Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
Governor Scott Walker: Why I’m Fighting in Wisconsin
Last Updated on Thursday, 10 March 2011 01:58 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 10 March 2011 01:31
From the Wall Street Journal:
In 2010, Megan Sampson was named an Outstanding First Year Teacher in Wisconsin. A week later, she got a layoff notice from the Milwaukee Public Schools. Why would one of the best new teachers in the state be one of the first let go? Because her collective-bargaining contract requires staffing decisions to be made based on seniority.
Ms. Sampson got a layoff notice because the union leadership would not accept reasonable changes to their contract. Instead, they hid behind a collective-bargaining agreement that costs the taxpayers $101,091 per year for each teacher, protects a 0% contribution for health-insurance premiums, and forces schools to hire and fire based on seniority and union rules.
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Maine gets Health Care Law Waiver
Last Updated on Thursday, 10 March 2011 08:22 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 9 March 2011 04:49
From CNBC:
The federal government Tuesday granted Maine a waiver of a key provision in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, citing the likelihood that enforcement could destabilize the state’s market for individual health insurance.
The U.S. Health and Human Services department said in a letter it would waive the requirement that insurers spend 80 cents to 85 cents of every premium dollar on medical care and quality improvement. Instead, the letter said, the state could maintain its 65 percent standard for three years, with the caveat that HHS intends to review the figures after two years.
The decision makes Maine the first state to receive a waiver of the requirement. Similar requests are pending from Kentucky, Nevada and New Hampshire.
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Ohio: Governor Pledges Change; Unions Boo
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 01:37 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 9 March 2011 02:56
From the Marietta Times:
Amid pro-labor protests Tuesday, Gov. John Kasich said in his first State of the State address that big changes are ahead for Ohio and that lawmakers should not be scared off by the conflict that will arise from shaking things up.
“If you’ve seen a lot of change in these first seven weeks, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Kasich said, as the crowd erupted, some in cheer, others in boos.
Touting the advantages of the state’s many cities, the new Republican governor said he is willing to risk criticism in order to stop Ohio from hemorrhaging any more residents and jobs to other states. Seeing Ohio lose two congressional seats because of population loss was a punishing blow, the former congressman said.
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RSLC: Record Number of Republican Attorneys General Caucus to Discuss State Protections
Last Updated on Monday, 7 March 2011 01:34 Written by rslcpol Monday, 7 March 2011 01:34
Alexandria, Va. (March 7, 2011) – A record number of Republican attorneys general are gathering this morning readying to debate a number of issues at the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) regarding the continued overreach by the Obama Administration into areas reserved for state regulation and to defend unwarranted federal intrusion into the private sector.
The Republican State Leadership Committee welcomed 24 Republican attorneys general to the Republican Attorneys General Association Winter meeting this morning, as they gather as a caucus prior to this week’s NAAG meeting.
On Election Day 2010, Republicans won 16 of 30 races for attorney general including five that were previously held by Democrats (AZ, OK, GA, OH and KS). Since then, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell joined several office-holders from his state and joined the Republican Party.
Caldwell addressed his Republican colleagues saying, “It is great to be here with my fellow Republicans and I look forward to actively working with them through RAGA. In too many cases, this Administration, with his party’s support, has proposed legislation or regulations that are hastily passed, legally flawed and hurt the very people they are intended to help. I will continue to join what I believe are correct legal fights for Louisiana.”
The Republican attorneys general will address numerous issues including Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt holding a roundtable to discuss attempts by the FDIC to regulate outside of the normal rulemaking process.
“From healthcare to unions, we have seen few issues on which the Obama Administration is not willing to move,” said RSLC President Chris Jankowski. “Attorneys general are on the front lines in protecting their states from the federal government’s continued overreach which makes this week’s debates crucial to how these issues play out across the country.”
About the RSLC
The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders and the only national organization whose mission is to elect down ballot, state-level Republican office-holders. Since 2002, the RSLC has been working to elect candidates for the office of attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator. The RSLC has more than 100,000 donors in all 50 states. The RSLC raised more than $30 million for the 2009-2010 cycle as part of an effort that picked up 20 legislative chambers, six Attorneys General, three Lieutenant Governors and seven Secretaries of State.
