States

9/11 - Adam Kinzinger - Congress - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Kinzinger, House Freshmen Who Have Served & Veterans, Pay Tribute to 9/11

September 11, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (11th District)…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) and twenty-one of his freshmen colleagues, who are veterans or have served in the military, released a video in honor and remembrance of the lives that were lost and the brave Americans who displayed heroic efforts on September 11th.

Kinzinger, a captain in the Air National Guard, issued the following statement as we approach the anniversary of September 11th:

“On September 11th and the days immediately following this tragedy, there were no Democrats or Republicans – we were Americans.

“Throughout my tours overseas, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with our men and women who are committed to fighting for the security of our nation and peace in the Middle East. Today, Americans stand proudly united as we pay tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform who continue to work tirelessly to eliminate acts of pure hatred and protect our country. Their sacrifice is the reason for our liberty.

“As we take time to reflect on the events that took place ten years ago, let us always remember that we live in the greatest country in the world, and we will never settle for anything less.”

NOTE: The following is a list of the twenty-two freshmen who appear in the video: Reps. Adam Kinzinger, Allen West, Andy Harris, Bill Johnson, Chip Cravaack, Chris Gibson, Jeff Denham, Jeff Landry, Joe Heck, Larry Bucshon, Michael Grimm, Mike Pompeo, Richard Nugent, Rick Crawford, Sandy Adams, Scott Rigell, Steve Pearce, Steve Stivers, Steve Womack, Steven Palazzo, Tim Griffin, and Todd Young.

http://kinzinger.house.gov/

9/11 - Illinois - Randy Hultgren - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren Statement On the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks

September 11, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement on the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who felt the tragic loss of a family member, friend or loved one in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,” said Hultgren. “Let us also remember the many heroes from that day, first responders, members of the military, and ordinary citizens who answered the call of duty without hesitation. I encourage all Americans to take a moment to reflect on that fateful day – remember where you were and the feelings that you experienced when you learned of the attacks and pledge to never take our safety, security, or freedom for granted.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Budget - Business - California - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - Liberals - RightPundits.com - Taxes - Unemployment - Warner Todd Huston

California Loses Another Business Over Tax Hikes

September 10, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Savings.com has just given California the big kiss off. They are closing their doors, moving to another state, and taking their 100+ jobs with them. Savings.com isn’t the only California-based company that has pulled up roots and moved to another state, either.

So, what is going on? It’s all about California’s confiscatory taxes, the newest of which is the Affiliate-Nexus Tax bill — a tax that hits all Internet companies that have brink and mortar facilities of any kind, office or warehouse, in the state…

Read the rest at RightPundits.com.

California - Children - Education - Larry Sand - Los Angeles - Public Employees Unions - Teachers Unions - Unions

Former Union Boss to Become Charter School Operator

September 10, 2011 by

-By Larry Sand

Once a rabid anti-reformer, termed out United Teachers of Los Angeles President A.J. Duffy has become a union apostate…maybe.

On September 1st, Los Angeles Times writer Howard Blume wrote what at first glance appeared to be satire. He reported that A.J. Duffy is starting his own charter school. For those of you who live a peaceful life outside the realm of the education wars, Duffy is the crusty and cantankerous, raspy and rabid former president of the United Teachers of Los Angeles – a man who never met a charter school or any education reform that he liked. And when he didn’t like something, he made sure you knew about it.

But it’s a new day and Duffy indeed will be soon become the executive director of Apple Academy Charter Public Schools, a new organization that hopes to open one or more schools by the fall of 2012.

To show how bizarre all this is, let’s take a step back a couple of years. In 2009, when the Los Angeles Unified School District wanted to expand the number of charter schools in the district, Duffy, then UTLA President said,

“All the data says charter schools do not do better than public schools. This is bureaucracy putting in a top-down plan which hasn’t worked before.”

