Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Everhart Names Kevin Harris Acting Executive Director of the GAGOP

Sue Everhart, Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, today named Kevin Harris acting Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party. Harris replaces Toby Carr, who joined Governor-elect Nathan Deal’s transition.

“I appreciate Toby’s hard work throughout the Election that led us to historic victories in 2010, including a Republican sweep of all statewide offices,” Everhart said. “I look forward to working with Kevin as we prepare for the upcoming State Convention and the Presidential election in 2012.”

Kevin Harris previously served as Political Director for the Georgia Republican Party. Kevin is a professor of political science and a seasoned member of Georgia’s Republican grassroots organization. He has served as a precinct captain, chairman of the Fannin County Republican Party and chairman of the 9th District Committee Republican Party.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Republican Party Projected To Pick Up 6 State Attorney General Seats on November 2

/PRNewswire/ -- Republicans may pick up as many as six state Attorney General seats on November 2, according to Joseph Kastner, Ballotpedia's state Attorney General elections editor.

Kastner says that Attorney General seats currently held by Democrats in Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma are in the "leans Republican" or "likely Republican" column based on factors that include polls and campaign funding.

Heading into November 2, the Democratic Party holds the AG position in 32 states, while the GOP holds it in just 18.

However, only 30 of the 50 state attorney general seats are up for election in 2010. In the 30 states with 2010 attorney general elections, Democrats hold 20 seats and Republicans hold 10.

If the GOP picks up six seats as projected, holding all its "safe, likely and leans" elections, it will win 57% of the 30 November elections. It will also then be in possession of 24 state AG seats altogether, while the Democratic Party, if it holds all its "safe, likely or leans" Democratic seats, will be at 25.

Just one state, Iowa, is in the toss-up column, according to Kastner's analysis. Iowa's AG position, currently occupied by a Democrat, could go either way. The Iowa Attorney General election pits incumbent Tom Miller against Republican challenger Brenna Findley. According to Kastner, Iowa's race is "one of the toughest to predict" because of limited polling information in the down-ballot race. GOP challenger Findley has significantly outperformed Miller in the money sweepstakes since mid-summer which may enable her to be competitive with Miller's incumbency and name-recognition advantage.

If the "leans/likely" elections come in where projected for Democrats and Republicans, then toss-up Iowa is the state to watch to see if the final national tally is 26 D–24 R, or a 25-25 split.

Two attorney general offices are likely to get a new occupant as a result of their 2010 gubernatorial election, because in these states, the AG is appointed by the governor. Hawaii currently has a Republican governor, but is thought to be a gubernatorial pick-up opportunity for the Democratic Party in 2010. The reverse is true in Wyoming.

Ballotpedia.org is sponsored by the non-profit, non-partisan Lucy Burns Institute (LBI) based in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Dale Peterson ad for Nathan Deal, candidate for Georgia Governor



I laughed at the end... the true sign of a good ad in my opinion! - jmd

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Roy-onomics: No Way to Pay for Big Spending

Georgia legislators are required to pass a balanced budget but you wouldn’t know it if you saw Roy Barnes’ campaign promises. The Savannah Morning News has quantified Barnes’ campaign pledges at $2.2 billion per year, meaning his governorship would cost voters over $8 billion in campaign promises alone.

How will Roy Barnes pay for his binge-spending plans? He’s only proposed elimination of one tax exemption, the tax exemption on jet fuel, worth $24 million and barely 1% of his new spending. Barnes also proposed a plan to allow local governments to collect sales taxes, but he disagrees with his own campaign manager on the amount of revenue it would bring in. Even the most optimistic estimates fall far short of balancing the budget with his pie-in-the-sky promises of massive new spending.

“Roy’s big spending plans mirror those of Washington Democrats, not the wishes of Georgia voters,” said Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue Everhart. “Republicans are addressing the concerns of Georgians by cutting spending and living within our means.”

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Georgia Republicans Got It Right, But Macon Telegraph Won’t Hear of It

The Macon Telegraph ran a column on Sunday encouraging the Georgia Republican Party to take action to change the ballot in light of misleading information spread in the press. After agreeing to give the GAGOP space to refute their claims, the Telegraph rejected the response.

While it is the paper’s prerogative to refuse op-eds, the Georgia Republican Party believes the column printed by the Macon Telegraph was misleading and warrants response. Below is the op-ed submitted by the GAGOP.

Georgia Republicans Got It Right

Kenny Burgamy made many claims in his recent opinion piece (There’s Time to Get It Right, Macon Telegraph, 9/19/2010) that were untrue and infeasible. Perhaps the most errant assumption was that Georgia Republicans got it wrong when they nominated Nathan Deal as the Republican candidate for Governor. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Nathan won the nomination in a close primary and runoff. In a state considered to be a Democratic stronghold for generations, Georgia Republicans showed up in record numbers in two successive elections showing their preference for the party of personal freedom and smaller government. While Nathan won the runoff by less than 1 percent, the top two finishers in the primary both bested Roy Barnes with 10 percent more votes.

Mr. Deal’s personal finances have been well documented over the last week, but let’s not ignore the facts. Nathan is a successful small businessman who has created jobs and turned a profit – even in these difficult financial times. Businesses have their ups and downs. The only thing unique here is that Deal’s ups and downs are front-page news.

I can see how that point would get lost in the Democrats’ spin cycle. Most people understand that they simply cannot spend more than they take in. Democrats, however, have overlooked that rule as they have escalated our country into further debt with their binge spending legislation, plunging our nation into $13 trillion in debt.

In Georgia, Roy Barnes has shown he’s not all that different than Washington Democrats. As governor, he turned a $700 million budget surplus into a $620 million shortfall. Now, he’s proposed $2.4 billion in new spending with no way to pay for it, just like a Washington Democrat.

Roy has spent most of his career suing small businesses rather than creating them and destroying jobs for his personal gain. He doesn’t embrace the creative spirit of Georgians who take calculated risks — he demonizes them.

The Georgia Republican Party is the party of small businesses and strong families across Georgia. We believe that Americans can better themselves through hard work, personal responsibility and seizing opportunities. While the road to success is lined with periodic setbacks, we see them as learning opportunities that can move us forward.

Georgia’s successful economic recovery will depend on people willing to take a calculated risk to start a business and employ Georgians. It will also depend on policy-makers’ willingness to create an environment that fosters our American and exceptional entrepreneurism. That’s why we need Nathan Deal.

Nathan’s Real Prosperity plan increases Georgia’s competitiveness by lowering income taxes on Georgia’s families and reducing corporate income taxes by a third. The Tax Foundation estimates that his plan will improve Georgia’s business climate from the bottom half of states to the top one-third.

Nathan’s plan for education, “Real Results,” provides maximum flexibility for local school districts, protects the HOPE scholarship and will bolster math and science education.

He has led the fight against Obamacare. He stands up to Washington liberals whose brand of “change” comes with hefty price tags that Georgians can’t afford.

Georgians are concerned with issues, not petty and personal attacks. Nathan Deal has the philosophy, plan and experience to put Georgia back on track. I ask you to vote for Nathan Deal and not rewind Georgia to the bad old days of Roy Barnes.

Sue Everhart is the chairman of the Georgia Republican Party and lives in Marietta.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Newt Gingrich to Speak at FRC Action's Values Voter Summit

/PRNewswire -- FRC Action has confirmed that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will speak at FRC Action's fifth annual Values Voter Summit, which will be held September 17-19 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Gingrich joins a Saturday morning session that also includes Dr. Bill Bennett, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA), and David Limbaugh, whose new book, Crimes Against Liberty, has rocketed to No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list.

Gingrich will provide insight into the current political climate and his evaluation of what might be historic GOP gains in November.

The line-up of speakers at the Values Voter Summit also includes: Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), former Senator Rick Santorum, Representatives Michele Bachmann (R-MN), and Mike Pence (R-IN), current and former governors Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, the Duggar family, Phyllis Schlafly, Lila Rose and many more.

FRC Action's Values Voter Summit is cosponsored by American Family Association Action, American Values, The Heritage Foundation, Liberty University, Liberty Counsel and Family Research Council. The Summit will be held September 17-19 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. A presidential and vice presidential straw poll, exhibit hall, book signings, new media row sponsored by Media Research Center and much more will be packed into this three-day conference. On Saturday evening, American Family Association Chairman Emeritus Don Wildmon will be honored at a gala dinner and receive the fourth annual James C. Dobson Vision and Leadership Award.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Democrats' Ticking Tax Bomb, Part II

How the Democrats’ Year-end Tax Hike Will Affect Typical Taxpayers

As described in Part I of this series, starting January 1, 2011, Washington Democrats will impose a $3.8 trillion tax hike on hard-working Americans. This tax increase will affect every American who pays income taxes through higher tax rates on individuals, families, and small businesses. Married couples and parents will be singled out for even higher taxes, and there will be significant tax hikes on the very investments that grow the economy and create good jobs. Even the death tax – repealed entirely for 2010 – will be resurrected on January 1, 2011. So far, Democrats have done nothing to disarm this ticking tax bomb.

