Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania 3915 Union Deposit Road #223 Harrisburg, PA R-RIGHTS

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1 Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania 3915 Union Deposit Road #223 Harrisburg, PA R-RIGHTS 2008 CONVENTION AGENDA Sunday March 16 th 7:00 am ~ 7:30 am Breakfast, Registration and Credentialing 7:30 am ~ 11:30 am LPPA Business Meeting Preliminary Items 7:30 am ~ 7:35 am Introductions, Opening remarks 7:35 am ~ 7:40 am Credentials Report 7:40 am ~ 7:45 am 180-day requirement suspension vote 7:45 am ~ 7:55 am Adoption of Agenda Reports of Party Officers 7:55 am ~ 8:00 am Chair s Report 8:00 am ~ 8:05 am Treasurer s Report 8:05 am ~ 8:15 am Vice-Chairs, Secretary Reports Planning, Infrastructure and Committees 8:15 am ~ 8:25 am Research Committee Report 8:25 am ~ 8:35 am Membership Committee Report 8:35 am ~ 8:45 am Constitution, Bylaws and Convention Rules Committee Reports 8:45 am ~ 9:00 am Consideration of Proposed Bylaws Amendments 9:00 am ~ 9:30 am BREAK (Platform plank retention vote ballot collection) 9:30 am ~10:00 am Resolutions and other business Unfinished business Resolutions from the Floor Other business to come before the Convention (Presentation of Liberty Bell Award) Platform Plank retention vote results 10:00 am ~10:30 am Election of Party Officers Judicial Committee (Five Members)

2 Treasurer Secretary Western Vice Chair Eastern Vice Chair Chair 10:30 am ~11:00 am National Convention Delegates and Alternates 11:00 am ~11:30 am Nomination of Candidates for Public Office 12:00 pm First Meeting of New Board of Directors

3 Message From the Chair Michael J. Mik Robertson Chair, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania As we look forward to 2008, we see there are a lot of challenges and a lot of opportunities for us. In the general election, we still have to meet the challenge to submit at least 24,666 valid signatures for our nominees for statewide elected office to appear on the November ballot. Once again, major party nominees are automatically placed on the ballot. Our efforts to reform Pennsylvania election law will continue this year. We will be working to develop new legislation to reform our election and ballot access laws. We are also considering potential legal action that would modify how current laws are enforced. The legal action would challenge the practice of charging candidates the costs of the review of a signature challenge. It may also require the Bureau of Elections to report all write-in votes cast. The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is proud to be a sponsor of the first ever northeast Students for Liberty conference at Columbia University in New York City. Students from six Pennsylvania educational institutions will be attending to learn what they as college students can do to promote Liberty. Our own members have taken advantage of opportunities this past year to give presentations at high schools around the commonwealth about the Libertarian Party and the role government has in society. This has worked out so well that we would like to develop a program to take around to schools on a regular basis. Our redesigned website can help us get our message to inquiring minds in the general public and facilitate communication between our committees. Over the next several months we will continue our efforts to promote senate bill 1220 and house bill 1351 in the General Assembly to reject compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of If implemented, the REAL ID Act would for all intents and purposes create a national ID card out of a drivers license, effectively completing the 180-degree turn about from a commonwealth where all power is inherent in the people to requiring citizens to be recognized by the federal government before being acknowledged. In addition to other pending legislation requiring our attention, such as property tax reform, there are elections for all of the 202 state representative districts, all 19 congressional districts, 25 of 50 state senate districts, State Treasurer, State Attorney General, State Auditor General, and President of the United States. We hope you will have an opportunity to meet with all of your Libertarian Party candidates for these offices. Great opportunities for this will be at our annual LPPA convention and the LP National Convention to be held May 22-26, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Remember, except for the office of President of the United States, you cannot be on the ballot as a Libertarian candidate if you are registered in a major party and vote in the Pennsylvania primary elections. If you are not currently registered Libertarian, go to the post office or county election office and change! To bring about a lasting reversal of the trend toward more government, we should all be proudly registered Libertarian voters!

4 Eastern Vice Chair s Report David Jahn Eastern Vice Chair This past year has been very challenging as I have been busy with my personal life, the Ron Paul campaign and many things politic. Through my work with the Ron Paul movement a have learned much about managing political campaigns and attended one full day session with a professional campaign manager. I hope the things I learned there will benefit our party and our candidates in the future. I also participated in ten challenges to the nomination papers of delegates to the Republican National Convention. Five of those challenges were dropped by our filers mostly due to the time demands required to see them through. Of the five remaining cases where our objectors went the distance, we were successful in having four dropped from the ballot. One got off on a technical glitch, essentially a typo in the petition filing. In the future, we should consider eliminating major party competition wherever it will benefit our candidates. Another added benefit from associating with the Ron Paul movement is the friendships and alliances that have evolved that I hope will benefit our party and the liberty movement in the future. And, I am hopeful that we will see a lot of new activists join our party in the coming months as a McCain presidency will leave many of these fine people politically homeless. Turning to my duties on the Libertarian Party home front, I am including a chart below listing the Eastern and Western Counties in our state, the status of each county and the person listed as the contact. Where the Vice Chairs are listed as the county contacts, we would prefer to have an active member serve as a contact. Let us know if you or someone else is willing to fulfill this role in any of these counties. I recently sent an to all of the Eastern Counties. I have struck a single line through the names of those that failed to respond to my at the time of publishing this report. I struck a double line through all of those where the address for the contact bounced. One of the duties of Vice Chairs is to assist with the founding, development, and growth of county and local organizations. Our Western Chair has been dedicated to that effort, and we need more from our Eastern Vice Chair in this regard. I ll endeavor to do more in this direction if elected to another term. I want to thank everyone for your confidence and support over the past year.

5 COUNTY STANDINGS WESTERN COUNTIES EASTERN COUNTIES Contact County Contact County A Harold Kyriazi Allegheny C EVC Adams C Randall Forester Armstrong A Dave Tartaglia Berks C WVC Beaver C EVC Bradford C WVC Bedford C Maurice Reeves Bucks C WVC Blair B Darryl Gibson Carbon B Shawn Morin Butler B David Owens Chester C Richard Ulsh Cambria C EVC Columbia C WVC Cameron A Ron Goodman Cumberland B Tom Martin Centre A Barry Dively Dauphin A Berlie Etzel Clarion A David Jahn Delaware C WVC Clearfield C EVC Juniata C WVC Clinton C EVC Lackawanna B Jeff Leri Crawford C David Hunsberger Lancaster C WVC Elk B Ray Ondrusek Lebanon B Tom Giles Erie C Andrew Barilla Lehigh C Richard McCloud Fayette C Brian Bergman Luzerne C WVC Forest C Peter Heffner Lycoming C WVC Franklin B Ray Masters Monroe C WVC Fulton A James Babb Montgomery C Al Ellsworth Greene C EVC Montour C Natalie Hollows Huntingdon C EVC Northampton C WVC Indiana C Jeffrey Miller Northumberland B Rick Stephens Jefferson C Dave Wadsworth Perry C WVC Lawrence B Phil Hodgson Philadelphia C Jonathan Goble McKean C EVC Pike B Ariana Thompson Mercer B Wanda Keefer Schuylkill C WVC Mifflin C Erik Viker Snyder C WVC Potter C EVC Sullivan C Richard Ulsh Somerset C EVC Susquehanna C WVC Venango C Donald Golobek Tioga C WVC Warren C EVC Union C Douglas Smith Washington C EVC Wayne B Matt Olson Westmoreland C EVC Wyoming A Karl Spangler York A = County with 12 or more members entitling them to a State Board Member B = County with an active committee, but not a State Board Representative C = No County organization.

