Wichita needs more, and willing, taxpayers

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What is the goal of Wichita/Sedgwick County Community Investments Plan?

And what of its companion websites for the South Central Kansas Prosperity Plan: Think Tomorrow Today and Let’s Talk Prosperity?

Here’s an excerpt from “Citizen Attachment: Building Sustainable Communities,” which appeared in Government Finance Review. Authors are Mark A. Glaser, Misty R. Bruckner, and Corinne Bannon, all associated with the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs at Wichita State University. HWS is facilitating the planning process for the city and county.

citizen-attachment-cover

(Nearby is the illustration used for the cover of this paper (click on it for a larger version). Does anyone else think this looks like citizens rallying to send money to the shining government headquarters high on the hill?)

Increasingly, citizens are retreating from their responsibilities to community and demanding more from government than they are willing to pay for. But changes in local government behavior can be instrumental in reversing this trend, by strengthening citizens’ commitment to the well-being of their communities. Citizens who are committed to community are more willing to accept responsibility for the well-being of their fellow citizens and are also more likely to join with government and other parties to improve their communities. Citizens who are committed to community are also more willing taxpayers — that is, when government demonstrates that it can be trusted to invest public resources in ways that strengthen the community. The central thrust of this model is getting citizens and governments to work together, but realistically, many communities will require new revenue — including additional tax dollars — if they are to assemble the critical mass of resources necessary for meaningful change. Accordingly, citizens who are willing to pay increased taxes are an important component of building sustainable communities.

More willing taxpayers.

Citizens who are willing to pay increased taxes.

I recommend you read this paper. Click on Citizen Attachment: Building Sustainable Communities.

Paul Ryan and the MD GOP on the Affordable Care Act

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As we have discussed previously this week, Rep. Paul Ryan is headlining a Maryland Republican Party fundraiser in Baltimore. Unconscionably, policies endorsed by Mr. Ryan and the Maryland Republican Party would have direct and devastating effects on people across Maryland.  In fact, Maryland’s only Republican Congressman, Andy Harris, is a supporter of Mr. Ryan’s budget [...]

USA vs. You: The problem of overcriminalization

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Events in recent months have justifiably caused Americans to ask whether a powerful, activist, and interventionist government and bureaucracy is good to have. Those who have been looking at overcriminalization, however, have known that government and regulatory agencies have been targeting and oppressing Americans for a long time. And it’s getting worse.

USA vs. You cover

The new website USAvsYOU.com holds useful information for Americans to know about how law has changed in recent years, compared to how it operated for centuries before. The booklet available for reading is titled USA vs. You: The flood of criminal laws threatening your liberty.

As an example, here is a troubling trend:

In many criminal laws, the “guilty mind” requirement has been removed or weakened. This means people can go to prison regardless of whether they intended to break the law or knew their actions were in violation of the law.

Traditionally, crimes had two components: (l) mens reu (guilty mind), and (2) actus reus (bad act).

Today, many criminal laws and regulations have insufficient or no mens rea (guilty mind) requirement — meaning, a person need not know that his or her conduct is illegal in order to be guilty of the crime.

An example story is the following:

THE CRIME: Rescuing a baby deer

Jeff Counceller, a police officer, and his wife Jennifer spotted an injured baby deer on their neighbor’s porch. Instead of turning a blind eye to the dying fawn, the Councellers took the deer in and nursed it back to health.

An Indiana Conservation Officer spotted the fawn (named Dani) in the Councellers’ yard — and promptly charged the couple with unlawful possession of a deer, a misdemeanor offense. Fortunately for her, the day that “Little Orphan Dani” was to be euthanized by the state, the deer escaped into the wild. Due to public outrage, the government dropped the charges.

The website and booklet is a product of Heritage Foundation and it partners such as the American Civil Liberties Union. Heritage has been covering the issue of overcriminalization here. It describes the problem as this: “Overcriminalization describes the trend to use the criminal law rather than the civil law to solve every problem, to punish every mistake, and to compel compliance with regulatory objectives. Criminal law should be used only if a person intentionally flouts the law or engages in conduct that is morally blameworthy or dangerous.”

We have problems like this in Wichita, believe it or not. An ordinance passed by the Wichita City Council in 2010 might ensnare anyone visiting city hall, if they happen to have a broad-tip marker in their purse or briefcase:

Animated marker

“Possession of Graffiti Implements Prohibited in Public Places. It is unlawful for any person to have in his/her possession any graffiti implement while in, upon or within one hundred (100) feet of any public facility, park, playground, swimming pool, skate park, recreational facility, or other public building owned or operated by the city, county, state, or federal government, or while in, under or within one hundred (100) feet of an underpass, bridge, abutment, storm drain, spillway or similar types of infrastructure unless otherwise authorized.”

“Graffiti implements” are defined broadly earlier in the ordinance.

If you’re thinking about a career in taxicab driving, be advised that the city has ordinances punishing you if you’re found to have violated these standards: “Fail to maintain their personal appearance by being neat and clean in dress and person” and “Fail to keep clothing in good repair, free of rips, tears and stains.”

Former Santorum National Campaign Manager to Advise Clovis Campaign

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Mike Biundo has a lot of fond memories of Iowa, but now he wants to make some more.  Following his campaign kick-off last week, U.S. Senate candidate Sam Clovis has hired RightOn Strategies to serve as his general consultant for his campaign.

Biundo served as Rick Santorum’s national campaign manager in 2012 during the nomination phase on the campaign.  He served as Mitt Romney’s Deputy Coalitions Director in the general election.  Biundo then started the political consulting firm, RightOn Strategies.

“We are pleased to be joining the Clovis for U.S. Senate team,” Biundo told TheIowaRepublican.com.  “I had the honor of getting to know Sam Clovis during the 2012 campaign, and I am confident that Sam has the experience, dedication and work ethic needed to be Iowa’s next U.S. Senator.”

