What was really wrong with the homestead exemption bill?

So I received a press release yesterday from Kevin O'Halleran with the Virginia State Democratic Caucus. It was the first time I had received something from them so was curious as to how they became so wayward as to send one of their talking points emails to a die-hard Republican.

It began by shouting out the headline, "REPUBLICANS KILL BILLS TO PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR STRUGGLING VIRGINIANS." Hmm, okay. That just begged to be researched because it did not sound like all the Republican electeds I know who are constantly working for the betterment of "struggling" Virginians.

In a classic "Political Spin: 101" opening, the email began:

In a move that shows the Republicans in the Senate are more concerned about partisanship than tax cuts for their constituents, the Republicans in the Senate block voted to kill House Bill 11 and House Joint Resolution 4 that would have provided property tax relief to struggling Virginians throughout the Commonwealth.

Now for "Research: 101."

HJ4, Property Tax Reduction Bill

- Yesterday Senate Republicans along with Two Democrats (Colgan and Puckett) voted to continue HJR 4 to 2009, which effectively killed the bill.

- HJR 4 would have called for a ballot question giving localities the ability to provide property tax reductions.

- The Problem with this legislation is that it was not a universal property tax reduction, so the localities could have made it apply to just one segment of the population.

- Property Tax Reductions for Homeowners should be universal.

- The enactment bill for this legislation has already been defeated, so as it stands right now, even if the measure was placed on the ballot and passed, it would never go into effect, because it currently has no enactment date.

- The process for a ballot question measure in Virginia is this:

* Bill must pass the General Assembly twice, and it must be once before and once after an election (so two different General Assemblies vote on the bill)

* Once it has been approved by two separate General Assemblies, it would be put on the ballot the following November for a vote, if the measure is enacted it would go into effect based on the enactment clause.

- Lowell Feld (Raising Kaine) is misrepresenting the facts on this bill.

* It was not a property tax reduction, it was a progressive tax aimed at impacting only one segment of the population.

* Bottom line is that this bill gives local governments the power to pick who they want to favor with lower rates and who they want to penalize with higher rates.

* Property taxes are a problem in Virginia, not just a problem for individuals who own a home valued under a certain amount.

* This bill truly would have been a knife to the heart of Virginia homeownership.

Info from Virginia Club for Growth

Senate Dems shoot down gun privacy bill

After the Roanoke Times published a list of concealed weapon permit-holders, it was realized a law needed to be passed to protect the privacy of those citizens. HB 982, submitted by Delegate Dave Nutter of Christiansburg, would have prohibited access to the names. The House added an exception that would allow Circuit Court clerks to release names only but hold back all other information. It was passed and sent it to the Senate.

Delegate Nutter asked the Democrat-controlled Senate Courts of Justice Committee to delete that provision to protect citizens but they voted 9-7 on Monday to kill the bill.

So much for the privacy rights of conceal weapon carriers.

The Republican Party and the conservative movement....

William Rusher has a good article out at Townhall.com and printed in today's Waynesboro News Virginian titled, "Republican Party, conservative movement," in which he discusses the background of the conservative movement and where it is today. He writes:

The two political parties have, at one time or another, encouraged many of these movements to seek fulfillment in supporting them. (Before the Civil War, for example, the Democratic Party was, in addition to much else, the political instrument of the slaveholding interests.) From their start -- but, above all, from the launching of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal onward -- the leftist movements (to the extent that they have not founded parties of their own) have tended to support the Democratic Party. And from its inception the conservative movement has found its home with the Republicans.

He concludes by saying the conservatives and Republicans are not separating.

At the moment, however, the Republican Party and the conservative movement still seem comfortably wedded. The marriage began in 1964, with the party's nomination of Barry Goldwater for president, and has lasted ever since. Many analysts assumed that the relatively liberal wing of the GOP would revive after Goldwater's crushing defeat and resume control of the party. But this never happened: Nixon's nomination in 1968 resulted from a decision by the conservative movement (albeit a bad one), and Reagan's election and reelection simply nailed down the alliance. Today, practically all Republican candidates proclaim their conservatism, and almost all conservative leaders vow their allegiance to the Republican Party. It has been a remarkably fruitful union.