6 2008 Membership Committee Report 3/10/2008 Highlights: For 2008 we have $1,835 in membership fees, $2,315 in contributions/1788 Society, and $155 in Endowment Funds for total revenue of $4,305. The LPPA database has been updated showing an expiration date of 12/31/2008 for all renewals and new members. All new members who joined in the 1 st quarter were given an expiration date of 12/31/08. New members have been sent a welcome letter along with a Libertarian Party decal. We currently have 126 LPPA members who are current with their 2008 dues. Many thanks go to Barry Dively for all his efforts to create the monthly Excel files that allow us to process renewals and new memberships. Ron Satz continues to be helpful with anything related to the LPPA database that he created. Respectfully submitted, Ron Goodman Membership Chairman

7 LPPa 2008 Convention Research Chair s Report Ronald W. Satz, Ph.D., RP Pennsylvania Ranks 44 th in Economic Performance and 37 th in Economic Outlook among the States The American Legislative Exchange Council commissioned two free-market economists, Arthur B. Laffer and Stephen Moore, to compare and contrast the recent economic performance of the 50 states of the U.S. Their results are contained in Ref. [1], which is available as a PDF. I will present the data for Pennsylvania and compare it with the best state in each of the categories considered. I will also give the overall rank for economic performance and economic outlook for Pennsylvania and the best state. The Libertarian recommendations and conclusions then naturally follow. Economic Performance 1) Personal Income per Capita, Cumulative Growth Pennsylvania: 50.7% Rank: 25 th Wyoming: 86.1% Rank: 1 st 2) Absolute Domestic Migration, Cumulative, Pennsylvania: -182,078 Rank: 42 nd Florida: 1,643,073 Rank: 1 st 3) Non-Farm Payroll Employment, Cumulative Growth, Pennsylvania: 8.4% Rank: 40 th Nevada: 52.0% Rank: 1 st Overall Rank (equal factor weighting): Pennsylvania, 44 th ; Texas, 1st 1

8 Economic Outlook 1) Top Marginal Personal Income Tax Rate Pennsylvania: 3.07% Rank: 36 th New Hampshire: 0.00% Rank: 1 st (also Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming) 2) Top Marginal Corporate Income Tax Rate Pennsylvania: 14.29% Rank: 49 th Nevada: 0.00% Rank: 1 st (also South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming) 3) Personal Income Tax Progressivity (change in tax liability per $1000 of income) Pennsylvania: $0.00 Rank: 2 nd Alabama: -$1.51 Rank: 1 st 4) Property Tax Burden (per $1000 of personal income) Pennsylvania: $31.11 Rank: 26 th Alabama: $13.60 Rank: 1 st 5) Sales Tax Burden (per $1000 of personal income) Pennsylvania: $19.78 Rank: 12 th Delaware: $ 0.00 Rank: 1 st (also Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon) 6) Remaining Tax Burden (per $1000 of personal income) Pennsylvania: $23.52 Rank: 39 th Colorado: $12.02 Rank: 1 st 7) Estate Inheritance Tax Levied 2

9 Pennsylvania: Yes Rank: 28 th Alabama: No Rank: 1 st (also Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming) NOTE: The PA Inheritance Tax is "4.5 percent for transfers to direct descendants (lineal heirs), 12 percent for transfers to siblings, and 15 percent for transfer to other heirs (except charitable organizations, exempt institutions, and government entities)." 8) Recently Legislated Tax Changes (2005 and 2006, per $1000 of personal income) Pennsylvania: -$2.13 Rank: 5 th Oklahoma: -$6.05 Rank: 1 st 9) Debt Service as a % of Total Tax Revenue Pennsylvania: 11.4% Rank: 45 th Wyoming: 4.7% Rank: 1 st 10) Public Employees per of Population (full-time equivalent) Pennsylvania: Rank: 2 nd Nevada: Rank: 1 st 11) State Liability System Survey (tort litigation treatment, judicial impartiality, etc.) Pennsylvania: 60.8 Rank: 32 nd Delaware: 75.6 Rank: 1 st 12) State Minimum Wage (federal floor is $5.85) Pennsylvania: $6.25 Rank: 26 th Alabama: $5.85 Rank: 1 st 3

10 (also Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming) 13) Average Workers Compensation Costs (per $100 of payroll) Pennsylvania: $2.80 Rank: 34 th North Dakota: $1.10 Rank: 1 st 14) Right to Work State (optional joining or supporting of a union) Pennsylvania: No Rank: 23 rd Alabama: Yes Rank: 1 st (also Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming) 15) Number of Tax Expenditure Limits (0 = least/worst, 3 = most/best) Pennsylvania: 0 Rank: 29 th Colorado: 3 Rank: 1 st (also Missouri, Washington) 16) Education Freedom Index Score (vouchers, ease of private/home schooling, etc.) Pennsylvania: 1.86 Rank: 22 nd Arizona: 2.94 Rank: 1 st Overall Rank (equal factor weighting): Pennsylvania, 37 th ; Utah, 1st Libertarian Recommendations and Conclusions To stem the exodus of people and jobs from Pennsylvania, the state legislature and governor should adopt the following recommendations: End the state personal income tax. End the state corporate income tax. 4

11 Lower property taxes to correlate with property insurance paid (so that owners may choose the amount of protection). Assess land value at twice that for improvements, so as to encourage development. Lower or eliminate the sales tax. End the estate/inheritance tax. Pay-off the state debt. Decrease the number of state workers. Enact tort reform. End the state minimum wage. Reduce workers compensation costs. Make Pennsylvania a right-to-work state. NOTE: The employer should still have the right, if he so chooses, to require union membership of his employees, but should not be so compelled by the State or by the union. Enact tax expenditure limits. Enact school choice. With the above reforms adopted, Pennsylvania can once gain become a vibrant place to live and work, attracting both people and jobs. Acknowledgements Thanks go to Henry Haller and Tim Crowley, members of the LPPa Research Committee, for making helpful suggestions to improve this paper. Reference [1] Go to 5

12 LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION Revised March, 2006 ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this corporation shall be "Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania", hereinafter referred to as the Party. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE The purpose of the Party is to proclaim and to implement the Statement of Principles of the National Libertarian Party by engaging in political and educational activities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP An individual endorsing the purposes and principles of the Party may become and remain a member subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules. ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION Section 1 - Functional Division The functional division of the Party shall be the County Committee. A member of the Party may join a County Committee subject to the rules and regulations of that Committee. Section 2 - Officers The officers of the Party shall be Chair, Eastern Vice Chair, Western Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. All of these officers shall be elected at a convention of the Party by attending delegates and shall take office immediately upon close of such convention. Section 3 - Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the control and management of all the affairs, properties, and funds of the Party consistent with this Constitution, its Bylaws, and any resolutions which may be adopted in convention. No member of the Board of Directors shall at any time cast more than one vote. The members of the Board of Directors of the Party shall be: The elected officers of the Party as specified in Article IV Section 2.

13 One representative from each County Committee in good standing Each member (other than alternate members) of the National Committee residing in Pennsylvania and being a member of the Party. One member of each of the standing committees defined in the Bylaws (the member to be chosen by that committee). The Immediate Past Chair who most recently served as Chair of the Party. Section 4 - Judicial Committee The Judicial Committee shall be composed of five party members elected at a convention of the Party by attending delegates. The term of a member of the Judicial Committee shall run through the period of the next convention. A member of the Judicial Committee may not serve in any Board of Directors position within the Party. The Judicial Committee shall be the final body of appeal in all matters regarding interpretations of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules or Resolutions of the Party, subject to the provision that a decision of the Judicial Committee can be overturned by a three quarters vote of the members present at a convention. Section 5 - Qualifications, Board of Directors and Judicial Committee Each member of the Board of Directors or Judicial Committee shall maintain current, paid status as a member of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania and maintain status as a voter registered as a Libertarian in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, unless prohibited by law. Any Board of Directors or Judicial Committee member whose dues are not current will not be eligible to vote on any matter which shall come before the body of which he is a member. Any Board of Directors or Judicial Committee member who changes his or her voter registration from Libertarian during the term of office shall cease to be a member of that body. ARTICLE V. CONVENTION The Party shall hold an annual convention to conduct such business as may properly come before it at a time and place to be set according to the Bylaws and in compliance with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules. ARTICLE VI. BYLAWS The Bylaws are hereby affixed to and subordinate to this Constitution.