So how will the family budgets of typical taxpayers be affected by these looming Democrat tax hikes?

A family of four earning $50,000 per year could pay more than $2,100 in higher taxes.
A single mom earning $36,000 per year could pay over $1,100 more in taxes.
Married senior citizens earning $40,000 per year could pay more than $1,400 in higher taxes.

Here are the details:

Typical Tax Return #1: Middle-income family of four
Filing Status: Married, filing joint return
Children: 2
Adjusted Gross Income: $50,000
 
Without Democrats'
2011 Tax Hike
With Democrats'
2011 Tax Hike
 Standard deduction $11,600  $9,750
 Personal exemptions $15,000 $15,000
 Taxable income $23,400 $25,250 
 Tax liability $2,652 $3,788
 Child credit (non-refundable portion) $2,000 $1,000
 Total tax $652 $2,788
 Democrats' 2011 tax increase: $2,136
Calculations are based on Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates of various tax parameters reflecting expected inflation adjustments for 2011.
Typical Tax Return #2: Modest-income single parent            
Filing Status: Head of Household
Children: 1
Adjusted Gross Income: $36,000
 
Without Democrats'
2011 Tax Hike
With Democrats'
2011 Tax Hike
 Standard deduction $8,600  $8,600
 Personal exemptions $7,500 $7,500
 Taxable income $19,900 $19,900 
 Tax liability $2,373 $2,985
 Child credit (non-refundable portion) $1,000 $500
 Total Tax $1,373 $2,485
 Democrats' 2011 tax increase: $1,112
Calculations are based on Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates of various tax parameters reflecting expected inflation adjustments for 2011.  
Typical Tax Return #3: Married senior citizens
Filing Status: Married, filing joint return
Children: 0
Adjusted Gross Income: $40,000, including $5,000 in dividends
($100,000 invested, 5% yield)
 
Without Democrats'
2011 Tax Hike
With Democrats'
2011 Tax Hike
 Standard deduction $13,800 $13,800
 Personal exemptions $7,500 $7,500
 Taxable income $18,700 $18,700
 Qualified dividends    
$5,000 taxed at 0%
(special rate for taxpayers
in the 10% or 15% brackets)
$5,000 taxed at 15%
(ordinary income rate)
 Total tax $1,370 $2,805
 Democrats' 2011 tax increase: $1,435
Calculations are based on Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates of various tax parameters reflecting expected inflation adjustments for 2011.

While the effect of these Democrat tax increases on any particular taxpayer’s family budget will depend on that taxpayer’s specific facts and circumstances, these typical tax returns make clear that this is a massive tax hike that the American people simply can’t afford.

As these examples show, married couples and taxpayers with children will be hit particularly hard by the Democrats’ tax hike. For more detail about the re-imposition of the marriage penalty and the reduction in the child credit scheduled for January 1, 2011, stay tuned for Part III of this series, coming soon.
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Ways and Means Republican Press Office
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202.226.4774

Democrats' Ticking Tax Bomb, Part I

Overview: Americans to Pay Higher Taxes Starting January 1, 2011

Get ready to pay higher taxes in 2011 thanks to Democrats in Washington. Starting January 1, 2011 – less than six months from now – an unprecedented, $3.8 trillion tax increase is scheduled to kick in, affecting every American who pays income taxes. This Democrat tax hike will force hard-working Americans to pay over $200 billion in higher taxes next year alone.

