This campaign has always been about curing a growing disconnect between our leaders and the people they’re supposed to represent.  We started just two months ago in response to a critically ill political system that can’t wait any longer.

The Republican base has come to feel that their own leaders aren’t very different from the self-serving, grabby establishment in Washington.  There’s a strong feeling out there that the Tallahassee game has been fixed, so lobbyists and Political Action Committees (PACs) always win.

When you have a 70 billion dollar pie to be divided up amongst the most influential political insiders, the concept of right and wrong in Tallahassee has become irrelevant.  Every dollar they can find is spent, then they get the federal government to borrow more for them.  Secret deals, ethics violations, and hidden spending are a growing infection.

But the Republican Party still has a healthy core, and we have a majority of Republicans, no longer silent, who are very aware that some of our leaders have forgotten who we are.  In a way, it’s harder to accept in your own party.

We’re supposed to be the good guys.  Our values say you don’t indulge yourself and your friends in Tallahassee, and then come back here at election time to tell us you’re a conservative who is looking out for us.

The Republicans who work hard, pay their taxes, and take care of their families want their party to be as good as they are.

Maybe we can’t solve all the problems by sending one man to the capital.  But we can elect representatives who actually live by what we believe in.

Today, I’m doing my part by making a sharp break with the way political insiders do things.  I have decided to decline contributions from PACs of any kind.

This is a critical step to neutralize the influence of PAC money, which is at the heart of almost everything that bothers us about politics.

You see, this campaign isn’t about what I can get.  I haven’t been feeding at the trough.  This campaign is about what I can do for the people like you, who fill that trough.  Our campaign treasurer has returned the PAC checks that we have received, and we won’t accept any more going forward.

As you can imagine, our plan has never depended on having as much money as Mr. Thrasher will.  It depends on having enough to be heard.  That’s all we need.

Our campaign financial reports will be turned in this week and will show over $340,000 in funding, with more coming in every day.  The television and radio time for our campaign is bought and paid for.  I am not.

Politics these days seem to be all about the money, and that’s where you’ll find the best evidence of the differences between Mr. Thrasher and myself.

I didn’t start tapping PACs and state vendors as soon as last year’s election was over.  Did you know that ninety percent of Mr. Thrasher’s contributions came from outside our senate district?   And almost all of them are from PACs and corporations.  Ninety percent.  And, is it telling that his campaign treasurer is in Tallahassee?

My opponent has nearly unlimited access to PAC money for his own campaign, and for the murky 527 organizations that he uses to attack me.  I won’t be diverting any money into 527s so that I can hide while my political guard attacks.  In fact, we won’t have any ads at all devoted only to attacking our opponent, as last week’s, and yesterday’s, supposedly anonymous mailer did to me.

Our advertising will go out with our campaign disclaimer and will present the contrasts between Mr. Thrasher and me.  The facts about his discipline for ethics violations, and his centralized control, big government legislation, such as Senate Bill 6, will serve to illustrate the differences between us.

Mr. Thrasher and his associates have tried hard to scare people about my party registration change.  We need to talk about that, because this primary is now a referendum on which candidate is the better Republican.

I’m a Republican because I’m a fiscal conservative.  I believe in limited government, and I’m profoundly concerned about our enormous national debt.

Until recently my registration said Democrat, but I’ve really been a Republican for a very long time.  If you search the state contribution records, you’ll find 15 years of my contributions to Republicans and committees that support tort reform.  No Democrats.  That scare tactic is 5 percent technicality and 95 percent hot air.

It is Mr. Thrasher who gives to Democrats, including Alex Sink in this current election cycle.  He lobbied against the Taxpayer Protection Amendment.  He signed a contract promising to tell us everything Jim Greer did was legitimate.

So I welcome a close examination of our Republican credentials.

The contrast between us is a reflection of what’s going on in the party.  And, faced with the dissatisfaction of their members, some party leaders do exactly the wrong thing.  They instinctively circle the wagons to hide wrongdoing and defend those in charge, when they should be leading the party to live up to its own values.