14 ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all registered delegates at the Party convention. All proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Party Secretary at least thirty days prior to the convention. ARTICLE VIII. COMPLIANCE At such time as the Party qualifies to be placed on the Pennsylvania ballot, the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules of the Party shall be amended to conform with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Election Code. The Board of Directors shall be empowered to take such action as it deems necessary to bring the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules into compliance with the Election Code.

15 LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA BYLAWS Revised May, 2007 ARTICLE I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE Section 1 Purpose The purpose of the Party is to conduct the following activities consistent with the Statement of Principles of the National Libertarian Party: Disseminating Libertarian political philosophy by entering into political information activities. Nominating candidates for statewide political office and for offices of the Commonwealth. Supporting local and county Libertarian Party candidates. Section 2 Scope The Party shall conduct its activities primarily within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP Section 1 - Establishing a Membership A person shall become a member of the Party by fulfilling all of the following qualifications: Making application. Paying such dues as prescribed by the Board of Directors. Explicit agreement with the following statement, either by signature or electronic means: "I hereby certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force or fraud as a means of achieving political or social goals." Section 2 - Dues The Board of Directors may from time to time determine the amount of dues necessary for membership in the Party, and may establish one or more classes of membership with different amounts of dues for each. Section 3 - Suspension of Membership 1

16 The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend a member for failure to maintain all of the qualifications of membership established in Article II Section 1 or for cause by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors. A member may be suspended by the Board for cause for misrepresenting the principles of the Party; endorsing or campaigning, in the name of the Party, for a candidate for public office in opposition to one nominated by the Party; or for running for office purporting to have been nominated or endorsed by the Party without having received such nomination or endorsement; or for other reasonable cause. Notification of suspension shall be made in writing, and is subject to written appeal as described in Article II Section 4 within fifteen days of notification. Failure to appeal shall result in termination of membership. Section 4 - Membership Appeal Upon appeal by the member, the Judicial Committee shall hold a hearing within 30 days concerning the suspension. Following the hearing, the Judicial Committee shall rule either to terminate the membership or to continue the membership in good standing. Should the Judicial Committee fail to rule, the membership shall be continued in good standing. ARTICLE III. COUNTY AND REGIONAL COMMITTEES Section 1 - Definition of County Committee Any group of two or more members in good standing residing in the same county, shall, upon their request to the Party be recognized by the Board of Directors as a "County Committee". The county committee must select an executive board consisting of two or more people, and they must choose as their Parliamentary Source any version of Robert's Rules. Recognized county committees from adjoining counties without sufficient members to qualify for individual voting representatives to the Board of Directors may elect one joint voting representative, provided that the total number of members in good standing among the adjacent counties exceeds the minimum of twelve prescribed in the bylaws for single county representation. These multi-county entities shall be called "Regional Committees". A county or regional committee which fails to hold a regular meeting in any four month period shall cease to be in good standing. County committees shall be responsible for the nomination and campaign of Libertarian Party candidates for county and local offices. County and regional committees are required to elect their local board and their state Board of Directors representative yearly, 2

17 and they must provide a rank ordered list of alternate representatives to the board. Section 2 - Purpose and Scope of County and Regional Committees County and regional committees shall conduct activities consistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules of the Party. Section 3 - County Committee Representation on the Board of Directors Any member of a county committee who presents a petition to the Board of Directors from the majority of the members of his or her county committee who are members in good standing of the Party (provided that the majority is at least twelve members) shall become the County Committee Representative. Any member of a regional committee who presents a petition to the Board of Directors from the majority of the members of his or her regional committee who are members in good standing of the Party (provided that the majority is at least twelve members) shall become the Regional Committee Representative. If at any time such county or regional committee shall have fewer than twelve members in good standing of the Party, or upon a challenge from at least three members in good standing of both the Party and such county committee, such person shall cease to be the County Committee Representative. Absent such challenge, any duly elected successor board representative of such county or regional committee shall automatically be seated as a member of the Board of Directors. Section 4 FEC Compliance Before engaging in federal election activities, County Committees must ensure they are knowledgeable in the applicable rules and regulations. County Committees shall not contribute or expend funds on federal election activities without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS Section 1 - Chair The Chair shall preside at all Party conventions and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He or she shall be the chief executive officer of the Party. Section 2 - Vice Chairs Two Vice Chairs, one each from the eastern and western portions of Pennsylvania, shall act as assistants to the Chair, with specific emphasis on the founding, development, and growth of county and local organizations. 3

18 Section 3 - Secretary The Secretary shall take and keep minutes of all Party conventions and all meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall maintain a current list of all members of the Party. Section 4 - Treasurer The Treasurer shall be responsible for the management of the receipt, disbursement, and accounting of the funds of the Party under the procedures set forth in the Policy Manual (see Article XIII). The Treasurer shall not allow the obligations of the Party to be in excess of the available funds. No member or officer of the Party may create an obligation in the name of the Party without first informing the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall file all required reports on behalf of the Party with government agencies. Section 5 - Suspension An officer may be suspended from office by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors for reasons described in Article II Section 3, for failure to fulfill the duties of the office held, or for other reasonable cause. The office of a suspended officer shall be declared vacant unless the suspended officer appeals suspension to the Judicial Committee within ten days of notification of suspension. Section 6 Appeal Upon written appeal by the suspended officer, the Judicial Committee shall set the date of a hearing. Following the hearing, the Judicial Committee shall rule within three days to either uphold the suspension (thereby vacating the office) or to restore the officer to full authority. Should the Judicial Committee fail to rule, the officer shall be restored to full authority. Section 7 - Vacancies The Board of Directors shall appoint new officers if vacancies or suspensions occur, such officers to complete the term of office vacated. ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1 - Meeting Notification The Board of Directors shall meet at such time and place as may be determined by a call of the Chair, or by the request of one third or more of the members of the Board of Directors. Notice of the time and place of the meeting shall be communicated to each member of the Board of Directors not less than fourteen days prior to said meeting, unless an earlier date is agreed to by a 4

19 majority of the Board of Directors. If no meeting of the Board of Directors has been held during a calendar quarter, a meeting shall be held on the last Sunday of said quarter. Section 2 - Transaction of Business The Board of Directors may, without meeting together, transact business by mail or telephone, by voting on questions submitted to them by or with the approval of the Chair. Fifteen days shall be allowed for the return of votes thereon by mail to the Secretary. If at the expiration of said fifteen days a quorum of the Board of Directors has not returned a vote, the measure being voted upon shall be deemed to have failed; in all other cases a majority of the votes returned shall carry the measure except where a higher vote is required by the Bylaws or Constitution. The Secretary must preserve all such votes until the next meeting of the Board of Directors, at which meeting the Board of Directors shall order disposition of such votes. Section 3 - Quorum An Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall consist of the officers as defined in Article IV. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be three fifths of the Executive Committee or a majority of the Board of Directors. Section 4 - Immediate Past Chair The Immediate Past Chair will be the person who most recently served as Chair of the Party. If such person serves in that position for more than one consecutive term, the position of Immediate Past Chair on the Board of Directors will be vacant during the second and succeeding terms. Section 5 - Transaction of business over the Internet Any business of the Board of Directors can be conducted over the Internet in the same manner as via mail or telephone, except that multiple motions may be on the floor simultaneously provided they do not overlap or conflict with one another. If any members of the Board of Directors do not wish to transact Board business over the Internet, when a vote is required the Secretary will forward to them via mail or phone sufficient information regarding the business at hand to allow them to vote knowledgeably. ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Board of Directors shall have the power to hire an Executive Director to assist the Chair in administering the operation of the Party. The Executive Director shall be subject to the same qualifications as a member of the Board of Directors. 5

