| Message from the Chairman: 
Stop The County Spending Spree - Time for Change in Rockville Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett this past Monday announced that the county is facing a deficit of $779 million in its $4.3 billion budget. County agencies are facing proposed cuts in services and staffing. Leggett's budget contains an increased energy tax, which combined with a water rate increase of 8.5% approved by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, could have county residents paying $90 extra a year. The national economy, as well as to the state's shortsighted income tax increases, are unquestionable partly responsible for the county's predicament. Income and property taxes and other revenue have dropped by $174 million this year as compared with earlier projections. Montgomery County lost $4.6 billion in taxable income from tax years 2007 to 2008. More than 82% of that drop comes from taxpayers with incomes of $1 million or more. During that period, the number of income tax returns above $1 million fell by 27% and nearly 10% of the county's "millionaire taxpayers" who filed taxes for 2007 stopped filing in Maryland altogether in 2008. Yet excess county spending more than exceeds the revenue shortfalls. Since they were elected in 2006, Leggett and the Council's budgets have increased at a rate faster than inflation. Despite their much trumpeted "cuts" Montgomery budget has increased at a double digit rate, some $423 million since 2007. An editorial in yesterday's Washington Post, "Ghostly handouts to unions in Montgomery County," succinctly sums up the county's weakness: "Montgomery County politicians have been lavishing sweetheart deals on labor unions representing public employees for so long that it's become little more than a reflex." Eighty percent of the County's spending covers the salaries and benefits of the County's more than 30,000 employees. Agreements with the public sector unions have pushed up county costs at a rate faster than tax revenues and county residents' income. Over the past decade, the number of employees has increased 17%, while the county population rose about 11%. Incredibly, between 2004 and 2008, the Montgomery County Schools actually added nearly a 1,000 additional employees at the same time that total student enrollment dropped by 1,400. As the Washington Post has noted: "It has not been uncommon in recent years for the county to give large numbers of employees annual raises of 7% or more. By way of comparison, private-sector raises averaged a little more than 4%, according to a survey conducted by the Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area and covering 2004 to 2008." Beyond wage increases, over the past ten years county employee health and retirement benefits have grown to $686 million. This represents a 75% increase after adjusting for inflation. The Council and Leggett last May agreed with unions to "trade" a $29 million deferral in previously negotiated wage increases for sweetened pension benefits. The arrangement will cost the county at least $5 million a year for the next 40 years to pay for higher pension costs. The Washington Post aptly described the folly of the arrangement: "Only in Montgomery could politicians rubber-stamp an unaffordable giveaway costing hundreds of millions of dollars without quite noticing it." Now even the county labor leaders have concluded that the county is spending too much. The Washington Examiner quotes Municipal and County Government Employees Organization President Gino Renne as saying that Leggett's proposed budget was bloated with "pet projects" and a "large cadre" of upper level managers who don't work. Isn't it time for a change in leadership in Rockville?
Mark Uncapher
Montgomery County Republican Chairman
| Gov. Ehrlich at the Lincoln Day Dinner: "I've heard a rumor . . . "
Gov. Bob Ehrlich addresses Lincoln Day Dinner - S. Green
Gov. Bob Ehrlich got the MCGOP Lincoln Day Dinner crowd excited about a possible rematch of him against O'Malley this year. At the March 18 event at the Rockville Hilton, Gov. Ehrlich decried the excessive spending and waste of the current Maryland administration, pointing out that Gov. Christie of New Jersey is using Maryland as an example of what NOT to do to keep a state solvent.
"The Republican Party has a rendez-vous with destiny . . ."  Former Sec. of State Lawrence Eagleburger - S. Green As Lincoln Day Keynote speaker, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger spoke at length about the dangers of President Obama's foreign policy. "The United States of today is facing some of the most difficult problems since Pearl Harbor," stated Eagleburger. He warned that Obama's policies "are bringing us closer to a situation in which there will be a nuclear weapons exchange." "No matter how much the pain or the agony in correcting this situation, we must do it! The Republican Party has a rendez-vouth with destiny . . . " a duty to stop what the Democrats have been doing in recent years.  Gov. Bob Ehrlich helps conclude the night's festivities as he joins GOP activist Lorri Simmons in singing "God Bless America." MCGOP Chairman Mark Uncapher looks on. - S. Green
| Whither Health Care this Weekend?
