April 9, 2009

For Immediate Release Thursday, April 9, 2009

Statement on Proposed Changes to Virginia's Unemployment Insurance Laws Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) issued the following statement regarding actions by the General Assembly during yesterday’s Reconvened Session that would have permanently changed Virginia’s unemployment insurance laws in order to receive short-term, temporary federal funding. “Today there has already been much coverage of yesterday’s Reconvened Session in Richmond, and unfortunately that coverage has contained misinformation about a House of Delegates’ vote regarding unemployment insurance laws in Virginia. “Governor Kaine had proposed permanently amending Virginia’s unemployment insurance laws in order to receive an additional $125 million in temporary federal funding- this in addition to $62 million already being extended to the Commonwealth for unemployment benefits. While this federal money may have seemed to be short-term, quick-fix, it would have been a job-killer, and when those federal funds ran out, Virginia would have been left holding the bill for another federal unfunded mandate. “We are acutely aware of the challenges Virginians are facing- challenges I have experienced first-hand through our small family business. This is exactly why the legislature worked together this past session to pass meaningful, comprehensive initiatives that will provide real benefits to Virginians. We extended unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 59 weeks of coverage. We passed legislation to establish a program that allows employees of small businesses to have better access to the federal health insurance premium assistance program. We extended tax credits to businesses that create new full-time jobs here in the Commonwealth. Additionally, we approved funding for economic development incentives to attract new businesses to Virginia, aide in workforce development and promote tourism. “The economic challenges we face are real, and Virginians expect comprehensive solutions and a balanced, long-term approach to address these problems. A short-term check from the federal government is no substitute for real, pragmatic solutions that will create new jobs, stimulate economic growth, and get Virginians working again in long-term, full-time jobs that provide good pay and good benefits.”

TOWN HALL FOR HOPE with Dave Ramsey

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that's filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what's happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we're going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event! Join us for this free event April 23 at 8:00 p.m. EDT at the Waynesboro Church of Christ at 227 Bookerdale Rd. in Waynesboro. Call the Waynesboro Church of Christ at 942-2492 to register.

Hurry, seating is limited. That's 942-2492.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009

Even as Secretary Salazar Walks Out of the Room, ACU Members Testify: "We Need More American Made Energy"

NEW ORLEANS, LA AND ALEXANDRIA, VA - American Conservative Union members are continuing their push for more American made energy today in New Orleans as the Interior Department continues hearings on a 5-year energy plan including offshore energy.

However, the Secretary of Interior seems more intent on ignoring their comments than hearing what the public has to say.

Monday, in Atlantic City after Secretary Salazar stayed to hear comments from liberal special interest groups and to present his own thoughts on energy, he summarily walked out before citizens had an opportunity commentat his hearing.  Later, in the official Department of the Interior's posted web video of the hearing, the video ended before the hearing did - before public comment and after Salazar walked off the stage.

As a result, two Members of Congress have sent a letter to the Interior Department seeking an explanation and looking for improvements in the public comment process.  We too are awaiting a reply.

Still, ACU members are pressing on today in New Orleans.  

Jane Johnson, an ACU member from Baton Rouge, Louisiana who is a self-described lawyer, CPA and teacher, testified today that we need to look to our past to see what we need to do in the future: "I remember the lessons of 1973, when OPEC cut back supplies," she said, "Shortages gave rise to long gas lines and prices on all goods and services rose...  Opening up drilling to off-limit areas will boost the economy with direct infusions of new American cash and jobs. Don't cut off our noses to spite our faces or to appease pseudo-environmentalists." 

Her comments followed those of three other ACU members who testified on Monday at the Interior Department's hearings in Atlantic City, NJ.

Ellie Towhey, a Paralegal from Plymouth Meeting, PA; testified that a continued dependence on foreign oil was a direct threat to America's national security, "What happens when OPEC decides to reduce oil supplies or China's demand for gas directly affects our basic supplies here in the United States?  Nothing should supercede our national security."