Like Santorum’s campaign at the onset of the 2012 campaign, many view the Clovis campaign as a long shot to win the nomination.  However, the similarities between Clovis and Santorum go beyond the fact that establishment Republicans and the media are skeptical about their chances.  Clovis is well versed on foreign policy issues and is an unabashed conservative who should find a following among GOP primary voters.  Biundo also intimated that the campaign intends to travel the entire state looking for votes.

“After working in Iowa for Rick Santorum campaign, I know first-hand that it takes a strong 99 county campaign to achieve victory in Iowa.  My team and I are looking forward to the working with Sam to ensure just that,” Biundo stated.

“I am excited to have RightOn Strategies join my team,” said Clovis.  “Their track record of putting together strong grassroots campaigns, including the one here that visited and competed in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, is exactly the type of campaign we are going to build.  In my opinion, Mike Biundo ran an outstanding campaign for Senator Santorum, and I am excited that he and his team have agreed to bring their extensive skills and abilities to our campaign.”

Clovis has scheduled a meet and greet at the Coralville Public Library on Wednesday, June 26th.  All three announced U.S. Senate candidates also have a fundraising deadline looming at the end of June.

More information on the Clovis campaign can be found at www.SamClovis.com.

 

Photo by Dave Davidson, Prezography.com

 

 

 

 

 

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“Avalanche” of Lawsuits Hit DSC Over Bay Delta Plan

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Dan BacherBy Dan Bacher

The North Coast Rivers Alliance, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Associations and Winnemem Wintu (McCloud River) Tribe on Friday, June 14, filed a lawsuit against the Delta Plan approved recently by the Delta Stewardship Council.

Attorney Stephan C. Volker filed the litigation in the Sacramento County Superior Court, charging that the Delta Plan violates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009 and the Public Trust Doctrine.

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Like President Obama, Does Bruce Braley Trust the IRS with Iowans’ Tax Dollars?

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Washington, D.C. – In the wake of the numerous Washington scandals, including that in which the IRS unfairly targeted conservative groups, lawmakers are raising serious questions over whether more taxpayer dollars and trust should be handed over to the IRS in order to implement the next stages of ObamaCare. This decision also comes on the heels of the Inspector General’s report which found the IRS had been recklessly spending tax dollars on employee conferences. But, one important question remains for Iowa voters: Where does Bruce Braley stand?

Bruce Braley, a key vote for ObamaCare, said this legislation would be “good for Iowa” and says he is “never intimidated.”

In that case, there is no time like the present for Bruce Braley to start answering these controversial questions:

Does Bruce Braley stand with President Obama and believe more of Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars should be given to the IRS to implement ObamaCare?
Like President Obama, does Bruce Braley trust that the IRS will properly utilize the additional taxpayer dollars, rather than spend it on lavished staff retreats?
“Iowans were already ignored once when Bruce Braley cast his unpopular vote for ObamaCare,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Now in the midst of scandal, will Braley continue advocating for even more taxpayer dollars to be wasted for mandates, penalties and fees that voters didn’t want in the first place?”

NRSC Press Release

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Pro-lifers Celebrate Arrival of “Choose Life” Plates in Iowa

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For the first time in state history, pro-life Iowans can promote their message on car license plates. Following a decade-long effort spearheaded by Iowa Right to Life, the new “Choose Life” license plates debuted in the state on Monday. They are available at your county treasurer’s office.

“We are thrilled the pro-life citizens across the state are finally able to proudly proclaim their love for life by displaying a ‘Choose Life’ license plate, said IRTL President Marlys Popma. “People have been able to share their love for their college, for Ducks Unlimited, and even for amateur radio.  It is long past due that we can now proudly display our love for life!”

Conservative activist Jim Carley was one of the first Iowans to pick up the new plates. They cost $25 more than regular plates the first year. An additional $5 is added for each year thereafter. Carley believes that extra money is a wise investment.

“If all those that support life would spend the cost of one night out, we could flood the state with the ‘Choose Life’ message on a daily basis and show everyone just how strong the pro-life movement is,” Carley said.

Iowa Right to Life successfully collected more than 500 applications in one year from Iowans requesting the plates. That was the threshold required by the Iowa Department of Transportation to officially produce the plates. IRTL could not have achieved the goal without a huge grassroots effort.

“Several months ago I started volunteering with the Iowa Right to Life Committee,” Carley said. “I am calling on and coordinating with churches in eastern Polk County and western Jasper County to spread the word and activate more support for the future babies of Iowa. Babies are the creation of God and the most precious gift He can give us, the gift of life.”

Governor Branstad also played an instrumental role in helping to get the plates approved.

“Years ago, efforts were made in the legislature to pass it there,” said IRTL Executive Director Jenifer Bowen. “Stymied on multiple occasions, the project lay dormant for a few years, as we have focused our legislative energy toward late-term abortions ending, halting webcam abortions in the state in which they began, defunding the abortion industry, and more. A year ago we were made aware of another way to accomplish this and we did it!”

Iowa is the 29th state to adopt some form of pro-life license plates. However, the “Choose Life” plates ran into legal hurdles in North Carolina. A federal judge, responding to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, ruled the pro-life plates unconstitutional because the state did not offer abortion advocates the same opportunity. The state is appealing the ruling.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has declined several interview requests from various media regarding the “Choose Life” plates. Iowa Right to Life is not supporting the plates as a way to create controversy or conflict. Instead, they are hoping the plates help win over hearts and minds.

“We are hopeful that they will serve as a gentle, non-confrontational message to women and men across Iowa that may be wrestling through the hardest decisions of their lives,” Bowen said.

The new “Choose Life” license plates are available by clicking here.