Legislative Update for February 8, 2011 Meeting

Virginia Legislation

HB 1721

Bob Marshall's bill to keep land use planning at the local level, and make now state mandated “Urban Development Areas” optional rather than mandatory (pushing back again Agenda 21), was reported out of the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee by only one vote.

YEAS--Marshall, R.G., Oder, Marshall, D.W., Iaquinto, Crockett-Stark, Poindexter, Merricks, Knight, Morefield, Stolle, LeMunyon, Wilt--12.
NAYS--Ingram, Edmunds, Spruill, Ware, O., Pollard, McQuinn, Howell, A.T., Surovell, Kory, Torian--10.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
NOT VOTING--0.

There is a scheduled House vote today (Feb. 8) on this bill, but as of this update, no further information has been available.


HB 1421 - Immigration Law Enforcement

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (15-Y 6-N)

YEAS--Albo, Kilgore, Athey, Janis, Bell, Robert B., Cline, Iaquinto, Gilbert, Peace, Miller, J.H., Loupassi, Villanueva, Habeeb, Johnson, Barlow--15.
NAYS--Armstrong, Watts, Toscano, Herring, McClellan, Hope--6.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
NOT VOTING--Cleaveland--1.


HB 1727 - Virginia Fair Employment Act

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (16-Y 4-N)

YEAS--Albo, Kilgore, Athey, Janis, Bell, Robert B., Cline, Iaquinto, Gilbert, Peace, Miller, J.H., Loupassi, Villanueva, Habeeb, Johnson, Armstrong, Barlow--16.
NAYS--Watts, Herring, McClellan, Hope--4.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
NOT VOTING--Cleaveland, Toscano--2.


HB 1775 - School Transparency

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (16-Y 4-N)

YEAS--Albo, Kilgore, Athey, Janis, Bell, Robert B., Cline, Iaquinto, Gilbert, Peace, Miller, J.H., Loupassi, Villanueva, Habeeb, Johnson, Barlow, Watts--16.
NAYS--Armstrong, Herring, McClellan, Hope--4.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
NOT VOTING--Cleaveland, Toscano--2


HB 1397 - End Mandatory Federal “Green” Home Inspections

Delegate Bob Marshall:

"HB 1397 passed the House of Delegates thanks to your help! This bill sets up another challenge to the federal government’s overreach which could require inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct mandatory “green” energy audits and mandatory remodeling before selling your home. It is now in the Senate Agriculture Committee."

HJ 496 - End the Practice of Adding Taxes & Fees and Removing Tax Deductions in Budget

Delegate Bob Marshall:

I pre-filed this Constitutional Amendment on July 19, 2010 to end the practice of hiding fees and taxes in the budget. I spoke all around Virginia and my son designed a four-page glossy brochure to educate citizens. We printed, mailed and distributed nearly 10,000 brochures about the need for this Constitutional Amendment. Despite the tradition that when two virtually identical bills are introduced, the lower number bill passes, my bill was instead incorporated into Delegate Janis’ Bill, HJ 615 which was filed one day before session started. My bill was before the subcommittee the first week of session, but was passed over until Del. Janis was able to have his measure before the subcommittee.

While this was an abuse of process (Delegate Janis is the Subcommittee Chair) imitation is a form of flattery. I thank you all for helping move the substance of my bill forward, even if the bill number does not bear by name, as it will promote the common good for Virginia.

Gun Bills discussed by VCDL:

Senator Reynold's pneumatic gun bill, SB 757, passed the Senate and heads to the House, where it starts working its way through the committee structure all over again.

The following anti-gun bills were KILLED, er, actually, CRUSHED, tonight in the House Militia, Police and Public Safety subcommittee #1:

HB 1699 - Delegate McClellan's "gun show loophole" bill died by a vote of 4 to 1 (Delegate Keam voted for the bill).

HB 2343 - Delegate Morrissey's bill to criminalize the consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a restaurant by someone who is openly carrying a handgun died **unanimously.** A Richmond police officer in UNIFORM came to speak for all the gun control bills, including this one. That was awfully rich from someone who is allowed by the law to carry a concealed handgun and drink. What a hypocrite.

HB 2524 - Delegate Carr's bill to ban the sale, barter or transfer of magazines that hold 20 or more rounds died **unanimously.**

And Some Bad News

HB 1732 - Delegate Carrico's full recognition of out-of-state permits was withdrawn without comment

HB 2069 - Delegate Athey's Constitutional Carry bill (no CHP required) was withdrawn. Athey stated that he had drawn up the bill himself and didn't use Legislative Services. The bill is fatally flawed, he said, and could not be fixed unless it is reintroduced with a different description and all the technical mistakes fixed. That, he vowed to do next year.

Feb. 3 Update from the Tuesday Morning Coalition Group:

1) Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment:
HJ 647 Constitutional amendment; taking or damaging of private property for public use (first reference).
Robert B. Bell all patrons

Status:
01/12/11 House: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/13/11 House: Assigned P & E sub: #1 Constitutional
01/17/11 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (3-Y 2-N)
01/28/11 House: Passed by for the day in Privileges and Elections by voice vote

On late Thursday evening of last week, HJ 693 patroned by Del. Johnny Joannou contained the language to which we had agreed for reforming the eminent domain law of Virginia by constitutional amendment. By Friday morning the language had changed, substantially. No longer would property owners receive just compensation for their losses, as business losses would no longer be a compensable damage.

After this language was struck from the resolution, the remaining language was made identical to a resolution put forth by Del. Rob Bell, HJ 647, and the decision was made that the new resolution would go forward with Del. Bell as the patron. Last Friday (1/28), the resolution was not brought up for a vote, but was carried over until this Friday (2/4).

The excuse given by legislators for not wanting to provide compensation for business loses to property owners who are having their land taken by eminent domain, is that this would cost too much. They acknowledge that there are real costs that must be borne by one of the parties. However, instead of society bearing these costs because it is benefitting from the taking of the property, the government wants this cost to be absorbed by the property owner who is already having to relinquish his property due to no fault of his own.

If society is not willing to provide just, and full, compensation for the taking of private property, then we must ask ourselves if there was a real justification for taking the property in the first place.

Please call the people on the committee below and tell them you want the language that was deleted from Del. Joannou’s resolution to be put in Del. Bell’s resolution before it is voted on this Friday.

In the final analysis this is another example of the state government putting its interests ahead of the interests of the people, or the state government putting the welfare of special interest condemners ahead of the people.

