There will be a state committee meeting on FEB. 21st. at The Hotel Carlisle(1-717-243-1717). The Executive meeting will be from 10am-noon, state committee meeting 1pm-4pm and the dinner is from 5pm-8pm.
To order tickets call Danielle Warren at 1-717-390-1993. Tickets are $40 per person and $70 per couple(dinner is included).
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Pennsylvania Ballot Access Bill Has 7 Sponsors in Senate
January 20th, 2009
The Pennsylvania “Voters Choice Act”, which improves ballot access for minor parties and independent candidates, has not yet been introduced in the Pennsylvania legislature. However, the Senate sponsor of the proposed bill, Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) has already identified six other Senators who have said they will co-sponsor the bill. They include one Democrat and five Republicans.
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/01/20/pennsylvania-ballot-access-bill-has-7-sponsors-in-senate/
The Pennsylvania “Voters Choice Act”, which improves ballot access for minor parties and independent candidates, has not yet been introduced in the Pennsylvania legislature. However, the Senate sponsor of the proposed bill, Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) has already identified six other Senators who have said they will co-sponsor the bill. They include one Democrat and five Republicans.
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/01/20/pennsylvania-ballot-access-bill-has-7-sponsors-in-senate/
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wilkinsburg voting dispute raises questions about ballot verification
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
By Deborah M. Todd, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Voting discrepancies at one Wilkinsburg polling place are being used by voters' rights organizations to argue that the state needs a better system of ballot verification.
Richard King, of VotePA, wrote a letter to the Allegheny County Elections Bureau last month requesting an investigation into Wilkinsburg's Ward 1, District 6 election returns after he learned the number of votes cast in that district exceeded the number of voters who signed in to access the machines by 10 votes.
Mr. King said he reviewed the total tapes from the district himself and found that 591 voters signed in and 601 votes were cast.
Mark Wolosik, elections bureau division manager, cited machine malfunctions and human error as the likely reasons for the discrepancy.
He said the local board of elections did not follow proper procedure in activating voting machines that were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and some board members admitted they may have erred in recording the names of voters.
Mr. King said the problem of "phantom ballots" is not uncommon with the new voter verified machines and voters should be able to verify their own votes with a paper copy of the ballot they cast.
"If you ask the division of elections how prevalent discrepancies are between ballots cast and voters voting on the machine, you won't be able to get an answer because they said they don't keep that record," he said.
Celeste Taylor, of the Black Political Empowerment Project and PA Voice, said the county should do a better job of training election workers to avoid errors, particularly in regard to ADA-compliant machines.
"They didn't train them properly," she said. "The Help America Vote Act was set in 2002 to do just that.
"In 2004, there were a lot of blind voters that were disenfranchised. Also, when they go to vote and are treated like second-class citizens, we know what that's like."
Mr. Wolosik said no voters were turned away due to machine malfunctions. He also said the total number of votes cast for the precinct does not exceed the number of people admitted to voting machines, so there was no error in the actual number of votes tabulated, even if there was an error in the number of voters recorded by poll workers.
Ms. Taylor, who is a lead plaintiff on a lawsuit challenging the state's use of ES&S IVotronic and M650 central count scanners to record votes, said the machine error wasn't so much the issue as was providing transparency to voters.
"It doesn't matter if it's not the machine," she said. "Our goal at the end of the day is to make sure voters aren't disenfranchised."
Deborah M. Todd can be reached at dtodd@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1652.
First published on December 24, 2008 at 5:59 am
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08359/937272-56.stm
By Deborah M. Todd, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Voting discrepancies at one Wilkinsburg polling place are being used by voters' rights organizations to argue that the state needs a better system of ballot verification.
Richard King, of VotePA, wrote a letter to the Allegheny County Elections Bureau last month requesting an investigation into Wilkinsburg's Ward 1, District 6 election returns after he learned the number of votes cast in that district exceeded the number of voters who signed in to access the machines by 10 votes.
