Previously, only the Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration posted worker fatality data on its Web site. Now, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also systematically publishing employer-specific information about occupational fatalities online and making these data available for easy download. Comprehensive, weekly reports on this topic are now available at https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html. Employers with reported fatalities will have an incentive to take steps to improve safety and prevent future accidents. In addition, responsible employers will be able to use the database to identify dangerous conditions and take precautions.
Other agencies at the department are also making additional information available to the public. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is contributing a vast array of new information to http://www.data.gov/, enhancing its already impressive searchable databases. The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, meanwhile, recently launched a Web-based competition at http://www.dol.gov/challenge. It enlists entrepreneurs and technology firms, workforce professionals and the public to help identify the best online tools to enable America's job seekers to quickly and easily connect with jobs.
The department's commitment to enhance participation also extends to the regulatory arena. On Monday, Dec. 7, the department rolled out its regulatory agenda entirely online. All of the information -- including more than eight hours of Web chats with the secretary of labor and other Department of Labor officials -- can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/regulations. The Web page also contains links to resources and testimonials, and it even helps visitors submit comments to specific regulations.
"As a legislator, I always felt it was essential for people to take part in the processes of their government. As a regulator, I feel exactly the same way," added Solis.
The department also has launched an extremely successful weekly e-newsletter, which offers readers the latest details in everything from the department's enforcement and compliance assistance to job openings at its various agencies. Not content with one-way communication, however, the department is also using social media tools to engage the public online -- and tapping into the power of crowd sourcing. In fact, the Department of Labor's presence on Facebook and Twitter is already helping to link knowledge communities together and speeding up the sharing of valuable information among the department, state workforce agencies, a variety of stakeholders and, most importantly, the American public.
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"True progress is not something that happens to people. It happens because of them. And, it all begins with information that can be shared in a timely and effective manner," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "People deserve to know what their government is doing on their behalf, and what they can do to participate actively in that work. I am proud of the steps we are taking to make that possible, and I look forward to broadening our efforts further."
Previously, only the Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration posted worker fatality data on its Web site. Now, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also systematically publishing employer-specific information about occupational fatalities online and making these data available for easy download. Comprehensive, weekly reports on this topic are now available at https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html. Employers with reported fatalities will have an incentive to take steps to improve safety and prevent future accidents. In addition, responsible employers will be able to use the database to identify dangerous conditions and take precautions.
Other agencies at the department are also making additional information available to the public. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is contributing a vast array of new information to http://www.data.gov/, enhancing its already impressive searchable databases. The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, meanwhile, recently launched a Web-based competition at http://www.dol.gov/challenge. It enlists entrepreneurs and technology firms, workforce professionals and the public to help identify the best online tools to enable America's job seekers to quickly and easily connect with jobs.
The department's commitment to enhance participation also extends to the regulatory arena. On Monday, Dec. 7, the department rolled out its regulatory agenda entirely online. All of the information -- including more than eight hours of Web chats with the secretary of labor and other Department of Labor officials -- can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/regulations. The Web page also contains links to resources and testimonials, and it even helps visitors submit comments to specific regulations.
"As a legislator, I always felt it was essential for people to take part in the processes of their government. As a regulator, I feel exactly the same way," added Solis.
The department also has launched an extremely successful weekly e-newsletter, which offers readers the latest details in everything from the department's enforcement and compliance assistance to job openings at its various agencies. Not content with one-way communication, however, the department is also using social media tools to engage the public online -- and tapping into the power of crowd sourcing. In fact, the Department of Labor's presence on Facebook and Twitter is already helping to link knowledge communities together and speeding up the sharing of valuable information among the department, state workforce agencies, a variety of stakeholders and, most importantly, the American public.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Westmoreland: Opponents of Government Takeover Will Have Voices Heard
Today, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats unveiled their final 2,000-page health care plan (HR 3962) after weeks of Democrat-only, closed-door negotiations.
“Apparently, because this is health care legislation, the House Democrats thought doctor-patient confidentiality rules should apply to their secret negotiations,” U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland said. “The voices of those opposed to a government takeover of health care have been shut out of this debate. We got a taste of how strongly people feel on this issue during the August town halls, and I think those voices that Pelosi ignored will be heard loudly in the coming days.”
Westmoreland took issue with House Majority Leader’s Steny Hoyer’s assertion that the legislation meets an “urgent” need.
“Republicans and Democrats agree that we have too many uninsured Americans and too many family tragedies related to health care costs,” Westmoreland said. “But let’s be clear: This legislation won’t meet those needs urgently. In fact, benefits don’t take affect for three more years. The only thing that the Democrats think is ‘urgent’ enough to enact immediately are the tax hikes and mandates that will kill off even more jobs in this ailing economy.”
Westmoreland cites several tenets of the bill as problematic:
· $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, which Westmoreland sees as either ‘phantom cuts’ that will never take place or catastrophic for seniors’ health care coverage.
· Bill contains the word “shall” 3,425 times – that’s a lot of government mandates.
· Expanding eligibility for Medicaid, which will hike costs for budget-strapped state governments.
· Tax hikes on small business owners, whom we’re relying on to create new jobs in this economy.
· Mandates on business to provide coverage to all employees or face penalties, creating a “tax on jobs” that will lead to fewer jobs.
· A government-run ‘public option’ that will eventually crowd out private plans, causing many Americans to lose their current coverage.
· The legislation’s financing will cost much more than advertised, placing yet another burden on our national debt. The legislation comes in below $1 trillion over 10 years only because 1) Democrats moved the cost of paying Medicare fees to doctors (more than $200 billion) into another bill and 2) they count 10 years of revenues but only seven years of expenses.
Westmoreland points out that, contrary to Democratic claims that the Republicans are simply the “Party of No,” the GOP has offered an alternative called the Empowering Patients First Act. This legislation, HR 3400, would 1) make access to coverage affordable for all Americans; 2) make coverage truly owned and controlled by the patient; 3) improve the healthcare delivery structure; and 4) rein in out-of-control costs, including through robust liability reform.
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“Apparently, because this is health care legislation, the House Democrats thought doctor-patient confidentiality rules should apply to their secret negotiations,” U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland said. “The voices of those opposed to a government takeover of health care have been shut out of this debate. We got a taste of how strongly people feel on this issue during the August town halls, and I think those voices that Pelosi ignored will be heard loudly in the coming days.”
Westmoreland took issue with House Majority Leader’s Steny Hoyer’s assertion that the legislation meets an “urgent” need.
“Republicans and Democrats agree that we have too many uninsured Americans and too many family tragedies related to health care costs,” Westmoreland said. “But let’s be clear: This legislation won’t meet those needs urgently. In fact, benefits don’t take affect for three more years. The only thing that the Democrats think is ‘urgent’ enough to enact immediately are the tax hikes and mandates that will kill off even more jobs in this ailing economy.”
Westmoreland cites several tenets of the bill as problematic:
· $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, which Westmoreland sees as either ‘phantom cuts’ that will never take place or catastrophic for seniors’ health care coverage.
· Bill contains the word “shall” 3,425 times – that’s a lot of government mandates.
· Expanding eligibility for Medicaid, which will hike costs for budget-strapped state governments.
· Tax hikes on small business owners, whom we’re relying on to create new jobs in this economy.
· Mandates on business to provide coverage to all employees or face penalties, creating a “tax on jobs” that will lead to fewer jobs.