Now he says he has a vision, and while his schools will be unionized, it will not be at the expense of sacrificing his new ideas about how a school should operate.
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Former Union Boss to Become Charter School Operator”

9/11 - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend

September 10, 2011 by

From the Office of Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard…

State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) called upon his local volunteers and precinct committeemen to suspend political petition passing and other political activities this weekend in observance of the September 11th terrorists attacks 10th year anniversary. This is the first week candidates can pass petitions to be on the March 2012 election ballot under the newly drawn legislative maps following the census. Dillard will be attending multiple official ceremonies and church services over the weekend.

“This weekend is the time to transcend politics and partisan activities,” said Dillard in a letter to his local volunteers and committeemen. “Let us count our blessings and remember what is truly important.”
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State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - President - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

September 10, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so. Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.

While I also believe that tax reform is long overdue, I was disappointed to hear him resurrect his calls on increasing taxes. It is absolutely the wrong time to be raising taxes on Americans that Main Street often calls small business owners, entrepreneurs, or job creators.
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Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

September 9, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so,” said Hultgren. “Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

“I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.
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Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress”

Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review

September 8, 2011 by

From the office of Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak…

Wheeling – Commissioner and taxpayer advocate Dan Patlak today announced his intention to run for re-election to the Cook County Board of Review. Patlak, the only Republican on the three member Board was first elected in 2010. He is the first Board commissioner in history to devote full time to the position. In his first campaign for the mostly suburban (1st District) seat Patlak ran on his qualifications having previously worked at the Board as an analyst for eight years, serving as a local township assessor, being a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer and holding a real estate license since 1986. Commissioner Patlak’s re-election campaign will stress his record of accomplishment since his December 2010 swearing in.

“The Cook County Board of Review is more than just a body that adjudicates assessment appeals,” said Patlak. “It is also an office that has a responsibility to empower taxpayers by educating them about how the property tax system works. That’s why the seminars I’ve conducted throughout my district focus not just on the appeal process but also explain the role of exemptions and some of the intricacies about why tax bills are what they are. Taxpayers have a right to expect that their elected officials will focus their energies on serving the public. That’s why I work every day side-by-side with the employees of the Board to make it a more efficient and taxpayer friendly body,” concluded Patlak.
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Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review”

Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District

September 8, 2011 by

From the Sandack for State Rep…

Downers Grove, IL – State Senator Ron Sandack announced today that he will run for State Representative in the 81st House District. Sandack was appointed to the State Senate in November of 2010 to replace State Senator Cronin, now DuPage County Board Chairman, in the 21st District.

“It is time to restore Illinois to its rightful place as the best State in the Midwest and the economic engine of America. I am introducing my prescription to restore our State to its inherent greatness. I call it “Five to Revive Illinois.” These initiatives are based on principles I championed as Mayor of Downers Grove,” said Sandack.

“We must return to a job-friendly environment where businesses can flourish and families can thrive; leaner government focused on the basics; ethics reforms to clean up Illinois’ tainted culture; fiscally prudent management to finally stop Illinois’ continued descent to the basement in every economic category and open government to provide access to the public and accountability for officials,” said Sandack.
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Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District”

Conservatives - Democracy - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Mitt Romney - Pat Brady - President - Republicans - Rick Perry - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes

September 6, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In one of the most well attended yet contentious State Central Committee meetings for some time, the movers and shakers of the Illinois GOP met on Tuesday evening to attempt to decide if the system for certifying delegates for GOP presidential candidates should be changed. The short answer is that there was a lot of sound and fury from party members lower on the food chain, much debate from those on top, and questions all around all of which resulted in a failure of the proposal to make the change. In the end a resolution was passed to keep it all the same as it was in 2008.

Beginning at 5 PM the meeting at the Boilingbrook Country Club was well attended by both SCC members, concerned party members, a few county party chairs, committeemen, and Tea Party activists. House leader Tom Cross made an appearance as did long-time conservative activist Jack Roeser. Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was also there, like many of the others, to speak about the proposed rules change.

I should note that one reason this rules change was contemplated is that the national Republican Party is trying to get every state to change their system into one of proportional representation of delegates to the convention. The RNC gave Illinois the leeway to change its process and several activists took this opportunity to propose a major change to the system, a change that meets the law as well as state and national party rules.