It’s funny, at some of the Republican meetings I go to, a lot of the people who get to stand at the front of the room and talk will defend the status quo at any cost.  Most of us sitting in the rest of the room know the party can’t be healthy unless we live by our principles.

There are good people anywhere you look in the Republican Party, and I have a lot of faith that those who believe we’re supposed to stand for something good will attract many of those who now only focus on protecting what they have.

I’m very grateful for the support I have received, and I feel a strong responsibility to be what we need now: someone who isn’t running to become part of the problem.  It’s so important to stick to our values and reject any appearance of influence.  And that is why I have decided to decline PAC money for our campaign.

Thank you for being here.  May God bless all of you.

http://www.charlesperniciaro.com/

The meeting’s primary focus was on explaining the Republican Executive Committee and the RLC’s role within it. The presentation consisted of four parts:

1. Purpose & Goals of the RLC
2. Party Structure of the GOP
3. Party Operation & Process
4. Your Part in Reaching Our Goals

We were pleased to welcome Robin Lumb, County Manager for the Duval County Republican Executive Committee, to speak on the structure of the party, as an official representative of the local REC.

We were also excited to have in attendance Duval County REC Chairman Lenny Curry and officers from the St. Johns County REC as well.

The Action Item of the Month for July was to ask the members to attend their local REC meetings, get involved, build relationships and help achieve the goals of the RLC within the the REC and to promote the principles and ideals of the Republican Liberty Caucus.

“Best meeting to date. Informative and entertaining. Great food and cold beverages. Thanks RLCNEF, its sponsors and the Sheraton hotel.” – Lesa Melaugh

“Excellent meeting, very informative, active and fun.” – Rebecca Sharp

“Thank you everyone at the RLC meeting tonight. It was a great meeting!” – Luis Melendez

“I now have an understanding as to what the RLC is about and how it interacts with the Republican party. I also did not know about the REC’s and what they were all about…. So that was pretty cool too.  All in all, I have a lot to learn about our political process.” – Jennifer Vogel

“Good job on the presentation last night – very informative. This was the kind of meeting that broke everything down for me – making it easier to understand, especially when so many other political discussions go over my head. I’m glad you guys touched on the role of the REC, who holds the decision making power at State and County levels, how ballot candidates are selected, etc.  And now I know more about what the RLC hopes to accomplish…” – K. Gunn

“It was another fabulous meeting.  I now have a better understanding of the complex structure of the Republican Party of Florida and how the individuals REC function and the goals and strategies of RLC as works within it.” – Gary Morrison

“I found the RLCNEF meeting to be very educational. Before the meeting I did not know what the purpose of the RLC was or how it was related to the Republican party . I also did not know how I could get involved in local politics, and after the meeting I have a very clear understanding of how I can best do that. I also have a strong desire to see the RLC become active in my own area so that I can participate. ” – Christi Soderberg

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida (RLCNEF) has voted to endorse the following candidates as true liberty-minded candidates:

Gary Oliveras, Duval County School Board District 6
Luis Melendez, Florida House of Representatives District 16
Charles Perniciaro, Florida Senate District 8
Mike Yost, United States Congress District 3

All of these candidates have been vetted by the RLCNEF leadership and have values in line with the basic principles of liberty and the United States Constitution.  We hope that you will support them in their efforts to win their elections this year, which would be a huge step in a positive direction for this nation, state, and county.

One of the core principles of the Republican Liberty Caucus is to limit the size and scope of government. However, expenditures by local, state and federal government continue to increase on an annual basis.
If elected to serve as the US Representative from Florida’s 3^rd Congressional District how would you work to achieve a smaller federal government? Specifically – which taxes, laws, programs, departments and/or agencies will you introduce legislation to abolish?

Dean Black: Would abolish the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and Internal Revenue Service. Would vote for the FairTax and a balanced budget veto amendment.
Chris Nwasike: Repeal the recent “Health Care” bill and reduce taxes.
Mike Yost: Abolish the Department of Education and Internal Revenue Service. Perform major reforms to entitlement programs. Return control to local governments.