· A government-run ‘public option’ that will eventually crowd out private plans, causing many Americans to lose their current coverage.
· The legislation’s financing will cost much more than advertised, placing yet another burden on our national debt. The legislation comes in below $1 trillion over 10 years only because 1) Democrats moved the cost of paying Medicare fees to doctors (more than $200 billion) into another bill and 2) they count 10 years of revenues but only seven years of expenses.
Westmoreland points out that, contrary to Democratic claims that the Republicans are simply the “Party of No,” the GOP has offered an alternative called the Empowering Patients First Act. This legislation, HR 3400, would 1) make access to coverage affordable for all Americans; 2) make coverage truly owned and controlled by the patient; 3) improve the healthcare delivery structure; and 4) rein in out-of-control costs, including through robust liability reform.
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Friday, October 2, 2009
South Fulton: Christian City to Host Candidates’ Forum
Event to be Held at Christian City on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 4 PM
Robert L. Crutchfield, President/CEO of Christian City, announced today that there will be a candidates’ forum on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 4 PM in Christian City’s Sparks Inn Auditorium. All residents of Christian City and Union City are welcome to attend.
The agenda will feature candidates for the following offices:
· Union City Mayor
· Union City council
· State Senate District 35
The meeting will begin promptly at 4 PM.
The forum will take place in Christian City's Sparks Inn Auditorium at 7290 Lester Road, Union City, Georgia 30291. The Sparks Inn Auditorium is the assisted living facility located in the heart of the Christian City campus.
Christian City is a non-profit, non-denominational organization. On our 500+ acre complex we help meet the needs of approximately 1,100 people in our Children’s Village, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Friendship Place (Alzheimer's Care), Sparks Inn Assisted Living/Personal Care facility, and Retirement Homes and Apartments.
Christian City invites the public to this event.
For more information on the event or Christian City, please contact
770-703-2636 or via e-mail at ccity@christian-city.org. Visit Christian City’s website at www.christiancity.org.
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Robert L. Crutchfield, President/CEO of Christian City, announced today that there will be a candidates’ forum on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 4 PM in Christian City’s Sparks Inn Auditorium. All residents of Christian City and Union City are welcome to attend.
The agenda will feature candidates for the following offices:
· Union City Mayor
· Union City council
· State Senate District 35
The meeting will begin promptly at 4 PM.
The forum will take place in Christian City's Sparks Inn Auditorium at 7290 Lester Road, Union City, Georgia 30291. The Sparks Inn Auditorium is the assisted living facility located in the heart of the Christian City campus.
Christian City is a non-profit, non-denominational organization. On our 500+ acre complex we help meet the needs of approximately 1,100 people in our Children’s Village, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Friendship Place (Alzheimer's Care), Sparks Inn Assisted Living/Personal Care facility, and Retirement Homes and Apartments.
Christian City invites the public to this event.
For more information on the event or Christian City, please contact
770-703-2636 or via e-mail at ccity@christian-city.org. Visit Christian City’s website at www.christiancity.org.
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Chambliss, Isakson Urge the Government Accountability Office to Launch Investigation into ACORN
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., along with 18 other Republican senators, sent a letter requesting the Government Accountability Office to launch an investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities conducted by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, known as ACORN.
The full text of the letter:
The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Acting Comptroller General
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Dear Mr. Dodaro,
I am writing to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) undertake a review of ACORN, otherwise known as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. For purposes of this letter, the term ACORN shall mean the organization itself, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, and the employees of all such organizations.
Any such investigation should:
(1) Analyze the business structure and organizational management of ACORN.
(2) Analyze ACORN’s compliance with state, local and federal law.
(3) Examine ACORN’s tax structure focusing on a delineation of what activities fall under their 501(c)3 umbrella and what, if any, do not.
(4) Compile a comprehensive list of all federal funding that ACORN has received since its inception; including, but not limited to, contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, appropriations and emergency funding.
(5) Examine grants or payments for services made by ACORN, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(6) Examine grants or payments for services received by ACORN, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Current voter fraud investigations in several states, prior fraud convictions, and new video showing apparent illegal activity by ACORN employees suggest that at the very least the organization warrants a top to bottom investigation on behalf of the taxpayer. Taxpayers deserve nothing less than a thorough and transparent accounting of ACORN’s activities.
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The full text of the letter:
The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Acting Comptroller General
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Dear Mr. Dodaro,
I am writing to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) undertake a review of ACORN, otherwise known as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. For purposes of this letter, the term ACORN shall mean the organization itself, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, and the employees of all such organizations.
Any such investigation should:
(1) Analyze the business structure and organizational management of ACORN.
(2) Analyze ACORN’s compliance with state, local and federal law.
(3) Examine ACORN’s tax structure focusing on a delineation of what activities fall under their 501(c)3 umbrella and what, if any, do not.
(4) Compile a comprehensive list of all federal funding that ACORN has received since its inception; including, but not limited to, contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, appropriations and emergency funding.
(5) Examine grants or payments for services made by ACORN, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(6) Examine grants or payments for services received by ACORN, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Current voter fraud investigations in several states, prior fraud convictions, and new video showing apparent illegal activity by ACORN employees suggest that at the very least the organization warrants a top to bottom investigation on behalf of the taxpayer. Taxpayers deserve nothing less than a thorough and transparent accounting of ACORN’s activities.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Amendments Encourage Senate Finance Committee to Protect Flexible Spending Accounts
/PRNewswire/ -- Following the introduction of health care reform legislation last week by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), more than a dozen amendments were filed this weekend by members of the Senate Finance Committee to protect flexible spending accounts (FSAs) -- a valuable benefit used by millions of Americans to manage and hold down their health care costs. As reemphasized in updated legislation introduced today, Sen. Baucus proposes to restrict the use of FSAs to help cover a portion of the costs of health care reform.
America's Healthy Future Act, as introduced by Sen. Baucus, contains provisions that would drastically restrict the use of FSAs primarily by imposing a $2,500 cap (initially proposed last week at $2,000) on contributions that - unlike other provisions in the legislation - would not adjust with inflation. The legislation also proposes limiting the use of the benefit for over-the-counter medications without a doctor's prescription and including FSAs together with major medical plans in an excise tax on high-cost insurance plans.
"It's disappointing that Sen. Baucus has focused his sights on restricting the use of flexible spending accounts through an unreasonably low cap on contributions. He appears to be discriminating against FSAs which, unlike other provisions in the bill, is not indexed over time," said Joe Jackson, chairman of Save Flexible Spending Plans and CEO of WageWorks, a benefits company based in San Mateo, California. "Without a change, many who rely on flexible spending accounts, including individuals and families battling chronic conditions with high out-of-pocket costs, will lose the full value of the benefit and be forced to pay higher taxes and health care costs."
Amendments filed by Senate Finance Committee members included proposals to increase or remove the originally planned $2,000 contribution cap, exclude FSAs from the excise tax on high cost health insurance plans and clarify the reimbursement role of FSAs for over-the-counter medications.
"We are encouraged that eight Senators from both sides of the aisle filed amendments to protect a benefit that has helped millions of hardworking Americans manage and hold down their health care costs," said Jackson. "At a minimum, amendments filed that would increase the cap on FSA contributions, including those by Senators Schumer and Snowe, represent a step in the right direction. Without a higher cap, Congress could force plan participants, including many fighting chronic illnesses, to forgo necessary medical treatment, prescriptions and supplies for financial reasons, resulting in a deterioration of health and an increase in hospitalizations and overall health care system costs."
About Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are voluntary, account-based plans that enable millions of Americans to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses like prescription drug co-pays, vision and dental costs, office visits and medical supplies. Most FSA participants are middle income, earning approximately $55,000 annually. Currently, limits on contributions to FSAs are set by individual employers.
In July, the House Ways and Means Committee approved health care reform legislation that includes a ban on using money set aside in FSAs to buy over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and allergy medications.
About Save Flexible Spending Plans
Save Flexible Spending Plans is a national grassroots advocacy organization protect against the restricted use of flexible spending accounts in health care reform efforts. The campaign is sponsored by the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), www.ecfc.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and expansion of private employee benefit programs on a tax-advantaged basis. To learn more, take action and read the personal stories of FSA participants, please visit www.savemyflexplan.org.
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America's Healthy Future Act, as introduced by Sen. Baucus, contains provisions that would drastically restrict the use of FSAs primarily by imposing a $2,500 cap (initially proposed last week at $2,000) on contributions that - unlike other provisions in the legislation - would not adjust with inflation. The legislation also proposes limiting the use of the benefit for over-the-counter medications without a doctor's prescription and including FSAs together with major medical plans in an excise tax on high-cost insurance plans.
"It's disappointing that Sen. Baucus has focused his sights on restricting the use of flexible spending accounts through an unreasonably low cap on contributions. He appears to be discriminating against FSAs which, unlike other provisions in the bill, is not indexed over time," said Joe Jackson, chairman of Save Flexible Spending Plans and CEO of WageWorks, a benefits company based in San Mateo, California. "Without a change, many who rely on flexible spending accounts, including individuals and families battling chronic conditions with high out-of-pocket costs, will lose the full value of the benefit and be forced to pay higher taxes and health care costs."
Amendments filed by Senate Finance Committee members included proposals to increase or remove the originally planned $2,000 contribution cap, exclude FSAs from the excise tax on high cost health insurance plans and clarify the reimbursement role of FSAs for over-the-counter medications.
"We are encouraged that eight Senators from both sides of the aisle filed amendments to protect a benefit that has helped millions of hardworking Americans manage and hold down their health care costs," said Jackson. "At a minimum, amendments filed that would increase the cap on FSA contributions, including those by Senators Schumer and Snowe, represent a step in the right direction. Without a higher cap, Congress could force plan participants, including many fighting chronic illnesses, to forgo necessary medical treatment, prescriptions and supplies for financial reasons, resulting in a deterioration of health and an increase in hospitalizations and overall health care system costs."
About Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are voluntary, account-based plans that enable millions of Americans to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses like prescription drug co-pays, vision and dental costs, office visits and medical supplies. Most FSA participants are middle income, earning approximately $55,000 annually. Currently, limits on contributions to FSAs are set by individual employers.
In July, the House Ways and Means Committee approved health care reform legislation that includes a ban on using money set aside in FSAs to buy over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and allergy medications.
About Save Flexible Spending Plans
Save Flexible Spending Plans is a national grassroots advocacy organization protect against the restricted use of flexible spending accounts in health care reform efforts. The campaign is sponsored by the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), www.ecfc.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and expansion of private employee benefit programs on a tax-advantaged basis. To learn more, take action and read the personal stories of FSA participants, please visit www.savemyflexplan.org.
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Friday, September 18, 2009
Sen. Tarver Nominated by President Obama to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia
State Senator Ed Tarver (D-Augusta) was nominated by President Barack Obama to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Sen. Tarver will be the first black man to hold the position if confirmed by the Senate.
“I am extremely honored by the nomination and the potential opportunity for further service to our nation, subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. I look forward to completing the confirmation process and I am grateful for the support I have received from Georgia’s legislative delegation in Washington.”
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia is one of 93 such offices in the United States. The office represents the United States in 43 counties and is divided into six divisions: Savannah, Augusta, Brunswick, Waycross, Dublin and Statesboro. The United States Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the United States within his or her jurisdiction.
Sen. Tarver currently serves on the Attorney Advisory Committee for the U.S. District Court for the southern district of Georgia, and is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia. Recently he received the 2008 Augusta NAACP President’s Award. Sen. Tarver was elected to the Senate in 2005. He serves as the Secretary of the Banking and Financial Institutions committee. He sits on Appropriations, Economic Development, Special Judiciary, and Government Oversight committees and the following Appropriations subcommittees: Judicial, Public Safety, and Criminal Justice. Over the 2008 interim, Sen. Tarver was named by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle as Chairman of the Senate Bankruptcy Homestead Exemption Study Committee.
Sen. Ed Tarver is a partner with the Augusta law firm of Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley, P.C. He resides in Augusta with his wife Beverly (the former Beverly Myers). Sen. Tarver and his wife are the parents of two children – Edward Jr. (“Eddie”) and Beverly Elizabeth.
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“I am extremely honored by the nomination and the potential opportunity for further service to our nation, subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. I look forward to completing the confirmation process and I am grateful for the support I have received from Georgia’s legislative delegation in Washington.”
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia is one of 93 such offices in the United States. The office represents the United States in 43 counties and is divided into six divisions: Savannah, Augusta, Brunswick, Waycross, Dublin and Statesboro. The United States Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the United States within his or her jurisdiction.
Sen. Tarver currently serves on the Attorney Advisory Committee for the U.S. District Court for the southern district of Georgia, and is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia. Recently he received the 2008 Augusta NAACP President’s Award. Sen. Tarver was elected to the Senate in 2005. He serves as the Secretary of the Banking and Financial Institutions committee. He sits on Appropriations, Economic Development, Special Judiciary, and Government Oversight committees and the following Appropriations subcommittees: Judicial, Public Safety, and Criminal Justice. Over the 2008 interim, Sen. Tarver was named by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle as Chairman of the Senate Bankruptcy Homestead Exemption Study Committee.
Sen. Ed Tarver is a partner with the Augusta law firm of Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley, P.C. He resides in Augusta with his wife Beverly (the former Beverly Myers). Sen. Tarver and his wife are the parents of two children – Edward Jr. (“Eddie”) and Beverly Elizabeth.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts:
· Elizabeth “Beth” Robinson, Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
· Michael F. Mundaca, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury
President Obama also appointed three individuals to serve on the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Their names and bios are below.
President Obama said, “My administration is committed to economic recovery, pushing the boundaries of science and space exploration and investing in the future of arts and the humanities, and these individuals will serve my team well as we work to accomplish these goals. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals today:
Elizabeth “Beth” Robinson, Nominee for Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationBeth Robinson is currently the Assistant Director for Budget at the Office of Management and Budget, where she leads the Budget Review Division to oversee the development, enactment and execution of the President's budget. From 2003 to 2005, she was the Deputy Director for the Congressional Budget Office, where she guided the development of cost estimates for legislation and reports on legislative options. She previously worked at OMB from 1998 to 2003, where she began as a Program Examiner on energy issues and ended as the Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Review and Concepts. Prior to that, Dr. Robinson worked on Capitol Hill for several years as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, where she crafted legislation on various science and energy policy issues. She received a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Reed College.