This November all 140 members of the General Assembly are up for reelection.
John Taylor

House Privileges and Elections Committee Members:
Del. Mark Cole (R) (804) 698-1088 DelMCole@house.virginia.gov (chairman)
Del. Lacey Putney (I) (804) 698-1019 DelLPutney@house.virginia.gov
Del. Riley Ingram (R) (804) 698-1062 DelRIngram@house.virginia.gov
Del. Chris Jones (R) (804) 698-1076 DelCJones@house.virginia.gov
Del. David Albo (R) (804) 698-1042 DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov
Del. John Cosgrove (R) (804) 698-1078 DelJCosgrove@house.virginia.gov
Del. John O'Bannon (R) (804) 698-1073 DelJOBannon@house.virginia.gov
Del. Robert Bell (R) (804) 698-1058 DelRBell@house.virginia.gov
Del. Jackson Miller (R) (804) 698-1050 DelJMiller@house.virginia.gov
Del. Steven Landes (R) (804) 698-1025 DelSLandes@house.virginia.gov
Del. Bill Janis (R) (804) 698-1056 DelBJanis@house.virginia.gov
Del. Timothy Hugo (R) (804) 698-1040 DelTHugo@house.virginia.gov
Del. Todd Gilbert (R) (804) 698-1015 DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov
Del. John Cox (R) (804) 698-1055 DelJCox@house.virginia.gov
Del. Clarence Phillips (D) (804) 698-1002 DelBPhillips@house.virginia.gov
Del. James Scott (D) (804) 698-1053 DelJScott@house.virginia.gov
Del. Kenneth Alexander (D) (804) 698-1089 DelKAlexander@house.virginia.gov
Del. Johnny Joannou (D) (804) 698-1079 (no email)
Del. Mark Sickles (D) (804) 698-1043 DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov
Del. Algie Howell (D) (804) 698-1090 DelAHowell@house.virginia.gov
Del. Rosalyn Dance (D) (804) 698-1063 DelRDance@house.virginia.gov
Del. Lionel Spruill (D) DelLSpruill@house.virginia.gov

2) Intrastate Commerce:
HB1438 Goods produced or manufactured within State; not subject to federal law, federal regulation, etc.Mark L. Cole all patrons


Status: 01/27/11 Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. HB1438 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. It is not expected to be taken up by the committee until after Crossover (2/9).

3) Budget Transparency:
SB 867 Budget bill; Conference Committee Report shall not be considered until on website for 72 hours.
Ralph K. Smith all patrons

Status: 01/26/11 Senate: Assigned Rules sub: #1.

SB867 passed the Senate Rules Sub-Committee #1 by a vote of 2-1 (Quayle and Puckett voted yea, Edwards voted nay). It will now be heard in the full Senate Rules Committee. This committee meets at the call of the Chairman which could be as early as tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. Please call the members of this committee TODAY to let them know we’re watching this bill, and ask them to vote YES on SB867.

HB 1440 Prolife Bill

Would

• Express the consensus of the General Assembly that life begins at conception and that unborn children are endowed with fundamental rights.
• Allow a parent to assert a civil cause of action for the wrongful death of a pre-born child. This was the effect of the equivalent Missouri law. While most states already recognize this cause of action, Virginia does not.
• Create a foundation upon which future abortion regulations or prohibitions might be based. With this in place, the General Assembly might choose to enact future regulations that go beyond those currently allowed under Supreme Court precedent. This is because the law would recognize a separate source of fundamental rights for pre-born children to be affirmed and recognized as valid under the Virginia and the U.S. Constitution.

Bill Commentary the Roanoke Tea Party:

SJ 27 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT; TAKING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE (FIRST REFERENCE).
Based on the sad history of eminent domain in Roanoke, not voting for this is unconscionable.

HJ 558 U.S. CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS; SUBCOMMITTEE TO STUDY COMPLIANCE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ETC.
We strongly contend that nullification is the right and proper path for the Commonwealth to take to combat Federal overreach. We are confident this committee will show that.

HJ 557 ALTERNATIVE CURRENCY; SUBCOMMITTEE TO STUDY WHETHER SHOULD ADOPT IF BREAKDOWN OF FEDERAL RESERVE.
Preparing for the inevitable collapse of the Federal Reserve System is prudent. We welcome this study, as it will cast light on the disaster that is our Federal Reserve System.

Federal Legislation

H.R. 67 - Renewal of expiring provisions the Patriot Act

Congress is expected to vote on today (Feb. 8) on this bill, but as of the time of this update the vote has not yet occurred.

Feb. 9 Update: The renewal bill is H.R. 514. The bill failed a Feb. 8 House vote. See this article for more info.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) up for re-authorization

VAWA was authored by Joe Biden. It costs $1 billion per year, and violates the 14th Amendment Equal Protection clause, providing domestic-violence protections and benefits exclusively to women, and effective made men guilty until proven innocent concerning domestic disputes.


ObamaCare 1099 Reporting Requirements

Good news on the IRS 1099 form reporting requirements for commercial transactions of $600 or more (which, among many types of transactions, would have affected transactions for precious metals). Those requirements are expected to be repealed in this Congressional session. Harry Reid, of all people, has been on the record advocating the repeal of the 1099 provisions.

See

• http://www.accountingtoday.com/news/Baucus-Reid-Pledge-Repeal-1099-Requirements-57029-1.html
• http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/03/2629519/health-laws-bookkeeping-provision.html

Legislative Update for January 11, 2011 Meeting

Congressional Lame Duck Session: The attricious Food Safety Bill, (formerly known as S510). Details here.

Virginia Legislative Session
(Commencing Jan. 12)

HB 1515 - Allows police to use red light activation terminals as a basis for detaining or arresting drivers who run read lights. Red light activation terminals allow police to remotely check whether a light is red, so that they do not have to follow red light offenders through an intersection to catch up with them.

HB 1357 Virginia's Atmospheric Sovereignty Act, introduced by Adam Light, who describes it thusly:

"HB-1357 in essence nullifies any federal law or regulation that attempts to limit the amount of CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere. It is my contention that the effects of CO2 on Earth’s overall climate is greatly overstated by some in the scientific and political communities; it is also my contention that even if anthropogenic global warming could be proven, It is far more effective to allow each community and state decide how to best deal with it considering the varying social and economic situations of each, as opposed to a blanket of one size fits all regulation. Given that regardless of what any individual state, or even the United States does, the rest of the world will decide for itself; I think this to be the proper course. "

HB 1521 - Allows corporatization of water authorities, sewer authorities, sewage disposal authorities, stormwater control authorities, and refuse collection and disposal authorities.

HB 1522 - Grants eminent domain powers (confiscation of private property powers) to the entities corporatized by HB 1521. Also, in Prince William County, allows for occupation and excavation of lands adjoining confiscated land.

HB 1510 - Sponsored by Delegate Jim Scott. This bill is very similar to another bill, HB 1528, that was registered, but later recanted, by Delegate "Dickie" Bell, after public uproar. Both bills required pawnbrokers and precious metals dealers to report daily to police on the details of transactions involving precious metals and gems as well as physical description of the transactors with said businesses.