Monetary Policy – Sandee Copeland (1.5 minutes)

Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution gives the United States Congress the authority to coin money, however since the creation of the private Federal Reserve System in 1913, this responsibility was transferred to a small group of bankers with very little oversight of Congress. The system has produced a 95% devaluation of the US dollar, facilitated massive public and private deficits as well as artificial booms and busts within the natural business cycle.
Do you support abolishing the Federal Reserve System?
HR 1207 which would allow for an audit of the Federal Reserve System currently has 319 Co-Sponsors in the United States House of Representatives If elected to the US House of Representatives would you support this legislation?

Chris Nwasike: Supports an independent Federal Reserve system, because government control of money would be bad. Supports a public audit of the Federal Reserve every year.
Mike Yost: At the minimum, would support and vote for HR1207. America needs to return to an asset-based currency (i.e. the gold standard).
Dean Black: An independent Federal Reserve separate from the government is necessary.

Foreign Policy – Robert Holland (1.5 minutes)

Many conservatives believe in a more traditional non-interventionist foreign policy where troops are deployed only to defend our nation upon a formal declaration of war by Congress. Other conservatives believe that the events of 9/11 require a broader use of the US military including pre-emptive attacks, undeclared wars, nation-building and police keeping missions.
If elected to the US House which type of foreign policy would you advocate?
And how do you characterize our national interest with respect to ongoing troop commitments around the world and specifically Iraq and Afghanistan?

Mike Yost: If we’re under direct attack, we need to be able to respond fast, without too much bureaucracy in the way.
Dean Black: Supports Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We don’t need a declaration to go to war.
Chris Nwasike: We should let our friends and enemies know who they are. Supports the troops in current wars, and the wars.

The National Debt – Luis Melendez (1.5 minutes)

In recent decades, the United States has gone from the largest creditor nation to the largest debtor. Current deficits are approximately 40% of revenues and sovereign default is openly discussed within mainstream financial circles today.
How concerned are you over the issue of our national debt and what measures can we take to deal with this issue?
Dean Black: Is concerned enough to run for office. We need money to pay for the deficits (pass the FairTax), and need to eliminate some taxes while cutting the size and scope of government.
Chris Nwasike: Is alarmed at the debt. We should cut spending and work to balance our budgets.
Mike Yost: Bring entitlement programs under control. Also, eliminate baseline budgeting.

State Sovereignty – Cliff Johnson III (1.5 minutes)

Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution grants 18 enumerated powers to the Federal government. Many states including the state of Florida have introduced 10^th Amendment Resolutions to remind the federal government of these limitations.
Do you believe the federal government has exceeded these enumerated powers, and if so, how has this affected our state and what are the specific intrusions by the federal government that if elected US Representative from Florida’s 3^rd Congressional District you would actively work to reverse or eliminate?

Chris Nwasike: Repeal the recent “Health Care” bill.
Mike Yost: Drop the Department of Education. Allow states to spend their own money locally. Remove federal mandates on Medicaid, which are hurting the states.
Dean Black: Eliminate certain programs and federal mandates, restore fiscal discipline, and support a balanced budget veto amendment.

National Sovereignty – Chad Dawkins (1.5 minutes)

The United States has surrendered much sovereignty to global organizations such as the United Nations, The International Monetary Fund, N.A.T.O and the G20.
Are there any international organizations that you believe are a threat to the sovereignty of the United States of America? If so, which organization(s) concerns you the most and why?
Mike Yost: We shouldn’t fund the United Nations. The most dangerous organization is our administration and the unenforced immigration laws.
Dean Black: Not afraid for America’s sovereignty; those organizations are no good without the United States.
Chris Nwasike: We need to make sure everyone understands the U.S. only answers to American citizens.