20 Funds donated to the Party for the specific purposes of ballot access or the Endowment Fund may not be used for compensation of the Executive Director. ARTICLE VII. THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE Section 1 - Organization The Judicial Committee shall elect a chair who shall receive all appeals and petitions and schedule hearings so as to obtain a quorum of the Judicial Committee. When a hearing is requested, the Chair shall be allowed three days to set the date of the hearing. Section 2 - Notice The Judicial Committee must provide at least ten days notice to each of the interested parties to a hearing unless an earlier date is agreed to by the Judicial Committee and the participants. Section 3 Limit Hearings must be held within thirty days from the time the request is received by the Judicial Committee. Section 4 - Representation Each party to a hearing shall have the right to represent his or her interests in the manner of his choosing. Section 5 Rulings The Judicial Committee must provide a ruling within three days of the conclusion of a hearing. Section 6 - Vacancies The Judicial Committee shall appoint new members if vacancies or suspensions occur, such members to complete the term of office vacated. ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES Section 1 - Standing Committees The standing committees of the Party shall be Membership Committee, Research Committee, Election (Ballot Access) Committee, Legal Action, Legislative Action, and Fundraising(Finance) Committee. The duties, composition, and reporting requirements shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Section 2 - Working Committees 6

21 There shall be such working committees appointed by the Chair as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Working committees shall exist at the discretion of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE IX. CONVENTION Section 1 - Arrangements It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors to set the time, place, and schedule of events of the convention. At least fifty days notice must be provided to the membership concerning these arrangements. Section 2 - Delegates Every member in good standing of the Party, as of 180 days before the convention, shall be entitled to be a delegate at such convention by attending in person. However, every attending member in good standing at the time of the convention may be a delegate if two thirds of the delegates present, in person, who meet the aforesaid 180 day requirement, vote to waive said requirement. Delegates must be registered Libertarian in Pennsylvania unless prohibited by law. If a member is in good standing at the time of the convention and the member had been in good standing at any time during the immediate year (12 months) before the convention, then such member is also entitled to be a delegate to the convention. ARTICLE X. NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE Only the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania shall have the power to nominate candidates for Pennsylvania state offices under the "Libertarian Party" label. Candidates for county and local office shall be nominated by recognized county committees in good standing. Congressional and state legislative candidates shall be selected by a regional caucus of the recognized county committees in the district. In the absence of a recognized county committee, the Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for congressional, state legislative, county, and local office with the advice of members in that county. In the absence of a Convention resolution not to run any candidate for an office, the Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for offices not filled in Convention. The Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for special elections, nominate substitute candidates as provided in the state election code, and select individuals whose names are to appear on statewide nominating petitions as proxies for candidates nominated in Convention. The Board of Directors shall have the power to withdraw the Party s endorsement of candidates for cause. ARTICLE XI. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND PLATFORM Section 1 Statement of Principles 7

22 The Statement of Principles affirms that philosophy upon which the Libertarian Party is founded, by which it shall be sustained, and through which liberty shall prevail. Section 2 - Platform The Party Platform shall include the Statement of Principles and the implementation of those principles in the form of planks. Section 3 Amendments The current Platform shall serve as the basis of all future platforms. At Conventions, the existing Platform may be amended. Additional planks, or changes to planks, must be submitted by the deadline and approved by 2/3 vote. A platform plank may be deleted by majority vote. The enduring importance of the Statement of Principles requires that it may be amended only by a vote of 3/4 of all registered delegates at the Party convention. Section 4 Deadline All proposed amendments to the Platform must be submitted in writing to the Party Secretary for distribution to the membership at least thirty days prior to the convention. ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS These Bylaws may be amended by a majority of all the registered delegates at the Party convention. All proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Party Secretary at least thirty days prior to the convention. ARTICLE XIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws. ARTICLE XIX. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES All the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors shall be incorporated into the Policy Manual of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. 8

23 LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION RULES Revised April, 2005 ARTICLE I. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these rules. ARTICLE II. OFFICERS The incumbent Party Chair and Secretary shall be Chair and Secretary respectively of the Convention. A parliamentarian shall be appointed by the Chair. ARTICLE III. DELEGATES Delegates shall meet the qualifications set forth in Article VIII, Section 2 of the Bylaws. The Secretary shall certify the delegates at the beginning of the Convention. ARTICLE IV. CHALLENGE OF DELEGATES Any three Party members may challenge any delegate on the basis that he has not been a Party member for the requisite period of time by notifying the Secretary at or before the Convention. The Judicial Committee shall hear all challenges on the day the Convention convenes and shall immediately provide a ruling in each case to the Secretary of the Party. ARTICLE V. REGISTRATION OF DELEGATES Each delegate must register with the Secretary of the Party as required by the Board of Directors. A delegate may not be registered prior to resolution of all challenges in which he/she has been named. ARTICLE VI. VOTING ELIGIBILITY All delegates shall be eligible to vote on all matters. In order to vote on a given matter, a delegate must be present on the floor at the time the vote is taken. Each delegate present shall have one vote. ARTICLE VII. VOTING PROCEDURE Voting will be by voice vote or a show of hands. If ten or more delegates so request or object to the Chair's ruling on the outcome of a vote, a roll call or secret ballot will be held.

24 ARTICLE VIII. DEBATE PROCEDURE During debate in Convention each delegate shall be limited to five minutes on any one issue unless otherwise specified. ARTICLE IX. AGENDA The business at Convention shall consist of the following items which shall be conducted in the following order: Registration Reports of Party officers Constitution, Bylaws and Convention Rules Committee Reports Resolutions and other business Elections Party officers National Convention Delegates and Alternates Nomination of Candidates for Public Office ARTICLE X. ELECTIONS Section 1 - Nominations shall be from the floor. For each office, a majority vote will be necessary and sufficient for election. In cases where no candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, runoff votes will be held, dropping the lowest running candidate after each ballot. Section 2 - Unless the delegates at a Convention of the state Party decide otherwise, all members of the Party shall automatically be alternate delegates at the National Convention, but such members shall serve as delegates only if alternate delegates individually elected at the state Convention are already serving as delegates or are not present on the floor of the National Convention. Unless the delegates at a Convention of the state Party decide otherwise, the Chair of the Party shall serve as the Chair of the National Convention delegation. The members of the delegation present shall have the power to determine which alternate delegates shall fill vacancies in the National Convention delegation, subject to the first sentence. Section 3 - Votes cast for "None of the Above" shall be considered valid in any nomination or election. Should a majority of the votes be cast for "None of the Above", none of the losing candidates for that position may be selected to fill the vacancy for that term of office, or be nominated for that office in that particular election. In elections or nominations having more than one possible winner, the number of votes received by NOTA shall be divided by the number of winning positions for which there are candidates. ARTICLE XI. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

25 Section 1 - No candidate may be nominated for any office who is ineligible to serve in that office or who has not expressed a willingness to accept the nomination of the Party. Section 2 - Nominees for any office shall be chosen by majority vote. Should no candidate obtain a majority on a ballot, then a new ballot shall be taken. After every second ballot, if no candidate has yet received a majority vote the candidate with the least number of votes shall be struck from subsequent ballots. Section 3 - No candidate for public office at any level shall be nominated or endorsed who has not signed the statement as described under Article II Section 1 c of the Bylaws. ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS Section 1 - These Rules may be amended at any Party Convention. Section 2 - Amendments to these Rules will normally take effect at the close of the Convention in which the amendments are adopted. Such amendments may be adopted by a majority vote of the Convention. Section 3 - Amendments to these Rules which take effect immediately upon adoption will require a two-thirds vote of the Convention.