Commentary from The Conservative Virginian:

But, as Paul Harvey used to say, "Now for the rest of the story." The existing code Dickie's withdrawn bill intended to amend is 54.1-1401. It originated from HB 1133 [Delegate Ralph L. Axselle (1974-1990), D, District 72], 1981 Virginia General Assembly Session. It has been amended at least twice since, once in 2001 (HB 1591) [Delegate Vincent F. Callahan, R, District 34] and 2007 (SB 654) [Senator Kenneth W. Stolle, R, District 8]. I think there was a third time, but I have not yet found that one. But the problem is the language of the existing code. Amongst the insidious requirements for a dealer in precious metals and gems at the time someone sells to the dealer is to record "the full name, residence address, work place, home and work telephone numbers, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, hair and eye colors, and other identifying marks of the seller". TALK ABOUT INVASION OF PRIVACY! This sounds like a totalitarian government. The nature of this is something we associate with Nazi Germany.

And here is the final ugly aspect. If you think what Dickie had submitted was bad then consider what Delegate Jim Scott has filed, HB 1510. His bill would require the dealer to take a picture of the seller, along with a picture of the object being sold. Jim Scott is a Democrat from the 53rd District (Part of the County of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church). His phone number in Richmond is (804) 698-1053. His District Office phone number is 703-560-8338. His email is DelJScott@house.virginia.gov. So make a choice People - either sit on your thumbs or start dialing this joker, and call your Delegate to say NO. Then
we need to get to the business of replacing code 54.1-1401. I have offered Delegate Bell the following loose language as an alternative approach to meeting the police request for tracking potential sales of material from thefts.

Instead of requiring licensed dealers in precious metals, pawn shops, etc. to automatically report transactions lets reverse the direction:

It is the responsibility of the victim of the theft to report the theft to the police. The police are then responsible to send out a bulletin of the theft to every precious metal and pawn shop dealer - state-wide. (These dealers would be on an alert network, email or what, when licensed. The police's would alert deals by way of that network.) The dealer would then report any transaction that would seem to be related to theft. The recording of the individual (name, address, and phone) by way of acceptable ID coming into the dealer's business would be at the discretion of the dealer and not at the command of Government.

In this manner a responsible dealer would be helping police - a good thing. But the inroad of the Government to corrupt or stretch the responsibility, or use it for an unintended or over-reaching manner in the future, by way of a regulation requiring carte blanche reporting of customer activity would be avoided.

HB 1574

"Mandatory self-identification. Provides that any person, when he is lawfully detained by a law-enforcement officer under circumstances that reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime, and is requested by the officer to identify himself, shall do so. Any such person who refuses to identify himself is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."

Note the verbiage: "reasonably indicate that the person ... is about to commit a crime". This starts down a very dangerous slippery slope. This bill now opens the door the police behave like Gestapo and require anyone to "show their papers" based solely upon suspicion, or a fabrication of suspicion. Anyone charged with not showing identification is put in the position of having to prove he was not intending to do any thing illegal, which is often impossible to do, and which amounts sanction presumption of guilt without proof of said guilt.


SJ 300 - Introduced by Stephen H. Martin. ('J' stands for Joint as in a joint House/Senate bill)

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); electoral boards and general registrars. Permits the General Assembly to provide by law that two or more counties and cities may share one electoral board and general registrar if a majority of the voters in each participating county and city so approve and the localities already share clerks of court. This proposed amendment is patterned after the provision in the present Constitution for the sharing of constitutional officers by consenting localities.

Commentary from Dave Mason, of The Constitution Party of Augusta County:

"Thank you Danny Goad [of the 2nd Tuesday Constitution Group] for this one. SJ 600 is the hard core porn of Agenda 21 (A-21) and somebody must stick a wooden stake in it. This is further Regional Government, the favorite modus operandi of the A-21 forces of tyranny and it further dilutes and disenfranchises We the People."

The following bills and commentary are excerpted from email notices also sent out by Dave Mason:

SJ 300 Constitutional amendment; two or more counties and cities may share one electoral board, etc.
Introduced by: Stephen H. Martin | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ=bil&val=SJ300&Submit2=G
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+SJ300


Summary as Introduced:

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); electoral boards and general registrars. Permits the General Assembly to provide by law that two or more counties and cities may share one electoral board and general registrar if a majority of the voters in each participating county and city so approve and the localities already share clerks of court. This proposed amendment is patterned after the provision in the present Constitution for the sharing of constitutional officers by consenting localities.


Thank you Danny Goad for this one. SJ 600 is the hard core porn of Agenda 21 (A-21) and somebody must stick a wooden stake in it. This is further Regional Government, the favorite modus operandi of the A-21 forces of tyranny and it further dilutes and disenfranchises We the People.

SJ 300 and the 'J' stands for Joint as in a joint House/Senate bill.
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HB 1420 Immigration laws; State Police to enter into agreement with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
Introduced by: David B. Albo | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ=bil&val=HB1420&Submit2=Go

Summary as Introduced:

Enforcement of immigration laws; agreement with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Provides that the Superintendent of State Police shall seek to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow the State Police to perform certain federal immigration law-enforcement functions in the Commonwealth. Such an agreement is often referred to as an agreement under the federal 287(g) program.
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Immigration Bills:


HB 1430 Arresting officer to ascertain citizenship of arrestee; supplements existing law.
Introduced by: David B. Albo | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ=bil&val=HB1430&Submit2=Go

Summary as Introduced:

Arresting officer to ascertain citizenship of arrestee. Supplements the existing law that requires sheriffs to make a query into legal presence when a person is "taken into custody" at a jail. This bill expands such inquiries by requiring inquiries of everyone arrested, independent of whether they were taken into custody at a jail and requires that an arresting officer inquire of every arrestee whether he (i) was born in a country other than the United States and (ii) is a citizen of a country other than the United States and that, if the person responds he was born in another country and is not a citizen of the United States, the officer shall make an immigration alien query to the Law Enforcement Support Center of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and shall communicate the results of any immigration alien query to the Central Criminal Records Exchange of the Department of State Police in a format approved by the Exchange.
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HB 1421 Immigration laws, federal; enforcement by State, political subdivisions, or localities.
Introduced by: David B. Albo | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ=bil&val=hb1421&Submit2=Go

Summary as Introduced:

Enforcement of federal immigration law by the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. Provides that no agency of the Commonwealth, political subdivision of the Commonwealth or locality, or an employee of any of them acting in his official capacity, may limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law. The bill also provides, in a second enactment, that the Governor may withhold the appropriation of state funds under his control to any agency, political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or locality in violation of this act, or to any agency, political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or locality whose employee is in violation of this act, in an amount deemed sufficient to ensure compliance, and shall release the funds to the entity when compliance is achieved.
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HB 1465 Higher educational institutions; admission of illegal aliens.
Introduced by: Christopher K. Peace | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ=bil&val=hb1465&Submit2=Go

Summary as Introduced:

Admission of illegal aliens at institutions of higher education.

