2011.01.20
Roanoke Tea Party lobbies the General Assembly
The Roanoke Tea Party was one of the many groups that visited Richmond on Monday to lobby legislators on a variety of bills.
The group e-mailed a round-up of the legislation it likes on Monday, but for some reason we didn’t receive the list until Wednesday.
Find out what bills the Roanoke Tea Party would like to see passed after the jump:
Here’s the group’s news release:
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Members of the Roanoke Tea Party are in Richmond today promoting specific pieces of legislation at the start of the Virginia General Assembly session. While many Tea Party and Liberty groups are attending to lobby aggressively against certain proposals, our group will focus on strongly lobbying in favor of bills that will preserve the concepts of federalism, transparency and private property rights.
Our members will be meeting this morning with Roanoke area delegates Lacey Putney, Greg Habeeb, Onzlee Ware and Bill Cleveland, and Senators Ralph Smith and John Edwards seeking their support for the following bills:
- HB 1721 Urban Development AreasIntroduced by: Robert G. Marshall | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Urban development areas. Makes incorporation of urban development areas optional rather than mandatory. Any locality that has previously adopted urban development areas may, and upon voter petition shall, reconsider such action.
Analysis: This is a bill that Delegate Marshall crafted to replace the bill that Delegate Clay Athey originally promised to introduce that would repeal the Sustainable Development laws passed in 2007 (HB 3202). It is tied to Agenda 21, a UN sponsored effort that will erode or destroy property rights. HB 1721 wouldn’t repeal the law, but allow each locality the ability to opt out of the comprehensive plan.
Sustainable Development is one of those issues that sounds harmless on the surface, and even useful at first glance. However, at its core – and without regard to its ultimate utility – forcing local governments to restrict land usage is an affront to private property rights, and a particular invasion of the rights of rural communities. There is a lot more information about our concerns on the Roanoke Tea Party web site.
- SB 867 Budget BillIntroduced by: Ralph K. Smith | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
General Assembly; consideration of certain documents related to the Budget. Provides that no legislative action may be taken on (i) committee amendments to the budget, (ii) any conference committee report on the budget, or (iii) any Governor’s recommendations on the budget until each has been posted on the General Assembly’s website for at least 72 hours. The bill provides that each house may vote by two-thirds majority to override the posting requirement.
Analysis: Last year Senator Smith was handed the budget (the size of a large city phone book), and was expected to vote up or down with less than an hour to review it. To his credit he voted no, but we see no reason why such important decisions should be left to party leaders. We will lobby our legislators in favor of this bill, which should help prevent legislators in both parties from using this process to hide pork and back room deals that are rampant throughout all levels of government.
The argument used to oppose this is simply that it will delay the completion of the General Assembly session and that the information can be found elsewhere. There is nothing wrong with a couple of extra days to shine the light of transparency on the budget process. Anyone opposing this law should be voted out of office this November!
- HB 1397 Residential Energy Efficiency StandardsIntroduced by: Robert G. Marshall | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Residential energy efficiency standards. Exempts any residential building or manufactured home in Virginia from being subject to federal “cap and trade” legislation if such buildings comply with the Statewide Uniform Building Code. The owner of such building or home cannot be required by the federal government to (i) have an energy efficiency analysis conducted on his residence, (ii) have his residence meet federal energy efficiency standards, (iii) participate in a building performance labeling program, (iv) make modifications to the residence in accordance with federal legislation, and (v) post a label showing the energy efficiency of his home prior to its sale. The bill also prohibits a state agency from assisting any federal agency in the implementation of global warming or climate change legislation.
Analysis: This effectively nullifies some of the most onerous of the Cap and Trade regulations being implemented by various agencies of the Federal Government. We are supportive of bills that rightly assert the Commonwealh of Virginia’s sovereignty against unconstitutional laws.
- SJ 27 Constitutional AmendmentIntroduced by: Mark D. Obenshain | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); taking of private property for public uses. Limits the exercise of eminent domain for the purpose of public use and specifies that, with the exception of property taken for public service corporations, public service companies, or railroads, property may not be taken if the primary purpose of the taking is private financial gain, private benefit, an increase in tax base or tax revenues, or an increase in employment. No more property shall be taken than is necessary to achieve the stated public use.
Analysis: There are numerous efforts every General Assembly session to expand eminent domain rights for the government. This would codify severe restrictions on eminent domain laws that were enacted in the aftermath of the Carillion fiasco in 2007 right here in Roanoke. Again, this is simple common sense and a legislator voting against this should be marked for defeat this November.