26 LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY COMMITTEE DOCUMENTATION KIT

27 PURPOSE The purpose of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania County Committee Documentation Kit is to provide a set of standardized paperwork that groups of members of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPP) can use when forming a county committee and when requesting representation on the LPP Board of Directors. LPP Bylaws Article III describes the process, and is reproduced below (as amended 21 March 1999). ARTICLE III. COUNTY COMMITTEES Section 1 - Definition of County Committee Any group of members in good standing, residing in the same county, shall, upon their request to the Party be recognized by the Board of Directors as a County Committee. A county committee which fails to hold a regular meeting in any four month period shall cease to be in good standing. County committees shall be responsible for the nomination and campaign of Libertarian Party candidates for county and local offices. Section 2 - Purpose and Scope of County Committees County committees shall conduct activities consistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules of the Party. Section 3 - County Committee Representation on the Board of Directors Any member of a county committee who presents a petition to the Board of Directors from the majority of the members of his or her county committee who are members in good standing of the Party (provided that the majority is at least twelve members) shall become the County Committee Representative. If at any time such county committee shall have fewer than twelve members in good standing of the Party, or upon a challenge from at least three members in good standing of both the Party and such county committee, such person shall cease to be the County Committee Representative. Absent such challenge, any duly elected successor board representative of such county committee shall automatically be seated as a member of the Board of Directors. ii

28 As you can see in Article III Section 1, any group of members in good standing of the LPP can decide to form a county group. These and other individuals may have been holding meetings or other activities in the county for some time, but have now decided to take the steps necessary to be recognized as an official County Committee. Just as state parties are the affiliates of the national party, County Committees are affiliates of the state party. Either concurrent with or some time later than the submittal of the request for recognition, the county group may submit a petition to have one of their members be recognized as their representative to the LPP Board of Directors (BOD). That individual becomes a voting BOD member and has the title County Committee Representative. Article III Section 3 is a bit more stringent than Section 1, in that it specifies a minimum number of individuals who must sign the petition - from the majority of the members of his or her county committee... provided that the majority is at least twelve members. This means that the county group must consist of at least twelve individuals who are state party members. Use the first form in this kit when your county group decides to seek recognition as a county affiliate of the state party. Use the second form in this kit when your County Committee wants to establish BOD representation. iii

29 LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA County Committee Request for Recognition The following individuals from County hereby submit this request dated _ to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania to be recognized as a County Committee in accordance with LPP Bylaws Article III, and by ascribing their names below do affirm that they are residents of the specified county, that they are members in good standing of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, and that they have read and understand Article III of the LPP Bylaws. Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Form LPP CCRR (04/99)

30 Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Form LPP CCRRC/CCPRC (04/99)

31 LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA County Committee Petition for Representation on the LPP Board of Directors The following individuals hereby submit this petition dated to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Board of Directors in order to have _ be recognized as the County Committee Representative for County, in accordance with LPP Bylaws Article III, and by ascribing their names below do affirm that they are members in good standing of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania and that they have read and understand Article III of the LPP Bylaws. Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Name Street address Township/Borough Signature LPP ID Date *** LPP office use only *** Verified by Form LPP CCPR (04/99)

32 Robert's Rules of Order - Summary Version For Fair and Orderly Meetings & Conventions Used with the permission of ConstitutionSociety.org Provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language. The conduct of ALL business is controlled by the general will of the whole membership - the right of the deliberate majority to decide. Complementary is the right of at least a strong minority to require the majority to be deliberate - to act according to its considered judgment AFTER a full and fair "working through" of the issues involved. Robert's Rules provides for constructive and democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business of the assembly. Under no circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or limit full participation. The fundamental right of deliberative assemblies require all questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action! The assembly rules - they have the final say on everything! Silence means consent! Obtain the floor (the right to speak) by being the first to stand when the person speaking has finished; state Mr./Madam Chairman. Raising your hand means nothing, and standing while another has the floor is out of order! Must be recognized by the Chair before speaking! Debate can not begin until the Chair has stated the motion or resolution and asked "are you ready for the question?" If no one rises, the chair calls for the vote! Before the motion is stated by the Chair (the question) members may suggest modification of the motion; the mover can modify as he pleases, or even withdraw the motion without consent of the seconder; if mover modifies, the seconder can withdraw the second. The "immediately pending question" is the last question stated by the Chair! Motion/Resolution - Amendment - Motion to Postpone The member moving the "immediately pending question" is entitled to preference to the floor! No member can speak twice to the same issue until everyone else wishing to speak has spoken to it once! All remarks must be directed to the Chair. Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment - avoid all personalities, never allude to others by name or to motives!

33 The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations! When presented to the assembly and the question is stated, debate begins and changes occur! The Rules Point of Privilege: Pertains to noise, personal comfort, etc. - may interrupt only if necessary! Parliamentary Inqiry: Inquire as to the correct motion - to accomplish a desired result, or raise a point of order Point of Information: Generally applies to information desired from the speaker: "I should like to ask the (speaker) a question." Orders of the Day (Agenda): A call to adhere to the agenda (a deviation from the agenda requires Suspending the Rules) Point of Order: Infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking. Must be raised immediately after the error is made Main Motion: Brings new business (the next item on the agenda) before the assembly Divide the Question: Divides a motion into two or more separate motions (must be able to stand on their own) Consider by Paragraph: Adoption of paper is held until all paragraphs are debated and amended and entire paper is satisfactory; after all paragraphs are considered, the entire paper is then open to amendment, and paragraphs may be further amended. Any Preamble can not be considered until debate on the body of the paper has ceased. Amend: Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole paragraphs or resolutions Withdraw/Modify Motion: Applies only after question is stated; mover can accept an amendment without obtining the floor Commit /Refer/Recommit to Committee: State the committee to receive the question or resolution; if no committee exists include size of committee desired and method of selecting the members (election or appointment). Extend Debate: Applies only to the immediately pending question; extends until a certain time or for a certain period of time Limit Debate: Closing debate at a certain time, or limiting to a certain period of time Postpone to a Certain Time: State the time the motion or agenda item will be resumed Object to Consideration: Objection must be stated before discussion or another motion is stated Lay on the Table: Temporarily suspends further consideration/action on pending question; may be made after motion to close debate has carried or is pending Take from the Table: Resumes consideration of item previously "laid on the table" - state the motion to take from the table

34 Reconsider: Can be made only by one on the prevailing side who has changed position or view Postpone Indefinitely: Kills the question/resolution for this session - exception: the motion to reconsider can be made this session Previous Question: Closes debate if successful - may be moved to "Close Debate" if preferred Informal Consideration: Move that the assembly go into "Committee of the Whole" - informal debate as if in committee; this committee may limit number or length of speeches or close debate by other means by a 2/3 vote. All votes, however, are formal. Appeal Decision of the Chair: Appeal for the assembly to decide - must be made before other business is resumed; NOT debatable if relates to decorum, violation of rules or order of business Suspend the Rules: Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules (except Constitution); the object of the suspension must be specified 1997 Beverly Kennedy

35 Roberts s Rules of Order Motions Chart Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition) Part 1, Main Motions. These motions are listed in order of precedence. A motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion. indicates the section from Robert's Rules. PURPOSE: YOU SAY: INTERRUPT? 2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE? 21 Close meeting I move to adjourn No Yes No No Majority 20 Take break I move to recess for... No Yes No Yes Majority 19 Register complaint I rise to a question of privilege Yes No No No None 18 Make follow agenda I call for the orders of the day Yes No No No None 17 Lay aside temporarily I move to lay the question on the table No Yes No No Majority 16 Close debate I move the previous question No Yes No No 2/3 15 Limit or extend debate 14 Postpone to a certain time 13 Refer to committee 12 Modify wording of motion 11 Kill main motion 10 Bring business before assembly (a main motion) I move that debate be limited to... I move to postpone the motion to... I move to refer the motion to... I move to amend the motion by... I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely No Yes No Yes 2/3 No Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes Yes No Majority I move that [or "to"]... No Yes Yes Yes Majority