(below code insertion highlighted)

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+HB1465 (Change in Sec. 23-9.2:3 - highlighted below)


(ii) an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible for admission to any public institution of higher education in Virginia; (ii) (iii)the accreditation status of a Virginia public high school shall not be considered in making admissions determinations for students who have earned a diploma pursuant to the requirements established by the Board of Education; and (iii) (iv) the governing boards of the four-year institutions shall establish policies providing for the admission of certain graduates of Virginia community colleges as set forth in § 23-9.2:3.02.
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HB 1468 Citizenship or legal presence required for public assistance; verification required.
Introduced by: David B. Albo | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles

Summary as Introduced:

Legal presence required for public assistance; verification required. Provides that local departments of social services shall verify or cause to be verified information regarding the citizenship or legal presence of an applicant for public assistance prior to initiating provision of benefits, and that the Governor may withhold the appropriation of state funds under his control to any agency, political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or locality in violation of this act.


These then are some of the immigration problem bills. In general, we support them


Also--if you have your eyes on anything special--good or bad, pass it along and we will assist making sure that all groups (Tea Parties, Constitution Parties and other Constitution/Liberty friendly groups) see your offering(s).


Thanks much!
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IV. Amendments and VA Fair Employment Act:


Folks,


The below is in from the person you tipped us off to HB 1528...and with that, the wheels were set into motion We owe a debt of deep gratitude here. Add some thunderous applause too!


This person would like some feedback on the below.


Dave
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From an email questioner:


I know you are all busy but if you have a chance I have questions about legislation we are supposed to support. Number 1 I think is critical because the Tea Party is sponsoring it.

1. The Repeal Amendment. (Tea Party)
It sounded like a great idea until I read Del. Bob Marshall's thoughts. As he points out this could undo good laws as well as bad laws like Obamacare. This has the potential to destroy our whole Constitution. I personally can't support this but does the TEA party really want to support this?


(Dave comment: It's been time since we looked at this...but we tend to agree with Bob Marshal. We think that this approach is not well thought out as to consequences. The states already have the power to reject unconstitutional laws, executive orders, regulations and other edicts. Google and see the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. They are the best writing on this matter. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/oct/17/ed-marshall17-ar-566354/)

2. Virginia Fair Employment Act (American Council for immigration reform)
This requires E-verify. A voluntary system involving Homeland Security and Social Security. It does not provide immigration status. So again this seems like more snooping on legal citizens - more tracking.

3. Constitutional Amendment to Eliminate State Income Taxes.
I'm all for doing away with income tax but I'm not big on Constitutional Amendments. The amendment requires phasing our corporate and income tax in 4 years. Is this plausible and worth pursuing?

From Delegate Bob Marshall:

Please help me pass the following bills which have a direct or indirect effect on jobs and family welfare. I have introduced or will introduce these measures in the 2011 General Assembly session which begins January 12:

No Hidden Taxes/Fees HJRes 496, a constitutional amendment, seeks to promote accountability and transparency by ending the practice of hiding fee and tax increases and removals of tax deductions in the Budget bill.
Home Ownership & Title Protection HB 1506 seeks to protect home ownership and maintain the integrity of real property tiles by requiring proper recording in the Courthouse as investment banks buy and sell bundles of mortgages for investment securities and record transfers through a private entity, MERS (Mortgage Electronic Registration System) to avoid (evade?) recordation fees and taxes. In some cases numerous banks had claimed title to the same property. This affects foreclosures and passing property on to heirs.

Block Obama Cap & Trade HB 1397 and HB 1398 will challenge the federal government’s “Cap & Trade” mandates regarding Kyoto-like CO2 emissions and proposed federal “green” home energy audit inspections before you can sell your home.

Freedom of Information HB 1457 and a companion bill require that if a FOI officer purposely withholds documents available under Freedom of Information, that employee is fired. It also mandates documents be classified as they are created, as either subject to or not subject to FOI to prevent huge “research” fees for FOI documents.

Life Insurance Benefits HB 1458 requires that if the family of a deceased beneficiary does not take an immediate payout from a life insurance policy, the assets of the insurance fund must be secured so that the family of the deceased does not lose money.

Financial Stability Study HJRes 557 studies the feasibility of a possible alternative currency in the event of a breakdown of the Federal Reserve leading to excessive inflation. Fed Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told a Congressional Committee recently that: "the federal government is on an unsustainable fiscal path."

Federal Abuses of Bill of Rights HJRes 558 studies and documents the compliance or non-compliance of the federal government with regard to the Constitution and our Bill of Rights.

Legal Person Status for Preborn Children HB 1440 will begin restoring the first civil right in our Declaration of Independence, life, to preborn children in certain areas by enacting “The Missouri language,” which was already upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court and cannot be challenged. This will allow wrongful death tort suits for the death of a child before birth.

Keep Land Use Planning Local My bill will amend current law which now requires localities to designate and rezone urban high growth areas. Localities will be permitted to examine, but will not be required to rezone these areas. This bill addresses concerns over “Agenda 21,” the United Nation’s international land use planning initiatives.

Mint Bullion Coins for Investors I will introduce a bill to authorize Virginia to mint gold and silver bullion coins to raise revenue for Virginia. The U.S. Mint brought in $2.855 Billion in sales of American Eagle Silver, Gold or Buffalo Gold bullion coins. The Commonwealth could authorize bullion coins to be minted which could create jobs in the areas of manufacturing and sales while allowing Virginians a chance to hedge against the devaluation of the dollar.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell & VA National Guard I will introduce a bill to continue the DADT policy in Virginia’s National Guard. The Lame Duck Congress with 13% approval rating recently ended 232 years of military policy and 6000 years of moral teaching, on a Saturday in late December by repealing DADT. See my Op Eds in the Washington Times by clicking here,the Daily Press here and the Fox News interview by clicking here.

Lyme Disease Rejects the very narrow CDC definition of Lyme Disease and requires that any Virginia physician who treats suspected or confirmed Lyme Disease shall report the number of persons so treated to the Commonwealth.
The bills I introduce this session can be found and tracked here: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?111+mbr+H57C
Please ask your own state delegate and state senator to support my bills and please ask your family and friends around the state to do the same. You can find out who represents you here: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform.
Also ask the Governor to support my bills by contacting him here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm.

