THE ACTION: Attend the Town Hall meeting (just your presence is important) and politely demand that Jamie Boles add his sunset provision and get the bill to the General Assembly floor for a vote.

WHEN: Tonight, Thursday, June 23, at 7 p.m. 

WHERE: Commissioners' Meeting Room, 2nd floor of the Historic Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Carthage (map)

THE GOAL: Get SB 727 out of committee and to the NCGA for a vote.

NOT THE QUESTION (this week): Should Moore Co. approve a .0025% sales tax to fund school construction? This is a necessary and important debate but we have four months for that. Right now the issue is getting it on the November ballot.

DETAILS: According The Pilot, Representative Jamie Boles is holding up SB 727 because it doesn't contain a "sunset" provision that would cause it to expire at a future point. This is an arguably good idea but Sen. Tillman, the bill's sponsor, told us Jamie can easily add a sunset amendment and allow it to continue through the process. 

Note: There are two, separate but interlaced questions, here:
   1. How much and what kind (frugal or extravagant) of school construction do we actually need?
   2. How do we pay for it, regardless what we build?

The second question is the only issue addressed by the sales tax. Most of us have many questions, but here are some of the reasons it's looking like the wise, conservative way to go:

• It's locked-in, by law, for new construction so future Boards of Commissioners (BoE) can't reallocate it
• It's transparent and accountable so we'll know how much there is at any given time
• It will greatly reduce the amount we'll have to borrow, thus avoiding a huge amount of interest debt
• It will avoid a hike in property taxes to fund school construction
• It will give everybody "skin in the game" (rather than just property owners) which will make responsible fiscal decisions of interest to more citizens
• Outsiders who visit Moore Co. will help pay for our school (vs. just property owners)
• It obviates the need for more massive bonds which always dearly cost the taxpayers

MTC favors a tax increase?? No! In fact, many of our members want government out of the school business, but that won't happen anytime soon, will it? In the meantime, Moore Co. will build and will fund it. Funding it wisely or foolishly is the immediate decision we taxpayers must make. If a miracle happened next year and NC handed over all schools to the private sector, we can repeal a .0025% sales tax. If not, it's a idea with merit we need to hash out, but it must get out of committee before it can get on the ballot.

TAKE ACTION - CALL AND WRITE to the members of the Judiciary Committee. Tell them you expect them to hold the line and refuse to hold any hearings on Obama nominees.

• Sen. Richard Burr 202-224-3154
• Sen. Thom Tillis 202-224-6342
• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 202-224-2541
• Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Grassley 202-224-3744

Other Republican Judiciary Committee Members:

• Sen. Orin Hatch 202-224-5251
• Sen. Jeff Sessions 202-224-4124
• Sen. Lindsey Graham 202-224-5972
• Sen. John Cornyn 202-224-2934
• Sen. Ted Cruz 202-224-5922 (committed to appointing his own justices)
• Sen. Jeff Flake 202-224-4521
• Sen. David Vitter 202-224-4623
• Sen. David Perdue 202-224-3521

Justice Antonin Scalia was a giant for the original interpretation of the Constitution, as the Founders wrote it and

Call and/or write to your NC Representative and Senator and tell them you want primary runoff elections.
When the NC General Assembly approved the new redistricting map, it also abolished primary runoff elections. How fair is that for the Congressional races, and for all races including U.S. Senator, Governor and on down?
Consider a 3-way race between a RINO incumbent and two conservative opponents. The incumbent already has 

The Department of Homeland Security has a new policy. It requires U.S. border patrol agents to release an illegal alien from custody as long as she or he has not been convicted of a felony and the illegal alien claims to have continually resided in the U.S. since prior to January 2014.

If a border patrol agent violates DHS policies in favor of adhering to federal law, the agent could be fired.

More Obama administration disregard for the law. For additional information, see this Daily Signal story.

Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act of 2016, HR 4557

At one time, our neighboring county, Lee, had signs posted proudly proclaiming it to be the Brick Center of the World. Today, Lee County's signs simply proclaim it to be "Well Centered."

The downturn in North Carolina's brick industry was linked to the bursting of the housing bubble, but the policies of the Obama administration have done nothing to revitalize the construction industry and the enactment of the most recent set of EPA restrictions for brick plant emissions could very well be the death knell.