Jim Gilmore calls out Mark Warner on the enforcement of immigration laws

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore praised Attorney General Bob McDonnell and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for their recent success in taking action to remove 171 convicted criminal alien sex offenders from Virginia.

Noting that Gov. Tim Kaine has opposed efforts to work out an agreement with ICE to allow Virginia State Police to enforce federal immigration laws in the course of enforcing Virginia laws against violent crime, Gilmore asked: "Where does Mark Warner stand on this important issue? With Governor Kaine? Or with the people of Virginia who are fed up of pandering to those who are breaking our laws?"

"Why should illegal aliens who commit crimes like this in our communities get the opportunity to victimize Virginians again and again?" Gilmore asked. "It's time for Mark Warner to stand up and be counted on this issue, which is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and threatening our citizens and communities."

"These cooperative efforts to work in conjunction with federal authorities and remove criminal illegal aliens from the Commonwealth should be one of the many steps that can be taken at the state and federal levels to decrease illegal immigration and enforce immigration laws already in the books," Gilmore, a former prosecutor and former Attorney General, declared.

The Virginia State Police and ICE successfully carried a major law enforcement action called "Operation Cold Play" which is part of a multi-year effort targeted at sex offenders nationwide. This action came about as a result of Attorney General Bob McDonnell's request that the State Police check the birthplace of each individual on the Virginia sex offender registry and share that information with ICE.

"Legal immigration is a vital component of our nation's greatness. Illegal immigration is not," Gilmore said. "Ignoring the problems caused by illegal immigration undermines our nation's security and the rule of law. As U.S. Senator, I will work to ensure that Virginia has the needed federal resources to work with ICE and other federal authorities so we can protect our citizens and enforce immigration laws."

Cross-posted at Bloggers 4 Jim Gilmore

RTD: Bush deserves praise in Africa

Many in the mainstream media refuse to spotlight the positive works of President George W. Bush. Kudos to the Richmond Times-Dispatch for the following editorial. It is reprinted in today's Waynesboro News Virginian.

President Bush's trip to Africa emphasized one of the most remarkable -- but rarely remarked upon -- success stories of his administration. The president's $15 billion crusade to battle HIV/AIDS on the continent has already saved 1.4 million lives -- an astonishing number that should make all Americans proud. Bush is working to extend and expand the program.

The Bush administration has been equally aggressive in supporting and paying for programs to fight malaria in Africa. The president has reformed U.S. foreign aid to encourage governments on the continent to adopt democracy, transparency, and protection of human rights -- with admittedly mixed results. His administration has used aggressive diplomacy in the past year to help broker peace accords between Rwanda and Congo and, most recently, a cease-fire between Congo's government forces and militant groups in that country.

Bush also has been a loud and consistent critic of the genocide in Sudan -- though his efforts have largely been stymied by inaction at the U.N. and active encouragement for the Sudanese tyrants from China and other morally challenged nations. While in Rwanda, Bush pledged to spend another $100 million to train and support African peacekeeping troops in Darfur.

Across Africa, Bush was greeted by large, enthusastic crowds. On at least one occasion, the road along his route was covered with flower petals. Don't be surprised if the youngest generation of Africans includes a surprising number of boys named George.

John Hager receives Party endorsements for RPV Chairman reelection

John Hager has received the endorsements of all eleven District chairmen in his bid for reelection of the Republican Party of Virginia. Below is the letter that was sent to Chairman Hager.

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We are writing to heartily endorse your reelection as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. We appreciate your leadership and the measurable progress being made under your leadership. What the Republican Party of Virginia needs right now is stability, continuity and leadership. The Party is targeted on its mission and is clearly focused on winning elections.