Federal Legislation

RED ALERT:

In the aftermath of the recent mass shooting in Tucson, AZ, whereby a federal judge, John McCarthy, and a 9 year old girl were among the victim dead, and whereby Representative Gabriell Giffords was critically wounded, Representative Carolyn McCarthy is preparing to introduce a gun control bill that is expected to outlaw high capacity ammunition magazines. Senator Frank Lautenberg intends to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.

Further Details: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47338.html#continue


H.R. 2 - Repeal of ObamaCare

Introduced by Rep. Eric Cantor. Details here.

Legislative Update for December 14, 2010 Meeting

!!! HIGH ALERT !!!
LAME DUCK SESSION of Congress

S.3991 - Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2010

This bill is a newer version of S.3194, introduced by Harry Reid on Dec. 1, 2010. The aim of the bill is the unconstitutional compulsory unionization of state and local public-safety workers. It would eliminate local government control over the labor relations of their own workers.

Fortunately the bill failed a Dec. 8 vote cloture which required 60 votes. The cloture vote failed with 53 yay votes to 43 nay votes, and 2 senators abstaining.


S.3772 - Paycheck Fairness Act

Introduced by Harry Reid This bill narrowly failed a cloture vote on November 17 with 58 Ayes, 41 Nays, and 1 senator abstaining.

The following description from Eagle Forum summarizes why we should be glad cloture failed:

Originally introduced by Hillary Clinton during her time in the Senate, and reintroduced by Sen. Harry Reid, the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3772) (PFA) would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA) in the following ways:

• Allows for unlimited compensatory and punitive damages to be granted, even without proof of intent to discriminate. Currently, an employer must be found to have intentionally engaged in discriminatory practices in order for an employee to receive monetary compensation, and even then, the employee is entitled only to back pay. The provision in the PFA is unacceptable and unnecessary, as damages are already available under Title VII for pay discrimination.
• Changes the “establishment” requirement. The EPA currently requires that employees whose pay is being compared must work in the same physical place of business. The PFA would amend the word “establishment” to mean workplaces in the same county or political district. It would also invite the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to develop “rules or guidance” to define the term more broadly. This leaves the door open for the EEOC to compare a woman’s job in a rural area to a man’s job in an urban area that has a much higher cost of living, which would drive up the cost of employing the woman in the rural lower cost area. Such increase in employment costs would result in fewer people being employed, and would also result in employers shipping jobs overseas.
• Replaces a successful pay discrimination-determining system with a proven failed system. The PFA would invalidate the successful, Supreme Court-endorsed system for determining whether pay discrimination has occurred (known as the Interpretative Standards for Systemic Compensation Discrimination), and would replace it with the highly inaccurate Equal Opportunity Survey, which has found true discriminators to be non-discriminators 93 percent of the time.
• Increases the numbers in class-action suits. Under EPA, if an employee wants to participate in a class-action suit against his employer, he must affirmatively decide to participate in the suit. The PFA would automatically include employees in class-action suits, unless they affirmatively opt out. This change would result in booming business for trial attorneys, and huge costs to employers, who may decide to ship jobs overseas to avoid such costs altogether.

In addition to these changes, the PFA would institute a system of “comparable worth” effectively allowing judges, juries and unelected bureaucrats to set employees’ wages, instead of employers. Thus, an employee’s compensation level would be based on some vague notion of his “worth,” instead of on concrete factors like education, experience, time in the labor force, and hours worked per week. The PFA would also cause employers to avoid hiring women in low-paying positions, since the employers may then become targets for burdensome lawsuits. This trend would result in even higher unemployment for low-skilled women, potentially increasing the number of families dependent on government assistance.

H.R. 5987 - Seniors Protection Act

From OpenCongress.org: "Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $250 payment to recipients of Social Security, SSI (Supplemental Security Income under title XVI of the Social Security Act), railroad retirement benefits, and veterans disability compensation or pension benefits if no cost-of-living adjustment is payable in 2011."

We already know that Social Security is broke since Bill Clinton robbed Social Security to claim he balanced the budget in the '90s. Since then Social Security has been funded by later generations who are still currently working, and who will likely never receive compensation for the money they are coerced to pay into the system today. The politicians are attempting to placate current Social Security recipients by offering this one-time disbursement, paid from money we will have to either borrow or print.

On Dec. 8 there was a motion to suspend the rules and vote on this bill, which would have require a 2/3 majority vote to pass. This vote failed with 254 Ayes, 153 Nays, and 27 abstentions.


H.R.6416 - American Traveler Dignity Act

OpenCongress.org Summary: Removes legal immunity for government employees so that TSA screeners would be subject to the same sexual harassment laws as the general public. In the word's of Ron Paul, "if you can't grope another person, if you can't x-ray people and endanger them with dangerous x-rays, if you can't take nude photographs of people, why do we allow the government to do it?"

This bill was introduced Nov. 17 by Representative Ron Paul in the midst of the latest controversy about the TSA and its molesting of travelers and it's deployment of DNA-unzipping body scanners.

Despite all of the TSA controversy this bill only has two cosponsors at the time of this post. They are Representatives Walter Jones and John Duncan.


Dream Act [H.R.6497 / S.3992]

The pro-amnesty bill for illegal aliens under 35 years of age was passed in the House on Dec. 8. with a 216 to 198 margin, with 208 Democrats and 8 Republicans voting for the bill, and 160 Republicans and 38 Democrats voting against it.

The eight Republicans who went against the tide of common sense were:

Joseph Cao (LA)

Mike Castle (DE)

Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL)

Mario Diaz-Balart (FL)

Charles Djou (HI)

Vernon Ehlers (MI)

Bob Inglis (SC)

Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (FL)

For the complete roll call, visit: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll625.xml.

In the Senate on Dec. 9, Harry Reid attempted a cloture vote on the Dream Act and came up one vote short, and was forced to table the bill.


S.510 - FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

For the context of previous discussion of this bill, refer to this article.

There is a long saga of deception surrounding this bill. At its core it is actually a measure toward bringing the United States in line with the globalist Codex Alimentarius agenda, which seeks to totally and globally, corporatize and control the worlds food supply, and deny small farmers and individuals the right to produce and sell their own food. The even bigger picture is that Codex Alimentarius is one dimension of the eugenics depopulation agenda.

On Nov. 30, S.510 passed the Senate with an amendment by a 73 to 25, yay or nay vote. Nevermind that the Constitution requires all bills that raise revenue to originate in the House. (This constitutional requirement was also ignored when TARP bill was originated in the Senate when the House voted initially voted it down.)

Many in the patriot community thought that the unconstitutionality of the S.510 originating in the Senate would be enough to stop the bill from proceeding. Unfortunately, they were incorrect. The language of S.510 was shamefully attached to H.R.3082 via H.R.1755, a continuing resolution bill for funding military operations and veterans benefits.