Civil Liberties – Clive Rickets (1.5 minutes)

A growing number of conservatives have become concerned about federal actions that have threatened civil liberties following the events of 9/11. The USA Patriot Act, The John Warner Defense Authorization Act, The Military Commission Act and the expansion of the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act (FISA) of 2007 were all implemented under a Republican Administration.
Do you believe our government has achieved the right balance between security and liberty?
US Representative from Florida’s 3^rd Congressional District what, if any actions, would you take with respect to the issue of civil liberties?

Dean Black: Would oppose Real ID act. Would hope we’ve achieved the right balance of security and liberty. We’ve given up some liberties, but congressional oversight should protect us from abuses.
Chris Nwasike: There isn’t a balance right now. The role of government is to protect liberty.
Mike Yost: States need to get back control. Too much liberty has been given up for security.

The Liberty Lightning Round – Sandy Aleheim

1. Would you have supported the $750 Billion TARP bailout supported by President Bush in 2008?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: No

2. Would you support abolishing the federal Department of Education?
DB: Yes
CN: No
MY: Yes

3. Do you oppose the federal ban on assault weapons?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

4. Would you support legislation to implement the Fair Tax?
DB: Yes
CN: No
MY: Yes

5. Do you support NAFTA?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: No

6. Do you support overturning Roe vs. Wade and returning the abortion issue to the states?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

7. Do you support using public funds to support private enterprise?
DB: No
CN: Yes
MY: No

8. Would you work to repeal the REAL ID act?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

9. Do you support the immigration law recently passed in Arizona?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

10. Do you support the Death Penalty?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

11. Would you still support offshore oil drilling in the wake of the BP incident in the Gulf?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

12. Do you support the repeal of federal drug laws?
DB: No
CN: No
MY: No

13. Do you support a federal minimum wage law?
DB: No
CN: No
MY: No

14. Do you support the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act in its current form?
DB: Yes
CN: No
MY: No

15. Do you believe the United States’ war in Iraq is a constitutional war?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: No

16. Do you still support the decision to deploy American troops to Iraq?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: No

17. Would you support the ability of Americans to opt-out of Social Security?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

18. Would you support a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution?
DB: Yes
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

19. Would you support a Line Item Veto for the President of the United States?
DB: No
CN: Yes
MY: No

20. Do you believe a State has the right to secede from the Union?
DB: No
CN: Yes
MY: Yes

The meeting’s primary focus was a forum between the three candidates vying for the Republican Party nomination to run for United States Congress District 3, currently held by Democrat Representative Corrine Brown. Dean Black, Chris Nwasike, and Mike Yost were able to introduce themselves to the crowd, and then each answered seven main questions on liberty, followed by a lightning round (yes/no only answers) of twenty more questions on liberty. The answers marked a clear distinction between the three candidates and left the audience with a lot to consider.

The Action Item of the Month for June was to ask the members to attend assorted meetings of other Republican clubs and executive committees in the region to build relationships for and promote the principles and ideals of the Republican Liberty Caucus.

Here are some of the comments made by people who attended:

“Thanks John for the RLC Candidates forum for the 3rd Congressional Candidates. It was an honor to participate and to allow the people to determine who the real Constitutional Conservatives in the race really are. I hope you can do more of these forums in the near future and allow the people to determine the best candidates. I had a lot of people change their minds tonight and tell me that in person. Keep up the fight for LIBERTY.” – Michael Yost, CD3 Candidate

“First time attending and WOW! It was really great, I thought I would be bored, boy was I wrong. Very insightful, informative, educational, FUN! Getting more involved with this group as they have the same principles about getting this Country on the right path to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness! Hats off to the organizers and their commitment to the Founding Fathers and the Constitution! My prayer has been answered! Thank You God! Love and Light Rebecca” – Rebecca Sharp

“I thought it was a good meeting and was glad to be able to hear from several candidates all at once. …. All in all good meeting, thanks for putting it on. ” – John Ross

“Best candidate format I have seen.” – Mike Austell

“I thought the forum for the candidates was done very well and was very informative.” – Peggy Labs


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida Asks Republican Party of Florida to Correct Former RPOF Chair’s Injustices

The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC), formed in 1991, is a grassroots level organization comprised of Republicans throughout the nation who are dedicated to pursuing the ideals of individual liberty and limited constitutional government through the Republican Party.  They work to elect Republicans who hold these principles, and seek to hold legislators and officials within the party accountable for their actions, believing that a principled Republican Party will be a stronger Republican Party.