Certainly the change being contemplated was extensive. Currently, the presidential candidates are awarded delegates via the ballot box, a method only three other states favor. Campaigns come to Illinois, build their Illinois machine, and solicit for delegates. These delegates then have to stand for election on the primary ballot. To do so they must each get 600 signatures of voters in their district so that they, the delegates, can get on the election ballot. Then, those elected are considered official delegates to the GOP nomination convention.
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Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes”

Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - Illini Alliance - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Brady - Regulation - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen

September 6, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In a follow up to my post last week on the proposed changes on how Illinois selects the delegates for GOP presidential candidates, more needs to be said about this as on the evening of Tuesday, September 6, the Illinois GOP State Central Committee will meet to discuss whether or not the changes will be accepted.

My points made last week about the State Central Committee endeavoring to take away even more ability of Illinois GOP voters to influence the milieu of Republican politics in Illinois was written before I had seen the final wording of the resolution in question. From the old language I had seen up to that time, it seemed pretty clear that the GOP State Central Committee was trying to take even more power unto itself. This was intolerable, especially after so much GOP failure over the last decade in the Land of Lincoln.

However, I have now seen what is up to now the full proposal, the one that will be discussed at the Tuesday SCC meeting. The most recent proposal mitigates my fears somewhat… but not entirely.
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Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen”

Anti-Americanism - Colorado - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Freedom - Government - History - Islamofascism - Liberals - PCism - Saudi Arabia - Society/Culture - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

Colorado School Places Saudi Arabian Flag Above U.S. Flag

September 6, 2011 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

An elementary school in Fort Collins, Colorado came under fire last week for having placed in the school a smaller sized Saudi Arabian flag in a higher, more prominent position that the flag of the United States. Many locals called this a disrespectful display and even wondered if it was part of some effort at anti-American indoctrination.

Colorado blog Greeley Report first noted the flag controversy by posting a photograph of the lobby display calling the positioning of the two flags “an outrage” and saying how the disrespect to the U.S. flag “shows how the indoctrination process continues without your consent or knowledge.”

Bauder Elementary School Principal, Brian Carpenter, told the Greeley Gazette that this was simply a careless mistake. Not only was nothing meant by the placement of the flags, but the matter was quickly corrected to have the U.S. flag hang higher than the others in the lobby.
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Colorado School Places Saudi Arabian Flag Above U.S. Flag”

Anti-Americanism - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois State Government - Indiana - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Arie Friedman Announces Candidacy for Ill. State Senate

September 6, 2011 by

From the Arie Friedman for 29th District Ill. State Senate campaign…

Over 100 supporters march with candidate in Buffalo Grove parade

Touching off what will likely be a referendum on last winter’s state income tax hike; Highland Park pediatrician Arie Friedman announced his candidacy for the State Senate as over 100 supporters gathered about him just before stepping off as Team Friedman in the Buffalo Grove Labor Day weekend parade.

Friedman, 45, is the only announced Republican candidate. West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison of Deerfield, a former Republican, is the sole Democrat to have announced thus far for the 2012 race in the newly drawn 29th District, which takes in the southeast corner of Lake County and parts of Wheeling, Palatine and Northfield Townships in Cook County. Incumbent State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) recently announced her retirement.

In speaking to his volunteers, Friedman called for repeal of the state income tax hike and declared repeal would be a centerpiece issue in his campaign. He noted the income tax increase would be a defining issue between him and Morrison, should she become his opponent after the March 20 primaries.
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Arie Friedman Announces Candidacy for Ill. State Senate”

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏

September 4, 2011 by 1 Comment

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Many of you are familiar with FOIA requests: they allow engaged citizens to request public documents. State requirements ensure governments provide these documents in a timely manner.

But on Friday, Gov. Quinn signed a bill that weakened these rules. Now, governments will be allowed to characterize citizens as “recurrent requesters.” If a citizen requests more than 15 documents in a month or 50 in a year, government entities no longer need to respond promptly.