The Tax "Deal" between Democrats and Republicans

According to Campaign for Liberty:

You may have heard that Obama and the Republicans reached a deal to extend the current tax rates for two more years.

But what the statists are trying to sweep under the rug is that part of this "deal" is that the Republicans will agree to a continuing resolution to fund the government until September 30, 2011.

That means the Republicans are selling out to fund ObamaCare for at least the next ten months.

It's vital you contact your senators immediately and DEMAND they blow up any shady deals to link extending the current tax rates to funding ObamaCare.

Legislative Update for November 9, 2010 Meeting

!!! HIGH ALERT !!!
LAME DUCK SESSION of Congress
Begins November 15

Look out! A new lame duck session of Congress begins on November 15. This session is the last chance for several terrible bills to be pushed through before many lame duck legislators are sent home for good.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who surprising escaped the lame duck branding amid questions of election fraud, is expected bring Cap and Trade (H.R. 2454) up for a vote. The House of Representatives already passed the bill back on June 26, 2009. It has been on the back burner ever since. Cap and Trade has been such a controversial bill that Senate Democrats did not want to be on record voting for it going into the November election. If the Harry Reid does not pass the bill in the lame duck session, the bill dies, and the Democrats would face little chance of passing it next year. They would have to reintroduce it into the House of Representatives which will no longer be under their control.

Look out for Senator Dick Durbin to push forward the DREAM Act, which is a pro-amnesty bill for children of illegal aliens.

There is a Defense Authorization Bill which has embedded in it a repeal of the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The repeal would allow gays to openly serve in the military.

Expect Joe Lieberman to push his Cybersecurity Bill (S. 3480) , which we covered in July's update. The bill essentially gives the President the power to seize control of, or shut down the internet. Besides the huge economic and social disruptions, a shutdown of the internet would cut off sources of independent news from the people, and it would effectively take away much of the exercise of First Amendment rights we are so accustomed to today via the internet.

There is also a push for the ratification a New Start nuclear armament reductions treaty with Russia. This bill actually could be something positive out of this Congress. Maintaining the current level of U.S. nuclear weapons is costing a lot of money when the U.S. is already broke. Equitable reduction of nuclear armaments on both sides would be one of many needed steps toward fiscal sanity.

The Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 are slated to expire unless renewed by the end of the year. Harry Reid has indicated that Democrats would likely vote against a wholesale extension of the tax cuts. He said Democrats would agree to extending the cuts for middle-class families, Reid said, but allowing them for wealthy Americans “is not going to happen” because it would "cost" $4 trillion. Lately, the definition of wealthy has been anyone married earning $250k, or single, $200k, annually. This is the expected for the Democrats to apply for the renewal cut-off point.

Also look for the fake "food safety" bills S. 510, and S. 3767 to possible come to a vote.

An article posted on The Hill mentions some additional legislative items that could be brought up in the lame duck session.

Virginia Legislation

Although the next session of the Virginia legislature doesn't begin until January 12, 2011, there are some bills being lined up to be introduced for that session. Delegate Bob Marshall pre-filed to introduce a bill that is to be a nullification measure to carbon emissions regulation provisions in the pending federal Cap and Trade bill. Marshall's bill is HB 1397.

Delegate Bill Carrico is expected to reintroduce the Firearms Freedom bill which had failed to pass in the last legislative session. The bill would prevent the federal government from regulating firearms and ammunition that is produced and sold within Virginia's borders.

The Virginia Campaign for Liberty is proposing a bill to repeal the invasive land use policy in HB 3202 that was passed in 2007 to comply with the United Nations Agenda 21 plan for "sustainable development". More details about HB 3202 can be found here.

Potential for New Fed Oversight

In the redux of the November midterm elections, Govtrack.us reports that House Representative Ron Paul appears to be in line to be the next Chairman on the House subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology. This subcommittee has the purview to investigate Federal Reserve on its monetary policy.

Last legislative session Ron Paul's H.R. 1207 bill to audit the Federal Reserve had garnered 320 cosponsors and passed the House, only to be effectively stripped out of the "Financial Reform" bill and replaced by audit measures that were severely limited for only a one-time application.

Representative Paul, with this expected position as the subcommittee chairman would have subpoena powers to finally pursue a long overdue investigation of the Fed's actions that have been hidden behind closed doors.

Legislative Update for October 12, 2010 Meeting

H.R. 4646 - Debt Free America Act

This bill is a terrible act. It is worse than the European style "value added" tax (VAT) that taxes every stage of production of goods.

This act imposes a 1% federal tax on every financial transaction.

From OpenCongress.org:

"States as purposes of this Act the raising of sufficient revenue from a fee on transactions to eliminate the national debt within seven years and the phasing out of the individual income tax. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 1% fee, offset by a corresponding nonrefundable income tax credit, on transactions that use a payment instrument, including any check, cash, credit card, transfer of stock, bonds, or other financial instrument. Defines "transaction" to include retail and wholesale sales, purchases of intermediate goods, and financial and intangible transactions. Establishes in the legislative branch the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action to review the fiscal imbalance of the federal government and make recommendations to improve such imbalance. Provides for expedited consideration by Congress of Task Force recommendations. Repeals after 2017 the individual income tax, refundable and nonrefundable personal tax credits, and the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on individuals.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to:

(1) prioritize the repayment of the national debt to protect the fiscal stability of the United States; and

(2) study and report to Congress on the implementation of this Act."

Even though the bill offers the repeals of the income tax after (just how long after?) 2017, the compounded taxes of every financial transaction would amount to multiple times the total wealth that is already confiscated under the income tax.

The bill is currently under consideration by four committees: House Ways and Means, House Budget, House Rules, and House Appropriations.


H.R. 6144 - Better Use of Light Bulbs Act

To repeal certain amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act that were scheduled to phase-out of incandescent bulbs set to starting in 2011.

See the following article for more information and to contact key House committee member.


DREAM Act Illegal Alien Amnesty, continued

In late September Senate Democrats hoped to attach the pro-amnesty DREAM Act to the Defense bill that was under consideration. Fortunately, the cloture vote on the Defense bill failed, with prevented the intended means for attaching the DREAM Act.


H.R. 6145 and S. 3791 (introduced by Tom Coburn)

From the Sept. 22 Reality Report:

"To require Members of Congress to disclose delinquent tax liability, require an ethics inquiry, and garnish the wages of a Member with Federal tax liability."

Section three details that within 30 days after filing, the member must "arrange with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, and the Internal Revenue Service to have their salary REDUCED by an amount appropriate to pay the taxes owed to the United States within a reasonable time period."

Support H.R. 6145 and S. 3791. They are small but pivotal steps to stop corruption in the government."

S. 3790 (introduced by Tom Coburn)

From the Sept. 22 Reality Report:

"A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that persons having seriously delinquent tax debts shall be ineligible for Federal employment."