Only a government bureaucracy could derive a concept like the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT). It is an evolving standard that capriciously dictates that industry must install whatever is currently the state-of-the-art technology for achieving maximum emissions reduction. There is no grandfathering permitted, so existing older plants are required to periodically upgrade to new technology, regardless of whether any meaningful gains will be achieved.

The last one was in 2003. By 2006, and after spending $100 million on equipment and installation, the brick industry had complied. In 2007, the courts overruled the standard.

HR 4557 was written in response to the most recent MACT-ination, which will require brick makers to spend an estimated $2.2 million per kiln with no return on investment and no significant reduction in "hazardous" air pollutants. HR 4557 would prevent the EPA from requiring compliance with this nonsense prior to judicial review.

The US House got this one right. Now, will the Senate get it right as well?

Peggy Smetana

The Academic Standards Review Commission (ASRC) has failed to come up with recommendations to replace Common Core.

A draft report of the math standards recommended adopting Minnesota's plan, a proven, tested system, which is considered among the best in the nation. But when the Commission voted on December 18, it voted down the plan, and wasted 15 months of work. The ASRC final report adopted a weak watered down substitute.

The ASRC caved to outside groups and education officials and stood by Common Core. The NCAE celebrated. June Atkinson, the aggressive, Progressive Secretary of the Dept. of Public Instruction, has continued to defend Common Core. Over the last year Atkinson served as President of one of the two Washington, DC trade organizations who hold the copyright on the standards.

Tammy Covil, Co-Chair, refused to sign the final report and issued a damning dissent opinion.

The ASRC has not fulfilled the job given to it by the General Assembly in 2014. Senator Jerry Tillman, Co-chair of the Education Committee, was at the Commission final hearing and will not let this rest. Tell him that you support him and that Common Core must be expunged. 919-733-5870. Call Rep. Jamie Boles, 919-733-5903, and Rep. Allen McNeill, 919-715-4946, and tell them to take all measures possible to adopt proven, tested standards and kill Common Core, its untested methods and its get-rich-quick scheme for certain favored companies.

Contributed by Peggy SmetanaThe Academic Standards Review Commission (ASRC) has failed to come up with recommendations to replace Common Core.

A draft report of the math standards recommended adopting Minnesota's plan, a proven, tested system, which is considered among the best in the nation. But when the Commission voted on December 18, it voted down the plan, and wasted 15 months of work. The ASRC final report adopted a weak watered down substitute.

The ASRC caved to outside groups and education officials and stood by Common Core. The NCAE celebrated. June Atkinson, the aggressive, Progressive Secretary of the Dept. of Public Instruction, has continued to defend Common Core. Over the last year Atkinson served as President of one of the two Washington, DC trade organizations who hold the copyright on the standards.

Tammy Covil, Co-Chair, refused to sign the final report and issued a damning dissent opinion.

The ASRC has not fulfilled the job given to it by the General Assembly in 2014. Senator Jerry Tillman, Co-chair of the Education Committee, was at the Commission final hearing and will not let this rest. Tell him that you support him and that Common Core must be expunged. 919-733-5870. Call Rep. Jamie Boles, 919-733-5903, and Rep. Allen McNeill, 919-715-4946, and tell them to take all measures possible to adopt proven, tested standards and kill Common Core, its untested methods and its get-rich-quick scheme for certain favored companies.

Contributed by Peggy Smetana

We all remember the brouhaha at the end of the last legislative session over HB373 and the Lewis amendment, which created Affiliated Political Committees. We also remember being told that they would never, ever be used. Well how quickly things change! The new legislative session has not even begun and already they are coming to life! (See article by Brant Clifton: #ncga: It’s Getting’ All Affiliated Up In Here, Yo.)

Down here in Moore County we were saying, "So, you're going to just keep holding that loaded gun to our heads and you never, ever intend to pull the trigger? Really?? Yeah, right!.”

The leadership in Raleigh has been calling this an "insurance policy.” As this unwraps, taking out an insurance policy is one thing, but I would now more seriously equate this "insurance policy" to a man who is uncertain that his marriage will work out, going out and getting a girlfriend, "just in case,” thereby pretty much assuring the destruction of his marital relationship.

