Resolution in Support of Campaign Finance Reform

Sponsor: Kim MacMaster

Whereas: Elected policy makers are put in place to serve the needs of their constituents;

Whereas: Elected officials are put at a disadvantage before they begin their first day due to the high cost of campaigning and contributions by special interests and lobbyists as current campaign laws allow;

Whereas: Republicans throughout Michigan recognize the need for state based Campaign Finance Reform;

Whereas: The will of the average voter is often misled due to big expenditures stemming from difficult to identify entities spending extraordinary amounts of money to sway the public prior to elections;

Whereas: Voters across Michigan are disillusioned by the role they see money playing in the states elections;

Therefore, this body does hereby support the notion of a ballot initiative to address the need for campaign finance reform in Michigan.

ANTRIM COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS

Resolution in Support of the introduction of “Articles of Impeachment” against President Obama

WHEREAS, evidence exists to support the charge that Barack Hussein Obama is guilty of Usurpation of the Oval Office via criminal identity fraud; and,

WHEREAS, additional evidence supports the charge that Barack Hussein Obama is further guilty of Malfeasance, misconduct and abuse of the Oval Office; and,

WHEREAS, further evidence suggests that Barack Hussein Obama is guilty of Aiding and Abetting known enemies of the United States; and,

WHEREAS, such high crimes, constitutional offenses and intrusions committed by numerous members of the Obama Administration, under the direction of Barack Hussein Obama, violates the Republican platform of Constitutional self-governance guaranteed every State and every legal American citizen; and,

WHEREAS, the conduct has caused and continues to cause great harm to citizens of the United States by way of unsustainable national debt, unsecured borders, increased national security threats, and open threat to the peace and tranquility of life in the United States, as well as an assault on States and Individual Rights protected by our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and threatens the health and well-being of our beloved country, states, counties, towns, and fellow citizens;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Antrim County Republican Executive Committee and it’s members strongly support the Articles of Impeachment against Barack Hussein Obama and all involved in these crimes, as carefully researched and prepared by The North American Law Center and presented to Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives, for formal introduction to the House Judiciary Committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Antrim County Republican Executive Committee and it’s members strongly calls upon every Republican Representative from the Great State of Michigan, especially our retiring U.S. Congressman from our 1^st District – Dan Benishek (R) to take immediate action, in accordance with your oaths of office, to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution and the people of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, placing the subject proposed Articles of Impeachment in the House Judiciary Committee to launch an investigation into the criminal acts evidenced and charged in the prepared said Articles, and demands that the Republican Party’s platform be followed by all elected Republicans.

Passed UNANMINOUSLY (42 – 0) of those in attendance this 15^th day of February, 2016

By Order of the Antrim County Republican Executive Committee and it’s Members

Randy Bishop – Chairman

Elected officials in attendance; State Representative – Triston Cole, former State Representative – Greg MacMaster, Antrim County Treasurer – Sherry Comben, Antrim County Clerk – Sheryl Guy, 1^st Congressional District and Michigan Republican Party State Committeewoman – Kimberly MacMaster

The Antrim County Republican Party will have J.B. Williams of the North American Law Center as a guest presenter to discuss their 14 page document which contains 48 specific impeachable offenses that our current President Barack Obama has committed;

Click on this link to review their document  NALC Articles of Impeachment for President Obama

Additionally, a resolution will be introduced for approval by those attending the meeting;

Click on this link to review the resolution;

2-15-16 Antrim County Republican Party’s Resolution in Support of Impeachment of President Obama

Dates and Conventions:

County convention: March 22nd

County convention: August 11th

State convention: August 27-28

RNC National Convention Delegates August 27th

Dates to remember:

Presidential primary March 8th, 2016

Primary August 2nd, 2016 for U.S. Congressman, State Representatives, county and township positions

General Election on November 8th, 2016

Filing deadline for Precinct Delegates is April 19th, 2016.