Michael F. Mundaca, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Department of the TreasuryMichael F. Mundaca currently is Senior Advisor for Policy within the Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy. Mr. Mundaca served in the Treasury Department during the Clinton Administration and returned to the Treasury Department in 2007, as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Tax Affairs. Before that appointment, he was a partner for five years in the International Tax Services group of Ernst & Young's National Tax Department, in Washington, D.C. His practice focused on cross-border planning and structuring, including especially tax treaty issues, and on international legislative and regulatory monitoring and consulting. Before joining Ernst & Young, Mr. Mundaca served for over five years in Treasury's Office of the International Tax Counsel, leaving as the Deputy International Tax Counsel. He was also Treasury's Senior Advisor on Electronic Commerce. Prior to that first stint in Treasury, he was an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, a law firm in New York. Mr. Mundaca has been an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, teaching a seminar on tax treaties. Mr. Mundaca received a B.A. in philosophy and in physics from Columbia University, in 1986, and an M.A.in philosophy from the University of Chicago, in 1988. He received a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall), in 1992, where he was Senior Executive Editor of The California Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. He also has an LL.M., in taxation (international tax specialization), from the University of Miami.
President Obama also announced that he has appointed the following individuals today to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities:
Margo Lion, Co-Chairman, President's Committee on the Arts and HumanitiesMargo Lion’s career has spanned theatre, politics, and education. Starting out as an intern on Capitol Hill for Senator Daniel B. Brewster (D-Maryland) and then as a special cultural projects coordinator in Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s New York office, Lion shifted her career to teaching elementary school in the years following Senator Kennedy’s death. In 1977, Lion began producing theater for the not-for-profit company, Music-Theater Group/Lenox Arts Center, and in 1982 began her work as a commercial theatre producer. Lion has worked with the pre-eminent theater writers of our time including: Tony Kushner, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, August Wilson and George C. Wolfe. Her shows on Broadway include: HAIRSPRAY; CAROLINE, OR CHANGE; and ANGELS IN AMERICA. Lion’s productions have garnered 20 Tony Awards, 4 Olivier Awards and 1 Pulitzer Prize. Lion is an adjunct professor and a member of the Dean's Council at the NYU-Tisch School of the Arts. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the LAByrinth Theatre and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and on the advisory boards of the Baltimore Young Women’s Leadership School, the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts and PUBLICOLOR.
George Stevens, Jr., Co-Chairman, President's Committee on the Arts and HumanitiesIn a career spanning fifty years George Stevens, Jr. has created a legacy of distinguished work as a writer, director, producer of motion pictures and television. In 1962 he became the head of the Motion Picture Service of the U.S. Information Agency under Edward R. Murrow, and in 1967 founded the American Film Institute. He continues to serve on the AFI Board. As a writer and producer Stevens has earned 11 Emmys, two George Foster Peabody Awards for Meritorious Service to Broadcasting and nine awards from the Writers Guild of America. Among his honored productions are The Kennedy Center Honors which he launched in 1978; the mini-series Separate But Equal and The Murder of Mary Phagan; George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey; We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration from the Lincoln Memorial; and the feature film The Thin Red Line which was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. In 2008 he made his debut as a playwright on Broadway with Thurgood which earned a Tony nomination for its star Laurence Fishburne. He is also a successful author. Conversations with the Great Moviemakers of Hollywood’s Golden Age was published in 2005. Currently, Stevens is producing the thirty-second annual Kennedy Center Honors, a feature length documentary on the famed political cartoonist Herb Block, and writing a new book on film for Knopf.
Mary Schmidt Campbell, Vice Chairman, President's Committee on the Arts and HumanitiesMary Schmidt Campbell has been dean of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts since 1991. Dean Campbell began her career in New York as the executive director of the Studio Museum in Harlem. Under her leadership, the Studio Museum in Harlem emerged as a major national and international cultural institution and a lynchpin of the economic revival of Harlem. In 1987, Mayor Edward I. Koch invited Dr. Campbell to serve as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs of the City of New York. Dean Campbell holds a B.A. degree in English literature from Swarthmore College, an M.A. in art history from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in humanities, also from Syracuse. She is co-author of Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1987) and Memory and Metaphor: The Art of Romare Bearden, 1940-1987 (New York: Oxford University Press & The Studio Museum in Harlem, 1991). She is the co-editor of Artistic Citizenship: A Public Voice for the Arts (New York: Routledge, 2006.) She is currently working on a book on Romare Bearden for Oxford University Press, (2011 expected publication date). She sits on the board of The American Academy in Rome and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. In the fall of 2001 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She served in the voluntary position of Chair of the New York State Council on the Arts from 2007-2009. She also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Tisch Asia, the Tisch School of the Arts Singapore campus.
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· Elizabeth “Beth” Robinson, Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
· Michael F. Mundaca, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury
President Obama also appointed three individuals to serve on the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Their names and bios are below.
President Obama said, “My administration is committed to economic recovery, pushing the boundaries of science and space exploration and investing in the future of arts and the humanities, and these individuals will serve my team well as we work to accomplish these goals. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals today:
Elizabeth “Beth” Robinson, Nominee for Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationBeth Robinson is currently the Assistant Director for Budget at the Office of Management and Budget, where she leads the Budget Review Division to oversee the development, enactment and execution of the President's budget. From 2003 to 2005, she was the Deputy Director for the Congressional Budget Office, where she guided the development of cost estimates for legislation and reports on legislative options. She previously worked at OMB from 1998 to 2003, where she began as a Program Examiner on energy issues and ended as the Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Review and Concepts. Prior to that, Dr. Robinson worked on Capitol Hill for several years as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, where she crafted legislation on various science and energy policy issues. She received a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Reed College.
Michael F. Mundaca, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Department of the TreasuryMichael F. Mundaca currently is Senior Advisor for Policy within the Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy. Mr. Mundaca served in the Treasury Department during the Clinton Administration and returned to the Treasury Department in 2007, as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Tax Affairs. Before that appointment, he was a partner for five years in the International Tax Services group of Ernst & Young's National Tax Department, in Washington, D.C. His practice focused on cross-border planning and structuring, including especially tax treaty issues, and on international legislative and regulatory monitoring and consulting. Before joining Ernst & Young, Mr. Mundaca served for over five years in Treasury's Office of the International Tax Counsel, leaving as the Deputy International Tax Counsel. He was also Treasury's Senior Advisor on Electronic Commerce. Prior to that first stint in Treasury, he was an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, a law firm in New York. Mr. Mundaca has been an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, teaching a seminar on tax treaties. Mr. Mundaca received a B.A. in philosophy and in physics from Columbia University, in 1986, and an M.A.in philosophy from the University of Chicago, in 1988. He received a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall), in 1992, where he was Senior Executive Editor of The California Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. He also has an LL.M., in taxation (international tax specialization), from the University of Miami.
President Obama also announced that he has appointed the following individuals today to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities:
Margo Lion, Co-Chairman, President's Committee on the Arts and HumanitiesMargo Lion’s career has spanned theatre, politics, and education. Starting out as an intern on Capitol Hill for Senator Daniel B. Brewster (D-Maryland) and then as a special cultural projects coordinator in Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s New York office, Lion shifted her career to teaching elementary school in the years following Senator Kennedy’s death. In 1977, Lion began producing theater for the not-for-profit company, Music-Theater Group/Lenox Arts Center, and in 1982 began her work as a commercial theatre producer. Lion has worked with the pre-eminent theater writers of our time including: Tony Kushner, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, August Wilson and George C. Wolfe. Her shows on Broadway include: HAIRSPRAY; CAROLINE, OR CHANGE; and ANGELS IN AMERICA. Lion’s productions have garnered 20 Tony Awards, 4 Olivier Awards and 1 Pulitzer Prize. Lion is an adjunct professor and a member of the Dean's Council at the NYU-Tisch School of the Arts. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the LAByrinth Theatre and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and on the advisory boards of the Baltimore Young Women’s Leadership School, the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts and PUBLICOLOR.