Hundereds of activists gathered on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, March 16 to protest the passage of Obamacare. Much of the rally's anger was focused on the proposed 'Slaughter Solution' - a complicated legislative procedure by which House Democrats could deem that the Senate version of the health bill is passed, without having to take a recorded vote. Rumblings about the 'blatant unconstitutionality' of this maneuver are rampant. At the very least, use of this maneuver to pass Obamacare is deceptive, manipulative and corrupt. The House is expected to take its final action on Sunday, March 21st - 72 hours after the bill is posed and Congressional Budget Office estimates are released. Websites to visit to get more information and advice on activism
http://www.heritage.org/Initiatives/Health-Care |  Volunteer Spotlight: Jeanette R. Cotter
From Tarrant County, Texas, ranked second as the most Republican county in the USA, Jeanette Cotter moved light years away in 2004 to Montgomery County, Maryland - the distant galaxy of District 20, a Democrat Party uber stronghold where voters almost exclusively pull the party lever in any and all elections. Along the way, Jeanette campaigned in 2000 for the Bush/Cheney ticket in another bastion of the other Party: Connecticut. So, as she says, "I've received my political trial by fire." Along the way, Jeanette savored more pleasant political memories, as, for example, her work in the recent Virginia gubernatorial campaign for winning candidate, Bob McDonnell, as well as her own campaign for Treasurerof the Young Republicans in her home Texas County. In 2007-08 there was a stint at the Republican National Committee in which the RNC Finance Team, of which Jeanette was a member, swelled the Party's coffers by almost $200 million. Afterwards, Jeanette worked as Special Assistant to Department of Labor Secretary, Elaine Chao. In this job, Jeanette handled all communications for Secretary Chao's office with the Congress as well as the Executive and Judicial branches.
Jeanette with Vice President Dick Cheney
One of her main accomplishments at DOL was the establishment of a 24-hour turn-around for all action items (practically unheard of in the plodding bureaucracy of most government agencies). Jeanette earned two MBA's: in Management and Marketing. Her forte is communications, just as it was for her political hero, the Great Communicator Ronald Reagan, for whom Jeanette cast her first political vote - in kindergarten class. Her primary focus in communications is "breaking down barriers and artificial silos that create division in an organization." 
As Chair of the Silent Auction at the annual Montgomery County Lincoln Day Dinner for the past two years, Jeanette presented a vast array of excellent items for bidding, the proceeds of which contributed to the financial solvency of our County Republican Party. In addition to using her organizational skills as Co-Chair of the Precinct Organization Committee, Jeanette is active in Legislative Districts 18 and 20 and serves as Communications Chair of the Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club and the Art Deco Society of Washington. She also found some spare time in her busy schedule to be a docent in the recent Terra Cotta Chinese Warriors exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. In addition to President Reagan, Jeanette lists British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and writer Clare Booth Luce as her role models. A gifted photographer, Jeanette shares her stunning photos with her friends on FACEBOOK. Jeanette believes that grassroots political activism can change the Party for the better and encourages all conservatives to become more active at the local, State and national levels. Looking forward to working in the mid-term elections, Jeanette is confident that 2010 could very well be a banner year for Republican candidates in Maryland and throughout the country. On the horizon in addition to political activities, Jeanette is looking forward to her new assignment this June as Marketing Director for the Business Solutions Summit. - M. Ciliberti
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Follow this link to keep up with the flood of legislation the Democrats are trying to push through in Annapolis. Items of note this week:
- E-verify legislation introduced to require state agencies and and contractors to verify an applicant's legal eligibility to work
- Maryland Libraries - next in line for the Union power grab
- Also . . . keep up-to-date on O'Malley's Budget antics
Senator Colburn Offers First Step in Pension Reform
In Annapolis, there has been much hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth by legislators over the $8 billion budget deficit created by Governor Martin O'Malley. More troubling, however, is O'Malley's inaction towards resolving Maryland's unfunded liabilities of $17 billion in pensions and $15 billion in retiree health care benefits. Over the past four years, O'Malley has provided no leadership on this $32 billion problem. Why? State employee unions are opposed to even minimal solutions such as higher employee contributions or reduced out-year benefits. The Democrats cannot afford to alienate this crucial segment of their political base at a time when the governor and state legislators face re-election.
