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Abernathy Strategies
RepublicanGazette
Monday, February 25, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Published daily except some days
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The Republican Gazette welcomes Emails to the Editor and press releases. All submitted items must include the name and contact information for the author of the article, and all articles will only be published with the author's name included. Thank you for reading and participating in The Republican Gazette, another of West Virginia's most biased publications.
All opinions are those of The Republican Gazette and its editor, Gary Abernathy, except letters or commentary signed by others, and do not reflect the views of anyone else, including clients of Abernathy Strategies.
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Having Fun With Mojo
Help wanted: More rogue Democrats
Manchin officials lose control of senators on property tax vote
The headline in the Charleston Gazette on Saturday screamed, "Rogue W. Va. Democrats side with GOP on tax breaks."The subhead explained, "Poor seniors would get pass on property taxes."Now, the Manchin administration and Senate leaders are working furiously to convince enough of the "rogue" Democrats to switch their votes Monday and deny the property tax break. In fact, the Republican Gazette was told late Friday that Manchin himself was on the phone to Democrat senators urging them to switch their votes and deny the tax break. The turn of events happened Friday when Democrat Sen. John Unger addressed a bill introduced by the governor that initially "would have let senior citizens defer their property taxes until they sold the property or died, and their estates would then pay the costs," as the Gazette story explained.But Unger offered an amendment that would let senior citizens 65 and older whose households bring in $25,000 or less a year be protected from property tax increases during the remainder of their lives.In fact, Unger's amendment was another idea he lifted from Republican Delegate Craig Blair, who has long been pushing property tax breaks for seniors. But Republicans welcomed Unger taking up the cause if it helps pass the measure.
Weeks travels state to meet with voters and gather support
Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks has been traveling the state, visiting Ohio, Wetzel and Tyler counties last Thursay through Saturday to attend events and meet with residents who have concerns on various issues.On Friday morning, Weeks was a guest on Howard Monroe's WVLY radio program, and was later interviewed by the Wetzel Chronicle.Weeks is quickly picking up support not just from Republicans, but from Democrats who are disillusioned with the Manchin administration. RUSS WEEKS
WV GOP Club holding seminar on Saturday
The West Virginia Republican Club is holding a candidate training seminar on Saturday at WVGOP headquarters in South Charleston.The seminar begins at 10 a.m., and will include remarks and training by Delegates Tim Armstead, Mitch Carmichael, Kelli Sobonya and Craig Blair, Sen. Vic Sprouse, GOP consultant Gary Abernathy, talk show host Tom Roten, campaign finance specialist Pam Stevens, Washington media consultant Tony Marsh, and club officials Lisa Peana and Charles Bolen. For more information, call 730-4599 or 421-5674.Unger's amendment quickly picked up the support of most GOP senators, including Unger's fellow Eastern Panhandle senator, John Yoder, who cosponsored the bill along with Republican Sen. Donna Boley and Democrat Sen. John Pat Fanning.Yoder argued that poor senior citizens in the Eastern Panhandle "are hurting and being forced out of their homes."The Gazette reported that "when the votes went up on the large board in the front of the Senate chamber, several voting against the amendment quickly changed their votes to be on the winning side." In fact, according to sources, an AARP rep was signaling for members to support the amendement.Almost immediately, panic set in among Manchin officials and Senate Democrat leaders who had lost control of their members on the vote. The amended bill will likely be up for final vote in the Senate Monday, and Democrat leaders are working furiously to have the amendment reconsidered before that happens.Manchin officials claim the tax break would cost the state $10 million a year. If Manchin succeeds in killing the amendment, he will be squarely on record killing major property tax relief for poor senior citizens.I’m sure you have heard the saying, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Whoever came up with that saying had a working understanding of economics. That person understood that somewhere along the line that free lunch was paid for by somebody. Unfortunately many elected officials in Charleston do not understand this most basic of free market economic facts.Recently State Delegate Ralph Rodighiero (D-Logan) introduced bill H.B. 4498, in an effort to reduce out of pocket insurance expenses of those hitting deer on the state's highways. The bill states, “Any person striking a deer on a state highway shall not be liable for repair costs exceeding two hundred dollars regardless of the amount of the deductible required from their motor vehicle insurance policy.” H.B. 4498 is a free lunch bill and somebody is going to have to pay for it. Those of us that understand economics know exactly who is going to pay for this free lunch. It will be the person purchasing the insurance. The very same person that Delegate Rodighiero’s bill is supposed to reduce cost. Like all businesses, the insurance companies are in business to make a profit. Insurance companies will not simply absorb the cost of fixing the car of every West Virginian that hits a deer without charging the policy holder for the additional coverage that this bill will require. Currently in West Virginia you are required to have a minimum of liability coverage on your vehicle. H.B. 4498 by default will require all insurance companies in West Virginian’s to sell nothing less than comprehensive (covers deer) with a $200 deductible. I called my insurance agent to find out what this free lunch would cost. On a 2004 Dodge Pick-Up the difference between carrying liability coverage and a $200 deductible comprehensive is an increase of over $360 a year. Just dropping the deductible on an existing comprehensive policy from $1000 to the proposed requirement of $200 would increase the cost of that same policy over $110 a year. It is easy to see who is going to pay for this free lunch.The real problem with H.R. 4498 is it that it assumes that West Virginian’s are not able to handle freedom of choice. It assumes that we are not able to make wise financial decisions on our own. The truth is we are able to make those choices and we can do a better job that government can. We understand that if we have a 1989 Cavalier that is only worth $500, it makes no sense to carry a $200 deductible comprehensive insurance policy. We may wish to pick $1000 deductible instead of $200 if we are willing to take that greater financial risk. The economic free market has provided us all with choices in auto insurance. As a result, Delegate Rodighiero is free choosing to purchase $200 deductible insurance on his own, but it will be his choice not the governments. H.R. 4498 simply takes away our freedom of choice. If passed we will no longer be able pick our insurance based on our need or financial ability. For most West Virginian’s, they will be forced to pick more expensive insurance that they may not be able to afford, want, or need. Government decisions like this one that are not based on sound economic principles or freedom of choice are one of the very reasons West Virginia ranks at bottom of the good economic categories. We must change.