This is a massive incumbent protection racket, and involvement by these Affiliated Political Committees in primary races is now assured. The House and Senate Caucuses will determine who is worthy of receiving financial help during the primaries, promising the continuation of the Good Old Boy, Establishment, In-Crowd, Ruling Class in Raleigh.

Be certain to learn where your Senator and Congressman stand on this issue and make your campaign donations and vote accordingly. We have been marginalized again and it is way past time for mandatory term limits.

Contributed by Miriam Chu

U.S. District Judge James Fox directed the government to reimburse Lyndon McLellan, a Fairmont, NC convenience store owner, more then $20,000 in legal fees and expenses.

The IRS had seized $107,000 from McLellan's bank account in 2014, accusing him of “structuring" violations. Structuring involves making consistent cash deposits or withdrawals of just under $10,000 into or out of a bank account to avoid federal reporting requirements of cash of $10,000 or more. Laws against structuring were intended to stop money laundering and drug trafficking. (Beware of the “natural” law of unintended consequences.)

Structuring laws have also been used against many innocent people. Money has been seized, and people have to sue the government to get their money back. The government has often wanted to negotiate a deal, giving the people only part of their money back.

However, because of complaints against the government, the Justice Department changed into policies regarding civil asset forfeiture. In McLennan's case, the Justice Department did return his $107,000 in May 2015. However, they did not reimburse him for his $20,000 in legal fees and expenses.

On Feb. 2, the judge ruled that the IRS must reimburse him legal fees and expenses.

Assets seized in 2014. Assets returned 2015. Legal fees and expense reimbursed 2016.

What makes this case especially appalling is that Congress, concerned with potential abuse of the civil forfeiture system, enacted the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000, which allowed a person who has won in a civil forfeiture proceeding to recover from the U.S. reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs. Recovery of legal fees and expenses was in the law. Yet the IRS and Justice Dept. fought the reimbursement, until the federal judge forced them.

Scary legal system!!!!

The election or appointment of judges is important. Judge James Fox was appointed by Reagan in 1982. 33 years later, that appointment is still impactful.

Vote for constitutionally conservative, or “originalist,” judges!

Justice may be slow, but I still choose justice under the Constitution. Tyranny can be very swift, like “Executive Action Amnesty.” Choose slow justice over swift tyranny.

Have the courage to demand justice!

Contributed by Peggy Smetana

On the March 15th ballot will be a bond referendum titled "Connect NC". This was originally intended to be a transportation infrastructure bond, but has been gutted and refilled with a grab bag of goodies from the Christmas wish lists of our State Legislators.

Most of the largesse will go to UNC facilities across the state; none of the earmarked projects appear to be dire emergencies, and all should have been addressed within the normal budget making process.

The Connect NC bond is a $2 Billion pork barrel give away, that will cost NC $100 million in annual principal payments plus additional hundreds of millions in interest over its 20-year life.

We encourage everyone to vote "NO" to this list of luxury items at a time when we are struggling to pay teachers and care for our veterans.

A quick glance at Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's Daily Schedule for 2/1 showed they talked about:

• Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act
• SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016
• Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act

Do we really need all these laws? Are they even constitutional (i.e., lawful)?

Contributed by Peggy Smetana

We all remember the brouhaha at the end of the last legislative session over HB373 and the Lewis amendment, which created Affiliated Political Committees. We also remember being told that they would never, ever be used. Well how quickly things change! The new legislative session has not even begun and already they are coming to life! (See article by Brant Clifton: #ncga: It’s Getting’ All Affiliated Up In Here, Yo.)

Down here in Moore County we were saying, "So, you're going to just keep holding that loaded gun to our heads and you never, ever intend to pull the trigger? Really?? Yeah, right!.”

The leadership in Raleigh has been calling this an "insurance policy.” As this unwraps, taking out an insurance policy is one thing, but I would now more seriously equate this "insurance policy" to a man who is uncertain that his marriage will work out, going out and getting a girlfriend, "just in case,” thereby pretty much assuring the destruction of his marital relationship.

This is a massive incumbent protection racket, and involvement by these Affiliated Political Committees in primary races is now assured. The House and Senate Caucuses will determine who is worthy of receiving financial help during the primaries, promising the continuation of the Good Old Boy, Establishment, In-Crowd, Ruling Class in Raleigh.