According to Section 7381 part b, the ineligibility for federal employment applies to future and current employees, which means it can KEEP the bums out, and KICK some of them out too! These include the Secretary of Treasury, Timothy Geithner, Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, and 39 other Presidential Executive Office employees. All together they owe over $830,000."

Disclose Act, continued

On Sept. 23 the U.S. Senate failed to garner the 60 votes necessary to invoke cloture to consider the DISCLOSE Act. The final vote was 59-39.

Downsize DC: "This makes it very unlikely that the bill will be passed before the election, and there's almost no chance it could be passed after the Republican gain seats in Congress. This means DISCLOSE is dead. It's a definite victory."


S. 3767 - Food Safety Accountability Act of 2010 (introduced Sept. 13 by Patrick Leahy)

From NaturalNews:

"Beware of Senate bill 3767, the so-called Food Safety Accountability Act. This dangerous legislation, if passed, would criminalize nutritional supplement manufacturers who tell the truth about their products or link to published scientific studies describing the biological benefits of their products. Based on language in the bill, health proponents who sell supplements could be criminalized and convicted to ten years in prison."

Continue reading.


30 Large Corporations Get Obamacare Waivers

Via Daily Paul and USA Today:

Nearly a million workers won't get a consumer protection in the U.S. health reform law meant to cap insurance costs because the government exempted their employers.

Thirty companies and organizations, including McDonald's (MCD) and Jack in the Box (JACK), won't be required to raise the minimum annual benefit included in low-cost health plans, which are often used to cover part-time or low-wage employees.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which provided a list of exemptions, said it granted waivers in late September so workers with such plans wouldn't lose coverage from employers who might choose instead to drop health insurance altogether.

Legislative Update for September 14, 2010 Meeting

Federal Legislation

H.R. 6099 and S. 3760 - Auto IRAs

This bill takes away more personal financial freedom. It requires employees (who work for companies that have 10+ employees) to submit to a required automatic payroll deduction toward an "Auto IRA". Of course, the bill is supported by financial companies, such as Putnam Investments, who would benefit from a new class of involuntary customers.

The bill is written in flowery language that attempts sound as if the politicians are just looking out for you, and Putnam's Chief Executive Officer, Robert L. Reynolds had the nerve to pretend that your potential loss of freedom is an event to be hailed. “This is a smart, low-cost idea that can give almost all working Americans a stake in our free enterprise system and help them secure their own futures at the same time. At the end of the day, all Americans would benefit from having a more inclusive, robust retirement savings system.”

It is believed by some insiders that the Auto-IRA is just a first step toward comprehensive nationalization of almost all retirement funds. The thought is that this scheme will be used to finance government-issued debt instruments that foreign investors have been backing away from over the past year, forcing the Federal Reserve to monetize national debt by creating currency out of thin air to buy longer term national debt treasury bonds. This process is analogous to a snake eating its own tail. Those in power know it is unsustainable, and therefore this Auto IRA bill is likely only a first step toward further control of citizen retirement funds, which will effectively act as collateral for the debt byproduct of our suffocating behemoth government.

It should be noted that defeating this plan is not as simple as just voting out Democrats and voting in Republicans in November. Many on the conservative side are also spinning the Auto IRAs in a positive light, such as David John, a leading analyst from the Heritage Foundation.


S. 1619 - Livable Communities Act, introduced by lame duck, Chris Dodd

This bill will usurp power from local and state governments by impose new federal zoning regulations to measure to implementing the United Nations Agenda 21 "Sustainable Development" policy domestically within the United States.

The Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities will be charged with administering two new grant programs. One program will pay for multi-regional comprehensive planning; the other will pay for the projects called for in the multi-regional plans. Nearly $4 billion is authorized to be appropriated. A new Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities will see that "Sustainable Development" policies are implemented throughout the federal government. The Council will consist of cabinet secretaries or their designees. The Council will be authorized to hire a staff to “ensure interagency coordination of federal policy on sustainable development.”

From The Times Examiner:

Land that is designated as “wilderness” occupies more than 107 million acres. “Wilderness is land on which no human activity – other than walking carefully – is allowed.

Dodd’s bill, like all sustainable development propaganda, paints a warm and fuzzy picture of what ‘livable’ or ‘sustainable communities’ should be,” said Lamb. “The propaganda fails to point out that in order to achieve this Marxist utopia, government has to enforce the vision. This means that people must live where government says they must live; in homes that meet the government’s design criteria; and travel to work in vehicles approved by government.

The end result of the comprehensive land use plan is to draw lines on a map, which deprives individuals of private property rights whose land is outside the urban boundary zones – commonly called ‘Smart Growth.’ The value of the land inside urban boundary zones skyrockets, as does the cost of living for all who reside there.

[Henry] Lamb [of Sovereignty International] concludes that: “Dodd’s bill goes a long way to transforming America into what looks a lot like regional soviets where unelected agency appointees draft a plan by which all must live, and then enforce the plan with the power of law. Such a place cannot be described as ‘the land of the free.’ Nor can it be called ‘the home of the brave’ if voters allow this transformation to continue."

According to the non-profit American Policy Center the bill:

• Is a blueprint for the transformation of our society into total Federal control.
• Will enforce Federal Sustainable Development zoning and control of local communities.
• Will create a massive new “development” bureaucracy.
• Will drive up the cost of energy to heat and cool your home.
• Will drive up the cost of gasoline as a way to get you out of your car.
• Will force you to spend thousands of dollars on your home in order to comply.

According to Personal Liberty Digest:

"A carrot and stick policy will be used to get your local government to sign on. The carrot is billions of dollars in grants available if your local government agrees to amend zoning laws that restrict housing in outlying areas, forcing people to give up their homes and land and move into the city center.

"The stick will be denial of the funds and bad publicity generated by “Green” organizations criticizing government officials for turning down free money.

"The rub is the grants will come with strings attached that force local governments to bend to the will of the Feds.

"The idea of these social engineering initiatives is to force people to live in a congested area in high rise buildings with housing on the upper floors and stores on the bottom. The whole area will be linked by mass transit creating the “utopian” communities loved by socialists.

"The result will be higher costs for housing (because overcrowding will make housing space a premium) and goods and services (because of less choice and competition) and less freedom to move about (because cars won’t be necessary and parking space will be prohibitively expensive)."

Yet Another Obamacare Surprise - 3.8% Home Sales Tax

As of January 1, 2013 a new 3.8% home sales tax will be slapped on home sales for anyone who is considered rich ($250,000+/$200,000+ annual gross income, married/single) for capital gains that exceed $250,000/$500,000 for those who are single/married.