What are some of these tax increases? They include:

Higher Income Tax Rates on ALL Americans Who Pay Income Taxes
Individuals and Small Businesses*
with Taxable Income in the Following Ranges…
… Pay This Statutory Rate on that Range of Income in 2010…
…But will Pay This Statutory Rate on that Range of Income in 2011

Up to $8,375 for single filers and
Up to $16,750 for married couples

10%
15%

Between $8,375 and $34,000 for single filers and
Between $16,750 and $68,000** for married couples

15%
15%

Between $34,000 and $82,400 for single filers and
Between $68,000** and $137,300 for married couples

25%
28%

Between $82,400 and $171,850 for single filers and
Between $137,300 and $209,250 for married couples

28%
31%

Between $171,850 and $373,650 for single filers and
Between $209,250 and $373,650 for married couples

33%
36%

Over $373,650 for both single filers and
married couples

35%
39.6%***

Dollar amounts listed in the table above will be indexed for inflation in 2011.  Amounts listed for married couples are for married couples filing joint returns.

*According to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), 94% of all U.S. businesses in 2007 were S corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships – “pass-through” business types commonly used by small businesses – that file their taxes on their owners’ individual Form 1040s and pay taxes at the individual tax rates.
** Because of one of the marriage penalties that will be reinstated (see below), this $68,000 amount will drop to $58,200 in 2011, meaning that a married couple with as little as $58,200 in taxable income will be subject to the higher 28% rate on their next dollar earned, rather than the 15% rate.
*** Because of the reinstatement of additional, hidden tax rates (see below), while the top statutory rate will be 39.6% in 2011, the top effective rate will actually be 41.6%.

Higher Taxes if You Are Married
For Married Couples
Filing Jointly, the Marriage Penalty Is Reinstated With Respect To...
2010
2011




The Standard Deduction
Singles: $5,700

Married:  $11,400

No marriage penalty because the standard deduction for married couples is twice the standard deduction for singles

Singles: $5,800

Married: $9,750

Marriage penalty is reinstated because the standard deduction for married couples is $1,850 less than twice the standard deduction for singles




The last dollar of income
taxed at the 15% rate
(instead of at 25% in 2010
or at 28% in 2011,
the next highest tax rate in effect)
Singles: $34,000

Married:  $68,000

No marriage penalty because the last dollar of income taxed at 15% (instead of at 25%, the next highest rate) for married couples is twice the corresponding amount for singles
Singles: $34,850

Married: $58,200

Marriage penalty is reinstated because the last dollar of income taxed at 15% (instead of at 28%, the next highest rate) for married couples is $11,500 less than twice the corresponding amount for singles


Dollar amounts listed in the table above for 2011 are JCT estimates reflecting expected inflation adjustments.

Higher Taxes if You Are A Parent
Pro-family Tax Benefit
2010
2011
Child Tax Credit
$1,000 per child
$500 per child
 
Higher Taxes on Investments that Grow the Economy and Create Good Jobs
Investment Incentive
2010
2011
Top rate on long-term capital gains
15%
20%*
Top rate on qualified dividends
15%
39.6%*

* Because of the reinstatement of additional, hidden tax rates (see below), while the top statutory capital gains rate will be 20% in 2011, the top effective rate will actually be 22%.  For dividends, while the top statutory rate will be 39.6% in 2011, the top effective rate will actually be 41.6%. 


Note that, under the Democrats’ new health law, beginning in 2013, investment income will be subject to an additional 3.8% surtax for single taxpayers earning more than $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000.  This will bring the top statutory rate on capital gains to 23.8% and the top statutory rate on dividends to 43.4% in 2013.  Because of the additional, hidden tax rate increases described below, however, the top effective rate on capital gains will be 25.8% in 2013, and the top effective rate on dividends will be 45.4%.

Higher Taxes through Additional, Hidden Tax Rate Increases


Hidden Tax Rate Increase Reinstated
Individuals and Small Businesses*
with Adjusted Gross Income…
… Pay this additional, hidden
tax rate increase in 2010…
… But pay this additional, hidden tax rate increase in 2011

Personal exemption phase-out (PEP)

Above $171,000 for single filers and
Above $256,700 for married couples
filing jointly
None
Approximately 0.8%

Pease limitation on itemized deductions (such as mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and state and local taxes)

Above $171,000 for both single filers and
married couples filing jointly
None
Approximately 1.2%

Top effective marginal tax rate on income (including dividend income) in 2011,
including reinstatement of these hidden tax rate increases:

    39.6% (top statutory rate)
      0.8% (PEP)
+    1.2% (Pease limitation)
    41.6%


*According to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), 94% of all U.S. businesses in 2007 were S corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships – “pass-through” business types commonly used by small businesses – that file their taxes on their owners’ individual Form 1040s and pay taxes at the individual tax rates.