Greg Rigby, a Small Business Owner from Auburn, NY; told the hearing, "We need a balanced approach on our energy needs with a focus on gas and oil.  We need to base our country's energy policy on science, not on emotion."

Ken Domonkos, a Sales Representative from Manchester, NJ; argued for more oil and gas drilling off our coast by saying, "We continue to spend untold billions of dollars annually on importing oil and gas which adversely affects our trade balance.  We need to stop outsourcing jobs by buying oil and gas from overseas and instead create those jobs right here, at home, in America."

In response to Secretary Salazar's choice to leave his own hearings  before public comment and his choice to end easy access for public comments on the government's website, ACU Director of Government Relations Larry Hart issued the following statement:

"In the reaction from members of the American Conservative Union and others across the country it is clear the American people have not been lulled by temporarily lower gas prices and still overwhelmingly support expanding our domestic energy supply which the draft five-year plan would do."

"We were amazed to learn that this tech-savvy Obama Administration has made it more difficult for American citizens to register their comments on the web and that the Department's Internet broadcast of the hearings shut down when public comments began.  This certainly does not reflect the stated goals of open and transparent government by the Obama Administration," he added.

To avoid a repeat of last summer's high gas prices, the American Conservative Union fully supports including all areas of the OCS for oil and natural gas development of domestic resources to create more jobs, more revenue for cash-strapped governments and greater energy security for our nation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009

Citizens Speak Out at Interior Department Hearing: We Need More American Made Energy Now

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Speaking forcefully for more energy production within the United States, ACU citizen activists from the East Coast told the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and officials from the federal Minerals Management Service that it was time to act now on drilling for more oil and gas.

The ACU members testified at the public hearing held today to receive comment on a five-year plan to develop energy on the Outer Continental Shelf.   They were joined by other American Conservative Union members in the audience there to express the need to fully develop our energy resources available offshore.

Ellie Towhey, a Paralegal from Plymouth Meeting, PA; testified that a continued dependence on foreign oil was a direct threat to America's national security, "What happens when OPEC decides to reduce oil supplies or China's demand for gas directly affects our basic supplies here in the United States?  Nothing should supercede our national security."

Greg Rigby, a Small Business Owner from Auburn, NY; told the hearing, "We need a balanced approach on our energy needs with a focus on gas and oil.  We need to base our country's energy policy on science, not on emotion."

Ken Domonkos, a Sales Representative from Manchester, NJ; argued for more oil and gas drilling off our coast by saying, "We continue to spend untold billions of dollars annually on importing oil and gas which adversely affects our trade balance.  We need to stop outsourcing jobs by buying oil and gas from overseas and instead create those jobs right here, at home, in America."

ACU Chairman David Keene said, "These citizens' comments echo those of the tens of thousands of Americans who participated in a series of Town Hall Meetings the ACU conducted last summer.  It is imperative that the Department of the Interior move quickly to put a plan in place to tap these energy resources."

Last summer, as Americans began paying more than $4.00 a gallon for gasoline, the Congress - under pressure from the House Republican floor protest and pressure from the American Conservative Union - allowed a more than 25 year ban on expanded offshore energy production to end. 

To avoid a repeat of high gas prices, the American Conservative Union fully supports including all areas of the OCS for oil and natural gas development of domestic resources to create more jobs, more revenue for cash-strapped governments and greater energy security for our nation.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for more pictures from the annual Battle of Waynesboro reenactment.

Michael Landon, Jr., bringing family friendly movies to the big screen
       by Mike Hodge

Jill Stanek continues fight for the unborn
       by Mike Hodge

Chuck Norris
       by Dan Wooding

Robert Spencer
       by Mike Hodge

Skyrocketing assessments spark ire in residents
       by Mike Hodge

AUGUSTA COUNTY— Skyrocketing reassessments in Augusta County have gotten residents involved in their government once again. The average increase of 27.7% has taken home and land owners by surprise and they have vaulted into action. Over 600 recently attended an organizational meeting to see what they can do to have their reassessments lowered. The average reassessments in Staunton and Waynesboro increased around four percent.
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