George Stevens, Jr., Co-Chairman, President's Committee on the Arts and HumanitiesIn a career spanning fifty years George Stevens, Jr. has created a legacy of distinguished work as a writer, director, producer of motion pictures and television. In 1962 he became the head of the Motion Picture Service of the U.S. Information Agency under Edward R. Murrow, and in 1967 founded the American Film Institute. He continues to serve on the AFI Board. As a writer and producer Stevens has earned 11 Emmys, two George Foster Peabody Awards for Meritorious Service to Broadcasting and nine awards from the Writers Guild of America. Among his honored productions are The Kennedy Center Honors which he launched in 1978; the mini-series Separate But Equal and The Murder of Mary Phagan; George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey; We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration from the Lincoln Memorial; and the feature film The Thin Red Line which was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. In 2008 he made his debut as a playwright on Broadway with Thurgood which earned a Tony nomination for its star Laurence Fishburne. He is also a successful author. Conversations with the Great Moviemakers of Hollywood’s Golden Age was published in 2005. Currently, Stevens is producing the thirty-second annual Kennedy Center Honors, a feature length documentary on the famed political cartoonist Herb Block, and writing a new book on film for Knopf.
Mary Schmidt Campbell, Vice Chairman, President's Committee on the Arts and HumanitiesMary Schmidt Campbell has been dean of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts since 1991. Dean Campbell began her career in New York as the executive director of the Studio Museum in Harlem. Under her leadership, the Studio Museum in Harlem emerged as a major national and international cultural institution and a lynchpin of the economic revival of Harlem. In 1987, Mayor Edward I. Koch invited Dr. Campbell to serve as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs of the City of New York. Dean Campbell holds a B.A. degree in English literature from Swarthmore College, an M.A. in art history from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in humanities, also from Syracuse. She is co-author of Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1987) and Memory and Metaphor: The Art of Romare Bearden, 1940-1987 (New York: Oxford University Press & The Studio Museum in Harlem, 1991). She is the co-editor of Artistic Citizenship: A Public Voice for the Arts (New York: Routledge, 2006.) She is currently working on a book on Romare Bearden for Oxford University Press, (2011 expected publication date). She sits on the board of The American Academy in Rome and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. In the fall of 2001 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She served in the voluntary position of Chair of the New York State Council on the Arts from 2007-2009. She also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Tisch Asia, the Tisch School of the Arts Singapore campus.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rep. Marin Calls for Passage of Legislation to End Racial Profiling in Georgia
Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth), the only Latino democrat in the Georgia General Assembly, is calling for passage of legislation to end racial profiling in Georgia. After attending a forum in Gwinnett County on August 1, 2009, hosted by the ACLU of Georgia and ABLE (Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment), where attendees shared stories of verbal abuse, harassment and alleged civil rights violations, his resolve for ending such practices intensified.
"In a country where our President is African American and the newest Supreme Court Justice is Latina, we can no longer tolerate practices such as Driving While Black or Driving While Brown. I understand the challenges law enforcement officials face to protect and serve citizens, but racial profiling is not a solution to fighting crime. It only creates more resentment and mistrust," stated Rep. Marin.
According to attendees of the forum and a report authored by the ACLU and the Rights Working Group, "there are serious allegations of racial profiling . . ., especially in the context of traffic stops." With Latinos and immigrants being consistently targeted, Rep. Marin hopes President Obama will soon begin steps to reform federal immigration law. "If we continue to rely on state and local governments to establish policy specific to immigrants, the challenges we now face will continue to escalate and worsen. Immigrants are not our enemies and should not be treated as such. Federal immigration reform must become a priority for the Administration," offered Rep. Marin.
Currently, there are two bills in the Georgia General Assembly which target racial profiling, HB 110 sponsored by Rep. Marin and HB 53 sponsored by Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) of Atlanta. The bills would prohibit law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether or not to stop a motorist.
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"In a country where our President is African American and the newest Supreme Court Justice is Latina, we can no longer tolerate practices such as Driving While Black or Driving While Brown. I understand the challenges law enforcement officials face to protect and serve citizens, but racial profiling is not a solution to fighting crime. It only creates more resentment and mistrust," stated Rep. Marin.
According to attendees of the forum and a report authored by the ACLU and the Rights Working Group, "there are serious allegations of racial profiling . . ., especially in the context of traffic stops." With Latinos and immigrants being consistently targeted, Rep. Marin hopes President Obama will soon begin steps to reform federal immigration law. "If we continue to rely on state and local governments to establish policy specific to immigrants, the challenges we now face will continue to escalate and worsen. Immigrants are not our enemies and should not be treated as such. Federal immigration reform must become a priority for the Administration," offered Rep. Marin.
Currently, there are two bills in the Georgia General Assembly which target racial profiling, HB 110 sponsored by Rep. Marin and HB 53 sponsored by Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) of Atlanta. The bills would prohibit law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether or not to stop a motorist.
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Cagle: Lt. Governor and Senators will be Furloughed
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced Thursday that he along with all state Senators will begin furloughs starting August 1. The Lt. Governor and Senators will be furloughed for one day of their monthly pay period through the end of calendar year 2009.
“With the Senate been forced to make difficult state budget cuts and place financial burdens on our hard-working state employees and their families, we realize that all of us are in this dismal economic situation together and no single person is immune from feeling the effects of continued revenue shortfalls,” said Lt. Gov. Cagle. “As elected leaders we are called upon to lead by example for the greater good of our state and I am certain the commitment the Senate has shown to fiscally responsible policy will help lead us through these tough economic times to future growth and prosperity.”
Cagle said that the Senate will address whether such furloughs will continue for the remainder of the fiscal year at the beginning of the 2010 Legislative Session. Members of the House of Representatives will also be taking monthly furloughs.
“The Speaker and I have consulted each other on legislative furloughs and are both committed to doing all we can to see our economy gets back on track,” added Cagle.
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“With the Senate been forced to make difficult state budget cuts and place financial burdens on our hard-working state employees and their families, we realize that all of us are in this dismal economic situation together and no single person is immune from feeling the effects of continued revenue shortfalls,” said Lt. Gov. Cagle. “As elected leaders we are called upon to lead by example for the greater good of our state and I am certain the commitment the Senate has shown to fiscally responsible policy will help lead us through these tough economic times to future growth and prosperity.”
Cagle said that the Senate will address whether such furloughs will continue for the remainder of the fiscal year at the beginning of the 2010 Legislative Session. Members of the House of Representatives will also be taking monthly furloughs.
“The Speaker and I have consulted each other on legislative furloughs and are both committed to doing all we can to see our economy gets back on track,” added Cagle.
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Friday, July 10, 2009
Lt. Governor Cagle Appoints Richard Smith to New Aviation Authority
The office of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced today Richard Smith has been appointed to serve on the new Georgia Aviation Authority. The Authority will serve as the governing body for all state aviation assets, providing aviation services for the entire state and overseeing all state aviation operations.