Dollar amounts listed in the table above are JCT estimates for 2011 reflecting expected inflation adjustments.


Note that, under the Democrats’ new health law, beginning in 2013, dividend income will be subject to an additional 3.8% surtax for single taxpayers earning more than $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000.  Factoring in the additional, hidden tax rate increase described in this table, the top effective rate on dividends will be 45.4% in 2013.

Resurrection of the Death Tax
Estate Tax Provision
2010
2011
Exemption amount
N/A – Death Tax repealed
$1 million
Top rate
N/A – Death Tax repealed
55%

For examples of how these looming tax hikes will affect typical American taxpayers, stay tuned for Part II of this series, coming soon.

Floor Statement of Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) re: H.R. 4380, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill

I am disappointed that I cannot support this legislation.

The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill has long been a bipartisan effort that helps both American manufacturers and consumers obtain lower-cost access to products that aren’t made in the United States.

The process used to assemble this legislation is a model in transparency and accountability. This is a long-standing process that has been used by many Congresses – under both Republican and Democrat control – and should serve as an example of how similar legislation should be prepared.

  • Every provision is first introduced as a separate bill.
  • Each provision is vetted by the Administration and by the U.S. International Trade Commission and is subject to public notice and comment.
  • All information is posted on the Committee website.
  • Any provision receiving any opposition is removed from the final package.
In my view, this bill technically does not contain earmarks in the form of limited tariff benefits. Each provision lowers duties on imports, and any company or person that imports that product receives the benefit of those lower duties, not just those we can positively identify today. Despite these facts, Democrats have written the rules of the House in such a way as to treat limited tariff benefits like other earmarks. The Democrats were wrong to do so.

But the Republican Conference has taken the position, and correctly so, that we are taking a one-year moratorium on all the provisions included in the Democrat Rule to demonstrate our commitment to getting government spending under control. I am committed to both the letter and spirit of that moratorium and therefore will vote against this bill.

In fact, the Majority is well aware of our earmark ban, and I can’t help but wonder if this bill was put on the suspension calendar – after three-and-a-half years without a vote – so that it would fail and they might avoid taking the blame. It is a sham and it won’t work. The business community knows it, the American workers whose jobs depend on it know it, and we know it – Democrats have had three-and-a-half-years to pass the MTB and they have failed to do so.

Congress has not passed an MTB bill since December 2006 -- right before the Democrats took the Majority. The only new trade bill they have considered in that time is the Peru trade agreement.

I think the record speaks for itself – Republicans have long-supported the MTB and U.S. employers while the Democrats have written rules that discriminate against this bill. More importantly, business investment and hiring are frozen in the face of looming tax hikes, smothering government regulation and little or no action on the trade agenda – all brought about by Washington Democrats.

A true commitment to trade and the good-paying U.S. jobs it provides would involve passing the pending bilateral trade agreements, which, economically, are even more important to this country.

Mr. Speaker, what you are seeing today is merely one more attempt by the Majority to distract American workers and employers from the real damage they’ve done to the American economy. This legislation cannot overcome the over $670 billion in new taxes already passed by this Congress and the billions more coming. It cannot overcome the anti-business attitude of so much of the legislation produced by the Majority.

Mr. Speaker, if my friends on the other side of the aisle were truly interested in helping American manufacturers, they’d be lowering taxes, knocking down trade barriers, and supporting the private sector. This legislation is no substitute for those policies.

Mr. Speaker, the House should take a breather from earmarks, as called for in the Republican Conference Moratorium. It is unfortunate that this pause includes the MTB, but we didn’t write the Rule. I urge my colleagues to show the American people we are serious about reforming the way Washington works and vote no. I reserve the balance of my time.

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202.226.4774

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Cobb County GOP Breakfast

Saturday, June 5 at 8:00am. 

End Time: Saturday, June 5 at 9:30am
Where: Williamson Bros. BBQ

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Republicans Win Back Supporters

A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds Republicans "have solidified support among voters who had drifted from the party in recent elections, putting the GOP in position for a strong comeback in November's mid-term campaign."

"The findings suggest that public opinion has hardened in advance of the 2010 elections, making it tougher for Democrats to translate their legislative successes, or a tentatively improving U.S. economy, into gains among voters."