Due to the weather and forecast for more snow this afternoon/evening, we have CANCELLED tonight’s ACRP monthly meeting!!!

We will re-schedule and notify everyone when we do.  Stay warm and safe.

Antrim County Republican Party Meeting Minutes for 11/16/15

Meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. Chairman Randy Bishop: Pledge: Invocation: Jim Gurr

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Bogdan absent:  Co- Vice Chair Kim MacMaster, gave the report. $x,xxx.xx  in Corporate Acct.:  $ x,xxx.xx  in State Acct.

Minutes from Oct. 19th. meeting were shown on the screen. Co-Vice- Chair Jim Gurr, read the minutes:  Secretary Priscilla Miller, will correct the spelling of Christian Marcus’  name. Motion to approve: Bill Bailey: 2nd Greg Valerio

Chairman’s Report:  Explained State Representative Coles’s Energy Bill: HB 4575  would connect the U.P. to lower Michigan’s power grid. HB 42 97 would re- regulate electric utilities. HB4298 according to ‘MI Votes,’ would give state electric utilities a monopoly on generation. Currently 10% of the market is capped, where people can choose. Under this bill 90% of that remaining10% will be eliminated, giving DTE and Consumers Energy a monopoly. Showed video: State Rep. Gary Glenn, challenging  Energy Policy Committee Chair Aric Nesbitt, for ramming through a number of amendments without  allowing enough time for committee members to read them.

Read article from Norm Huges, saying passage of bills could double electric bills.  All three bills are tie barred together.

“Heated” discussion on energy package ensued: Members voiced their concern and displeasure, with possible passage of bills and the leadership in Lansing.

Bill Bailey made a motion: to ask State Representative Triston Cole,  not to vote for Energy Bills 4297, 4298 and 4575. 2nd by Vicki Bishop.  Discussion on motion followed: Discussion closed:  vote taken by raise of hands: Carried unanimously:  Resolution will be sent to Rep.Cole.

Photos of tally board showing how legislators voted on license plate registration fee. and the wholesale fuel tax increase.  Raising taxes without a vote of the people is a direct violation of Headley Amendment.  A Go Fund Me account to challenge these tax increases in court has been set up. MATH “Media Against Tax Hikes”.   Law does not take effect until 2017, after the elections. May motivate judge to overturn, prior to law’s inception.

Two Congressional District Committees have already passed a resolutions, calling for the immediate removal of Senate Majority Leader, Arlan Meekof and MI Speaker of the House, Kevin Cotter.  Jesse Osmer Chair of the 1st. Congressional Committee has reviewed the resolution and considering bring it up, at the next district committee meeting.

Chairman Bishop: Read the Resolution and submitted said resolution as a motion on behalf of the Antrim County Republican Party: 2nd: Myron Curtis If we do this at a county level and more counties also pass this resolution and it’s done at the district levels.  Will send a message to legislators: they need to pass a vote of no confidence  and remove these men. Discussion on resolution followed. Vote taken by a raise of hands: Passed unanimously. Resolutions will be posted on acrpmi.org web site.

Secretary: Priscilla Miller: questioned status of State Rep. Cole’s letter to Att. General – Bill Scheutte, regarding State Senate Office Building; We should reach out to Bill Scheutte: see if he received Triston’s letter dated October 6th. and what his position on it  is.

Co-Chair: Kim MacMaster: Voiced concern over past  resolutions being ignored by the legislature or executive branch. Would like to focus more on campaign finance reform. Have all districts support a ballot initiative. On a state level all the whining and dining, by special interests would stop. Wants to do more than just make a statement. Wants to change the way things are done:  Cheri Hogan:  made a motion to have state committee woman Kim MacMaster, pursue campaign finance reform at the state committee level.   2nd. Bill Bailey: vote take: passed unanimously.