Be certain to learn where your Senator and Congressman stand on this issue and make your campaign donations and vote accordingly. We have been marginalized again and it is way past time for mandatory term limits.

Contributed by Miriam Chu

Sending mail to our D.C. representatives is not the same as sending it to City Hall, and there some things we've learned about sending them "snail mail" that you need to know.

Senator Richard Burr — Mail (incl. postcards) sent to Sen. Burr's NC offices is rerouted by their local post offices to Washington, DC. It is run through scanners, etc, and then returned to the NC offices. This process adds about 20 days to the delivery time.
 
Therefore, any comments for Senator Burr on issues that are time-sensitive would reach him faster if they are
 - faxed to him (202-228-2981)
 - phoned (202-224-3154)
 - emailed to him on his website https://www.burr.senate.gov/contact/email
 
Senator Thom Tillis — Sen. Tillis' Raleigh office is in a federal building. Any mail sent to his Raleigh office goes through scanners, there, and is not sent to D.C.
 
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers -- Mail sent to Rep. Ellmers' Dunn office does not go to DC for screening.
 
For thorough contact information for our D.C. denizens, go to our US Congress page.

​S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), became law on Dec. 10. It calls itself "An Act to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves." – As if Congress could achieve its aim by words alone.
 
Have you heard of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)? That was the previous version of the law, enacted in 2002. ESSA extends K-12 authorizations through 2020. It doesn't eliminate or significantly roll back NCLB's annual testing mandates. It allows K-12 spending to continue its rapid growth. It retreats on school choice. It lacks an opt-out provision for states. It contains new programs that represent new federal encroachment on parents and local communities. It is a betrayal of America's families. The Department of Education is celebrating its passage. Secretary of Education Duncan wrote a Dear Colleagues letter praising the bill for accomplishing a number of key administration objectives.
 
It is another "conference committee" bill, produced on Dec. 1, approved by the House on Dec 2 and by the Senate on Dec. 9. How can our representatives read and comprehend and intelligently vote on such a huge bill in such a short time? How can we get them to stop this madness?
 
Senators Burr and Tillis voted for the bill, which passed 85 to 12. Rep. Ellmers voted for the bill, which passed 359 to 64.
 
Remember these votes in the March 2016 election primary.

Talking of last-minute bills, how about the Omnibus Spending Bill!? What a flurry of activity to propose and pass it in one week! The Republicans claimed that, again, they were caught by the year-end deadline. You know, that deadline that never seemed to hamper the Democrats? That deadline that comes every year at the same time? We the People are supposed to ignore that and pity the poor "leaders" of the country. Year after the year that pesky deadline jumps up out of nowhere? Of course not, and don't forget the only reason the Republicans "had" to pass a bill was because they ruled out "shutting the government down." That is, when we gave them the majority in the Senate, they announce their abdication of their constitutional obligation to protect us from tyranny by sending the president a bill he might veto.
 
Officially known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, it is a $1.149 trillion, 2,009 page bill. It should have been an opportunity for conservatives to include key conservative measures. However, the Act lacks provisions for defunding executive action amnesties or defunding Planned Parenthood. It does not address sanctuary cities. It does not defund the Syrian refugee program. Instead it includes an ineffective rider tweaking the visa waiver program.
 
Liberals and the unions got a victory in a 2-year delay in the Obamacare Cadillac tax. The Cadillac tax is a tax on the most expensive employer-sponsored health care plans. Many union contracts include these plans. The act also permanently weakens the tax by making future payments of the Cadillac tax deductible as a business expense.
 
Many conservative riders were proposed but not adopted, such as a funding prohibition on the FCC from implementing net neutrality. Many conservative riders touted by the Appropriations Committee as concessions to conservatives are pre-existing riders which have survived thoughout Republican and Democrat control. Another rider, the lifting of the 4-decade ban on the export of unrefined crude oil, is good policy. However, it does not outweigh the bad riders.
 
To read more about this bill, see http://heritageaction.com/key-votes/no-on-1-1-trillion-year-end-omnibus-spending-bill/
 
Senator Tillis voted for the bill. Senator Burr voted against the bill. However, Senator Burr is up for re-election in 2016 and needs conservative votes. The bill passed in the Senate 65 to 33. His vote was not needed for passage.
 
Representative Ellmers voted for the bill, which passed 316 to 113.