"Republicans have reassembled their coalition by reconnecting with independents, seniors, blue-collar voters, suburban women and small town and rural voters -- all of whom had moved away from the party in the 2006 elections, in which Republicans lost control of the House. Those voter groups now favor GOP control of Congress." Read more: Republicans Win Back Supporters

Above is from: Taegan Goddard's Political Wire
Comment: Watch out, the Dems would like Republicans to get confident and blow it. Voters like it when you're humble and working hard to show you're worthy... Keep working to earn those votes, it ain't over until the election results are in, and then it's time to prove that you deserve the votes... and, if you win, time to make sure you keep the votes coming in subsequent elections. Once the Republicans are in power, the press is going to turn and all of a sudden everything that goes wrong will be the fault of those in power (unlike now when nothing is the fault of anyone other than Bush or fat-cat-capitalists).


Friday, March 26, 2010

GA Senate Votes to Prevent Coercive Abortions

The Georgia State Senate today voted to prevent women in Georgia from being forced to have an abortion against their will. Under Senate Bill 529, authored by Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville), criminal abortions will include unlawfully coercive abortions, or with the intent to prevent a birth based on the gender or race of the unborn child.

“Georgia should have the proper protections in place for women who may be in danger of coercion. The numbers tell the true story; when 64 percent of abortions involve coercion, we clearly need to give women recourse to protect their personal decisions,” said Pearson. “It’s also imperative that as a civil society, we protect the unborn from gender and race selection.”

The bill defines the offenses of a criminal abortion to be when a person performs an abortion with the knowledge that a pregnant woman is being coerced, with the intent to have an abortion based on race, color or gender, or with the knowledge that a pregnant woman is seeking an abortion based on race, color or gender. The bill also allows women to recover civil damages if they receive such an abortion, and ensures that they would not be held criminally responsible.

In a recent article from The Economist, the author coined the term “gendercide” to describe the gender and race selection that has wiped out at least 100 million girls across the globe. The article went on to note that “the cumulative consequence for societies of such individual actions is catastrophic.”

Even Secretary of State Hilary Clinton agrees, saying that “Unfortunately with technology, parents are able to use sonograms to determine the sex of a baby, and to abort girl children simply because they’d rather have a boy.”

According to Americans United for Life, nine states currently have some form of coercive abuse prevention laws and three states have sex-selection abortion laws. The Atlantic Magazine notes that Georgia is joining seven other states in its effort to prevent sex or race-selection abortions.

Sen. Chip Pearson serves as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He represents the 51st Senate District, which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, and Union counties and portions of Forsyth and White counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via e-mail at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov
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Thursday, March 25, 2010

ObamaCare’s Immediate Impact: Declining Profits for an Already Weak Manufacturing Sector

With the ink not even dry on the Democrats’ health care overhaul, American manufacturers are already warning about how much it will cost them. Both Deere and Caterpillar are reporting that the bill will result in their reported earnings declining by $150 million and $100 million respectively. A spokesman for Caterpillar noted the bill’s tax “could cause us to consider changes to the retiree prescription drug benefit,” a concern other companies have raised as well. This is just a preview of what is to come from the over half-trillion dollar in tax increases contained in the Democrats’ health care bill -- the largest tax increase in American history.


Caterpillar predicts $100M health care reform cost:
“Heavy-equipment maker Caterpillar says the new health care reform law will create a $100 million drag on its first-quarter earnings because of tax law changes.”

Deere says health care law will raise expenses :
"Deere, based in Moline, Ill., is the second company this week to indicate that the new law will increase its costs."


Obama Tax’s $14 Billion Charge Starts at Caterpillar
:
"Disclosures by Caterpillar and AK Steel Holding Corp. in the two days since the signing are the first sets of health-care charges that ultimately may shave as much as $14 billion from U.S. corporate profits."


Deere sees $150 million hit from healthcare reform:
"Farm equipment maker Deere & Co expects after-tax expenses to rise by $150 million this year as a result of the healthcare reform law President Barack Obama signed this week."

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202.226.4774

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Boehner Selects Camp to Serve on Debt Commission

CAMP: “We simply cannot sustain the deficit spending going on in Washington, nor can families and employers sustain the higher taxes many in Washington believe are the solution to that crisis.”

Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) today was selected by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to serve as one of three House Republicans on the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

“I want to thank Leader Boehner for naming me to the Commission,” said Camp. “Frankly, there may be no greater or graver task we face than getting our fiscal house in order. We simply cannot sustain the deficit spending going on in Washington, nor can families and employers sustain the higher taxes many in Washington believe are the solution to that crisis. I look forward to working with the other members of the commission to tackle our spending problems and shore up vital programs like Medicare and Social Security.”

Charged with finding solutions to achieve long term fiscal sustainability as well as balancing the federal budget (excluding interest payments on the debt) by 2015, the Commission will be required to examine entitlement spending on Medicare, Social Security and welfare programs, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee.

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Westmoreland fight against earmarks gaining steam

Today, the entire House Republican Conference voted to place a moratorium on requesting earmarks, taking a big step toward spending reforms long advocated by U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland.

“The earmark system in Congress is broken, and we needed to take dramatic action like we did today to show the American people we’re serious about doing a better job using their taxpayers wisely and efficiently,” Westmoreland said. “Along with several other conservative legislators, I took this stand against earmarks on my own several years ago, and I have refused to place projects in appropriations bills.

“The way earmarks are done in the House rewards seniority and power of members. It funds projects outside of the competitive process with little means of measuring success or cost-benefit analysis. Tax dollars should go first and foremost to national priorities, they should be distributed fairly and equitably, and when projects fall short of expectations, the funding should end.

“Americans, rightly, have lost faith in Washington’s ability to be responsible with their money. We’ve taken a positive step today. The Democrats’ vow to end all earmarks to for-profit businesses is just more smoke-and-mirrors; it leaves most earmarks safely in place and does nothing to correct the impression that members of Congress are using the federal treasury as a political piggy bank.”

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Camp, Brady: Administration’s Failure to Resolve Trucking Dispute Harming American Workers

Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) today issued the following statements on the one-year anniversary of the Congressional termination of the NAFTA trucking pilot program, which then triggered $2.4 billion in retaliatory duties against American-made exports by Mexico:

Congressman Camp said, "Record numbers of Americans are receiving an unemployment check instead of a paycheck. We need to make it easier for employers to create jobs and export American-made goods. Yet this Administration is doing just the opposite. Every day the Administration fails to resolve the trucking dispute, American workers and exporters are forced to pay additional and unnecessary duties to Mexico. The price tag of the Administration’s inaction is $2.4 billion and growing. Given the state of our economy, now more than ever that money should go into American jobs, not to Mexico. The Administration has had one year to solve this problem by developing a plan to keep our highways safe while still complying with our trade obligations. It is time it does so to restore the competitiveness of American exports.”

Congressman Brady asked, “How long must America’s farmers and manufacturers be punished while the White House and Congress refuse to resolve the problem they created? They’ve wasted a full year. With unemployment nearly 10%, America needs to increase U.S. exports and create jobs, not create new barriers that make American exports less competitive. If we continue to disregard our obligations and compel this retaliation, we are punishing our farmers, businesses, and workers. I call on the Administration, once again, to quickly resolve this issue and restore duty-free access to the Mexican market for American-made products."

Background: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed into law H.R. 1105, which prohibited funding of a pilot program designed to ensure select Mexican trucks met U.S. safety standards. The termination of this program violated U.S. NAFTA obligations, and Mexico retaliated by imposing tariffs on over $1.5 billion in U.S. manufactured products and $900 million in U.S. agriculture products. Mexico is the second largest market for exports of American-made goods and services.

On March 18, 2009, Reps. Camp and Brady wrote to the President and urged the “Administration to work quickly with all interested stakeholders to develop a new program.” They warned, “If we choose to continue to disregard our obligations and compel this retaliation, we are punishing our farmers, businesses and workers at a time when our economy is in great distress.”

On June 8, 2009, a bipartisan group of House members, led by John Salazar (D-CO) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), wrote the President: “[W]e would like to work with you and your Administration to move toward a quick resolution on this issue. Further economic harm to U.S. farmers, manufacturers and service providers is something this country cannot afford.”
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Thursday, March 4, 2010

North Fulton GOP Breakfast Saturday, March 13 at 9:30am

David says, "Please come and lend your support! We need you!"
Event: North Fulton GOP Breakfast
Start Time: Saturday, March 13 at 9:30am
End Time: Saturday, March 13 at 12:30pm
Where: Horseshoe Bend Country Club off Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.