Carla, from Mancelona, asked that per last month’s resolution to feature a charity each month on the ACRP web site, we feature Todd Steiner’s  Go Fund Me Page, to build a Memorial Sports Park and Picnic Area, in honor of Ann and Dan Steiner’s son, who recently passed away. It will be posted.

Bill Bailey, made a motion: That in the future, the Antim County Republican Party, require any political candidate that we support, donate money to, or work on their behalf,  sign a no tax pledge, that states they will uphold the 2012 Republican Party Platform and if elected, they will not sign the Caucus Loyalty Pledge”.  If they violate this agreement, they will be asked to return any moneys donated by ACRP. 2nd. Vicki Bishop. Discussion followed. Vote taken: Motion passed.

Due to difficulty fining a location, there will not be a Christmas Party.  Next meeting is Monday, January 18th.

Motion to adjourn: Vicki Bishop 2nd. Bill Bailey  Meeting adjourned at  9:10 p.m.

Click on the link below to see the PDF file from Michigan’s Bureau of Elections with the answers to questions about the upcoming 2016 Primary Election;

2016 Presidential Primary – Questions & Answers

At it’s November, 2015 normal monthly meeting, the members of the Antrim County Republican Party passed a resolution, (unanimously) for our State Representative – Triston Cole (R) 105th State House District and our State Senator – Wayne Schmidt (R) 37th State Senate District,…to VOTE NO on the upcoming “Electric/Energy Package” (HB 4297, HB 4298 and HB 4575).

Antrim County Republican Party Meeting Minutes for 10/19/15 at Forest Home Twp. Hall

Meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. Chairman Randy Bishop: Pledge: Invocation: Jimmy Argo

Treasurers Report: Laura Bogdan absent: per Randy: State Account $x,xxx.xx  Corp. $x,xxx.xx

Secretary’s Report: Motion to approve 9/21/15 meeting minutes: Mike Bertram: 2nd Cheryl Guy: Approved

Chairman’s Report: Citizen’s initiative petition drive to repeal prevailing wage law.  252,000. signatures needed,  391,000. signatures collected. Once Bureau of Elections and SOS validate them, petitions will be turned over to the state legislators. They have 40 days to adopt the motion and it immediately becomes law. No signature of the governor required. If legislature does not act, referendum will automatically be on the November 2016 ballot.

Snyder not in favor: Leadership doesn’t want to push issue: May make a deal with Dems: Not to bring it to a vote: Dems. will cross over to vote on raising fuel tax increase. If placed on ballot: Dems./ unions will be out in force to defeat it. Will cost millions of dollars to convince public to vote in favor. (Money that could go to help elect candidates.)  Call State Rep. Cole and State Senator Schmidt: Tell them to take off the table: allow up or down vote.

Bill Bailey: question on Headley Amendment:  Randy: Any tax increases shall be put on the ballot and approved by voters.  Jim Gurr: They have gotten away with passing tax increases without putting on ballot, for so long it’s never been challenged. Amendment was passed in 1978 some legislators don’t even know about it.

Next Presidential GOP Debate: Wed. Oct. 28th.

Gov. Snyder sent out Press Release: 10 cities across state chosen: Newberry, Central Lake, Grayling , Evart, Harrison, Sandusky, Charlotte, Paw Paw, Hillsdale: pilot program: MEDC  will work with local leaders to create economic prosperity and better jobs. : Randy explained statistics used to determine why Central Lake, was chosen over Mancelona.

Christian Markus: Did any of these towns have opportunity to ask questions? Was anyone contacted before final decision? Jim Gurr: “No”

Randy: Anyone running for office: please contact Randy. (Setting up meetings with incumbents next week) Jim Gurr: Suggested Party host a candidate open house.

Discussed board vacancies available within the county. Applications can be found on Antrimcounty.org web site: Oct. 28th deadline for filing.