Maryland received the lowest grade of "serious concern" in a national study on pension reform prepared in 2009 by The Pew Center on the States. Since the study, Maryland's position has worsened by a 12% drop in funded assets to liability ratio (79% funded in 2008 to 67% funded in 2009).
Governor Robert L. Ehrlich began funding the retiree health care liability during his term under the new government accounting standards for "OPEB" (Other Post Employee Benefits), but O'Malley has done little over the last four years in contributing to the $15 billion price tag. Now, less than 1% of the liability is funded. Senator Richard Colburn offered a first step in stemming the tide of red ink at a hearing of the Pensions Subcommittee of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Under Senate Bill 974 sponsored by Colburn, new state employees would be required to enter a "defined contribution" retirement plan instead of a "defined benefit" plan. In his testimony, Colburn stated that many private employers switched to "defined contribution" plans over a decade ago. The benefit to employees under these plans is that vesting is immediate, member accounts are portable and members can decide which investment options best suit their needs. The state would see out-year liabilities decrease and annual savings under the bill.
Minority Leader Allan Kittleman also testified in favor of the bill. In praising Colburn's leadership on this issue, Kittleman reiterated that the state's pension liability can no longer be ignored and creation of the "defined contribution" plan would be the logical first step towards reform. Kittleman stressed, "We need to assure current state employees that their retirement benefits are fully protected. If we don't act to reform the system now, we cannot guarantee that the benefits will be there when current state employees retire."
State employee unions testified in opposition to the pension reform bill sponsored by Colburn.
Strengthening Maryland's Sex Offender Laws
Tuesday was an emotional day in the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR). The committee began hearing a series of bills to strengthen Maryland's statutes concerning sex offense crimes, child predators, sex offender registration and victim notification.
In recent years, these issues have been presented to the JPR committee in great detail. Senator Nancy Jacobs has led the effort for Maryland to pass "Jessica's Law," a nationwide effort to increase mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders. The bills are named after nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford who was raped and buried alive in Florida by John Couey, a previously convicted sex offender.
While a portion of "Jessica's Law" was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2006, many of the more stringent provisions have been rejected by legislators. A Maryland sex offender advisory panel has been created but Governor O'Malley has failed to appoint members and the almost four-year old panel has never met.
Heightened attention is now being paid by O'Malley and legislators after the Christmastime 2009 slaying of Sarah Foxwell on Maryland's Eastern Shore. A convicted sex offender has been charged with child sex crimes and murder in this case.
Among those who testified before JPR was Mark Lunsford, the father of Jessica Lunsford. He advocated for stronger mandatory minimum sentences for lesser sex offenses such as for second degree rape. Jacobs has introduced Senate Bill 622 to increase the current 5 year minimum mandatory for this crime.
Witnesses also asked that laws be passed to end the practice of giving "good behavior" credits to incarcerated sex offenders. Up to one-third of a sentence can be reduced under Maryland's prison system for granting diminution credits.
In her testimony, Jacobs noted that the suspect in the Sarah Foxwell murder, Thomas Leggs, Jr., was the beneficiary of 'good behavior credits' twice. In fact, Leggs was able to get out of prison after serving only 26 months of a 54 month sentence during his third incarceration in less than five years.
Jacob's Senate Bill 170 - Child Protection from Predators Act would eliminate "good behavior" credits for child sex offenders. Members of the Republican Senate Caucus have supported strengthening these laws in years past and will continue to advocate for tougher laws to protect our children.
| | Maryland's Political Speech Ban Bills The Maryland Legislature recently introduced a rash of bills that will attempt to limit political speech. These bills are largely a pushback to the recent Supreme Court rulling on Citizens United vs. FEC (2010). Please clidk on the following link for a detaled analysis and perspective from the Free State Foundation: | WSJ Points to Maryland as Example of Backward Tax Policy
We are all familiar with Margaret Thatcher's truism: "The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Maryland is a good case study, according to the March 12th Wall Street Journal general editorial about millionaires fleeing Maryland.