Will Pitts, chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida (RLCFL), and John Stevens, chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida (RLCNEF), have both worked actively within the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) to promote these ideas within the Republican Party.They campaigned for Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential bid, and started their working within the party by being active in the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee (SJCREC), and continue today to play an active role within northeast Florida and around the state.

In 2006, Florida governor Charlie Crist hand-picked Jim Greer to take over the RPOF as chairman and he easily won the election.  Ray Valdes, state committeeman for Seminole County, was asked by Crist to step down so Greer could take his position to even be eligible to run for the position.  Shortly after the election, Florida’s legislature, at the urging of Crist, passed a bill that would change Florida’s election laws significantly.  This bill included the ability of the chairman to remove or suspend any member of the RPOF, with the chairman having sole discretion to determine if a violation worthy of such punishment had occurred.   Many within the RLC spoke against this power and the ability to abuse it, especially as they witnessed Jim Greer’s maneuverings within the RPOF.  Questions arose about Greer, voiced by RLC members, who were ignored by other RPOF members.

During the 2008 election season, Greer began to threaten RLC members who continued to question his actions in the chairman position.  John Stevens ran for state committeeman within the SJCREC, but in the week prior to the election agreed to step down from his candidacy in return for an agreement with the SJCREC to stop their own harassment of RLC members who were calling for closer scrutiny within the RPOF.  Similarly, Mark Cross ran for RPOF chairman at the end of the year and stepped out at the last minute to endorse Greer, who personally stated RLC members would be welcomed throughout the state.  The RLC was pressured to accept this goodwill measure by Greer, and did so in order to keep the peace, but continued to caution other Republicans in Florida.

In 2009, the agreements made by Greer and the SJCREC were proven to mean nothing, as the SJCREC moved to file grievances against Pitts and Stevens for their roles in calling for accountability within the party and specifically for questioning Greer’s actions as chairman.  A statewide purge followed, in which grievances were filed also against Elizabeth Campbell, who was a State Committeewoman for Escambia County as well as a member of the RLCFL Board of Directors, and other RLC members who had sought to shine a light on Greer’s dealings as RPOF chairman.  Greer, having the sole discretion to choose how to handle the grievances, removed every RLC member who’d had a grievance filed against them, as well as other members of the RPOF.

Shortly after this purge, others finally began to heed the warnings of the RLC and began examining Greer’s dealings closer.  In early November, realizing that Greer had been performing actions harmful to the RPOF and drawing negative media publicity, members of the RPOF State Committee requested a meeting with Greer.  As a result, a grievance was filed against Allen Cox, vice chairman of the RPOF, and Tony DiMatteo was asked to recuse himself from the grievance committee.  Finally, upon having too much evidence of Greer’s corruption as chairman put before them, members of the RPOF State Committee and several donors called for a meeting in early January 2010 to vote to remove Greer from his position.

Days before the meeting, Greer announced he would resign, and an election would follow in February to appoint a new chairman.  Allen Cox announced his resignation at the same time, to the surprise of many.  Before the announcement had gotten around the state, the name John Thrasher appeared as a likely successor, despite Thrasher not having a position on the state committee.  The SJCREC resolved this by having state committeeman Jon Woodard resign his position so Thrasher could be eligible to run.  At the meeting in which Thrasher was elected, the SJCREC conveniently cleaned their ranks of “ineligible” members, which happened to include RLC member Cliff Johnson, who has since been able to prove his removal – which denied him a vote in Thrasher’s election – was done under false pretenses.  Thrasher easily won the chairman position.