Mr. King said he reviewed the total tapes from the district himself and found that 591 voters signed in and 601 votes were cast.
Mark Wolosik, elections bureau division manager, cited machine malfunctions and human error as the likely reasons for the discrepancy.
He said the local board of elections did not follow proper procedure in activating voting machines that were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and some board members admitted they may have erred in recording the names of voters.
Mr. King said the problem of "phantom ballots" is not uncommon with the new voter verified machines and voters should be able to verify their own votes with a paper copy of the ballot they cast.
"If you ask the division of elections how prevalent discrepancies are between ballots cast and voters voting on the machine, you won't be able to get an answer because they said they don't keep that record," he said.
Celeste Taylor, of the Black Political Empowerment Project and PA Voice, said the county should do a better job of training election workers to avoid errors, particularly in regard to ADA-compliant machines.
"They didn't train them properly," she said. "The Help America Vote Act was set in 2002 to do just that.
"In 2004, there were a lot of blind voters that were disenfranchised. Also, when they go to vote and are treated like second-class citizens, we know what that's like."
Mr. Wolosik said no voters were turned away due to machine malfunctions. He also said the total number of votes cast for the precinct does not exceed the number of people admitted to voting machines, so there was no error in the actual number of votes tabulated, even if there was an error in the number of voters recorded by poll workers.
Ms. Taylor, who is a lead plaintiff on a lawsuit challenging the state's use of ES&S IVotronic and M650 central count scanners to record votes, said the machine error wasn't so much the issue as was providing transparency to voters.
"It doesn't matter if it's not the machine," she said. "Our goal at the end of the day is to make sure voters aren't disenfranchised."
Deborah M. Todd can be reached at dtodd@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1652.
First published on December 24, 2008 at 5:59 am
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08359/937272-56.stm
Monday, December 22, 2008
Constitution Study Lessons
What: Constitution Study Lessons starting January 16, 2009. EVERY THIRD FRIDAY
When: January 16, 2009 7:00 PM
Where: Copy the link below to find out!
Meetup Description: Constitution Study Lessons starting January 16, 2009. EVERY THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH at 7:00 p.m. at 305 Center Avenue, West View, PA 15229. Presented in a series of DVDs taught by Dr. Earl Taylor. Dr. Taylor’s study courses appeal to a wide range of participants, from high school students to state legislators. The materials used in the presentation are from the National Center for Constitutional Studies. It teaches the U.S. Constitution in the tradition of America’s Founding Fathers. NCCS has taught thousands of families throughout America the original principles and ideas drafted by our Founding Fathers. The lessons acknowledge that American and the Constitution were established by the hand of God, and thus advocate morality and religious principles as the essential foundation of human happiness and freedom. To get a copy of the flier for this Constitution Study Lesson go to FILES and click onto CONSTITUTION STUDY LESSONS. For more information call Jim Barr at 412-931-5286
Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-97/calendar/9375296/
When: January 16, 2009 7:00 PM
Where: Copy the link below to find out!