36 Part 2, Incidental Motions. No order of precedence. These motions arise incidentally and are decided immediately. PURPOSE: YOU SAY: INTERRUPT? 2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE? 23 Enforce rules Point of Order Yes No No No None 24 Submit matter to assembly I appeal from the decision of the chair Yes Yes Varies No Majority 25 Suspend rules I move to suspend the rules No Yes No No 2/3 26 Avoid main motion altogether I object to the consideration of the question Yes No No No 2/3 27 Divide motion I move to divide the question No Yes No Yes Majority 29 Demand a rising vote I move for a rising vote Yes No No No None 33 Parliamentary law question Parliamentary inquiry Yes No No No None 33 Request for information Point of information Yes No No No None Part 3, Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly. No order of precedence. Introduce only when nothing else is pending. PURPOSE: YOU SAY: INTERRUPT? 2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE? Take matter from table Cancel previous action I move to take from the table... No Yes No No Majority I move to rescind... No Yes Yes Yes 2/3 or Majority with notice 37 Reconsider motion I move to reconsider... No Yes Varies No Majority

37 Proposed Bylaws Change #1 ARTICLE X. NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE Section 1 Nominations Only the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania shall have the power to nominate candidates for Pennsylvania state offices under the "Libertarian Party" label. Candidates for county and local office shall be nominated by recognized county committees in good standing. Congressional and state legislative candidates shall be selected by a regional caucus of the recognized county committees in the district. In the absence of a recognized county committee, the Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for congressional, state legislative, county, and local office with the advice of members in that county. In the absence of a Convention resolution not to run any candidate for an office, the Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for elections to be held prior to the next Convention for offices not filled in Convention. The Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for special elections, and nominate substitute candidates as provided in the state election code., and select individuals whose names are to appear on statewide nominating petitions as proxies for candidates nominated in Convention. The Board of Directors shall have the power to withdraw the Party s endorsement of candidates for cause. Section 2 Proxies The Board of Directors shall have the power to select individuals whose names are to appear on statewide nominating petitions as proxies for candidates nominated in Convention. Individuals serving as Proxies must agree to withdraw their names after the nomination papers are filed with the Election Bureau and cannot seek the nomination in convention for the statewide offices where their names appear as Proxies. In the absence of a Convention resolution not to run any candidate for an office, and in the absence of an endorsed candidate by Convention, Proxies can seek endorsement from the Board of Directors. Section 3 Presidential Electors The Board of Directors shall have the power to select Presidential Electors

38 Section 4 Committee to Fill Vacancies The board of Directors shall have the power to name individuals to serve on the Committee to Fill Vacancies when required by law. Proposed Bylaws Change #2: In the Bylaws, under Article IX, Convention, Section 1 - Arrangements, append the following sentence: "A convention cannot be held on the weekend that Daylight Savings Time takes effect." Proposed Convention Rules Change #1 ARTICLE XI. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE Section 1 - No candidate may be nominated for any office who is ineligible to serve in that office, served as a Proxy for that office or who has not expressed a willingness to accept the nomination of the Party. Section 2 - Nominees for any office shall be chosen by majority vote. Should no candidate obtain a majority on a ballot, then a new ballot shall be taken. After every second ballot, if no candidate has yet received a majority vote the candidate with the least number of votes shall be struck from subsequent ballots. Section 3 - No candidate for public office at any level shall be nominated or endorsed who has not signed the statement as described under Article II Section 1 c of the Bylaws.

39 THE PLATFORM OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES The Party for Civil and Economic Liberty March 2002 Reformatted February 2005 We, the members of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, support and defend the rights of individuals. We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to do the same. Specifically, we are for and (1) the right of individuals to liberty of action, belief, and communication, (2) the right of individuals to own, to use, and to dispose of their property. We stand firmly for the Principle of Non-aggression: that no one neither a government agent nor any individual nor any group may initiate force or fraud against an individual or his property. Thus, we are against (1) the initiation of (or threat of) physical force (e.g., mugging, kidnapping, rape, murder), (2) trespass and robbery, and (3) fraud and misrepresentation. Governments should not force individuals to sacrifice their lives and property for the benefit of others. Individuals should be left free to deal with one another as free traders in a free market. To maximize civil and economic liberty, we intend to shrink Pennsylvania s state government to its true constitutional limits. All of our platform planks directly follow from our principles.

40 2 I. LIBERTY A. Civil 1. Individuals and the Government Issue: The government has placed itself in a position of superiority over its citizens, denying our rights under the guise of compeling state interest. Principle: No conflict exists between civil order and individual rights. Both concepts are based on the Principle of Non-aggression. Libertarian Solution: If violence, theft, or fraud has been initiated, the government has the task of proving it and coercing criminals to make restitution to victims. The state should not be involved in activity which coerces individuals other than criminals. Thus, the state should not be involved in the health, education, social development, economic development, transportation, or recreation of individuals. Libertarian Action/Transition: No individual rights should be denied or abridged by the laws of Pennsylvania on account of sex, race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, age, ethnic group, or national origin. Minors should have the right to sue for majority or for change of guardianship. Homosexuals should have the right to contract with one another, just as heterosexuals do. The government should not discriminate for or against any individual or group; thus, governmentsponsored "affirmative action" programs and special preferences should end. Likewise, we oppose so-called "hate crime" legislation which creates special categories of victims; a crime is a crime, regardless of the characteristics of the victim. Private organizations that receive no funding from the government should be able to discriminate as they wish. 2. Individual Rights Issue: Pennsylvania s government today interferes in a variety of ways with our freedom of action, belief, and communication. The denial of these freedoms fosters irresponsibility in the citizenry. Principle: Each individual should be entitled to liberty of action, belief, and communication, and should be held responsible for the consequences of his actions. The state should not constrain peaceful acts of individuals.

41 3 a. action 1) choice: Libertarian Solution: Recognize the right of each individual to associate or not to associate with any other individual or group. Libertarian Action/Transition: Individuals must not be forced to participate in a jury or other agency of the state. Associations may not use the power of the state to impose their will on other associations or individuals. 2) movement: Libertarian Solution: We hold that no peaceful individual (or business) should be forced to move or be prevented from moving anywhere in Pennsylvania; the law of eminent domain should be abolished. We welcome legal immigrants to Pennsylvania but they (not the existing citizenry) should bear all of the accompanying costs. 3) privacy: Libertarian Solution: We support the right of an individual to privacy. Libertarian Action/Transition: Correspondence, bank and other financial transactions and records, doctors' and lawyers' communications, employment records, computer files, and the like should not be open to review by government. 4) self-protection: Libertarian Solution: We support each individual's right to protect his life and property. Thus we oppose registration and all laws restricting the manufacture, sale, ownership, or transfer of firearms and non-firearm protective devices. Also, each individual should have the option not to protect himself, such as requesting that no action be taken against violators of his rights; in capital cases, if the victim opposed capital punishment, then the state must not carry it out. Libertarian Action/Transition: We oppose concealed carrying laws and waiting period laws. Individuals convicted of such laws should be issued pardons. Each individual should also be able choose to commit suicide or assent to euthanasia, with proper safeguards to ensure intent.