This law punishes citizens who pay close attention. Instead of creating new obstacles for the very people who are most engaged in holding our government accountable, we should be celebrating their efforts.
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Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏”

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Local Ill. Library Board Wants ‘People Feeling Pain’ to Vote Tax Hikes for New Building

September 3, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Even left-wing Morton Grove, Illinois is feeling the pinch of Tea Party principles as new town library board members begin revealing the perfidy of past board members that violated the state’s open meetings laws where they were found to be scheming to fool the taxpayers into hiking taxes for unnecessary new library building projects and other wasteful spending.

You might remember back in 2008 that Morton Grove was one of the first towns in American history to ban the Second Amendment within its jurisdiction, an action that went counter to the Supreme Court’s Heller decision. But despite the law city fathers tried to violate the Constitutional rights of their citizens until the threat of lawsuits forced the city to reverse course.

Morton Grove’s left leaning city officials, though, kept at their agenda in other ways after the change to their handgun ban in 2008. During 2010 library board meetings, for instance, it appears Morton Grove library board members violated Illinois open meetings laws by holding closed door meetings called executive sessions that they did not properly record and/or did not conduct approved business.
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Local Ill. Library Board Wants ‘People Feeling Pain’ to Vote Tax Hikes for New Building”

Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Activist, Writer, Ralf Seiffe, RIP‏

September 3, 2011 by

I met Mr. Seiffe many times, though I never interacted much with him. Still, he was a staple around Republican politics for years here in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Seiffe passed away this week from a heart attack.

John Tillman worte a great little memorial of Seiffe, so instead of me fumbling my way through an accounting of his great work, I’ll Joh Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute speak to the matter…

The liberty movement lost a great friend when Ralf Seiffe died unexpectedly yesterday morning. Ralf was truly of one life’s unique characters that come along all too rarely. Ralf was a joyful lover of life, people, history, culture and, of course, liberty. Ralf was a fountain of creativity. He always had a breadth and depth of knowledge on his many brainstorms, but what was so amazing to me was that he always knew more pertinent and interesting information about my crazy ideas than I did. Not only that, he could add value to the idea of the guy on the bar stool sitting next to us on a Friday afternoon at Hackneys.

One day, Ralf’s business partner, Richard Lorenc, a friend of mine and former colleague, came to me and said, “I was thinking of starting a business that would bring people of modest means together who love liberty and help them aggregate their giving power to create an impact on the liberty movement.”
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Illinois Activist, Writer, Ralf Seiffe, RIP‏”

Budget - California - Children - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Government - Larry Sand - Liberals - NEA - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions

Teachers Unions Happy to Say Goodbye to August

September 3, 2011 by

-By Larry Sand

The Dog Days of summer are making teachers unions sweat as they get caught being, well, teachers unions

August has been a bad month for teachers unions. And looking at things objectively, it would appear that every one of their hot flashes has been well deserved. In no particular order:

The SOS March was a dud. It was supposed to be a teacher-led event, but the unions were really behind it. The small turnout had its share of angry, mostly leftist teachers whining and shouting about this and that. No one paid much attention. The speakers were just what you’d expect. Jonathan Kozol, forty years later, is still railing about poverty causing ignorance. (No, actually ignorance causes poverty.) Then the marchers were treated to former reformer and current union mouthpiece Diane Ravitch who chirped about how wonderful they all were. And then the big gun, Matt Damon, who if nothing else showed what a great actor he is. The guy who played a convincing genius in Good Will Hunting demonstrates that without a good script he’s about as sharp as a marble.

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Teachers Unions Happy to Say Goodbye to August”

Dan Proft - Illinois - Warner Todd Huston

WWII Hero Sparky Songer Tells His Remarkable Story: At OH-IL’s 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala

September 3, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

WWII veteran Sparky Songer — captured in 1944 at the Battle of the Bulge — shared his remarkable story of heroism last Saturday, September 24th, at Operation Homefront Illinois 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala.