Meetup Description: Constitution Study Lessons starting January 16, 2009. EVERY THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH at 7:00 p.m. at 305 Center Avenue, West View, PA 15229. Presented in a series of DVDs taught by Dr. Earl Taylor. Dr. Taylor’s study courses appeal to a wide range of participants, from high school students to state legislators. The materials used in the presentation are from the National Center for Constitutional Studies. It teaches the U.S. Constitution in the tradition of America’s Founding Fathers. NCCS has taught thousands of families throughout America the original principles and ideas drafted by our Founding Fathers. The lessons acknowledge that American and the Constitution were established by the hand of God, and thus advocate morality and religious principles as the essential foundation of human happiness and freedom. To get a copy of the flier for this Constitution Study Lesson go to FILES and click onto CONSTITUTION STUDY LESSONS. For more information call Jim Barr at 412-931-5286
Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-97/calendar/9375296/
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Metcalfe speaks out against COLA
Metcalfe Demands Democrat Leadership End ‘We Feel Your Pain' Hypocrisy and Replace COLA Return Sham with Reality-Based Repeal Vote
12/03/08
State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) issued the following statement today challenging top House Democrat leaders to end their political salary reduction scam and call for a vote on January 6, 2009, the first session day of the 2009-2010 legislative term, to repeal the legislature’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
“Once again, in an attempt to fool the taxpayers, just like the 2005 pay raise vote and their vote to enact the current state budget that is pulling our Commonwealth into the economic wasteland of a billion dollar plus budget deficit and potential tax increase next July, House Democrat leadership is making yet another calculated attempt to mask nearly a decade of fiscally-irresponsible spending. In reality, even if the House Democrats were truly sincere about returning this 2.8 percent salary increase, they cannot legitimately do so without actual repeal legislation. The new salary is established under the COLA law, checks were already issued on Dec. 1, taxes deducted and the COLA increased salaries factored into the pension system.
“Again, Mr. McCall, Mr. Eachus, Mr. DeWeese and Mr. Evans all cast votes for each of the governor’s tax-spend-and-borrowing, welfare-expanding state budgets, the 2003 Personal Income Tax increase, and fought tooth and nail against repealing the 2005 pay increase. Therefore, they are all equally responsible co-conspirators for Pennsylvania’s rapidly-deteriorating, fiscal situation.
“True leadership requires sacrifice. Returning a few thousand dollars to the Commonwealth, which will still factor into their state pensions, would not be defined as a significant sacrifice by the majority of Pennsylvania taxpayers. It is especially important to note when you consider that Mr. McCall stands to receive a $43,939.52 salary increase above base pay for a total annual salary of $122,254.18 if he is elected Speaker, and that Mr. Eachus is already guaranteed to receive a $35,153.29 salary increase above base pay by ascending to Majority Leader for a total annual salary of $113,467.95. This year, these triple-figure-collecting Democrat leaders led the state into a budget deficit by increasing total state spending by roughly $4 billion while ignoring anticipated revenue shortfalls.”
“I stand ready to cast a YES vote for the repeal of the COLA. If Democrat leadership truly wants to return the COLA, the first order of legislative business during the 2009-2010 session must be to legitimately repeal all legislative COLAs retroactive to Nov. 30. If House Democrat Leadership is truly sincere about protecting Pennsylvania taxpayers during these difficult economic times, at minimum, they should also take individual action by refusing their leadership salary increases and work for the pre-Dec. 1 member base salary.”
“Until those actions are taken, Pennsylvania taxpayers should consider all ‘We Feel Your Pain’ gestures from House Democrat leadership as smoke-and-mirrors hypocrisy.”
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe
12th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(724) 772-3110
(717) 783-1707
www.RepMetcalfe.com
Contact: Ty McCauslin
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 772-9979
12/03/08
State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) issued the following statement today challenging top House Democrat leaders to end their political salary reduction scam and call for a vote on January 6, 2009, the first session day of the 2009-2010 legislative term, to repeal the legislature’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
“Once again, in an attempt to fool the taxpayers, just like the 2005 pay raise vote and their vote to enact the current state budget that is pulling our Commonwealth into the economic wasteland of a billion dollar plus budget deficit and potential tax increase next July, House Democrat leadership is making yet another calculated attempt to mask nearly a decade of fiscally-irresponsible spending. In reality, even if the House Democrats were truly sincere about returning this 2.8 percent salary increase, they cannot legitimately do so without actual repeal legislation. The new salary is established under the COLA law, checks were already issued on Dec. 1, taxes deducted and the COLA increased salaries factored into the pension system.
“Again, Mr. McCall, Mr. Eachus, Mr. DeWeese and Mr. Evans all cast votes for each of the governor’s tax-spend-and-borrowing, welfare-expanding state budgets, the 2003 Personal Income Tax increase, and fought tooth and nail against repealing the 2005 pay increase. Therefore, they are all equally responsible co-conspirators for Pennsylvania’s rapidly-deteriorating, fiscal situation.