Obviously the problem in Maryland is something the rest of the states with regressive tax policies will soon have to deal with. To read the story, click here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703976804575114241782001262.html
| | | |
Please support The Global Museum on Communism National School Initiative
Since the Berlin Wall came down 20 years ago, the public seems to suffer a memory loss about the insidious nature of communism. In most schools our children do not even learn the basic differences between communist systems of government and free market systems.
This must change if we are to sustain a decentralized representative government in which individuals can pursue happiness and live freely without fear of a monolithic state. The Victims of Communism Memorial Fund has embarked on an initiative to develop lesson plans and educate youth and the general public on the realities of communism and its millions of victims worldwide.
Please visit this website to see multimedia exhibits on the nature of and history of communism:
 | www.globalmuseumoncommunism.org/
And the next time you are on Capitol Hill, please look for the memorial to the 100,000,000 individuals who lost their lives to the brutality and violence of communist systems of government. The memorial was dedicated by President Bush in 2007 and is located at the intersection of New Jersey and Massachusetts Aves, NW.
- S. Green
| | CONTACT YOUR CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Hon. Moshe Starkman - 19
mstarkman@moshetechnologies.com
Hon. Vincent DeCain - 18
General Counsel & Parliamentarian
decainvf@aol.com
Hon. Gus Alzona - 16
augustus@alzona.com
Hon. Robert Dyer, III. - 16 | | | | Montgomery County Young Republican Charity Ball
Friday, March 26 8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. at the Women's Club of Bethesda 5500 Sonoma Road Bethesda, MD
With all profits raised supporting MobileMed - A Montgomery County Non-Profit Organization providing Medical Care to our County's Underserved, Working Poor and Homeless for more than 40 years.
www.Mobilemedicalcare.org
Full Open Bar, Heavy Hors d'oeuvres, and Great Music; Black Tie Optional
$50 per person in Advance (Mail check made out to MCYRs to 11343 Amberlea Farm Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878)
Sponsor Levels:
$250 Silver - 2 Tickets and Signage Included
$500 Gold - 4 Tickets and Signage Included
$1000 Platinum - 8 Tickets and Signage Included
Please make Sponsor Checks Payable to MobileMed and Mail to the Above Address.
Sponsors Received by February 10th will be listed on the formal invitation. For more information, click www.mcyr.org
| Upcoming Events!
For the most up to date listing of events in Montgomery County and throughout Maryland, also check www.mcgop.net
and www.mdgop.org
Precinct Training, Saturday, March 20 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. Followed by Communications Committee Meeting 12:00 - 2:00 at Montgomery County GOP Headquarters, 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855. Call 301-417-9256 or e-mail Pat Fenati Central Committee meeting Tuesday, March 22, 2010 7:30 PM, Montgomery County GOP Headquarters, 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855. County Party headquarters,
POTOMAC WOMEN'S REPUBLICAN
CLUB - Speaker: Jere Stocks President Washington Adventist Hospital
Thursday, March 25 - 10:30 a.m. Potomac Library
10101 Glenolden Drive
(intersection of Glenolden /Falls Road) Rock Creek Women's Republican Club, Speaker: Audrey Scott, Chairman, State Women's Republican Party, Tuesday, March
23 11:00 a.m. at Alfio's Restaurant, 4515 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase, MD. Cost is $20. Olney Women's Republican Club, Speaker: Jean Roesser, Thursday,March 25 11:30 a.m. at Argyle Country Club, 14600 Argyle Club Road, Silver Spring, MD
Cost: $20.00
Reservations: Call Pat Smith 301-924-5347 MCYR Charity Ball on Saturday, March 26 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Women's Club of Bethesda, 5500 Sonoma Road, Bethesda, MD. For more information, see separate item above in this newsletter, or check www.mcyr.org MCYR Happy Hour on Thursday April 1 at 5:30 p.m. Place to be arranged. With the Montgomery County Young Republicans. For more information contact Mike Gibble "First Monday" event at GOP Headquarters, Monday, April 5 at 7:30. At GOP Headquarters, 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. Join Republican candidates and activists to exchange ideas. For more information call 301-417-9256. Take Back Washington and Annapolis Town Hall Meeting, Leisure World, April 08, 2010 10:00 AM, Baltimore Room- Main Clubhouse
3700 Rossmoor Blvd , Silver Spring, MD. MD GOP Chairman Scott will discuss what the MDGOP is doing to put a stop to one-party rule in Annapolis and Washington | Don't forget to check your calendar for April 5th - First Monday
7:30 p.m. Meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas at MCGOP Hqs., 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville.