Sparky shared his life story with more than 100 supporters of the brave men and women of our armed forces who attended the gala event. The proceeds from the 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala go to support Operation Homefront Illinois’ service mission to provide emergency assistance to the families of active duty deployed members of the military, as well as wounded warriors in the process of transitioning back to civilian life.
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WWII Hero Sparky Songer Tells His Remarkable Story: At OH-IL’s 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala”

Budget - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - President - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Taxes - Unemployment - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren Statement on August Jobs Report

September 3, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill. 14th District)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding the August unemployment report released by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“August’s dismal jobs report is disappointing, but unsurprising, so long as this Administration continues to pursue its anti-jobs agenda of burdensome regulations, taxes, and out-of-control spending,” said Hultgren. “Despite his claims to be cutting red tape, the reality is that President Obama and his appointed bureaucrats are proposing even more regulations that threaten to do enormous damage to our fragile economy.”

“Before he comes to Congress next week, I urge President Obama to study the commonsense pro-growth agenda Republicans will be adopting this fall. More taxes and spending won’t get our economy moving and put Americans back to work; that requires fostering a pro-growth economic climate; lessening intrusions by unaccountable bureaucrats; and providing certainty about what Washington will do in the future.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Newt Gingrich - President - Republicans - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Newt Gingrich’s Illinois Fundraiser

September 2, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

As I sit down to craft this report I just this moment returned from a fundraiser for former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich held in a small town called Lake Barrington in the western suburbs of Chicago.

It was a nice, congenial scene unfortunately held on one of Chicago’s hottest evenings with temperatures reaching the upper 90s. Despite the steamy weather, though, at least 150 guests paid $25 a head to come sit, socialize, eat dinner, and ultimately meet Newt and Callista Gingrich and hear him speak. An undisclosed number of higher donors met with the Gingrich’s inside the home of the hosts prior to Newt’s address to those gathered.

After a BBQ dinner, the Gingrich’s emerged from the home of Keith and Stephanie Hanson and began to mix with the crowd signing books, shaking hands, and posing for photos with the excited donors.
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Newt Gingrich’s Illinois Fundraiser”

Americans For Prosperity - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - President - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

AFP: Help Advance Conservative Change

September 2, 2011 by

‏From Americans for Prosperity – Illinois…

Are you frustrated with the direction our country is going in? Are you ready for real conservative change that will get our economy moving again?

Join Americans for Prosperity, United to Restore Freedom, and the Joliet Tea Party for a special “Candidate and Campaign Management” workshop on Saturday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. conducted by the prestigious Leadership Institute.

The campaign and candidate workshop is designed to help develop potential candidates and community activists to run for office. The campaign and candidate workshop focuses on personal and political preparation to help advance a candidate or cause of your choice.
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AFP: Help Advance Conservative Change”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - EPA - Free Trade - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Peter Roskam - Policy - President - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Peter Roskam Starts Ball Rolling On Regulation Scale Back

September 1, 2011 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I spent most of the day on Aug 30 sort of embeded with Congressman Peter Roskam, Republican of the Illinois 6th District and Chief Deputy Whip in Washington, as he toured his district talking to local businesses. The whirlwind tour of businesses in Roskam’s district — topped with a presser in downtown Chicago — was the precursor of Roskam’s next focus. Roskam wants to begin an assessment of the regulatory edifice in Washington D.C. with any eye toward making Washington more business friendly in this moribund, recessionary economy.

My chauffeur was Roskam communication director, the genial Dan Conston. He told me he was born and bred in Philly, but I assured him that I would not hold that against him. No matter that he is an Eagles fan, he knew his way around the area. Still I promised not to tattle on his driving… but I guess even saying that much is saying something!

Our first stop was Federal Signal Corporation located in Oak Brook. The folks at Federal Signal told Congressman Roskam that they were worried that new EPA rules on the engines they use in their street sweeper machines were threatening to shut down production lines and put workers out of work. And not just for them but the engines of similar styles in every industry that uses them are facing the same jobs-killing requirements.