Monday, February 22, 2010

NC GOP Precint Meetings

Just a reminder that the North Carolina GOP holds it's precinct meetings in February. In Wake County, they are tonight - Monday, February 22, 2010. If you live outside Wake County, got to http://www.NCGOP.org to find out when your county is meeting. Outside of NC, please check with your state party HQ.

WHY ATTEND?

* You'll have a seat at the table - Want to have influence on decisions? Show Up!
* You can become a VOTING delegate to County and State Conventions!
* You can become a precinct or district officer!
* You'll get to meet other like-minded conservatives who are concerned about the direction of our country.
* You can start DOING something about what's wrong instead of just complaining about it!

Those are just a few reasons why you should attend. This is our year to make a difference. Make the small sacrifice that can make a big difference.

My District (eastern Wake County - Zebulon, Wendell, Knightdale, and east of Garner) will be meeting as follows:

East Wake High School Cafeteria
5101 Rolesville Rd.
Wendell, NC 27591

Google Map
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35.813786,+-78.424799&sll=35.813428,-78.424889&sspn=0.003171,0.003482&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17

For other Wake County locations, check at http://www.WakeGOP.org

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) Delivers Weekly GOP Address

Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) delivered the weekly Republican address and will attend the White House Summit on health care next Thursday. In his address this week, Rep. Camp echoed the American people's request to reduce the cost of health care noting that, "the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the Republican health care bill would actually lower insurance premiums across the board by up to 10 percent - about $2,000 per year. The Democrat bills do just the opposite - they increase the cost of health care."

Hello, I'm Congressman Dave Camp from Michigan, and I serve as the lead Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee.

This is a time of economic uncertainty. Tens of millions of Americans are either looking for work or have just given up entirely. They're looking to Washington for solutions. But instead it seems Washington keeps adding to their problems. That's why Americans are demanding that President Obama and the Democrats in control of Congress scrap their misguided plan of a government takeover of health care. They don't want a 2,000-page bill that threatens jobs and drives up health premiums; they already have enough challenges to deal with in their daily lives. They want Washington to start over with a step-by-step approach to health care reform that begins with reducing costs and ensures they can keep their current plan if they like it.

For those families and small businesses looking for a sign that Washington is ready to wake up and find common sense on this issue, next week's White House health care summit may not be it.
In fact, right now, Democrats are continuing to work behind closed doors, putting the finishing touches on yet another massive health care bill Americans can't afford and don't want.
If it's like Democrats' other health care bills, this one will drive up premiums, destroy jobs, raise taxes, slash Medicare benefits, and add to our already-skyrocketing debt.


But this won't be just another bill written in secret and signed off on by special interests. Democrats have admitted they are working on an undemocratic plan to jam this bill through Congress and subvert the will of the American people. Democrats themselves are describing this latest maneuver as a “trick.”

If the starting point for this summit is more of the same backroom deals and partisan bills, then this meeting will likely be a charade.

From the beginning, Republicans have listened to the American people and offered reforms that lower health care premiums for families and small businesses.

The bill I and House Republicans proposed last fall implements common sense solutions focused on lowering costs. Our bill ensures nobody will be denied coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition. It gives states the tools to implement their own innovative reforms. And we put an end to the junk lawsuits that are forcing doctors to practice defensive medicine and drive up the cost of health insurance for all Americans. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the Republican health care bill would actually lower insurance premiums across the board by up to 10 percent - about $2,000 per year. The Democrat bills do just the opposite - they increase the cost of health care.Just as important, Republicans get the job done without cutting Medicare, without raising taxes, and without piling more debt on our kids and grandkids. All the details of our plan are available at healthcare.gop.gov.

Republicans remain ready to discuss these ideas with President Obama and move forward in a bipartisan way to lower health care costs. But Americans' health care is way too important to risk on a rushed backroom deal that puts federal bureaucrats in charge of your personal health care decisions. Instead of hurting small businesses by forcing them to pay new taxes and meet new regulations, our focus should be on lowering their health care costs so that they can expand and hire more workers.

So in order to have a productive bipartisan conversation on health care, Democrats must first listen to the American people and scrap their massive government takeover of health care. We must go into the summit with a clean slate focused on making health care affordable. That is what Americans are asking for, and that is what Republicans will continue to work for.
Thanks for listening.

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