- HB 1438 Goods Produced Or Manufactured Within State Not Subject To Federal LawIntroduced by: Mark L. Cole | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Goods produced or manufactured in the Commonwealth; not subject to federal regulation Provides that all goods produced or manufactured within the Commonwealth, when such goods are held, retained, or maintained in the Commonwealth, shall not be subject to federal law, federal regulation, or the constitutional power of the United States Congress to regulate interstate commerce. The bill does not apply to goods ordered, procured, or purchased by the federal government or by a federal contractor. The bill only applies to goods produced or manufactured on or after July 1, 2011.
Analysis: This creates a push back against the Federal government’s unconstitutional use of the commerce clause to regulate practically every aspect of each citizen’s life.
- HJ 558 US Constitution and Bill Of RightsIntroduced by: Robert G. Marshall | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Study; federal government compliance with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; report. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the state of compliance by the federal government with the terms of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights in its treatment of the citizens of the Commonwealth and recommend remedies for (i) any unauthorized acts of the federal government, (ii) actions that amount to noncompliance by the federal government with the terms of the United States Constitution, and (iii) acts of Congress that are outside of the enumerated powers specified in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights as they relate to the treatment of citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Analysis: This could lead to a real discussion of nullification and the rights of our commonwealth. We certainly welcome this study.
- HJ 557 Alternative CurrencyIntroduced by: Robert G. Marshall | SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Study; adoption of an alternative currency; report Establishes a joint subcommittee to study whether the Commonwealth should adopt a currency to serve as an alternative to the currency distributed by Federal Reserve System in the event of a major breakdown of the Federal Reserve System.
Analysis: Preparing for the potential collapse of the Federal Reserve system seems to be prudent. We welcome this study, as it will cast light on the disaster that is the Fed.
So the Tea Party that started out back in April of 2009 railing against big government, big bailouts, to much government regulation and involvement in people’s lives, a movement of the regular folks, the voiceless folks, the non-special- interest folks, the people who hate the insider lobbyists blah blah blah blah, are now established as an insider lobbyist organization that lobby’s the government, sends out emails, issues press releases, and calls on and lobby’s the government to go against the language of the US Constitution and it’s Interstate Commerce Clause, wants the state of VA to EXPAND it’s government reach into your life by issuing and controlling it’s own currency, etc. etc. etc.
What am I missing here? I thought this group was for limiting and cutting back all government? All I see here is a group calling for a much more active government. Looks like the big monster that they have been fighting against ate them and now they are part of his ever expanding appetite!
Comment by William Bova — January 20, 2011 @ 1:27 pm
Love the idea of independent currency and restricting emminent domain.
Comment by Jack Mcguire — January 20, 2011 @ 5:51 pm
Yeah, I thought the Tea Party was supposed to be a broad based group concerned about fiscal responsibility by the government. Except for SB 867, these items aren’t far removed from the black helicopter paranoia instead of having anything to do with fiscal responsibility.
Comment by KevinL — January 20, 2011 @ 7:33 pm
#2 Independent currency is pretty much the dumbest idea to come out of the tea party so far.
Comment by gdad — January 20, 2011 @ 7:42 pm
@MR. BOVA.
DEAR SIR,
PERHAPS, YOU HAVE YET TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE ROANOKE TEA PARTY. IF YOU EVER DO, YOU WILL FEEL COMPELLED TO RETRACT YOU COMMENT ABOVE.
NEXT, THEY MEET, 2/3/11, RAMADA INN MEETING ROOM, 1927 FRANKLIN ROAD, ROANOKE VA.
Comment by Noah — January 20, 2011 @ 7:52 pm
Noah, I’m not Mr Bova, however, I would like to take you up on being educated about the Tea Party. I have a very busy schedule making a living at this time. Juggling 3 businesses you know. Would you do me a favor and give me a hint as to what the Roanoke Tea Party stands for? I can’t quite make the time for the meeting but would like to know your positions. Can you tell me where the Tea Party stands on CNT, Universal Health Care, Tax rates for the top 1% of wealthy americans, the war on Afganistans and Irag, the possible war againts Iran and North Korea? Can you tell me how america will acheive energy independence with the next 20 years? Can you tell me the tea parties activities as it realtes to putting out of work people back to work? How about the tea Parties position on the housing foreclosurer system which throws home owners who have lost jobs, been robbed by wall street and have little prospects of getting similiar jobs in the future. What they can expect from the Tea Party Agenda?