The mission of the Party is to identify, recruit, educate, motivate and deliver the bedrock Republican vote. To be successful, the Party must raise substantial funds and communicate well with its many constituencies. A solid plan is in place. In fact we have a firm Finance Plan, Communications Plan and Political Plan all currently being executed.

The Party raised almost $2 million last year, double previous years. Once again, we have a joint Republican Caucus in the General Assembly. The Party established full-time regional Field Staff last year and is expanding the scope this year. The Advance was the most heavily attended in history and brought improved training to grass roots activists. The 1st District victory was nationally recognized. The Party will accelerate the involvement of local supporters, the identification of registered voters, improve lists and institute accountability for all units this year.

There is a big challenge ahead. 2008 involves not only a huge State Convention, but also a National Convention. Detailed plans have been underway for some time. These must be flawlessly executed. The February Primary involved countless hours of preparation. The Welcoming Committee provides a whole new dimension. The Party has so many roles and responsibilities and is a functioning business.

Let us tell it like it is, now is not then time for disruption. Now is the time for us all to be together on the same page, working for the same cause and generating results.

Chairman Hager, please continue your effective leadership...raising the necessary funds...traveling hundreds of miles each month all over the Commonwealth promoting the Republican message. There is a fine experienced and effective team in place. Please continue the managing partnership with our seasoned Executive Director as we work toward victory in 2008 and 2009...elections that will determine the dominate party for the next generation!

Because we care for the future of the Republican Party of Virginia, we have signed and committed our support to you.

Tom Foley, 1st District Chair
Bruce Meyer. 2nd District Chair
Mike Wade, 3rd District Chair
Jason Gray, 4th District Chair
George Sterling, 5th District Chair
Fred Anderson, 6th District Chair
Linwood Cobb, 7th District Chair
David Avella, 8th District Chair
Stan Young, 9th District Chair
Jim Rich, 10th District Chair
Becky Stoeckel, 11th District Chair

Kevin Gentry, Eastern Region Vice Chair
Jim Hale, Western Region Vice Chair
Polly Campbell, Secretary, RPV
Morton Blackwell, Republican National Committeeman
Mike Thomas, First Vice Chair, RPV
Chuck Smith, Chairman Welcoming Committee, RPV
Fred Malek, Finance Chairman, RPV
Lisa Gable, Finance Co-Chair, RPV
Rick Neel, Treasurer, RPV

Vote now for the most dangerous Republican in Charlottesville

Help Keith Drake win
"Most Dangerous Republican in Charlottesville"!
He really needs your vote!

Go to Lib-Talk radio
WVAX
and cast your vote.

Keith Drake,
Chairman of the Albemarle GOP Committee,
has asked for your vote and says
he will live up to the
honor of
Most Dangerous Republican
if he wins.

Please take a minute to vote for him!

Right now he's running neck-in-neck with Rob Schilling, talk show host and former Charlottesville City Councilman. Go vote now!

Right-to-carry in National Parks

From the NRA....

At the request of the Bush Administration and 51 members of the United States Senate led by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prohibition of firearms on agency land will be revised in the following weeks. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is leading the effort to amend the existing policy regarding the carrying and transportation of firearms in National Parks and wildlife refuges.

"Law-abiding citizens should not be prohibited from protecting themselves and their families while enjoying America's National Parks and wildlife refuges," said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. "Under this proposal, federal parks and wildlife refuges will mirror the state firearm laws for state parks. This is an important step in the right direction."

These new regulations, when finalized, will provide uniformity across our nation's federal lands and put an end to the patchwork of regulations that governed different lands managed by different federal agencies. In the past, only Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands allowed the carrying of firearms, while National Park lands did not.

The current regulations on possession, carry or transportation of loaded or uncased firearms in national parks were proposed in 1982 and finalized in 1983. Similar restrictions apply in national wildlife refuges. The NRA believes it is time to amend those regulations to reflect the changed legal situation with respect to state laws on carrying firearms.