Bear in mind these are nominal dollar amounts. Given the rate at which the Federal Reserve is debasing the dollar it is easily possible to see a 10% compounded inflation by 2013, and for inflation to thereafter continue along its parabolic long-trending upward curve. Eventually this added progressive taxation will hit more and more of the middle class.


H.R. 1064 - Youth Promise Act, aka "Cash for Crips"

The official full name of this bill is actually the "Prevention Resources for Eliminating Criminal Activity Using Tailored Interventions in Our Neighborhoods Act of 2009". The bill has 235 House cosponsors.

This bill seeks to spend $1.6 billion in taxpayer money toward rehabilitation centers for urban gang members. Among the services covered by bill are the removal of gang tatoos.

According to Judicial Watch, “The infusion is necessary because budget cuts have forced groups like Homeboy Industries to stop paying gang members to attend work training sessions and carry out maintenance work at centers that offer them a variety of free perks. Some do administrative jobs to help out, but they still get regular checks.”

Virginia Legislation

H.B. 1397 - Nullification of "Cap and Trade" Building Regulations

Delegate Bob Marshall has introduced H.B 1397 for the 2011 Virginia Legislative session to nullify federal building regulations that would be imposed under the impending federal "Cap and Trade" bill.

Here is the bill summary:

Residential energy efficiency standards. Exempts any residential building or manufactured home in Virginia from being subject to federal "cap and trade" legislation if such buildings comply with the Statewide Uniform Building Code. The owner of such building or home cannot be required by the federal government to (i) have an energy efficiency analysis conducted on his residence, (ii) have his residence meet federal energy efficiency standards, (iii) participate in a building performance labeling program, (iv) make modifications to the residence in accordance with federal legislation, and (v) post a label showing the energy efficiency of his home prior to its sale. The bill also prohibits a state agency from assisting any federal agency in the implementation of global warming or climate change legislation.

Legislative Update for August 10, 2010 Meeting

H.R. 5741 - Mandatory National Service, introduced on July 15, 2010 by Charles Rangel

"To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes."

Note that this bill would be more comprehensive than the last national military draft. The bill enslaves both men and women, and at much broader age group. Some would say that since Barack Obama has committed the U.S. to war if Israel goes to war, passage of this bill will essentially put the freedom of U.S. citizens in the hands of the Israeli policy makers. However, many forget that we are already at war in the Middle East, and we have had many wars since the last time the U.S. headed the Constitution to wage war in WWII with a declaration of war.


H.R. 1586 - Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act

H.R. 1586 was originally the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, but the House-passed text of the FAA authorization was replaced in the Senate with an amendment sponsored by Sens. Reid (D-NV) and Murray (D-WA) to become a bailout.

The Senate passed the altered bill on August 5, 2010. Nancy Pelosi has called a special session of Congress to address this bill. The special session will cancel meetings that represenatives would have had with their constituents.

Facts about the bill:

• It contains a total of $26.1 billion in temporary state bailouts.
• The bill provides $10 billion that states are REQUIRED to use to pay teacher salaries. States who receive this money must agree to not reduce their budgets below 2009 levels. This all but guarantees that further taxpayer funded bailouts will be required, because even if states wanted to take responsible action to reduce their spending, they are prohibited from doing so.
• This bill sets the stage for a nationalized education system by expanding federal government control over education and diminishing the role of parents, teachers and local communities.
• Democrats claim this money is necessary spending on children’s education. In reality, this is a blatant payoff for teachers unions, a significant Democrat base, which keeps demanding more money from taxpayers without producing better results for children. The Wall Street Journal made this point in a July 14th editorial, “School districts have been adding to their payrolls for decades without regard to student enrollment and much to show in academic improvement. Total education spending grew by 32% between 1999 and 2009, while K-12 enrollment has grown by less than 1% each year over the same time period. The reality is that districts could economize and trim the bureaucracy without having to lay off as many teachers as they claim.” But, this legislation would prohibit such economizing!
• The bill also increases Medicaid spending by $16.1 billion by extending the federal Medicaid matching rate of 6.2% to all states through December 2010, then phasing the matching rate increase down to 3.2% for the first three months of 2011, then to 1.2% for April through June 2011.
• The legislation includes $9.7 billion in permanent tax increases on multinational companies. This will absolutely kill jobs and further diminish the United States’ ability to compete with foreign corporations.
• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that this bill will increase the deficit by $12.6 billion.

According to washingtonwatch.com, the bill will cost the average American $126 a year.


H.R. 3534 - Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act

This bill would the control of U.S. lakes and coastal waters in the in the hands of the National Ocean Council, which Barack Obama established through fiat by executive order. This would be done by the creation of yet another new council would would be overseen by Obama's National Ocean Council. The ultimate plan is to usurp the state and national sovereignty of these waters to place them in the control of unelected officials who agree with the tenants of the U.N.-sponsored Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST). LOST is part of Agenda 21, a fraudulent agenda to build up more top-down global control over formerly sovereign nations, under the guise of improving ecological sustainability.

More info at http://bit.ly/cGNiXG .


H.R 5175 / S. 3628 Disclose Act - Failed Senate Cloture Vote

The Disclose act failed a Senate cloture vote, 57-for to 41-against, on July 27. 60 votes are require for a cloture vote to pass. This is a temporary victory against this terrible bill (which was discussed in the previous legislative report). Since Harry Reid reversed his yay vote to nay at the last minute, after he saw that the cloture would fail, Senate rules allow him to move for reconsideration of the bill for another cloture vote at a time of his choosing.


Obamacare surprise #1 - new Form 1099 IRS filing requirement on transactions >= $600

Starting Jan. 1, 2012, IRS Form 1099s must be filed for purchases of all goods and services by small businesses and self-employed people that exceed $600 during a calendar year. This means that government would have the means to track significant purchases of precious metals. It should be remembered that in 1933 President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102 and confiscated privately owned gold which was subsquently shipped overseas. The previous owners of the confiscated gold were compensated by only a fraction of the gold's value.


Obamacare surprise #2 - Taxable income may be raised by employer cost of insurance

Starting in 2011, next year-the W-2 tax form will include the the cost of whatever health insurance you are provided. There is some debate over whether this reported insurance cose will be included as part of gross income.

If the insurance cost does get counted as gross income, this will effectively increase income taxes, and, for some who get bumped into a higher tax bracket, it would increase their tax rate.


SEC Now Officially a Rouge Agency

The recently-passed Financial "Reform" Bill gives SEC exemption to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This basically means that the public will have little of any recourse to any economic interference by the SEC, and that that public also will not have adequate information to discern whether the SEC is properly performing its intended regulatory function.


H.R 5970 - SEC Transparency Act of 2010, introduced July 20, 2010 by Ron Paul

"To repeal the amendments made by section 929I of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act relating to the confidentiality of materials submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission."