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RLCOH to Unveil Gamechanging Scoring System for Legislators

By
MathewErickson
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The Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio will be holding the Ohio Liberty Index Presentation this Saturday, November 14th at 11AM at Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Rd, Medina, Ohio 44256. During this event, the RLCOH will be unveiling two new tools: the Ohio Candidate Liberty Index and the Ohio Legislator Liberty Index. Both will be available at rlcoh.org, and will provide a Liberty Index score to every sitting legislator in the Ohio House and Senate, as well as any Republican candidates for state legislative offices. The legislator scores will be based on votes cast for a selected group of bills, deemed by the RLCOH as having a significant impact on the liberty of Ohio citizens, while the candidate scores will be based on surveys, interviews, and past experience of votes to determine those candidates who are most likely to uphold the liberties of Ohio citizens.

“This will be a game changer in the state of Ohio. We’re filling a significant void in Ohio politics,” says RLCOH Chair, Bill Yarbrough. “In elections, there’s no way to objectively weigh two Republicans facing‐off against each other. And, for all legislators, regardless of party, there is no comprehensive performance tool for voters concerned about liberty issues. It all changes this weekend.”

“The response has been tremendous,” says RLCOH Public Relations Chair Mathew Erickson. “From the candidate side, we have been receiving requests for surveys ever since we announced this new tool, and will be sending all of those out after we finalize the survey. On the legislative side, we’ve heard from many state representatives and senators expressing an interest in how the scorecard will work. And from the liberty minded voters in Ohio, there has been a tremendous interest shown in both tools, and people are really excited that there will finally be SOMETHING available to hold our elected representatives accountable.”

There will be a question and answer period after the presentation, where the attendees will have the ability to ask questions of the presenters that are participating in this event, including Sen. Kris Jordan, Rep. Tom Brinkman, and congressional candidate Matt Lynch and Mark Zetzer. There also be a simulcast of the event available at rlcoh.org/rlcoh-liberty-index-conference where people can watch the event live, and participate in the live Q&A that will take place after the presentation.

Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio Urges a ‘NO’ Vote on Issue 1

By
MathewErickson
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0

In 2012, there was a State Issue 1 that also dealt with voting districts. At the heart of the old issue was detailed criteria for voting districts that would have kept districts compact and ensured communities could not be split in order to accommodate a political whim of the majority party seeking to wipe out prevailing views of your neighborhood. We were begged to vote against the 2012 measure because they said it was too complicated and gave power to an unelected board (which was the point). They promised real reform if we voted down the measure. What we have 3 years later is the brand new Issue 1.

Issue 1 increases the State Apportionment Board from five to seven members, and requires a minimum of two minority party members are on the Board and approve of any state legislative districts for 10 years. So far, so good. If new districts do not earn two minority party votes, they could still go into effect, but only for 4 years, after which the process begins anew.

Issue 1 attempts to address gerrymandering – Board members “shall attempt to draw” districts fitting new requirements for keeping communities intact. However, there is a huge prize for whoever sits in the majority. For the minority, it will always be best to wait 4 years in hopes of becoming the majority so they can be in charge of picking your voters. The new criteria for district boundaries are laudable but lack teeth in any legal challenge. The incentive for both the majority and minority is to wheel-and-deal to their advantage rather than seek real fair districts for their constituents.

In the Ohio House and Ohio Senate, an elected official must reside in the district voting for them. If your lines are redrawn every 4 years, you are constantly threatened with being drawn-out of re-election if you don’t conform to the wishes of party leadership.

Issue 1 only affects state legislative districts and not Congressional ones. This sets-up the likelihood that either nothing will change with how Congressional districts are drawn, or an entirely different process will evolve for federal versus state apportionment. If this process is so good, why are we not being asked to amend the state constitution once and fix all our problems right now?

Voters are already jaded by hyper-partisanship and confused by the myriad district lines in their communities. Issue 1 makes it more likely that district lines will become more confusing, change separately for federal versus state districts, and change with more frequency.

The best case fielded for Issue 1 is that it is a modest improvement over the current system where the majority can run roughshod over the minority and impose their will by a simple vote. We disagree. As horrible as our current system is, we believe it is better than one that provides the illusion of progress. Lines that change more frequently encourage more partisanship, not less. And, there are great examples of how available technology can help to ensure objectively and mathematically fair districts as the basis for any new legislation. With this passage, a call for meaningful change for both state and Congressional apportionment is silenced for years to come as unethical dealings continue unabated and the individual voter sees her representation in Columbus pre-ordained by the party sequestering her neighborhood into a favorable slice of the voting population.

For these reasons, The Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio urges a “No” vote on Issue 1. 

Less Than One Month Until the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio Announces Liberty Index Scorecard

By
MathewErickson
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0

(Columbus, Ohio) October 16, 2015: The Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (RLCOH) announces plans to unveil the first liberty index of all sitting Ohio legislators. In addition, GOP candidates will be surveyed and potentially endorsed by the RLCOH, a state charter of the National Republican Liberty Caucus.

“We’re filling a significant void in Ohio politics,” says RLCOH Chair, Bill Yarbrough. “In elections, there’s no way to objectively weigh two Republicans facing‐off against each other. And, for all legislators, regardless of party, there is no comprehensive performance tool for voters concerned about liberty issues. It all changes this November.”

The media and all liberty‐minded Ohioans are all invited to Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Rd in Medina, Ohio, on November 14th at 11:00 AM or via a live stream from RLCOH.org to hear about these tools first hand. Those planning to attend can go to http://www.facebook.com/events/1634450573482592/ and register for this free event.

Representative Tom Brinkman, Senator Kris Jordan and former Ohio legislator and current Congressional candidate Matt Lynch will share their thoughts around Ohio liberty issues, including:

‐ expanding the personal liberty of Ohioans

‐ limiting the size and scope of government in Ohio

‐ decreasing the tax and regulatory burden on Ohio individuals and businesses

‐ empowering local communities through decentralized Ohio government

‐ championing transparency and accountability of all Ohio government functions

Live attendees and those participating over the web will be able to ask questions of RLCOH leadership and the guest speakers during a panel discussion over the course of this fast‐paced event.

Republican Liberty Caucus Elects New National Board

By
The Republican Liberty Caucus
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NASHUA, NH – The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) elected a new board at its biennial convention this weekend.

Matt Nye was re-elected Chairman, while Immediate Past Chairman and South Central Regional Director Dave Nalle was elected Vice Chairman. RLC New Hampshire chairman Aaron Day is the new Treasurer, and John Dennis, Immediate Past Chairman of the organization’s California charter, is the new Secretary.

“During the most successful convention in our organization’s history, the RLC voted on perhaps its deepest, most talented board to date,” said Chairman Matt Nye. “All of our new officers are accomplished business people, and all have had executive level experience within the RLC as well. We are very all excited to see what the next two years will bring under the leadership of this team.”

In addition to the new Officers, Jeff Larson of Texas, Luis Vargas from Rhode Island and Steve Hoffman of South Carolina were chosen by the delegates as At-Large Board Member. Saul Anuzis from Michigan, Jackie Johnson of Wisconsin and Nathan Fatal from Massachusetts were also elected as Alternates.

Vice Chairman Dave Nalle expressed optimism about the breadth of experience of the new board and the progress made by the RLC during the many years he’s been involved.

“As Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform said at our dinner Saturday night, the liberty agenda is winning,” said Vice Chairman Dave Nalle. “The ideas upon which the RLC was founded nearly 25 years ago are realized every year.”

Rand Paul Wins RLC Straw Poll

By
Dave Nalle
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NASHUA, NH – Rand Paul was the most preferred presidential candidate of the Republican contenders as voted by nearly 800 activists attending the Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention, held in New Hampshire, home of the first in the nation presidential primary.

The straw poll was conducted using an alternative voting method called “approval voting,” which allows voters to approve of one or more of the current Republican presidential candidates. This method of voting allows voters to indicate the candidate or candidates that they would support if the election were held today. As a preference poll this may produce results where more than one candidate receives over 50% approval.

Rand Paul was the preference of 57.1% of the convention’s attendees. Ted Cruz came in second with a 51.2% preferred rating. No other candidate received more than 17.9%.

While this does not represent the RLC’s final endorsement, it does indicate a strong preference of the attendees for these candidates. The RLC’s official endorsement process requires two-thirds of its state chapters to approve a candidate. The RLC officially endorsed Ron Paul for President in 2012.

“The large turnout for this event and the enthusiastic participation of attendees in this poll shows the rising tide of Liberty in the Republican Party,” said Matt Nye, National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus. “Liberty Republicans have clearly identified these two candidates as the best in a crowded field. They are an inspiration to Republicans around the country and we look forward to a great crop of candidates at every level, ready to go to Washington and restore limited government and a respect for individual liberty.”

National frontrunner Donald Trump received 6.9% approval in the poll. Ben Carson received 17.9% and Carly Fiorina received 10.1%.

“New Hampshire is the jumping off point for the nomination campaign and with this choice the people have clearly chosen liberty,” said Aaron Day, Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire. “We look forward to seeing a lot more of both Rand Paul and Ted Cruz in the next few months and I’m confident that our state candidates will do well with one of them at the top of the ticket.”

The full results of the poll are:

Candidate Votes Percent
Rand Paul 445 57.1%
Ted Cruz 399 51.2%
Ben Carson 139 17.9%
Carly Fiorina 79 10.1%
Marco Rubio 75 9.6%
Donald Trump 54 6.9%
Bobby Jindal 51 6.6%
Rick Santorum 27 3.5%
Mike Huckabee 25 3.2%
John Kasich 17 2.2%
Chris Christie 14 1.8%
Gil Fulbright 12 1.5%
Jeb Bush 9 1.2%
George Pataki 6 0.8%
Lindsey Graham 4 0.5%
Vermin Supreme 3 0.4%
Jim Gilmore 3 0.4%
Mark Everson 2 0.3%

Andrew Jennings of the Center for Election Science, a non-profit group which conducted the poll, observed that “Approval voting is a better way to run elections because it doesn’t force voters to abandon their ideal candidate to vote for a compromise—they can vote for both. In a general election it would prevent spoilers and let all candidates see their true level of support. In crowded elections like the current Republican primary, it would stop the vote splitting which is distorting the race and would allow us to see how the voters really feel about each candidate.”

Unlike a “first past the post” traditional straw poll where participants vote for only ONE candidate, using an alternative “approval voting” system we allowed activists to more clearly express the preference and favorites for the Republican nomination.

Both the Paul and Cruz camps actively encouraged local supporters to participate in the straw poll. This gave them an opportunity to both test and show their organizational strength and level of committed activist willing to come out and vote.

RLCOH To Launch Liberty Index

By
MathewErickson
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0

 

Click here for live chat window, which we will be using for the Question and Answer portion of the conference: Q&A

 

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (RLCOH) announces plans to unveil the first liberty index of all sitting Ohio legislators. In addition, GOP candidates will be surveyed and potentially endorsed by the RLCOH, a state charter of the National Republican Liberty Caucus.

“We’re filling a significant void in Ohio politics,” says RLCOH Chair, Bill Yarbrough. “In elections, there’s no way to objectively weigh two Republicans facing‐off against each other. And, for all legislators, regardless of party, there is no comprehensive performance tool for voters concerned about liberty issues. It all changes this November.”

The media and all liberty‐minded Ohioans are invited to Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Rd in Medina, Ohio, on November 14th at 11:00 AM or via a live stream from RLCOH.org to hear about these tools first hand. Representative Tom Brinkman, Senator Kris Jordan and former Ohio legislator and current Congressional candidate Matt Lynch will share their thoughts around Ohio liberty issues.

‐ expanding the personal liberty of Ohioans

‐ limiting the size and scope of government in Ohio

‐ decreasing the tax and regulatory burden on Ohio individuals and businesses

‐ empowering local communities through decentralized Ohio government

‐ championing transparency and accountability of all Ohio government functions

Live attendees and those participating over the web will be able to ask questions of RLCOH leadership and the guest speakers during a panel discussion over the course of this fast‐paced event.

 

— Contact: Mathew Erickson Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio PO Box 486 New Albany, OH 43054 Phone (614) 962-6062 Email: info@rlcoh.org

Wisconsin Grassroots Activists to Participate in National Convention Panel on Common Core

By
JackieJ
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0

WISCONSIN GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL CONVENTION PANEL ON COMMON CORE

Forum will highlight issues surrounding the Common Core State Standards and transpartisan concerns regarding the centralization of education.

(Madison, WI) – Kirsten Lombard and Jeffrey Horn, board members of the recently-chartered Republican Liberty Caucus—Wisconsin (RLC-WI), have been invited to participate in the panel discussion “Conservatives and Libertarians in Common Core” at the upcoming Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) national convention. Scheduled for October 8-11, 2015 in Nashua, NH, the convention will bring together liberty activists from across the nation to organize and influence policy, with the goal of returning the Republican Party to its core values of limited government, free enterprise and individual liberty. The convention features a presidential straw poll, informational panels, grassroots activist training and dozens of exhibitors.

The panel discussion on Common Core will include the effects of centralized standards on curricula, promotion of informational texts in English classes, and the tracking of personally identifiable student data from cradle to career. In addition to Lombard and Horn, panelists include Kate Baker of the Network for Educational Opportunity; Michelle Levell, Director, School Choice for New Hampshire; and NH activist Ann Marie Banfield. Horn will serve as the panel’s moderator.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Kirsten and Jeff,” says RLC-WI Chair Jackie Johnson, “and we’re pleased to see the work they’ve done on this issue getting the national attention it deserves. Opposition to Common Core, the one-size-fits-all educational model it imposes on our children, the mass collection of student and family data, and the commoditization of students as the production output of factory-like schools is an issue that transcends political boundaries and unites people of many ideologies.”

Lombard, a Madison-based grassroots organizer for the past six years, has spent the last three engaged almost exclusively in the fight to expose and eliminate false education reforms such as the Common Core. In early 2013, she established Resounding Books, a publishing company dedicated to establishing productive dialogue and common ground on issues that bridge political and ideological divides. The company published its first book, Common Ground on Common Core: Voices from across the Political Spectrum Expose the Reality of the Common Core State Standards, in late 2014. Entirely unique in a growing market of books on the subject, the volume is a collection of essays by 20 top education experts and activists. Edited by Lombard, the volume is well-researched, compelling, and often provocative, while remaining non-partisan in approach. It has garnered enthusiastic praise from reviewers, politicians, researchers, and activists alike and includes a thoughtful foreword by former Congressman Ron Paul.

Says Lombard, “It’s so exciting to participate in an RLC panel at an event where so many participants understand the direct correlations between education and liberty. I look forward to sharing crucial perspective about how we can build cross-ideological dialogue and partnerships on these crucial issues in order finally to restore true education to parents, teachers, and especially students at the local level.”

Also a grassroots activist from Madison, Horn is a data scientist and professional programmer, working daily to build infrastructure used in leveraging Big Data to improve advertising, medical decisions, investing, and more. Conscious of the existing tension between technology and personal freedom, Horn has been engaged in the fight against Common Core and high-stakes testing in Wisconsin for several years. Since 2013, he has successfully spearheaded efforts to unite a wide array of organizations and individuals on Common Core-related issues, resulting in several open letters to state-level public officials in Wisconsin. The first of those letters ultimately helped ensure a series of statewide public hearings on Common Core in late 2013. Recently, Horn authored the essay: “Learning With Leviathan: Objectification, Surveillance, and Control In a Concealed Command Economy” in Common Ground on Common Core, referenced above.

Warns Horn, “It’s crucial to understand that Common Core standards and associated testing and data collection are primary tools used by the State to mold children into its vision of the workers of the future. That vision has more to do with control on the part of the State, and profit on the part of corporations, than with our children’s hopes and dreams. It has less to do with teaching children reading and mathematics than with training them to accept constant surveillance and State-determined futures as a fact of life. Fighting against Common Core is imperative to preserving liberty for coming generations.”

“Exposing the issues at the heart of Common Core fits well with the RLC-Wisconsin’s focus on issues-based advocacy and education on liberty positions,” added Johnson. “Kirsten and Jeff have built strong reputations as experts in this issue statewide and even nationally. I can’t think of two better or stronger voices to include on the national convention panel.”

The Republican Liberty Caucus is a voluntary 527 organization dedicated to grassroots efforts within the Republican Party to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government and cooperative, voluntary markets. Founded in 1991, the national organization is the oldest continuously operating organization within the Republican liberty movement. The Wisconsin chapter, formally chartered earlier in 2015, makes Wisconsin one of over 30 official state charters of the national organization.

# # #

For more information, please contact Jackie Johnson, RLC-Wisconsin Chair, at (608) 535-4950 or email at chair@rlcwi.org.

RLCOH Makes Recommendations for Sunset Review Committee

By
MathewErickson
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0

COLUMBUS, OH – The Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (RLCOH) announced today that they have sent the following letter to Governor John Kasich with recommendations for appointment to the Ohio Sunset Review Committee:

Governor Kasich,

The Ohio Sunset Review Committee is a great example of government done right. Boards and commissions built over time to address specific needs can outlive their usefulness. This is to be expected in a large and complex government, as we have in Ohio. The over 200 such boards and commissions often duplicate each other, spend millions in taxpayer dollars, and simply need leadership to help determine their direction. The Sunset Review Committee is chartered by law and was due to begin its work in February. The Ohio House appointed its three members and the Senate appointed three. As of the date of this letter, you, sir, have yet to name any of your appointees.

Your spokesman, Mr. Jim Lynch, stated that you “will not make an appointment just to check a box, but want to ensure that your appointees can take a clean, unbiased look at the system and have the right strengths to add value to this important task.” In light of this statement, the members of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio are submitting the following three names to you as the best possible choices for the Sunset Review Committee, all former Republican legislators that are exactly the type of members you are seeking: the kind that will take a clean, unbiased look at the system and make the choices required of this committee.