“True leadership requires sacrifice. Returning a few thousand dollars to the Commonwealth, which will still factor into their state pensions, would not be defined as a significant sacrifice by the majority of Pennsylvania taxpayers. It is especially important to note when you consider that Mr. McCall stands to receive a $43,939.52 salary increase above base pay for a total annual salary of $122,254.18 if he is elected Speaker, and that Mr. Eachus is already guaranteed to receive a $35,153.29 salary increase above base pay by ascending to Majority Leader for a total annual salary of $113,467.95. This year, these triple-figure-collecting Democrat leaders led the state into a budget deficit by increasing total state spending by roughly $4 billion while ignoring anticipated revenue shortfalls.”
“I stand ready to cast a YES vote for the repeal of the COLA. If Democrat leadership truly wants to return the COLA, the first order of legislative business during the 2009-2010 session must be to legitimately repeal all legislative COLAs retroactive to Nov. 30. If House Democrat Leadership is truly sincere about protecting Pennsylvania taxpayers during these difficult economic times, at minimum, they should also take individual action by refusing their leadership salary increases and work for the pre-Dec. 1 member base salary.”
“Until those actions are taken, Pennsylvania taxpayers should consider all ‘We Feel Your Pain’ gestures from House Democrat leadership as smoke-and-mirrors hypocrisy.”
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe
12th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(724) 772-3110
(717) 783-1707
www.RepMetcalfe.com
Contact: Ty McCauslin
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 772-9979
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Paul, Clinton, Baldwin lead write-ins in three Pennsylvania counties
November 25th, 2008
Two Pennsylvania newspapers detail presidential write-in votes in their areas. The Bucks County Courier Times writes that Rep. Ron Paul led Sen. Hillary Clinton 135 to 119 in Bucks County, and 322 to 289 in Montgomery County. Receiving the “third highest amount is Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin, who nabbed 60 votes in Bucks, which roughly matches the number of county residents registered as Constitution Party members.” Others drawing presidential votes in the two counties include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Stephen Colbert, Lou Dobbs, Harrison Ford, Newt Gingrich, Al Gore, Paris Hilton, Mike Huckabee, Toby Keith, Alan Keyes, Gov. Sarah Palin, Colin Powell, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, and Jesse Ventura.
York County showed similar results, according to the York Dispatch. Paul, “who performed strongly in York County” in the Republican presidential primary, received 423 votes, Clinton 291, and Baldwin 120. In addition, “Homer Simpson got one write-in vote, Jesus got six, Bill Cosby got four and Joe the Plumber got two. Seven people voted for ‘none of the above.’”
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/11/paul-clinton-baldwin-lead-write-ins-in-three-pennsylvania-counties/
Two Pennsylvania newspapers detail presidential write-in votes in their areas. The Bucks County Courier Times writes that Rep. Ron Paul led Sen. Hillary Clinton 135 to 119 in Bucks County, and 322 to 289 in Montgomery County. Receiving the “third highest amount is Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin, who nabbed 60 votes in Bucks, which roughly matches the number of county residents registered as Constitution Party members.” Others drawing presidential votes in the two counties include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Stephen Colbert, Lou Dobbs, Harrison Ford, Newt Gingrich, Al Gore, Paris Hilton, Mike Huckabee, Toby Keith, Alan Keyes, Gov. Sarah Palin, Colin Powell, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, and Jesse Ventura.
York County showed similar results, according to the York Dispatch. Paul, “who performed strongly in York County” in the Republican presidential primary, received 423 votes, Clinton 291, and Baldwin 120. In addition, “Homer Simpson got one write-in vote, Jesus got six, Bill Cosby got four and Joe the Plumber got two. Seven people voted for ‘none of the above.’”
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/11/paul-clinton-baldwin-lead-write-ins-in-three-pennsylvania-counties/
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