Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Special Conference on Medicaid Expansion -- February 8th!!

 

Mike Thompson, Chairman/President
9035 Golden Sunset Lane • Springfield, Virginia 22153
703-440-9447 • mikethompson31@verizon.net
 

        

 

 

 

Join Us on February 8th

 

For a Very Special Conference 

 

"Medicaid Expansion:  To Reform or Not?"

 

 

 

 Thursday,  February 8, 2018 

 

   9:15 to 11:00 a.m.

 

SunTrust Building

919 E. Main Street, 4th Floor -- Piedmont Room

Richmond, Virginia

 

Across fromTemporary General Assembly Building -- Pocohantas Building

 

 

Register Here Today!

 

Speakers:

Sean Connaughton: President & CEO, VA Hospital and Healthcare Association

Michael Cassidy: President & CEO, Commonwealth Insitute for Fiscal Analysis

Thomas Miller: Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Nina Schaefer: Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation

Robert Graboyes: Senior Research Fellow, The Mercatus Center

Brooklyn Roberts: Dir, Health & Human Services, American Legislative Exchange Council

 

Moderator:

Michael Thompson: President, Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

 

 

This will be a Worthwhile and Vibrant Discussion!

Thursday, February 8, 2018

 

9:15 to 11:00 a.m.

 

Register Here

 

 

Please register.  The Room has limited attendance.

 

Mike Thompson

 

mikethompson31@verizon.net

 

 

 

This message was sent to organizer@yorkteaparty.org from Mikethompson@erols.com

Michael Thompson

9035 Golden Sunset Lane
Springfield, VA 22153

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Saturday, January 27, 2018

Weekly Update: My Legislative Priorities for 2018

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Weekly Update: My Legislative Priorities for 2018
By Rob Wittman 
January 27, 2018


This year we are already off to an amazing start. Just one month into 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is delivering. Over 2 million American workers have already seen the benefits of tax reform. Companies across the country have been announcing bonuses, pay raises, and investments, and I'm sure there will be more good news to come. As the legislative calendar starts to pick up, I want to make sure you know what my legislative priorities will be for the coming year.

Congressional Accountability

Last week, our federal government shut down for 69 hours. That should have never happened. I am disappointed in Congress for allowing our funding decisions to get to that critical point and for not being able to come to an agreement on how to move forward. As I've done in every session since I've been in Congress, this year I will continue to urge leadership to fund our government with appropriations bills passed through regular order instead of budgeting by crisis through a Continuing Resolutions (CR). Our military and our government need long term budget certainty and they cannot continue working under the constraints of yet another CR.

I believe Members of Congress should suffer the consequences of not doing their jobs. I've introduced two pieces of legislation called the No Budget, No Pay Act and the Stay on Schedule Resolution that would hold members to the highest standard so that if they don't do their jobs, they won't get a paycheck or vacation.

Advocating for a Bigger Navy

As Chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I work with my colleagues to establish where our defense dollars are going. This is done through a yearly NDAA. We accomplished so much for Virginia with the FY18 defense bill. However, it is already time to get to work on FY19. One of the major provisions I will be advocating for this year will be a block buy of two Ford-class aircraft carriers. As I detailed in a letter to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, dual procurement allows the Navy to build to a fleet of 12 aircraft carriers more quickly as prescribed by the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act – which established that the Navy should maintain 355 ships, including 12 aircraft carriers. A dual buy would be beneficial to both the taxpayers and our maritime industrial base as it shows that Congress is committed to the thousands of workers who work each day to build and maintain aircraft carriers.

Congress plays a vital role in ensuring that our Navy has the resources it needs to operate effectively and to fulfill critical missions. We cannot be complacent. Through effective acquisition, we can give the Fleet the ships it needs to meet the challenges of today and prepare for the threats of tomorrow. I remain dedicated to this in 2018.

Strengthening our Surface Warfare Community

Over the past six months, I have been working to investigate the Fitzgerald and McCain collisions that took place in the Pacific last year. I have held multiple hearings and briefings with leaders of the Navy, and we have come to the conclusion that these were a result of a systemic issue within our surface warfare community. The Navy has taken important first steps in addressing initial systemic issues; however, going forward, I believe there is a multitude of other issues that need to be reviewed including organization reform, manning deficiencies, material readiness, and training reform.

This year, my subcommittee is going to continue to work towards accountability and providing solutions to the systemic problems that face the surface warfare community today. These collisions were absolutely avoidable, and reforms must be made – we will make sure of it.

Improving Access to Broadband

A major priority of mine for 2018 will be for better access to broadband for all, specifically those in rural areas. High speed internet access, or broadband, is critical to economic growth, job creation, education, and healthcare. Therefore, improving access to broadband is imperative. Earlier this year, I sent a letter to President Trump advocating for these policies to be included in any infrastructure proposal we work on this year.

I am dedicated to promoting access to broadband in rural areas. Currently almost 50% of rural Virginians either lack access to high speed internet or 29% don't have any internet service at all. In October, I organized the creation and first meeting of a Rural Broadband Task Force. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, regional stakeholders, and state and local officials joined me in the Northern Neck to discuss ways of improving speeds and expanding internet access. Among the issues discussed were eliminating the labyrinth of red tape and regulations, defining prescriptive easements, establishing dig once policies, and strengthening public-private partnerships. You can watch a video of the entire event here. In 2018, I will be holding more meetings of the Rural Broadband Task Force in order to accomplish our mission.

Education and Workforce Development

I've long believed that we must do more to educate the next generation on future career opportunities, whether that's a certification, a credential, or a four-year degree. Opportunities in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields continue to grow exponentially, and it is absolutely critical that we cultivate a workforce willing and able to enter this job market. This spring, I am working to bring together students, employers, and industry experts of the First District. I believe it is critical that our students know what opportunities are available to them. Stay tuned for details!

This year I will be working tirelessly on these items. However, my top priority will always be listening to the people of the First District and using their thoughts, concerns, and insights to better represent them in Washington. It's an honor to serve Virginia's First District in the People's House. 

 

Offices

Hanover Office
6501 Mechanicsville Turnpike
Ste. 1o2
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Phone: (804) 730-6595
Fax: (804) 730-6597

Stafford Office
95 Dunn Drive
Ste. 201
Stafford, VA 22556
Phone: (540) 659-2734
Fax: (540) 659-2737

Tappahannock Office
508 Church Lane
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: (804) 443-0668
Fax: (804) 443-0671

Washington D.C. Office
2055 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4261
Fax: (202) 225-4382

 


 


*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the First District I have established a contact form on my website. Please click here if you would like to send additional correspondence.


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Thursday, January 25, 2018

Week 2 General Assembly Update

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Dear Robert —

      We are two weeks into Session and things are moving along here in Richmond. Committees have been meeting regularly and there has already been some lively and productive debates on the floor of the Senate.

       Last week, Governor Northam gave his address to a joint session of the House and Senate. Like many of my fellow legislators, I had hoped that the departure of Governor McAuliffe would signal at least some relief from the polarizing partisanship of the last four years.  With an eye toward higher office and the early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire for his party’s 2020 presidential nomination, the last year of the McAuliffe Administration had developed the feel of an exploratory campaign committee.

      Governor Northam, however, has come out of the gates pushing hard his agenda to fully enact Obamacare in Virginia by expanding Medicaid here in the Commonwealth. I stand in staunch opposition to this policy. According to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), Medicaid spending increases have outpaced total state budget growth over the past 10 years and has comprised of over a fifth of the general fund budget in 2016, up dramatically since 2007. And that increase is mostly due to rising enrollment. In a nutshell, Medicaid spending is out of control.

        I support a fiscally responsible, market driven approach to expanding access to healthcare in Virginia. We cannot simply solve our problems by expanding Medicaid. A particularly pressing aspect of the healthcare crisis is the increase in premiums and deductibles that are crushing family budgets across Virginia. Other states that have accepted expansion have had sticker shock and have found that it drastically increased prices for insurance. Even without expansion, many families across Virginia are experiencing skyrocketing health insurance premiums.  I hope our Governor and my colleagues in the House and Senate will be willing to work together to find a compromise when it comes to providing healthcare in our Commonwealth.  Expanding Medicaid does absolutely nothing to help these working families being priced out of the health insurance marketplace.  

After a week of ceremonies, we’ve been considering bills in the Senate at a very quick pace. There have been nearly 3,000 bills introduced in the House and Senate. Crossover, the day on which the House and Senate must have completed all work on legislation filed by its respective members falls on February 13 this session. That doesn’t allow for a lot of time to consider all the bills that have been filed. Committees met in lengthy sessions this week, considering legislation filed thus far. Here’s where you can find a list of the bills introduced this year: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+mbr+S68C. I hope you will notify my office with any concerns or questions you have about these bills.

Over the past week we had the pleasure to welcome constituents from the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, and citizens from the Virginia Hemophilia Foundation.  We also had visits from leadership at Valley Health, Augusta Health and one of our local dentists on behalf of the Virginia Dental Association.  It’s always great to see constituents advocating for issues important to them personally or to their profession.  If you are here in Richmond during Session, please stop by our office in the Pocahontas building on the fifth floor, room 502 - East. And if there are any issues you would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 804-698-7526 or email me at mark@markobenshain.com. Jenni Aulgur, my legislative aide, or myself would love to assist you in any way we can. 

 Best regards,

             
           Mark Obenshain


            

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Monday, January 22, 2018

Government shutdown: My offices are open

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Friend-

As of January 20th the federal government entered into a shutdown due to a lack of appropriations. I'm extremely disappointed in Congress for failing to do its job and continuing to budget by crisis. Going forward, we must get Congress back to passing a budget and appropriations bills on time. I have repeatedly introduced pieces of legislation, the No Budget, No Pay Act and the Stay on Schedule Resolution, that require Members of Congress to do their jobs or not get a paycheck or vacation.

It is unacceptable for Congress to fail in fulfilling one of its most basic duties outlined in the Constitution. We should feel the consequences for not doing our job. I want you to know that until this government shutdown is over, I am having my paycheck withheld. Once Congressional leaders can reach an agreement and we reopen or government, I will donate my pay from during the shutdown to a military-related charity.

While the President and Congressional leadership continue negotiations to reach a deal to fund the government, my office will continue to remain open Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM should you need any assistance.

Stafford: 540-659-2734 
Hanover: 804-730-6595
Tappahannock: 804-443-0668
D.C: 202-225-4261                       

For specific information regarding contingency plans of any federal department or agency, please refer to the Office of Management and Budget for a link to each plan.

Will veterans hospital be open?
Yes, Veterans Hospitals remain open.

Will I get continue to get my mail?
Yes. The United States Postal Service operations will not be impacted.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security Benefits?
Social Security checks will continue to be mailed out.

What happens to Medicaid and Medicare?
Medicare and Medicaid will be unaffected.

What about airports?
Commercial air traffic will continue unaffected. Air traffic controllers, Customs and Border Protection workers and TSA agents, will continue to do their job.

Will National Parks be open?The Department of Interior has state is interior to keep as many parks, lands, and monuments open. Accessibility to parks is on a  case by case basis. For more information, visit U.S. Department of the Interior website.

I set up a tour through your office. Will it occur?
The following locations will not be hold tours during the government shutdown: White House, Capitol, Library of Congress, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

What about federal courts?
The federal Judiciary will remain open and can continue operations off of fees and other funds for approximately three weeks.

 What's the status of the military?
Active duty servicemembers will still go to work. You can read further Department of Defense guidance here. I'm supportive of legislation to ensure pay for our men and women in uniform.

Below are some more materials to answer questions you may on government operations during a government shutdown: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/agency-contingency-plans/

Everything you need to know about a government shutdown, Washington Post

Government shutdown 2018: What's open and what's closed?, NBC News

Here's What's Open During the Government Shutdown — And What's Closed, Money

You can give my office a call as well. It's an honor to serve you and Virginia's First District in the People's House.

Sincerely,

Rob

Offices

Hanover Office
6501 Mechanicsville Turnpike
Ste. 102
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Phone: (804) 730-6595
Fax: (804) 730-6597

Stafford Office
95 Dunn Drive
Ste. 201
Stafford, VA 22556
Phone: (540) 659-2734
Fax: (540) 659-2737

Tappahannock Office
508 Church Lane
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: (804) 443-0668
Fax: (804) 443-0671

Washington D.C. Office
2055 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4261
Fax: (202) 225-4382

 


 


*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the First District I have established a contact form on my website. Please click here if you would like to send additional correspondence
.




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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Fwd: My country



Begin forwarded message:

From: "Bob Eidson" <eidson@cox.net>
Subject: FW: Fwd: Fwd: My country
Date: January 16, 2018 at 12:03:13 AM EST
To: "Sid Bass" <bigsid1934@cox.net>, "Tony D'Angelo" <tonydangelo1@cox.net>, "'Reynold ZERBY'" <renzerby79@yahoo.com>, "VI LASSEN" <Vilassen@aol.com>, "karin mannings", "STEVE AND IMMACOLATA PELLEGRINO" <PELL45@AOL.COM>, "'Doris Williamson'" <dwilliamson18@icloud.com>, "'Dottie Holtz'" <dottieholtz@gmail.com>, "'JoAnn Forse'" <jaforse@comcast.net>
Cc: "Ai2 Tech Support" <support@aisquared.com>

 
 
From: ritemejm [mailto:ritemejm@comcast.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2018 9:27 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Fw: Fwd: Fwd: My country
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
What a way to start the year !
 
By Charles Krauthammer
 
I do not understand how living in a country with its democracy established over 200 years ago, and now, for the first time in history, suddenly we have one of our former presidents set up a group called "Organizing for Action" (OFA).
OFA is 30,000+ strong and working to disrupt everything that our current president's administration is trying to do. This organization goes against our Democracy, and it is an operation that will destroy our way of governing. It goes against our Constitution, our laws, and the processes established over 200 years ago. If it is allowed to proceed then we will be living in chaos very much like third world countries are run. What good is it to have an established government if it is not going to be respected and allowed to follow our laws?
 
If you had an army some 30,000 strong and a court system stacked over the decades with judges who would allow you to break the laws, how much damage could you do to a country? We are about to find out in America!
 
Our ex-president said he was going to stay involved through community organizing and speak out on the issues and that appears to be one post-administration promise he intends to keep. He has moved many of his administration's top dogs over to Organizing for Action.
 
OFA is behind the strategic and tactical implementation of the resistance to the Trump Administration that we are seeing across America, and politically active courts are providing the leverage for this revolution.
 
OFA is dedicated to organizing communities for "progressive" change. Its issues are gun control, socialist healthcare, abortion, sexual equality, climate change, and of course, immigration reform.
 
OFA members were propped up by the ex-president's message from the shadows: "Organizing is the building block of everything great we have accomplished Organizers around the country are fighting for change in their communities and OFA is one of the groups on the front lines. Commit to this work in 2017 and beyond."
 
OFA's website says it obtained its "digital" assets from the ex-president's re-election effort and that he inspired the movement. In short, it is the shadow government organization aimed at resisting and tearing down the Constitutional Republic we know as AMERICA.
 
Paul Sperry, writing for the New York Post, says, "The OFA will fight President Donald Trump at every turn of his presidency and the ex-president will command them from a bunker less than two miles from the White House."
 
Sperry writes that, "The ex-president is setting up a shadow government to sabotage the Trump administration through a network of non-profits led by OFA, which is growing its war chest (more than $40 million) and has some 250 offices nationwide. The OFA IRS filings, according to Sperry, indicate that the OFA has 32,525 (and growing) volunteers nationwide. The ex-president and his wife will oversee the operation from their home/ office in Washington DC.
 