The problem was all the “uncertainty” which is casting a pall over what Fed Sig’s Dennis Martin, President and CEO, was happy to say is a recent uptick in orders for their machines. Orders have been down for years, said Martin, but now older street sweepers are not only wearing out but are themselves long out of compliance with new EPA rules and new orders are now rolling in.
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Rep. Peter Roskam Starts Ball Rolling On Regulation Scale Back”

Business - Daniel Clark - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Liberals - Pennsylvania - Taxes

State Of Inebriation: PA Tries to Hold its Liquor

September 1, 2011 by

-By Daniel Clark

Eccentric Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky once tried to win his country’s presidency by promising cheap vodka, “at every corner, around the clock.” Despite the populist appeal of that platform, he was not elected. Perhaps he should have been running for office in Pennsylvania, instead.

Here in the Keystone State, the sale of liquor has been the function of “state stores,” controlled by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, ever since the end of prohibition. It’s an arrangement Zhirinovsky might have designed himself, resembling as it does the punch line to a Yakov Smirnoff joke: “In Russia, government drive you to get drunk; in Pennsylvania, you drive to government to get drunk.” Over the past several decades, governors from both parties have repeatedly tried to get the state out of the booze business, but have been consistently thwarted.

The latest effort is being led in the state legislature by Allegheny County Republican Mike Turzai. The PLCB and the United Food and Commercial Workers oppose his plan, contending that privatizing the liquor business would result in alcoholic beverages becoming more expensive and less accessible to consumers.
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State Of Inebriation: PA Tries to Hold its Liquor”

2nd Amendment - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Constitution - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Freedom - Government - Guns - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Law - Liberals - Liberty - Property Rights - Randy Hultgren - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren, Illinois Representatives, Call On Illinois Legislature To Enact Concealed-Carry Legislation

August 31, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill. 14th)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding a letter he recently sent to Illinois leaders, including Governor Quinn, Attorney General Madigan, and legislative leaders from both parties, calling on them to join every other state in the nation and enact concealed-carry legislation.

“I was dismayed to learn that Illinois is now the only state in the nation that does not recognize its citizens’ Second Amendment right to concealed carry,” said Rep. Hultgren. “The Supreme Court has twice affirmed self-defense as a fundamental right in recent years, and it past time that Illinoisans enjoy that right as every other American does. I hope Governor Quinn and the legislature will pass concealed carry legislation in a timely manner so that Illinoisans can enjoy the legal right to protect themselves.”

In the letter, Hultgren detailed recent Supreme Court decisions from The District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. Chicago (2010). In the case from 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to possess a firearm. In the second case, from 2010, they ruled that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self defense in one’s home is fully applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
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Hultgren, Illinois Representatives, Call On Illinois Legislature To Enact Concealed-Carry Legislation”

Congress - Elections - Ethics - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Regulation - Republicans - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP Powerbrokers Taking Even More Power from GOP Voters

August 30, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Recently, an anonymous piece at BigJournalism.com was posted attacking Ill. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford for objecting to proposed changes in the state’s process of choosing delegates to the GOP nomination convention. This article is misguided and misses some important facts.

Rutherford released an open letter urging the GOP State Central Committee, the party’s governing body, not to change the way Illinois arrives at delegates to the national party convention. BigGovernment.com claims that Rutherford is only taking this action because he is a Romney man. I’ll not speculate on Rutherford’s motives re the candidates as it really is irrelevant to the point in this particular case. In other words, BigGovernment.com is wrong in its attack not to mention in its support for the rules change.

Before I get into who said what and who is doing what, we need to describe the rules change, of course. Call this the “fine print” part of the story.
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Illinois GOP Powerbrokers Taking Even More Power from GOP Voters”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Children - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - Ethics - Government - Jobs - Liberals - NEA - Public Employees Unions - Scott Walker - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston - Wisconsin

Children Better Behaved Than Union Thugs in Wisconsin

August 30, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The MacIver Institute of Wisconsin has been doing stellar work on the situation between the unions and the rest of Wisconsin since Governor Scott Walker first entered the Governor’s mansion. The Institute has really shown the thuggery that is the unions again and again, revealing them for what they are.

Well, MacIver has done it again… or rather the unions have done it again.