The effect of these now-outdated regulations on people who carry firearms for self-protection was far from the forefront at the time these regulations were adopted. As of the end of 1982, only six states routinely allowed citizens to carry handguns for self-defense. Currently, 48 states have a process for issuance of licenses or permits to allow law-abiding citizens to legally carry firearms for self-defense.

The move for regulatory change by the Administration will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for lawful purposes in most National Park lands and will make the laws consistent with state law where these lands are located. Fifty-one U.S. Senators from both parties sent a letter to the Department of Interior late last year supporting the move to render state firearms laws applicable to National Park lands.

"These changes will respect the Second Amendment rights of honest citizens, and we look forward to the issuance of a final rule this year," concluded Cox.

Dem Delegate: "Wild Wild West Gun Slinger"

From the GOP Caucus blog:

Delegate McClellan thought that while debating the merits of this bill it would be an acceptable time to INSULT law-abiding concealed weapons permit holders across the state. Not only was I offended to be equated to a "Wild Wild West Gun Slinger" but so was Delegate Todd Gilbert. See video below ...

Read the rest here.

Gilmore praises GOP's effort to prevent raid on lottery proceeds intended for education

Former Governor Jim Gilmore praised the General Assembly’s Senate Republicans for attempting to block a move by Democrats in the State Senate Thursday to decrease funding for public education by re-directing lottery proceeds to fund new and expanded government programs.

“I commend Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Senate Republicans for standing tall to try to protect education dollars in the Lottery Proceeds Fund,” Gilmore said. “We all worked hard in 2000 to make sure lottery money was allocated to education and that is even more important today in troubled economic times than it was then.”

Following Jim Gilmore’s leadership Virginia voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2000 requiring the General Assembly to make certain that lottery revenues were not redirected from the Lottery Proceeds Fund and public education to other programs without the approval of a super majority of the members of the General Assembly.

“Our public education system is put at stake every time this type of maneuvering by the Democrats to take money away from our schools is carried out and it is Virginia’s children who are put at risk,” Gilmore said. “How are we to restore confidence in parents that a public education is a quality education, if we are constantly faced with having to defend the constant attempts to reduce overall funding for public education in Virginia?“

“Education resources need to get into the classroom where they can best make a difference for our children. That is why I stand by the mandate I asked for and received in 2000, requiring that state lottery proceeds be used first and foremost for education efforts in the Commonwealth,” Gilmore declared.

Cross-posted at Bloggers 4 Jim Gilmore

Congrats, Carl Kilo!

Fellow Old Dominion Blog Alliance member Carl Kilo at Spark It Up!!! is # 2 this week on BlogNetNews' rankings. Congratulations, Carl! Keep up the good work.

Work hard ... but don't forget to laugh

Anything worth having is worth working for ... and don't forget to laugh along the way.

Financial Times: "Heir conditioning"

We are prepared for other life events. Why not prepare heirs for what they will face ... with a kind of inheritance "boot camp"? The Financial Times wrote:

The past decade has seen an enormous amount of wealth created in the UK and globally. But many of the newly rich have little idea how to prepare their families to receive it. Filling that knowledge gap has long been big business in the US, where financial “boot camps” are an accepted part of the wealth management process. It’s a boom industry – beyond the big banks, there are hordes of independent advisers offering private courses, seminars and counselling.

But the idea has been slower to take off in Britain, for predictable reasons. Wealthy Americans are willing to let outside professionals into the private realms of the family, according to Zoe Couper, who has helped to organise courses on both sides of the Atlantic, but “UK clients can be a little slower to open up emotionally”.
...
Most courses cover common themes: the practicalities of investment, how to choose asset classes, understand risk, select the right portfolio managers and decipher financial reports. They look at how young family members can use their money to engage with charity. And they talk through some of the psychological and emotive issues surrounding wealth.