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RSLC President Chris Jankowski now on Twitter
Last Updated on Tuesday, 1 March 2011 02:39 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 1 March 2011 01:38
Follow new Republican State Leadership Committee President Chris Jankowski on Twitter here: @RSLC_president
You can also follow everything RSLC on Twitter: @RSLC
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WI Dem Behaving Badly – Tells Republican She’s Dead
Last Updated on Tuesday, 1 March 2011 01:37 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 1 March 2011 01:37
Last week, we heard that State Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) had been busted in a prostitution sting.
State Rep. Gordon Hintz was issued a municipal citation in Appleton earlier this month for violating a city sexual misconduct ordinance.
Appleton police said the citation was issued Feb. 10 in conjunction with an ongoing investigation of Heavenly Touch Massage Parlor, 342 W. Wisconsin Ave., in Appleton. Police searched the business and a nearby residence in the 1300 block of North Division Street Jan. 28, after investigators had staked out the properties for several days after receiving a tip.
**
Last Friday…. after the Assembly voted to engross the Budget Repair Bill, Hintz turned to a female colleague, Rep. Michelle Litjens and said: “You are F***king dead!”
New tone, indeed. Will he be held accountable?
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RSLC President Chris Jankowski on Lars Larson Radio show
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 February 2011 10:38 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 24 February 2011 10:10
RSLC President Chris Jankowski was recently on the Lars Larson radio show. Here are some highlights:
We have republican governors who ran on platforms and, surprise, they’re trying to enact those platforms and [the RSLC] helped elect Republican legislatures right with them that will vote for [balanced-budgets] if ever given the opportunity.
The Wisconsin Education Committee … put $1.5 million into state legislative races in Wisconsin last year, just last year.
This automatic deduction of the dues right from the state agency right into what is, essentially, a political committee … and then goes right into elections, that needs to stop.
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WI: Assembly Democrats Filibuster to delay budget repair bill
Last Updated on Monday, 28 February 2011 01:58 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 23 February 2011 02:52
From WFRV-TV:
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says he would like to take a vote by the end of Wednesday on a bill to remove collective bargaining rights from public employees.
Fitzgerald says he is talking with Democrats about how to manage the nearly 200 amendments they are offering to the bill.
Debate began around noon on Tuesday and has lasted all night.
His comments came during the 20th hour of debate. He says he hopes the vote can happen later Wednesday night.
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RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie on Meet the Press (Video)
Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 02:13 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 22 February 2011 02:10
Check out Republican State Leadership Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie on NBC’s Meet the Press this past Sunday.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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RSLC: Republicans Take Control of Louisiana Senate With Special Election Victory
Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:45 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:45
This weekend saw more Republican momentum. Check out the Republican State Leadership Committee’s statement on the special election victory:
Alexandria, Va. (February 20, 2011) – Republican momentum shows no signs of stopping, particularly on the state legislative level, as the party has now taken control of the Louisiana State Senate following a special election victory by Rep. Jonathan Perry to fill the vacant seat of Democrat Sen. Nick Gautreaux. The win marks the 14th special election victory for Republicans since Election Day 2010 and the 22nd legislative chamber to move into Republican control.
“Jonathan Perry ran an exemplary campaign and his message of fighting for smaller government and creating good jobs and a stronger economy for Louisiana families clearly resonated with voters. The RSLC was proud to support his candidacy and we congratulate him on his victory,” said RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie.
The Louisiana Senate is currently split with 19 Republicans and 19 Democrats in the 39-member chamber. Perry’s election gives Republicans the majority, the first time Republicans have had majorities in both the House and Senate since Reconstruction. Heading into redistricting, Republicans now hold majorities in both legislative chambers in 26 states, up from 14 states before the 2010 elections.
“As legislators redraw the Louisiana maps, the new Republican majorities ensure Republicans are well-represented at the table,” Gillespie said. “And with the recent party switch of Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, it is clear Republicans have momentum on their side as we head into the 2011 Louisiana elections.”
Despite putting more than $200,000 into his own campaign, Democrat Nathan Granger was unable hold the seat for his party.
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