“Richard’s proven leadership ability and 30 years of piloting experience give the Authority a truly capable member who will do a tremendous job as we begin this new era in Georgia aviation,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “His service will be an invaluable asset to the state and I am truly honored to have him represent my office in this capacity.”
Smith, an Atlanta-area attorney, is the co-founder and managing partner of the law firm Smith, Ronick & Corbin, LLC, which specializes in transactional law. Smith started his firm in 1981 after beginning his law career at Hansell, Post, Brandon & Dorsey in Atlanta. He is a member of the Real Property Law and Aviation Law Sections of the State Bar of Georgia and a past President of the Real Property Section of the Atlanta Bar Association.
Smith holds an extensive aviation background beginning his aircraft piloting in 1983. He became involved with Angel Flight of Georgia and Mercy Flight Southeast as a volunteer pilot, primarily flying patients in need of organ transplants and often coordinating with the Georgia Transplant Foundation.
An Atlanta native, Smith graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and earned his law degree from the Emory University School of Law. He currently lives in Sandy Springs with his wife Sherri. They have three children, two of which currently practice law with Smith at his firm.
Smith recently started his two-year term on the Authority which began its operations July 1. The Authority was enacted by the General Assembly passing Senate Bill 85 during the 2009 Legislative Session. SB 85 consolidated Georgia’s aircraft into the new Aviation Authority through which all of the state’s aircraft can be managed with the goal to gain the maximum safety and efficiency.
Specifically, the purpose of the Authority will be to:
Acquire, operate, maintain, house, and dispose of all state aviation assets
Provide aviation services and oversight of state aircraft and aviation operations to ensure the safety of state air travelers and aviation property
Provide for the efficient operation of state aircraft
Supporters of the bill say the new Authority will provide greater resources across the state for agencies such as the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Departments of Transportation (DOT), Natural Resources, Forestry Commission and the Board of Regents. The Georgia Sheriffs Association is in full support of this legislation to help streamline and provide greater efficiency to their search-and-rescue operations throughout the sate.
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“Richard’s proven leadership ability and 30 years of piloting experience give the Authority a truly capable member who will do a tremendous job as we begin this new era in Georgia aviation,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “His service will be an invaluable asset to the state and I am truly honored to have him represent my office in this capacity.”
Smith, an Atlanta-area attorney, is the co-founder and managing partner of the law firm Smith, Ronick & Corbin, LLC, which specializes in transactional law. Smith started his firm in 1981 after beginning his law career at Hansell, Post, Brandon & Dorsey in Atlanta. He is a member of the Real Property Law and Aviation Law Sections of the State Bar of Georgia and a past President of the Real Property Section of the Atlanta Bar Association.
Smith holds an extensive aviation background beginning his aircraft piloting in 1983. He became involved with Angel Flight of Georgia and Mercy Flight Southeast as a volunteer pilot, primarily flying patients in need of organ transplants and often coordinating with the Georgia Transplant Foundation.
An Atlanta native, Smith graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and earned his law degree from the Emory University School of Law. He currently lives in Sandy Springs with his wife Sherri. They have three children, two of which currently practice law with Smith at his firm.
Smith recently started his two-year term on the Authority which began its operations July 1. The Authority was enacted by the General Assembly passing Senate Bill 85 during the 2009 Legislative Session. SB 85 consolidated Georgia’s aircraft into the new Aviation Authority through which all of the state’s aircraft can be managed with the goal to gain the maximum safety and efficiency.
Specifically, the purpose of the Authority will be to:
Acquire, operate, maintain, house, and dispose of all state aviation assets
Provide aviation services and oversight of state aircraft and aviation operations to ensure the safety of state air travelers and aviation property
Provide for the efficient operation of state aircraft
Supporters of the bill say the new Authority will provide greater resources across the state for agencies such as the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Departments of Transportation (DOT), Natural Resources, Forestry Commission and the Board of Regents. The Georgia Sheriffs Association is in full support of this legislation to help streamline and provide greater efficiency to their search-and-rescue operations throughout the sate.
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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Finalists for Supreme Court
From Landmark Communications via Facebook:
The Atlanta Journal's Jim Galloway is reporting the nine finalists today for the open Supreme Court seat being vacted by Leah Sears.
Text below here is Galloway's:
"Your next Supreme Court justice can be found here"
1:53 pm July 1, 2009, by Jim Galloway
The Judicial Nominating Commission just handed to Gov. Sonny Perdue its list of nominations for candidates to fill the state Supreme Court seat vacated by Leah Sears."
"Our money is on David Nahmias, currently the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District."
"Here’s the entire list:
• Stephen Louis A. Dillard – Of Counsel, James, Bates, Pope & Spivey; Macon;
• James P. Kelly III – Managing partner of Kelly Law Firm; Atlanta;
• David E. Nahmias – U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia;
• Samuel D. Ozburn –Superior Court Judge; Alcovy Judicial Circuit;
• William M. Ray II – Superior Court Judge; Gwinnett County;
• Craig L. Schwall Sr. – Superior Court Judge; Fulton County;
• Mary E. Staley – Superior Court Judge; Cobb County;
• Benjamin W. Studdard III – State Court Chief Judge; Henry County;
• and Rocco E. Testani – Partner, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan; Atlanta."
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The Atlanta Journal's Jim Galloway is reporting the nine finalists today for the open Supreme Court seat being vacted by Leah Sears.
Text below here is Galloway's:
"Your next Supreme Court justice can be found here"
1:53 pm July 1, 2009, by Jim Galloway
The Judicial Nominating Commission just handed to Gov. Sonny Perdue its list of nominations for candidates to fill the state Supreme Court seat vacated by Leah Sears."
"Our money is on David Nahmias, currently the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District."
"Here’s the entire list:
• Stephen Louis A. Dillard – Of Counsel, James, Bates, Pope & Spivey; Macon;
• James P. Kelly III – Managing partner of Kelly Law Firm; Atlanta;
• David E. Nahmias – U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia;
• Samuel D. Ozburn –Superior Court Judge; Alcovy Judicial Circuit;
• William M. Ray II – Superior Court Judge; Gwinnett County;
• Craig L. Schwall Sr. – Superior Court Judge; Fulton County;
• Mary E. Staley – Superior Court Judge; Cobb County;
• Benjamin W. Studdard III – State Court Chief Judge; Henry County;
• and Rocco E. Testani – Partner, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan; Atlanta."
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ethics Violation Filed Against Commissioner Robert Horgan
6/15/09 Two Fayette County residents have filed a Code of Ethics complaint with the Board of Commissioners against Commissioner Robert Horgan. Additionally and independently, Fayette Citizens for Open Government has issued a press release stating they will initiate a recall petition if Horgan has not resigned prior to July 15th. (Click here to read release)
Horgan was arrested for possession of marijuana and cited for driving a vehicle with an expired tag on May 23. When pulled over he first denied having anything illegal in his truck, then gave permission for a search in which a pill bottle was discovered under his car seat containing marijuana (under one ounce). Horgan admitted to smoking marijuana while driving. After being arrested Horgan asked one of the Deputies "Is there anything that we could do to resolve this right here, right now?". (Click here to read arrest report)
David Cree and Patrick Hinchey filed the Ethics complaint earlier today. In the official complaint they focus on three areas: 1) Horgan violated Georgia State Law by being in possession of an unlawful substance, he used an unlawful substance and he lied to the Sheriff's Deputy; 2) he solicited treatment that would "place his personal interests ahead of the public's right to know" and 3) he breached the public trust by 'conducting himself in a manner that was unbecoming to an official of the County".