Think about how this works.. For example: Trump issues an immigration executive order; the OFA signals for protests and statements from pro-immigrant groups; the ACLU lawyers file lawsuits in jurisdictions where activist judges obstruct the laws; volunteers are called to protest at airports and Congressional town hall meetings; the leftist media springs to action in support of these activities; the twitter sphere lights up with social media; and violence follows. All of this happens from the ex-president's signal that he is heartened by the protests.
 
If Barack Obama did not do enough to destroy this country in the 8 years he was in office, it appears his future plans are to destroy the foundation on which this country has operated on for the last 241 years.
 
If this does not scare you, then we are in worse trouble than you know.
 
So, do your part. You have read it, so at least pass this on so others will know what we are up against. We are losing our country and we are so compliant. We are becoming a "PERFECT TARGET" for our enemy!
 
Charles Krauthammer

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

CVTP --The Central Virginia Tea Party Press....... 1/10/18 ......... JUST SCAN THE TITLES FIRST ..... circulation 375+

CVTP --The Central Virginia Tea Party Press....... 1/10/18 ......... JUST SCAN THE TITLES FIRST ..... circulation 375+

       SHARE THIS EMAIL                   "The only thing politicians need more than votes is ....WATCHING."

                "what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal"   2 Corinthians 4:18 

The Liberal Abandonment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - read Dr. King's speech

Billy Graham's Prayer for a New Year


Petition drive launched to draft conservative James Woods for governor of California vs Demo Gavin Newsom

The Legislature is under full Democrat control, and party anti-gunners are wasting no time throwing all kinds of gun control legislation at the Capitol walls to see what sticks

From Thomas Jefferson in 1796 "....the members who can get the most money wasted in their state, and they will always get most who are meanest."

 Self-driving electric concept vehicle that Toyota will tailor for companies to use for tasks like ride hailing and package delivery,

People can band together to buy cheaper health care and buy it across state lines

Federal prosecutors had violated Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy's civil rights and violated federal law by hiding evidence from the court.

Court Strikes Down Baltimore Law Forcing Pregnancy Centers to Promote Abortions

'White-Informed Civility' Is the Latest Target in the Campus Wars

The University of Pennsylvania started as a school for Blacks and poor orphans: Pastors Who Helped Shape the U.S. Government

Article I vests ALL legislative power in Congress. Congress is not supposed to delegate that power but, of course, it has on multiple occasions: 

Evil has removed it.....so sad......Why has the tradition in America been for oaths to end with "So Help Me God"?

Coptic Orthodox Christians packed Egypt's newly built Nativity of Christ Cathedral on Saturday for a Christmas Eve mass 

A law-abiding California citizen who applies for a concealed permit out of fear for their life must survive, unarmed, for 24 months before they can carry a gun for self-defense.

================LAST ISSUE========================= ===============

Cashier and toll booth operators are likely to be among the first jobs to be taken over by robots.

D.C.'s huge new Museum of the Bible - they're trying to make commandments and covenants just suggestions

The last 8 years in revealing graphics

DC Metro Bans Christmas Ads

big city stupidity at its best

"No more politicians in the white house"

NAFTA to may end up like the EU, a continent-wide superstate that would compromise the independence of nearly every European country.

To be more gender-inclusive, The Church of Sweden has voted to stop its leaders from referring to God as "He" or "The Lord." 

Change Agent Rex Tillerson Takes Rusted State Dept. Down To Frame – "Career Diplomats" Apoplectic…

You can't have a trade agreement without a military to enforce it

Government K-8 schools in California Ban Textbooks That Don't Promote LGBT

White House Open to Dropping ObamaCare Mandate to Save Tax Bill

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"The US Government borrows $50,000 more every second ....... Uncle Sam is your Uncle, not yo' Daddy ."