Thrasher’s ease of victory came as no surprise when it was later found out that Thrasher, Mike Haridopolos, Dean Cannon, Delmar Johnson, Jason Gonzalez and Richard Swarttz made an arrangement with Greer that he would be paid as a consultant and have his name cleared of any wrongdoing in return for his resignation, upon which Thrasher would become chairman and sign the agreement with the authority of the RPOF.  The agreement was only discovered when Greer announced it after the RPOF declined to protect him from the audits the media and general public were demanding.

Thrasher spoke in his acceptance speech for the chairman position of the goal of coming together as a party, including the ranks of members such as the RLC.  He also spoke to Pitts and Stevens in Tallahassee in March and assured them he would look into the matter of reinstating them as well as other members of the RPOF who had been purged during Greer’s time as chairman.

With the recent arrest of Greer under charges of fraud, theft and money laundering performed during his chairmanship, the Republican Liberty Caucus implores the Republican Party of Florida leadership to immediately rescind the penalties handed down by former chairman Greer.  The RLC’s intention in calling out this corruption was to protect the RPOF from the consequences of allowing such behavior, but RLC members were reprimanded for trying to aid the party in this manner.  In light of the many misdeeds during the Greer era that have now proven the warnings of the RLC and its members correct, the RLC feels it is the right thing to do to reinstate Will Pitts, John Stevens, and all others removed by Greer.  The RLC urges chairman Thrasher to exercise haste in resolving this injustice, so that its leaders and members may continue to help the RPOF clean the corruption from its ranks and repair its image in preparation to win Republican seats in the 2010 election cycle.

About The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida:

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida is a coalition of traditional conservatives and liberty minded Republicans working within the Republican Party to promote individual liberty, smaller government, state and national sovereignty and the Constitution. The caucus advocates the return of our nation to the values and intentions of the Constitution and our founders.

(i) www.rlcfl.org

(ii) www.rlcnef.org

CONTACT:

Kristi Dunn
Email:
Phone: (904) 718-8972

DOWNLOAD PDF: Download this press release in .pdf format.

Date
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Social: 6:00 – 7:00
Meeting: 7:00 – 8:30

Location
Four Points Sheraton
8520 Baymeadows Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32256

The RLC welcomes all members and any guests to our monthly meetings.

From 6:00pm-7:00pm food and refreshments are served from donations from our membership.

The Meeting portion is from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.

Meeting Topic: “District 3 Congressional Candidates on Issues of Liberty”

Guest Speaker: Dean Black, Chris Nwasike, Mike Yost

Synopsis:
The RLC is closely examining Republicans running for office in 2010 in order to determine who the true liberty candidates are. The RLC is pleased to welcome to our June Meeting the GOP candidates running for Corrine Brown’s seat in US House District 3. Please join us for a forum style discussion with Dean Black, Chris Nwasike, and Mike Yost on issues of liberty related to this congressional race.

You can RSVP for this event through Facebook and Meetup.

You can also download the meeting flyer to distribute.

“Hi! Have you had enough of government bailouts, housing bubbles, rising unemployment, taxes and a political class and media who refuse to address YOUR concerns?

Do you feel like the Republican Party has lost its way and that third parties and tea parties are not making enough of a difference.

Well – you are not alone. Discover The RLC! – The Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida. A group of patriots with a plan to Take Back our City, our State and our Republic.  If you are ready to answer the call go to www.RLCNEF.org – that is RLC NEF dot org.

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida – It’s all About Liberty – Take it Back!”

RLCNEF and Four Points by Sheraton

RLCNEF and Paul Woods Realty

RLCNEF and Tee The People

On Monday, by a vote of 10-3, Florida’s House Health Care Regulation Committee approved HJR 37 (“Health Care Services”).  This resolution proposes an addition to the State Constitution that would secure the freedom of Floridians with regards to health care, overriding federal legislation that might deny such freedoms.

Monday’s vote was a major first step for the resolution, which would then require a supermajority vote (60%) of both the Florida House and Senate to put an amendment on the November 2010 ballot.  Then it would require 60% of the voters supporting it in order to take effect.  While the road to become an official amendment to the State Constitution isn’t easy, it does help prevent any claims that the amendment doesn’t represent the will of the people.