“Coming into money can be very difficult to deal with,’’ says Fenn Smith. “Children need to understand the value and the power of wealth and what they can achieve with it. Without education, the tale of rags-to riches-to-rags-again is a real threat.”

Read the entire article here.

How secure is airport security?

Denver International Airport is a huge, multi-level complex that employs hundreds and sees thousands of passengers pass through on a daily basis. Since 9/11, travelers have depended on security checkpoints and alert personnel to avoid another terrorist tragedy.

That trust has been strained once again. Denver's CBS TV-4 went undercover after receiving a tip from an anonymous airport employee:

... using a hidden camera, CBS4 found that hundreds of people who work at Denver International Airport are passing through a checkpoint into the airport's secure area every day without being examined, and the TSA's rules allow it.

This report on World Net Daily caught my attention since my family had traveled through Denver last summer. Read the entire story here.

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... 78 photos & 17 posts

The yellow ribbons say it all ... honoring America's heroes.

Take a photo journey to Staunton, Virginia, and see the community as it turned out to welcome the returning soldiers of the 116th Stonewall Brigade of the Virginia Army National Guard. Families, friends, school children, civic groups, Republicans, churches ... all were there for the joyous homecoming.

Check out the 17 posts and 78 photos that follow this post.

For those who have fought for it,
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... thankful for a safe return from Iraq

The yellow ribbons say it all ... honoring America's heroes.

Flags line Thornrose Avenue at the Armory entrance.
Patriot Guard Riders escort the soldiers of the 116th Stonewall Brigade.

First of four charter buses bringing home the Stonewall Brigade.

Adjunct General Robert Newman arrives by helicopter.

Soldiers disembark from buses.

Soldiers and family members enter Armory for welcome home ceremony.

All paused for a prayer of thanksgiving for their safe return.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte welcomes the 116th home.

Hundreds turned out to welcome home the 116th Stonewall Brigade as they returned to the Armory in Staunton.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte as well as Staunton officials greeted them ... Augusta GOP Chairman Kurt Michael, Trixie Averill (RPV State Central), Andrea Oakes and family, Bob Campbell (candidate for City Council) ... Grace Christian School students crowded the street with signs and American flags. (One of the dads was coming home with the Stonewall Briagade; Chairman Kurt Michael's two children attend that school as well as the grandchildren of Don and Harold Reid -- the Statler Brothers.)

More stories and photos at:

- Spark It Up!!!
- College Republican Federation of Virginia blog
- Waynesboro News Virginian - Families reunite with troops
- Waynesboro News Virginian - Slide Show

- Waynesboro News Virginian - Crowd shares warm welcome

Photos by SWAC Girl

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... "Daddy's home"

"Daddy's home."
Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade
21 February 2008

Photo by SWAC Girl

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... Grace Christian School turns out for classmate's dad

Grace Christian Middle School students spell out a welcome on the tennis court fence.

Grace Christian elementary students lined the street with signs and American flags.

Two middle school students hold a large American flag.

Grace Christian students made signs to welcome home the heroes.

Middle school students scramble to the top of the Tams Lake dam after soldiers arrive ... for one last flag wave before returning to classes.

Students and faculty line Thornrose Avenue at the entrance to the Armory. Grace Christian School is located directly across the street.

Elementary students proudly hold their "Welcome Home" banner.

Bundled-up students eagerly await the returning soldiers.

Elementary students line street in front of Grace Christian School.

All the students and teachers of Staunton's Grace Christian School, elementary and middle grades, turned out to welcome home the 116th Stonewall Brigade. While they were greeting all the returning heroes, there was one special soldier who was of particular interest to the school. The father of one of the students departed last May with the 116th and, after months spent halfway around the world in Iraq, he was greeted by the kids of Grace Christian. Welcome home, Mike!

Photos by SWAC Girl

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... a sweetheart returns

A single pink carnation on a military-issued camouflage duffle....

Photo by SWAC Girl

Homecoming for 116th Stonewall Brigade ... "these colors don't run"

Photos by SWAC Girl