Our first selection recommended to you is Matt Lynch. Mr. Lynch is a former Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing District 76 from his appointment in April 2012 to January 1, 2015. As an attorney in Bainbridge Township, he first ran for office to stop wasteful spending and tax hikes. Lynch won and his first order of business was cutting his own pay. Over the next four years Lynch reduced annual expenditures by 17%. As a state representative, Lynch had an independent streak and voted against increases in the sales tax, real estate taxes, and unnecessary growth in government.

Our second selection is Lynn Wachtmann. Mr. Wachtmann is a former Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, who represented the 81st District from 2007 to 2014. Prior to his term in the House, Wachtmann was a two-term state Senator, representing the 1st district of the Ohio Senate from 1999 to 2006, and the 83rd District of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1985 to 1998. He is the Chairman of the House Health and Aging Committee. As a member of the legislature, Wachtmann had a reputation as a no-nonsense official who could get things done. Wachtmann consistently worked to change the role of state government and empower the taxpayer by letting them keep more of their money.

Our third choice may seem controversial, but we are hopeful that you are able to lead by example by nominating Charlie Earl. Mr. Earl is a former Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives 80th district from 1981 to 1984 when he declined to seek reelection. During his tenure in the House, and also as a former broadcaster and business owner, Earl has been an advocate for a limited, streamlined government. Earl uniquely understands the largess of the state government, and would be an excellent choice to help weed through the numerous state boards to help determine what is necessary and what is excess.

We understand your busy schedule leading our great state has become increasingly so with your current presidential campaign. We are glad to be able to provide this service as a liberty caucus within the Republican Party, formed specifically to assist with matters related to small and more responsible government. We hope you will thoroughly consider our recommendations for appointment to the Sunset Review Committee board so that its important objectives can be fulfilled.

Sincerely,

Bill Yarbrough Chairman, Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio

Cruz, Paul Confirmed to Speak Next Month at RLC Convention in Nashua

By
The Republican Liberty Caucus
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0

NASHUA, NH – Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are both confirmed as speakers at the 2015 Biennial National Convention of the Republican Liberty Caucus, a four day event in Nashua, New Hampshire that begins Thursday, October 8th.

“We’re thrilled to have Senators Cruz and Paul at the convention,” said Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) Chairman Matt Nye. “Both men are powerful advocates for liberty; they have fantastic track records and offer a true alternative to the status quo.”

Cruz and Paul join an impressive lineup of speakers at the convention, including best selling author Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital, media personality and author Wayne Allyn Root, noted economist Mark Skousen, tax reduction advocate Grover Norquist of American for Tax Reform, and Michael Steele, the former Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

The RLC National Convention brings together liberty activists from across the nation to organize and influence policy with the goal of returning the Republican Party to its core values of limited government, free enterprise and individual liberty. The features a presidential straw poll, informational panels, grassroots activist training and dozens of exhibitors.

Senators Cruz and Paul have consistently been the top two vote getters at straw polls conducted at RLC events around the country during the last 18 months or so, and Nye expects both to make a solid showing at the convention.

“The 2016 presidential primary is a true milestone for the liberty Republican movement,” said Nye. “This is the first time liberty Republicans have more than one candidate to choose from, and it will be interesting to see how our members and activists react to the way each candidate has carved out his niche during the course of the year.”

The Senators will be speaking on Friday October 9th in the middle of a schedule full of important issue panels and valuable activist training. You can learn more and register at the convention web site here.

RLC National Vice Chairman Lopez Challenges Chairman Nye for Top Leadership Spot

By
Laura Ebke
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In July of this year individuals on the National board that were eligible under RLC bylaws to seek the offices of Chairman and Vice Chairman were asked to declare their intentions so we could properly allocate time and resources at the convention for the business meeting and officer elections.

National Chairman Matt Nye announced he would be seeking re-election as Chairman, and National Vice Chairman Ed Lopez announced he would be seeking re-election as Vice Chairman. You can review the meeting minutes here.

This week Vice Chairman Lopez announced to the National Board on our monthly board call that he had been reflecting on his participation within the RLC and had decided to run for Chairman. With less than a month to go to convention, Vice Chairman Lopez announced not just his candidacy, but an entire slate of prospective Officers and Board Members which you can find here.

Because we are a 100% grassroots organization and elections are one of the primary reasons our members attend our biennial convention, I thought it important to make the membership aware of this important development.

If you haven’t yet made arrangements to attend convention, and want to have a say in the direction and leadership of the RLC, I encourage you to register here today. The business meeting begins at 8am on Friday, October 9th. I hope we’ll see you there!

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