After receiving the complaint the County should appoint a county attorney from outside Fayette County to investigate the facts. If he / she deems that there are violations of the ethics ordinance he / she will recommend that the County Commission pursue it further. The Commission would then appoint three attorney's in the region to hear the case and determine appropriate punishment, if any. The hearing would be public. At most the Board of Commissioners may give a written reprimand or public censure and impose a fine not to exceed $1,000. Click here to read the Code of Ethics.
Ethics Complaint filed by Patrick Hinchey and David Cree:
Clerk of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners
140 Stonewall Avenue, Suite 100
Fayetteville, GA 30214
To: Carol Chandler:
We Patrick J. Hinchey and David W. Cree, residents of Fayette County, GA, do hereby submit a complaint that Fayette County Commissioner Robert E. Horgan did knowingly violate the Fayette County Code of Ethics.
Complaint 1. In that Robert E. Horgan did, on or about May 23, 2009, in Fayette County, GA, violate Article VIII, Section 2-209 (1) of the Code:
Specification 1: In that Robert E. Horgan did possess an unlawful substance, to wit: less than one ounce of marijuana, in violation of Georgia state law.
Specification 2: In that Robert E. Horgan did use an unlawful substance, to wit: smoke marijuana while operating a motor vehicle, in violation of Georgia State law.
Specification 3: In that Robert Horgan lied to Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Storm’s question if there was anthing illegal inside his (Horgan’s) vehicle, Horgan replied that there was not.
Complaint 2: In that Robert E. Horgan, on or about May 23, 2009, in Fayette County, GA, solicit treatment that would place his personal interests ahead of the public’s right to know, to wit: ask Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies J. Davidson and Justin Storm “Is there anything that we could do to resolve this right here, right now?” or words to that effect. This is a violation of Article VIII, Section 2-209 (6).
Complaint 3: In that Robert E. Horgan did, on or about May 23, 2009, in Fayette County, GA, breach the public trust by conducting himself in a manner that was unbecoming to an official of the County, to wit: possess an unlawful substance, use an unlawful substance while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway, lie to a law enforcement officer, and solicit special treatment that would place his personal situation ahead of the public’s right to know. This is a violation of Article VIII, Section 2-209 (8).
Patrick J. Hinchey David Cree
Enclosures
Fayette County Sheriff’s Department “Fayette County Supplemental Report, case number 0904859
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Horgan was arrested for possession of marijuana and cited for driving a vehicle with an expired tag on May 23. When pulled over he first denied having anything illegal in his truck, then gave permission for a search in which a pill bottle was discovered under his car seat containing marijuana (under one ounce). Horgan admitted to smoking marijuana while driving. After being arrested Horgan asked one of the Deputies "Is there anything that we could do to resolve this right here, right now?". (Click here to read arrest report)
David Cree and Patrick Hinchey filed the Ethics complaint earlier today. In the official complaint they focus on three areas: 1) Horgan violated Georgia State Law by being in possession of an unlawful substance, he used an unlawful substance and he lied to the Sheriff's Deputy; 2) he solicited treatment that would "place his personal interests ahead of the public's right to know" and 3) he breached the public trust by 'conducting himself in a manner that was unbecoming to an official of the County".
After receiving the complaint the County should appoint a county attorney from outside Fayette County to investigate the facts. If he / she deems that there are violations of the ethics ordinance he / she will recommend that the County Commission pursue it further. The Commission would then appoint three attorney's in the region to hear the case and determine appropriate punishment, if any. The hearing would be public. At most the Board of Commissioners may give a written reprimand or public censure and impose a fine not to exceed $1,000. Click here to read the Code of Ethics.
Ethics Complaint filed by Patrick Hinchey and David Cree:
Clerk of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners
140 Stonewall Avenue, Suite 100
Fayetteville, GA 30214
To: Carol Chandler:
We Patrick J. Hinchey and David W. Cree, residents of Fayette County, GA, do hereby submit a complaint that Fayette County Commissioner Robert E. Horgan did knowingly violate the Fayette County Code of Ethics.
Complaint 1. In that Robert E. Horgan did, on or about May 23, 2009, in Fayette County, GA, violate Article VIII, Section 2-209 (1) of the Code:
Specification 1: In that Robert E. Horgan did possess an unlawful substance, to wit: less than one ounce of marijuana, in violation of Georgia state law.
Specification 2: In that Robert E. Horgan did use an unlawful substance, to wit: smoke marijuana while operating a motor vehicle, in violation of Georgia State law.
Specification 3: In that Robert Horgan lied to Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Storm’s question if there was anthing illegal inside his (Horgan’s) vehicle, Horgan replied that there was not.
Complaint 2: In that Robert E. Horgan, on or about May 23, 2009, in Fayette County, GA, solicit treatment that would place his personal interests ahead of the public’s right to know, to wit: ask Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies J. Davidson and Justin Storm “Is there anything that we could do to resolve this right here, right now?” or words to that effect. This is a violation of Article VIII, Section 2-209 (6).
Complaint 3: In that Robert E. Horgan did, on or about May 23, 2009, in Fayette County, GA, breach the public trust by conducting himself in a manner that was unbecoming to an official of the County, to wit: possess an unlawful substance, use an unlawful substance while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway, lie to a law enforcement officer, and solicit special treatment that would place his personal situation ahead of the public’s right to know. This is a violation of Article VIII, Section 2-209 (8).
Patrick J. Hinchey David Cree
Enclosures
Fayette County Sheriff’s Department “Fayette County Supplemental Report, case number 0904859
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Require Treasury to Distribute Stock in GM and Chrysler to Taxpayers
Also Prohibits Treasury from Spending More TARP Funds to Bailout Automakers
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that he is co-sponsoring legislation to require the Treasury Department to distribute to individual taxpayers all its stock in General Motors (GM) and Chrysler within one year following the companies’ emergence from bankruptcy proceedings.
“I believe it was obvious back in December 2008 that a structured bankruptcy was the correct path for GM and Chrysler to restructure their debt and contracts. By giving these companies taxpayer funds from TARP, the administration only delayed the inevitable, but worse created a situation where the government became a part owner of private business,” Isakson said. “This common-sense legislation I am co-sponsoring would get the government out of the American auto business and put this stock back in the hands of the American people.”
The Auto Stock for Every Taxpayer Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., would require Treasury to distribute its common stock holdings in both companies evenly to every American who paid taxes on April 15.
The legislation also would prohibit the Treasury from using any more TARP funds to bailout GM or Chrysler and would require that the Secretary of the Treasury and his designee have a fiduciary responsibility to the American taxpayer to maximize the return on that investment as long as the government holds stock in the companies.
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U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that he is co-sponsoring legislation to require the Treasury Department to distribute to individual taxpayers all its stock in General Motors (GM) and Chrysler within one year following the companies’ emergence from bankruptcy proceedings.
“I believe it was obvious back in December 2008 that a structured bankruptcy was the correct path for GM and Chrysler to restructure their debt and contracts. By giving these companies taxpayer funds from TARP, the administration only delayed the inevitable, but worse created a situation where the government became a part owner of private business,” Isakson said. “This common-sense legislation I am co-sponsoring would get the government out of the American auto business and put this stock back in the hands of the American people.”