Governor Walker had planned a visit to the Messmer Preparatory School in Milwaukee, a school that exemplifies what good education is. After all, 85% of the students that graduate from Messmer end up graduating from college.
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Children Better Behaved Than Union Thugs in Wisconsin”

Budget - California - Economy/Finances - Education - Larry Sand - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions

A Blueprint for Maintaining the Status Quo

August 30, 2011 by

-By Larry Sand

Tom Torlakson’s panel comes up with edubabble and little else in an attempt to turn around a troubled California public school system.

Just when we thought we were safe from yet another “master plan for educational improvement,” A Blueprint for State Schools is bestowed on us. This 31 page monstrosity was unleashed by State Superintendent for Public Instruction Tom Torlakson’s Transition Advisory Team. While the Teacher Quality Roadmap I wrote about in June had specific ideas about fixing Los Angeles schools, the “blueprint” is supposed to identify and address areas that are “vexing to the state’s K-12 system.”

The LA roadmap includes interviews with teachers and principals and can be summarized:

“Among other things, the report, which included interviews with over 1,500 teachers and principals, recommended changes to the current union contract and to state laws regulating staffing, evaluations, tenure, compensation and work schedules. Some of the prescriptions include using criteria other than seniority if layoffs are necessary and utilizing standardized test scores as part of a teacher’s evaluation and when making staffing decisions. Additionally, it was suggested that teachers be denied permanent status until they have been in the classroom for four years instead of the current two.”

In my June post, I commented that while the roadmap was full of good common sense prescriptions from teachers and principals, they were really nothing new and, in any event, would be blocked by the teachers unions because they are happy with the status quo, ugly warts and all.
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A Blueprint for Maintaining the Status Quo”

Anti-Americanism - Congress - GOP - Government, Ill. County - House of Representatives - Illinois - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Randy Hultgren News: The Hultgren Huddle

August 29, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (ILL, 14th District)…

It’s been a great month so far back in the 14th District. I’d like to thank everyone for coming out to my town hall meetings this month. We may not agree on all of the issues, but it means so much to me that you are willing to be engaged in the process and have your opinions heard on the issues most important to you.

Please remember that I am holding another town hall meeting on Monday, August 29, in the Yorkville City Council Chambers at 6:00pm. Hope to see you there.

I’ve always said that some of my most important work is done back home in Illinois, and that’s absolutely been the case this August. While I’ve been home, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of constituents through one-on-one meetings, speeches to different groups and organizations, and local business tours.
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Rep. Randy Hultgren News: The Hultgren Huddle”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Congress - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Liberals - Mexico - New Mexico - President - Republicans - RightPundits.com - Warner Todd Huston

New Mexico Officials Arrested, Likely Part of Obama’s Gun Running to Mexican Narco-Terrorists

August 28, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Recently the town Mayor, the Police Chief and a Town Trustee of Columbus, New Mexico pleaded guilty to running guns to the Juarez drug cartel using city vehicles and police cars to do so. But now it looks like some of those guns illegally transferred to Mexico by these lawless city officials were connected to Obama’s gun running operation, Operation Fast and Furious.

In March, federal agents arrested former Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, 51, for supplying guns to drug dealers in Mexico. In July he pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements and three counts of smuggling firearms across the border…

Read the rest at RightPundits.com.

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: John Tillman Wins the Roe Award‏

August 28, 2011 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Last week in Seattle, I had the pleasure of watching John Tillman accept the Roe Award at the State Policy Networks’s annual meeting. The Roe Award pays tribute to those in the state public policy movement whose achievements have greatly advanced the free market philosophy.

The activities and impact recognized by the Roe Award were truly a team effort. That team is made up not only of our top-notch staff but also the donors who underwrite our work and the liberty leaders who champion the changes that will lead to a better Illinois.

That team includes you. Thank you for helping the Institute’s work take flight by reading our research, forwarding innovative ideas to friends and family and demanding that elected leaders embrace policies built upon liberty and respect for the individual.

Together, we can keep changing hearts, minds and laws.
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Ill. Policy Institute: John Tillman Wins the Roe Award‏”