Oh deer -- still no such thing as a free lunch
By Gary Howell
Candidate
14th Senate District
Tyler Lincoln Day draws over 100
More than 100 attendees showed up at the Tyler County Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday night in Sistersville.Sen. Donna Boley offered the keynote address, and the GOP faithful also heard from statewide candidates Russ Weeks (governor), Dan Greear and Hiram Lewis (attorney general), and Charles Minimah (secretary of state).Delegate Roger Romine emceed the event, which was organized by county chairwoman Becky Wells and her county committee.Weeks said he was overwhelmed with the support and goodwill from attendees at Tyler and other recent events, and was among the last to leave on Saturday because of the number of people who wanted to talk with him, wish him well, and share their ideas about his upcoming campaign.Weeks has also met recently with highway workers and other state employees who are anxious to become involved in his campaign and bring about change. Huckabee's SNL stint a goodbye?
GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee appeared on Saturday Night Live over the weekend, and seemed to signal an acknowledgment that his campaign may be winding down.Huckabee was part of the show's "Weekend Update" segment, and the skit centered around the notion that Huckabee was a man who did not quite know when to leave.Questioned by cast member Seth Myers, the joke was that Huckabee remained seated at the anchor desk even after Myers had politely dismissed him. Finally realizing he was supposed to leave, Huckabee apologized and cracked, "I usually pick up on those things."It was a funny skit, but among all the messages the governor could have relayed from his appearance, it was perhaps telling that he agreed to lampoon his own unwillingness to leave the race, even as the delegate math makes it impossible for him to win enough delegates to secure the nomination. AP story on business tax makes common mistake, linking GOP, Chamber of Commerce
An Associated Press story was published over the weekend headlined (in some papers), "Franchise tax cut might not spur investment."The gist of the story was that the Legislature's interest in cutting or (in the case of the GOP) eliminating the business franchise tax may be misguided in that it does not necessarily lead to business growth. Quoted in the story were two primary naysayers, V.V. Chari, an economist at the University of Minnesota, and Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.Leading into a quote by Roberts, the AP wrote, "Not even business interests share the GOP's position."Now, that line indicates that the Chamber of Commerce -- as a "business interest" -- is a natural ally of the Republican Party. It is a common mistake, since in most states, and even nationally, that is indeed the case. But in West Virginia, the state Chamber of Commerce has become basically a cabinet department of the Manchin administration, mimicking the governor at every possible turn. The AP reported:Roberts said the state chamber's longtime view favors lower taxes, but not at the expense of essential services, especially education."The employment community in West Virginia tends to support a high level of education funding,'' he said. "At the same time we would like to have a competitive tax structure.''In other words, Manchin's position exactly.Many legislative Republicans have given up on the Chamber being an independent advocate for pro-business legislation. GOP Delegate Craig Blair refused the Chamber endorsement in 2006, and Republican Sen. John Yoder said that year, "I consider the Chamber of Commerce more anti-business than organized labor. At least organized labor is in the business of labor. The Chamber of Commerce is not in the business of business. The Chamber is in the business of the Chamber."
GARY HOWELL
CRAIG BLAIR
Blair wants more focus on education achievement
Delegate Craig Blair last week announced he is introducing a resolution promoting academic competition among West Virginia high school students in order to highlight their achievements and skills, and to reward the state’s best and brightest with scholarships or other incentives.“We do a good job of recognizing our athletes and sports teams, as we should,” said Blair. “But for most students, their academic achievements are not as regaled by the general public or the media. We need to foster an atmosphere of excellence that rewards the academic achievements of our students.” Blair has been working with Delegate Don Perdue on the issue, and is offering a resolution that would establish a joint effort between the West Virginia Department of Education, West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority, West Virginia Public Television, and state universities to create a statewide academic competition. The competition and its various rounds would be broadcast via public broadcasting, the Library Channel or other local networks.Blair’s resolution points out that sponsorship could be sought from various state business, union and education interests. Many universities have broadcast capabilities that could be utilized by students to handle the technical details.Blair pointed out that economic development and education are intricately linked.“This is an economic development and education showcase,” said Blair. “Businesses thinking about locating in West Virginia could not help but be impressed with how West Virginia showcases our students, our schools and our state. This project is a win-win for everyone involved. It has relatively little associated cost, but huge dividends.”Trust me, I know what's best for you!
Hey kids! Mojo here! As I announced here last week, one of my big initiatives for my second term will be the Governor's Conference On What's Good For You! I've always been a governor who tries to force things on you that I know are good for you, whether you like it or not! But this if the first time I've brought it all together in one, neat package! Here is one of the initiatives you can expect from the Governor's Conference On What's Good For You -- a Personal Shopping Companion!To make sure you eat healthy -- and I know which foods are healthy and which are not -- I'm creating the Department of Personal Shopping Companions! Every time you go to the grocery store, someone from the DPSC will go with you! All you have to do is keep your eye on your DPSC companion! When you reach for one of your favorite foods, just glance over at your companion, and he'll either smile and nod, or frown and shake his head! Easy! Next time, I'll tell you about my new Department of What Classes Your Child Should Take In School! Stay tuned!