42 4 5) substance use: Libertarian Solution: We advocate the repeal of all laws prohibiting the production, sale, possession, or use of drugs (nicotine, alcohol, hallucinogens, narcotics, marijuana/hemp, laetrile, artificial sweeteners, supplements, herbs, etc.), and of all medical prescription requirements for the purchase of vitamins, drugs, and similar substances. Intoxication from whatever substance should not be allowed to be used as a criminal defense. Manufacturers should be able to make health claims for their products, but may be held liable for making fraudulent claims. Libertarian Action/Transition: All non-violent drug "offenders" should be pardoned and be immediately released from prison; all property taken under socalled "asset forfeiture" laws should be returned to their rightful owner. We favor privatizing the state liquor store system and abolishing the pharmaceutical assistance fund. Money from the tobacco master settlement should go just to those individuals who can prove the tobacco companies defrauded them. 6) sex: Libertarian Solution: We advocate the repeal of all laws regarding consensual sex, including prostitution, strip club lap dancing and massage, and homosexual relations. Libertarian Action/Transition: We support an end to all subsidies for or against child-bearing built into our present laws. Since we believe in free choice, we advocate that each independent school have the right to offer or not to offer sex education courses. 7) birth control and abortion: Principle: The inception of human brain waves at the 20th week of a fetus marks the true beginning of a human being; the cessation of human brain waves marks the death of a human being. Libertarian Solution: We support the repeal of all laws restricting voluntary birth control. We support a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy up to the 20th week; beyond that abortions should be avoided unless the life of the woman is at stake, and any fetus surviving abortion must not be killed. Libertarian Action/transition: We oppose government funding of abortion services. We oppose restrictions on the use of stem cells resulting from legal abortions.

43 5 b. belief 1) religion: Libertarian Solution: We defend the right of individuals to engage in (or abstain from) any religious or philosophical activity which does not violate the rights of others. Libertarian Action/Transition: We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion. We oppose government funding of any religious agency. 2) education: Principle: Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Libertarian Solution: We advocate that government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges be ended. Libertarian Action/Transition: The Pennsylvania Department of Education should be abolished, and the state college and university system should be privatized. We specifically call for the amendment of Article III of the Pennsylvania Constitution to repeal sections 14 and 15, so that all schools will be financed and attended solely on a voluntary basis. In the meantime, only individuals with dependents in government schools should be required to contribute to these schools, and compulsory attendance, forced busing, corporal punishment, and state mandated testing/standards should be eliminated. 3) politics: Libertarian Solution: Elections should be in the control of those who wish to participate in them or voluntarily support them. Libertarian Action/Transition: We call for the repeal of state laws that make it difficult for new parties or independent candidates to be on the ballot and thus entrench the two major parties. We oppose any law that would compel taxpayers to subsidize politicians and political views they do not wish to support. We call for the introduction of initiative, referendum, and recall in Pennsylvania to give the citizenry more choice. We call for the replacement of any unreliable, inaccurate voting machines or methods. We call for an end to political "slush funds" and "walking around money. For national presidential elections, we favor switching from the current "winner take all" method of determining state electors

44 6 to the following method: a) each congressional district will have one electoral vote, which will go to the candidate with the most votes there; b) the state as a whole will have two electoral votes, which will go to the candidate with the most votes state-wide. 4) mental health: Libertarian Solution: We advocate an end to involuntary commitments to mental institutions and an end to insanity or mental retardation as a criminal defense. Libertarian Action/Transition: Repeal all laws permitting involuntary psychiatric treatment. End the spending of tax money for programs of psychiatric or psychological research or treatment and for mental health propaganda campaigns. c. communication Libertarian Solution: End all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and press. Libertarian Action/Transition: Since we oppose all forms of government censorship, we oppose anti-pornography laws. We oppose the government's invasion of newsrooms or the premises of other innocent third parties in the name of law enforcement. We also condemn court orders gagging press coverage of criminal proceedings. Government ownership or subsidy of broadcast band (or cable or satellite) radio or television networks (such as the Pennsylvania Public Television Network) must end. We oppose government efforts to control broadcast content, restrict the number of channels, or restrict and regulate cable or satellite TV networks. We oppose government interference in the content or operation of the Internet, and we oppose government imposition of a sales tax on Internet commerce.

45 7 B. Economic 1. Individuals, Businesses, and the Government Issue: Government intervention in the economy imperils the personal freedom and the material prosperity of every Pennsylvanian. Principle: Because each individual has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market, and because government interference can only harm such free activity, we oppose all action by government in the market except to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework to protect voluntary trade. Efforts to forcibly redistribute wealth or forcibly manage trade are intolerable. a. subsidies and regulations Libertarian Solution: In order to achieve a free economy in which the state victimizes no one for the benefit of anyone else, end all state subsidies to business, labor, education, agriculture, science, broadcasting, the arts, sports, transportation, and any other special interest. Lift all regulations--except those related to fraud and misrepresentation--of business, labor, education, agriculture, science, broadcasting, the arts, sports, transportation, and any other special interest. Voluntary associations can set technical standards with which individuals and businesses can choose to comply or not to comply. Such businesses must bear full liability for any damages they may cause, in any case. Libertarian Action/Transition: Therefore we call for the end of these Pennsylvania state agencies: Milk Marketing Board (which sets a minimum price for milk), Liquor Control Board, Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, BrainGain Initiative, Interactive Marketing, Animal Health Commission, Agricultural Research, Local Development Districts, Digital E-Readness Program, "Sound" Land Use Activities, Small Business First Fund, State Job Training/Scholarships, Tuition Payment Fund, Minority Business Development Fund, Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund, Small Business Development Centers, Pennsylvania Shipyard Development Corporation, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, Pennsylvania Infrastructure Authority, Pennsylvania Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, Pennsylvania Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, Public School Employees' Retirement System, State System of Higher Education, Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, Vocational Rehabilitation Fund, Water Facilities Loan Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, State Racing Fund, Nursing Home Loan

46 8 Development, Volunteer Companies Loan, Tourist Promotion Assistance, Grants to the Arts Program, Historical and Museum Commission, Capital Access Network Program, PENNCARE Program, Public Transportation Assistance Fund, and SEPTA. b. economic controls Libertarian Solution: End all existing or proposed governmental controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, or interest rates. Libertarian Action/Transition: Immediately end the Pennsylvania minimum wage law and the price controls on milk and liquor. c. taxes Libertarian Solution: Since we believe that all individuals are entitled to keep the fruits of their labor, we propose phasing out all state, county, and local taxes. Libertarian Action/Transition: Over the years the state government has added one new tax after another and now the list is enormous: corporate net income tax, capital stock and franchise tax, utility gross receipts tax, utility property tax, financial institutions tax, sales and use tax, personal income tax, realty transfer tax, inheritance tax, fire insurance tax, hotel occupancy tax, liquid fuels tax, fuels use tax, motor vehicle sales tax, motor carriers road tax, interstate bus compact fuels tax, oil company franchise tax, boxing and wrestling exhibits tax, cigarette tax, malt beverage tax, liquor tax, and wines tax. In addition, there is the county tax, the business privilege tax, the occupational privilege tax, the township real estate tax, the township mercantile tax, the township amusement tax, the township per capita tax, the personal tax, the property school tax, the city income tax of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie, the Allegheny Regional Asset District Tax, and the unemployment compensation tax. We call for the repeal of all of these. The minimal state that we envision, with a vastly reduced budget, would have no need for these taxes or the "tax farmers" to collect them. Instead the minimal state can be financed by user fees, contributions, and other voluntary means, such as by proceeds from the state lottery and by fees for state enforcement of individual or business contracts. Section III of this platform will show how we can make the transition from the present regime to a minimal state. 2. Employment

47 9 Issue: Government has enacted a multitude of laws dealing with conditions of employment. These laws impede Pennsylvania s citizens from finding suitable employment, and hinder Pennsylvania s employers from achieving their optimal workforce. Principle: We recognize the right of individuals to seek employment and of employers to voluntarily employ anyone of their own choosing under mutually acceptable terms. Libertarian Solution: Repeal all laws which impede the ability of a person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws, so-called protective legislation for women and children, equal opportunity legislation, and restrictions on private day care centers. Libertarian Action/Transition: We call for the abolition of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs which licenses architects, auctioneers, barbers, cosmetologists, chiropractors, dentists, engineers, funeral directors, landscape architects, physicians, auto dealers and salesmen, nurses, nursing home administrators, optometrists, osteopaths, pharmacists, physical therapists, podiatrists, psychologists, public accountants, real estate brokers, and veterinarians; other state agencies which license teachers, lawyers, and stock brokers should also be abolished. State licensing restricts competition, raising prices and reducing quality. Instead, we suggest that each professional and occupational group provide voluntary certification of its members. 3. Unions Issue: Government interference in the relationship between employers and unions always favors one side or the other. Principle: We support the right of individuals to establish, associate in, or not associate in, labor unions. An employer should have the right to recognize, or refuse to recognize, a union as the collective bargaining agent of some or all of his employees. While we agree with the right of workers to withdraw their services as a negotiating strategy in the collective bargaining process, we oppose their use of force or intimidation to limit the peaceful activities of others. Libertarian Solution: End all government involvement in the collective bargaining process, including mandating bargaining. Libertarian Action/Transition: We oppose all government back-to-work orders as imposing a form of forced labor. We oppose any existing or proposed "prevailing wage" law.