Really, I thought the TP had been co-opted by the likes of Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and the Koch brothers, Sal Russo, Dick Armey, the former House Republican leader, who is co-author of the book, “Give Us Liberty: a Tea Party Manifesto.” )That word Manifesto kindda scares me) Also major contributors include Carl Palidino, Rupert Murdoch, and the secretive Freedom works and the Tea Party Express and Tea Party Patriots.
Still think you can educate me on the Roanoke Tea Party and what it stands for? I’m listening.
Comment by Cold n P — January 21, 2011 @ 12:22 am
Cold n P,
Every Tea Party is different. They will range in character, numbers, and focus. The Roanoke Tea Party stands for smaller government, following the Constitution, state sovereignty, and individual liberty. It specifically focuses on Virginia asserting it’s own sovereignty and making the Federal Government to live within the bounds of the Constitution.
Universal Health Care
The Roanoke Tea Party is against universal health care. The Tenth Amendment reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Providing health care is not a power delegated to the the federal government, therefor it is unconstitutional. It bloats government, restricts individual liberty, and redistributes wealth i.e. socialism. An individual state – depending upon it’s own constitution – provide health care. A notable example is RomneyCare in Massachusetts. I hear it’s going bust.
CNT
I googled CNT and do not know what you are referring to. I would presume the Roanoke Tea Party does not have a position on it.
Taxes on the top 1%
The Roanoke Tea Party does not have a position on taxes as such. Collectively everyone is for lower taxes, is against the redistribution of wealth (socialism), and so forth. When the Roanoke tea Party was first formed there was discussion about endorsing the FairTax, but there are already groups that are built around that to include the Roanoke Area FairTax group: http://www.roanokeareafairtax.com/ Some are for and some are against. You can have some very spirited conversations on the pros and cons of the FairTax, FlatTax, etc with a number of Roanoke Tea Party members.
Energy Policy
The Roanoke Tea Party does not have position a position on Energy, though if you were to poll a room you’d find general agreement that we should be pursuing an all of the above energy strategy. We’ve locked up so much of our own resources over the decades (And currently – observe the Obama Admin shutting down oil production in the gulf), and prevent the construction of oil refineries and nuclear power plants. It’s pretty darn hard for a country to become energy independent when our policies are designed to make us energy dependent on other countries.
Foreign Policy to include Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan
The Roanoke Tea Party does not have any positions regarding foreign policy. Again, talk to a bunch of members and they’ll have their individual takes.
Putting People Back to Work
Generally speaking? Get government out of the way and allow the free market to work. The Roanoke Tea Party focuses on the first part. We identify the size and scope of the Federal Government to be a clear threat to our liberty, the liberty of our children, and the prosperity of our nation.
Housing
This falls under the general heading of “Follow The Constitution”. The housing crisis was created by the Federal Government via the Community Reinvestment Act (specifically changes made to it in the 90′s) and lack of oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. According to the Tenth amendment the Federal Government should not be involved with housing. If our Federal Government followed the Constitution then this wouldn’t have even happened.
Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, etc
Come to a meeting and talk about any of the names you listed and you’ll find a wide spectrum of opinions on these people. Individually there are those that agree with one or the other. Personally I hadn’t heard of a couple of the ones you listed.
Scared of the word “manifesto”
I’m not sure why you’d be afraid of a word. But I’ll see what I can do to put you at ease about it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifesto Quote: “A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature.” The word does not indicate anything more then that. Kinda like how the word “novel’ indicates a book of long narrative in literary prose. Doesn’t say anything about what the content is, just the form. For that matter the Declaration of Independence was the manifesto of our founding fathers. Are you scared of the Declaration of Independence now that you know it’s a manifesto? I hope not.
You seem to expect the Roanoke Tea Party to have a position on a wide range of topics, but it is very much focused on Virginia asserting it’s own sovereignty and making the Federal Government to live within the bounds of the Constitution. Other Tea Parties may have a position on those other issues or they may not. Remember, each one is locally run and thus different.
I hope this has clarified what you know of the Roanoke Tea Party. If you have more questions please do come by. The next meeting is on 2/3/11, at the Ramada Inn meeting room, 1927 Franklin Rd.
Comment by John — January 21, 2011 @ 2:52 am