For more information, contact Mark Uncapher
April's meeting will feature Bruce Stern, Republichan candidate against Chris Van Hollen in the 8th congressional district.
| | Job Descriptions for Republican volunteers!
CHECK OUT THIS WISH LIST OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
There are many ways you can help the Montgomery County Republican Party (and add credentials to your conservative resume!)
Even with just an hour or two a month, you can make a big difference - often just by working at home at your computer. Click on this link to look at specific volunteer job descriptions
SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS WITH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY Please review the vacancies below to find many manageable ways to give some of your time and talent to your local Republican Party. Please send an e-mail of interest to mdmcrp@comcast.net and/or stella.green@comcast.net Thank you! Positions include:
PUBLICITY CHAIR - This person would be a loyal Republican working with our Events Chair and Communications Director to provide publicity for County GOP events and fundraisers. WEBSITE TEXT CONTENT COORDINATOR- The Website Support person would coordinate with the communications chair to regularly check the website www.mcgop.net.
WEBSITE PHOTO COORDINATOR - This person would from time to time review the revolving photos on www.mcgop.net in order to keep up a variety of interesting and informative pictures of local events and Republican candidates and activists. DESIGNER OF EVENTS FLYERS - this volunteer would have an interest in providing the MCGOP with visually pleasing and engaging graphics for upcoming events.
COUNTY FAIR TENT COORDINATOR - The Fair coordinator will maintain a list of volunteers who will staff the tent at the Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg in two-hour segments during the agricultural fair in August. CLUB LIAISON - This person maintains a list of all of the upcoming events and fundraisers of the dozen or so Republican Clubs in the county.
PRESS RELEASE CHAIR - This position should be filled by a loyal Republican who is very tuned into local issues.
CORRESPONDENCE COMMITTEE - MANY VACANCIES - chaired by Al Eisner - The head of the correspondence committee leads the charge in building a local cadre of Republican writers and bloggers who can get the word out that "Republicans are here and watching what our government is doing." Please contact Al if you would like to work with him. "FIRST MONDAY COORDINATOR" - On the first Monday evening of each month, the Montgomery County Republican Party hosts an open house at which candidates for office and all interested Republicans can discuss issues of concern.
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Maryland Teenage Republicans
The MDTARS are holding their second organizational meeting of the 2010 election cycle. This meeting will be more specific than the first one in February. With the upcoming mid-term elections, we are preparing to make sure our State-wide organization, County, and local school chapters have the resources and contacts available to make a difference this election cycle.
Who: Any high school student or Teen interested in Conservative principals, And any adult Republicans who would be interested in helping our organization.
Where: Maryland GOP Headquarters
15 West Street , Annapolis, Maryland, 21401
When: Saturday April 17, 2010. From 1pm-4pm.
Light Refreshments will be served. Please wear business casual attire (kakis) and bring a pen, paper, and ideas you may have to improve the organization. Prospective representatives from Montgomery County should contact Mark Uncapher at Mark@uncapher.net for more information.
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Will State Employee Pensions Bankrupt Maryland?
Invitation from the Maryland Public Policy Institute for a Policy Forum
on Tuesday March 30 at the Maryland Inn, 16 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD
from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Maryland is running a $2 billion deficit and filling budget holes with one-time fixes. One bill, the state's $65 billion pension and retiree benefits liability for state and local employees, can't be paid by transferring funds and could cause serious damage to the state's ability to fulfill core services in coming years.
As the February Pew Center on the States report, "The Trillion Dollar Gap: Underfunded State Retirement Systems and the Roads to Reform," said: "Maryland's management of its long-term pension liability is a cause for serious concern."
Join the Maryland Public Policy Institute to discuss ways Maryland can fulfill its duties to both taxpayers and state employees without damaging our economic competitiveness.
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MCGOP CONVENTION!