Randy: Donation from Corporate acct. to Moms and Tots  fundraiser. Sponsored one family for $225. ACRP will be listed as a donor.  Discussion ensued. Explanation of difference between State Acct. (membership dues and donations) Corporate Acct. (Golf Outing fundraiser)

Christian Markus: Motion to solicit for one Antrim County based  charity each month, on our web site. 2nd. Barbara Bradford: Discussion: Passed unanimously.

Discussion on Christmas Party: Date? Location?  Randy will send a questionnaire to members for a response.

Membership drive: Mike Bertram has a spreadsheet  of elected Republicans: township clerks, supervisors, trustees from Cheryl Guy.  He will be contacting them.

Barb Bradford: Motion to send members a reminder when dues for the year have not been paid. 2nd: Jimmy Argo: Discussion followed: Passed unanimously.

Reminder to share ACRP e-mails with friends.

Priscilla Miller: Status of State Rep. Cole’s letter to Att. General Schutte? Randy: No, waiting for Rep.Scott Dianda (Democrat) to sign it, so it will be bi partisan also, waiting for Speaker Cotter to sign off on it.

Next Meeting Nov. 16th. Motion to adjourn: Bill Bailey/2nd. Kim McMaster

    Antrim County Republican Party Resolution
Removal of Michigan’s Speaker of the House – Kevin Cotter and Senate Majority Leader – Arlan Meekhof;

Whereas, the purpose of the Republican Party is to further the ideals and principles set forth in our Party’s Platform in coordination with its District and County committees who work to elect those who will maintain fidelity to that platform, and

Whereas, On May 5th, 2015, the people of the State of Michigan through a state wide referendum overwhelmingly rejected any tax increases for road funding by 80.1% to 19.9%, and

Whereas, both the House and the Senate, under the leadership of the current Speaker and the Majority Leader, acted directly and deliberately against the will and instruction of the people by pressuring our Republican elected Representatives via a “Caucus Loyalty Pledge” and Senators into passing legislation to increase taxes for road funding, and

Whereas, by passage of the legislation, members of the Republican Party in both the House and Senate, have abandoned the party platform and it’s core principles with complete disregard to the expressed wishes of the party’s committees, delegates and members, and

Whereas, the current Republican House Speaker and Senate Majority leader, in cooperation with the Governor, have endeavored to increase taxes, expand government, increase spending, and squander the people’s money, and

Whereas, the current House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader, have demonstrated a lack of fidelity to the party platform, and have exerted pressure on Republicans in both the House and the Senate to abandon our party’s principles and pass legislation in direct opposition to the Republican platform, and

Whereas; Speaker Cotter and Majority leader Meekhof repeatedly misled the public into believing that reprioritizing spending would not provide enough funding for road repair and maintenance, and

Whereas: Michigan Republican Party grassroots volunteers and many donors are quitting the party citing “a loss of confidence” of those they helped get elected under the Republican banner who they believe no longer represent their values, and

Whereas; The Michigan Republican Party risks the loss of future elections as a direct result of elected officials who continue to misrepresent the Republican platform and the principles therein, and

Whereas; Legislative leadership within the Republican caucus are responsible for both setting the tone and bringing forth legislation to be voted on.

Therefore, be it resolved the members of the Antrim County Republican Party, seek remedy for the ongoing violations of trust by Michigan legislators elected under the Republican banner and the continuing abuse of trust by members of the House and the Senate, and demand immediate removal of the current Speaker and Senate Majority Leader by whatever means available, and the selection of new leadership for the remainder of this term who will constantly demonstrate fidelity to the Republican party platform and work to implement its planks into shaping future public policy.

Be it further resolved, that the Antrim County Republican Party hereby directs the Secretary and/or Issues Committee to make our position known to all Congressional District Chairs, County Chairs, the delegates of the 1st Congressional District, and the Michigan State Republican Party Leadership in a timely manner.

Dated on this 16th day of November, 2015;

Submitted by Randy Bishop – Chairman,
to be submitted to the Members of the Antrim County Republican Party, at it’s regular monthly meeting for their approval.