The Auto Stock for Every Taxpayer Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., would require Treasury to distribute its common stock holdings in both companies evenly to every American who paid taxes on April 15.
The legislation also would prohibit the Treasury from using any more TARP funds to bailout GM or Chrysler and would require that the Secretary of the Treasury and his designee have a fiduciary responsibility to the American taxpayer to maximize the return on that investment as long as the government holds stock in the companies.
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Libertarians condemn Obama’s still-skyrocketing unemployment numbers
With unemployment exploding to 9.4 percent in May instead of decreasing as Obama promised with passage of his “stimulus” package, America’s third-largest party urges Congress to instead consider tax and regulatory relief to give the nation “the jobs Americans need.”
“There is no doubt our economy will recover. Americans have always overcome adversity with our tenacity, creativity and optimism,” said Donny Ferguson, Libertarian National Committee Communications Director. “But as unemployment continues to rise when it should be falling by now, it begs the question of how long will recovery be delayed by Obama’s Big Government agenda?”
“The Libertarian Party seems to be the only party promoting a smart program of tax and regulatory relief aimed at freeing up capital,” said Ferguson. “History shows it’s the most effective way to give those 14.5 million unemployed the jobs Americans need.”
“Sadly, Obama instead chose to exploit this tragic situation to advance his personal agenda of bigger, more expensive government – which has unemployment now skyrocketing to its highest levels in a quarter-century,” said Ferguson. “Because of Obama, our economic recovery has been seriously stunted and delayed.”
Figures released Friday by the Labor Department show unemployment rose to 9.4 percent in May from 8.9 percent in April as the number of unemployed persons increased by 787,000 to 14.5 million. Unemployment is highest among blacks (14.9 percent) and Hispanics (12.7 percent.) The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 268,000 over the month to 3.9 million according to the Labor Department.
“Unfortunately, it looks like the Libertarian Party was proven right when we said back in January that Obama’s explosive growth of government and out-of-control spending would delay our economic recovery. We should be further along in our recovery, but Republican and Democrat spending and bailouts are delaying that,” said Ferguson.
“History has proven time and time again that decreasing the size of government, cutting taxes and freeing up people to create jobs and business are the best way to stimulate growth,” said Ferguson. “Libertarian urge Congress and the White House to take these real, proven measures, instead of exploiting people’s misfortune to inflate the size of government.”
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“There is no doubt our economy will recover. Americans have always overcome adversity with our tenacity, creativity and optimism,” said Donny Ferguson, Libertarian National Committee Communications Director. “But as unemployment continues to rise when it should be falling by now, it begs the question of how long will recovery be delayed by Obama’s Big Government agenda?”
“The Libertarian Party seems to be the only party promoting a smart program of tax and regulatory relief aimed at freeing up capital,” said Ferguson. “History shows it’s the most effective way to give those 14.5 million unemployed the jobs Americans need.”
“Sadly, Obama instead chose to exploit this tragic situation to advance his personal agenda of bigger, more expensive government – which has unemployment now skyrocketing to its highest levels in a quarter-century,” said Ferguson. “Because of Obama, our economic recovery has been seriously stunted and delayed.”
Figures released Friday by the Labor Department show unemployment rose to 9.4 percent in May from 8.9 percent in April as the number of unemployed persons increased by 787,000 to 14.5 million. Unemployment is highest among blacks (14.9 percent) and Hispanics (12.7 percent.) The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 268,000 over the month to 3.9 million according to the Labor Department.
“Unfortunately, it looks like the Libertarian Party was proven right when we said back in January that Obama’s explosive growth of government and out-of-control spending would delay our economic recovery. We should be further along in our recovery, but Republican and Democrat spending and bailouts are delaying that,” said Ferguson.
“History has proven time and time again that decreasing the size of government, cutting taxes and freeing up people to create jobs and business are the best way to stimulate growth,” said Ferguson. “Libertarian urge Congress and the White House to take these real, proven measures, instead of exploiting people’s misfortune to inflate the size of government.”
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Chambliss Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base from Entering the United States
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., yesterday introduced S. 1071, the Protecting America’s Communities Act, to prohibit President Barack Obama from bringing detainees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to the United States. Chambliss has also introduced the legislation as an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill being debated on the Senate floor.
“People across America are very concerned that this administration has not developed a plan for what to do with these hard-core terrorists once the detention center at Guantanamo is shuttered,” said Chambliss. “Americans are concerned that they will be released into the United States. It is important to remember most detainees held at Guantanamo were captured on the battlefields in Afghanistan or Iraq and were determined to be a threat to our nation’s security. Whatever their ties to terrorists groups or activities, these individuals should never be given the privilege of crossing our borders, even if incarcerated. To do so would be nothing short of an invitation for al-Qa’ida to operate inside our homeland.”
Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to “establish a uniform rule of naturalization.” The power of Congress “to exclude aliens from the United States and to prescribe the terms and conditions on which they come in” is absolute. The Immigration and Nationality Act contains a list of 30-plus excludable classes of aliens, including those deemed inadmissible for security reasons, such as terrorist activities. Chambliss’ legislation adds “an alien who, as of January 1, 2009, was being detained by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base” to the list of classes of aliens ineligible for visas or admission to the United States. The bill does not grant the executive branch waiver authority (parole authority) over this exclusion.
If the president should rely on other authority, such as his constitutional Article II powers - which Chambliss believes does not grant him this ability - to bring these detainees to the United States, the legislation adds additional safeguards to our immigration laws to ensure that they will be held and not released until they can be deported to their home country or a third country.
Finally, the legislation reaffirms that the United States is in an armed conflict with al-Qa’ida, the Taliban and associated forces, and that the president has the authority to detain enemy combatants in connection with the continuing armed conflict, regardless of the place they are captured.
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“People across America are very concerned that this administration has not developed a plan for what to do with these hard-core terrorists once the detention center at Guantanamo is shuttered,” said Chambliss. “Americans are concerned that they will be released into the United States. It is important to remember most detainees held at Guantanamo were captured on the battlefields in Afghanistan or Iraq and were determined to be a threat to our nation’s security. Whatever their ties to terrorists groups or activities, these individuals should never be given the privilege of crossing our borders, even if incarcerated. To do so would be nothing short of an invitation for al-Qa’ida to operate inside our homeland.”
Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to “establish a uniform rule of naturalization.” The power of Congress “to exclude aliens from the United States and to prescribe the terms and conditions on which they come in” is absolute. The Immigration and Nationality Act contains a list of 30-plus excludable classes of aliens, including those deemed inadmissible for security reasons, such as terrorist activities. Chambliss’ legislation adds “an alien who, as of January 1, 2009, was being detained by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base” to the list of classes of aliens ineligible for visas or admission to the United States. The bill does not grant the executive branch waiver authority (parole authority) over this exclusion.
If the president should rely on other authority, such as his constitutional Article II powers - which Chambliss believes does not grant him this ability - to bring these detainees to the United States, the legislation adds additional safeguards to our immigration laws to ensure that they will be held and not released until they can be deported to their home country or a third country.
Finally, the legislation reaffirms that the United States is in an armed conflict with al-Qa’ida, the Taliban and associated forces, and that the president has the authority to detain enemy combatants in connection with the continuing armed conflict, regardless of the place they are captured.
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