On Tuesday, another front in the war against the unconstitutional health care bill was opened when Florida attorney general Bill McCollum was launching a lawsuit against the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments and their secretaries, contesting that the federal government overstepped its constitutional boundaries in enacting a law that would override the rights of the States and individuals.  The lawsuit will start in a Florida court and is likely to end in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Both acts have largely occurred along party lines, though some Democrats have broken ranks across the nation to join Republicans not just in Florida but in other states – such as Louisiana attorney general James Caldwell – in the fight to overturn HR 3590.

HJR 37 – Health Care Services

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=42156

HR 3590 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3590/show

Just like last year, we can expect to see these meetings packed with special interests and other parasites with their hands out. They will be clamoring for another tax increase despite the creation of Mayor Peyton’s three new taxes and last year’s property tax increase.

In the middle of an economic depression the City Council will be inclined to create new taxes and raise existing taxes to quench the thirst of the special interests for your money…

…unless…

YOU SHOW UP AND TELL THEM OTHERWISE!

Do not let this be a repeat of last year. Make it abundantly clear that a vote to raise taxes will never be forgotten and mean an end to their political career.

On Thursday, March 18 at 6:00PM the City Council is holding a Budget Town Hall at FSCJ Deerwood Campus (9911 Old Baymeadows Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32256). Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County has been leading the fight for fiscal responsibility in Jacksonville. CTDC President Victor Wilhelm provides some background information and talking points for Jacksonville’s recent budget and tax issues:

The time line for the creation of Taxonville: A chronicle of the journey into the wallets of working families by Mayor John Peyton and complicit Republican City Council persons.

~City spending has increased year after year even when adjusted for population growth and inflation. The City of Jacksonville spending has outpaced the economy year after year. This increased in spending is hardly noticed when the economy is good; however, when the economy slows down and declines, the City continues to increase spending when everyone else is forced to reduce spending.

~In 2007 when faced with spending cuts or raising taxes, mayor John Peyton breaks his campaign promise not to raise taxes “on his watch” by creating three new taxes costing residents in Jacksonville over $60 million a year in new taxes they never had to pay previously

~In 2008 John Peyton try to increase the property tax to fund a $250 million entitle program “Jacksonville Journey”. Public backlash against the property tax increase cause the City Council to make it clear that there would be no tax increase. In spite of this, John Peyton creates the Jacksonville Journey social welfare program anyway.

~In 2009 John Peyton tries to raise taxes yet again. The City Council finance committee and the entire City Council voted to hold the property tax flat after recognizing that the raising taxes in middle of a recession is not what residents of Jacksonville can afford. Despite this rebuke from the City Council and the residents of Jacksonville, Peyton vetoes the City Council and submits a budget that is $60 million more than the previous year.

~Now Republican mayor John Peyton wants to raise his three new taxes and increase the property tax again!

~Every year the City increases spending on social and corporate welfare in spite of the ability of working families to pay for it.

~In the midst of high unemployment and home foreclosures, special interests are demanding even more money for their pet projects. It is easier for them to convince John Peyton and City Council to raise your taxes than it is for them to ask you.

~Mayor John Peyton has had Republican City Councilmen who are Habitual Offenders when it comes to voting for tax increases and budgets requiring higher taxes. Residents of Duval County will not forget how these members helped John Peyton to break his promise by voting for tax increase or budgets requiring the burden of taxation to increase.

~Will this year be different? Will City Council and John Peyton continue to value special interests above working families who are struggling to find a job and pay their mortgage? Will people continue to be afraid to speak out against the power brokers in the Republican party who demand silence when taxes are increased on residents? Will the propaganda for tax increases be prominently displayed at some Republican clubs yet again to appease the power brokers?

~Andrew Jackson is crying for his City. Please take a stand by appearing at the Budget Town Hall meetings and telling your City Council that you will not stand for yet another tax increase.