For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2009

ALEXANDRIA, VA – As legislatures across the country head into session this month, the majority will be faced with addressing budget shortfalls due to the continued weakened economy. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, encouraged state legislators to focus on necessities and not niceties in addressing today’s serious economic issues.

“Legislative leaders across the country are facing astounding economic situations. As they look at ways to address these serious budgetary issues during the legislative session, we hope they keep their focus on the necessities of state government programs and forgo the niceties,” said RSLC President Scott Ward. “During tumultuous economic times, the people need the government to create an environment for prosperity. While many Democrat leaders look to raising taxes as a simple fix to the complex economic problems facing all Americans, we encourage them to take a commonsense approach to solving these problems and not to further burden families already struggling across the country.”

Prior to legislatures going into session for 2009, Republican leaders took steps to help address state budget shortfalls. Some examples of Republican leaders taking a commonsense approach to addressing their state budget shortfalls:

• Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater called for a January special session in response to the “tectonic shift” of the Florida economy that went into session today
• South Dakota Republican Representative Larry Tidemann saying South Dakota might need to cut 2010 legislative session 5 days short
• Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett and state legislative officials are forgoing their 2009 cost of living increases
• Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell cut his office budget, salary and returned his state vehicle
• Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling cut his office budget
• Georgia lawmakers are forgoing their 2009 cost of living increases

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.

The RSLC has over 70,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies. During the 2008 election, the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.