48 10 4. Welfare Issue: All government welfare, relief projects, and "aid to the poor" programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. Principle: The proper sources of help for the unemployed, the young, and the old are the individual's family and private charitable institutions, such as those funded by United Way. Libertarian Solution: We call for the abolition of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health and Welfare and its programs: County Child Welfare, Public Day Care Services, other children's services, support for "low-income" Pennsylvanians, support for people with disabilities, and support for services to older Pennsylvanians. Libertarian Action/Transition: Until such time as the Pennsylvania income tax is eliminated, we advocate dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donations to private welfare agencies. 5. Property and Trade Issue: Property rights are the rights of human beings with respect to property. Thus, government actions which interfere with our full enjoyment of our property are just as much violations of human rights as restrictions on speech, religion, or assembly. Principle: We hold that the owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any manner enjoy their property without interference, until and unless the exercise of their control infringes the rights of others. Furthermore, the role of planning is properly the right and the responsibility of the owners of land, water, and other natural resources. We recognize the right of each individual to offer to purchase or sell any good or service on the market. Libertarian Solution: End all government efforts to regulate or ban the use of property in the name of aesthetics, owner risk, moral standards, cost-benefit estimates, or the promotion or restriction of economic growth. Private deed restrictions and private neighborhood covenants are a voluntary means to influence growth and development. A property owner who materially lowers the value of the property of his neighbors may be sued. Libertarian Action/Transition: End government-sponsored urban renewal, zoning laws, building codes, eminent domain, regional planning, and purchase of land or development rights with tax money. Repeal regulations which dictate to

49 11 consumers, impose prices, define standards for products, or otherwise restrict risk-taking and free choice. Repeal laws which require an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as motorcycle and bicycle crash helmets and vehicle seat belts. 6. Legal and Medical Services Issue: Government involvement in the fields of law and medicine has led to bureaucratic top-down management, rapidly escalating prices, costly regulations, and a host of other problems. Principle: We support the right of individuals to contract freely for services provided by others, such as lawyers and doctors. Libertarian Solution: End compulsory insurance or tax-supported plans to provide legal services or health services. The practitioners of law and medicine (and other disciplines) and the administrators of Health Maintenance Organizations must be responsible for their actions (and liable for actual economic damages caused). We thus call for the repeal of laws limiting liability for negligence, and we oppose tax-subsidized malpractice insurance. We call for the repeal of laws compelling individuals to submit to medical treatment or testing. 7. Business Rights a. general Issue: Government interference in the marketplace acts for the advantage of politically favored businesses, and for the disadvantage of the politically disconnected. Principle: We defend the right of individuals to form corporations, partnerships, proprietorships, cooperatives, or other types of voluntary business organization. Laws of incorporation should not include grants of monopoly privilege or limits on corporate liability for damage to third parties. We oppose government limits on the size of private companies, and we defend the right of companies to merge with others or to divest subsidiaries.

50 12 b. specific 1) banking industry: Libertarian Solution: We favor free market banking. Libertarian Action/Transition: We thus call for the abolition of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and all governmentally-sponsored credit agencies. We further support (a) the lifting of all restrictions on branch banking; (b) the repeal of all state usury laws; (c) the abolition of government control over the interest paid on time deposits; and (d) the revocation of all other selective credit controls. 2) transportation: Libertarian Solution: We recognize the right of individuals to offer transportation on the market. We call for the end of attempts by government to monopolize transportation by limiting or eliminating competition. We oppose any regulation inhibiting the operation of a transport business, such as those requiring bus, railroad, or airline companies to maintain uneconomical routes or schedules. We urge further deregulation of the trucking industry. Libertarian Action/Transition: We call for the privatization of SEPTA and the state-owned airports. We call for an immediate end to the state auto inspection system and the state emission inspection system. All state expressways should be sold; in the interim, they should become toll roads so that only users pay for their upkeep. Until such time as the remainder of the state's roads can be privatized, the state's gasoline tax should go only for upkeep and maintenance of highways and for construction of new ones; it should not be diverted to fund mass transit or any other current state function. The state police should stop only those motorists who are a clear and present danger to other motorists (or the public at large); driving at high speed (without endangering others) should not be a crime in and of itself. 3) public utilities: Libertarian Solution: We advocate the termination of government-created franchise privileges and government monopolies for such services as garbage

51 13 collection, fire protection, electricity, natural gas, telephone, water supplies, and cable TV. Libertarian Action/Transition: All rate regulation in these industries should be abolished, along with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. In particular, all caps on wholesale and retail power prices should be removed. The law must not curtail the right to offer such services on the market. 4) energy: Libertarian Solution: We favor the creation of a free market in energy by repealing all state controls over price and output of the energy industries. End all government subsidies for energy research, development, and operation. Libertarian Action/Transition: All government-owned energy resources should be turned over to private ownership; the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and the Office of Conservation and Natural Resources should be abolished. End all direct and indirect government participation in the atomic energy industry; the imposition of full liability--not government agencies--should regulate atomic power. The atomic power plant owners should bear the full cost of disposing their radioactive waste products. We consider all attempts by the state to impose an operating or standby program of gasoline rationing as unworkable, unnecessary, and tyrannical. 5) pollution and conservation: Libertarian Solution: We support the development of an objective system defining property rights to air and water. We hold that ambiguity in these rights (e.g., the concept of "public property") is a primary cause of our deteriorating environment. Present legal principles which allow the violation of individual rights by polluters must be abolished. Laws regarding property rights should be modified to cover damage done by air, water, and noise pollution. While we maintain that no one has the right to violate the property rights of others by polluting, we strenuously oppose all attempts to transform the defense of such rights into any restriction of the efforts of individuals or businesses to advance technology, to expand production, or to use their property peacefully. All pollution cases should be handled by the courts. We therefore support the abolition of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Libertarian Action/Transition: The 116 state parks should be sold to environmental groups and become completely fee-based. There will then no longer be a need for the state Game Commission, the Fish and Boat Commission, and the Land and Water Development Fund. If this is infeasible,

52 14 then at the very least the operation of these state parks should be funded solely by user fees, not from general tax revenues. 6) entertainment and drink: Libertarian Solution: Since it is not the proper function of the state to be involved in entertaining the people, we advocate that state funding of farm products and shows, fairs, harness racing, and horse racing be ended. All forms of private gambling should be allowed, with gambling proprietors subject only to the usual laws against violence and fraud. Libertarian Action/Transition: It is also not the proper function of the state to distribute or sell liquor. We thus insist that the state stores be sold, with the proceeds going to the taxpayers, and that no restrictions be placed on the opening of additional retail liquor outlets. II. PROTECTION OF LIBERTY A. Definition of Crimes Issue: The government has criminalized behavior that hurts no one except the person himself. Principle: A crime occurs when an individual is a victim of the initiation of force, theft, or fraud by another individual or group of individuals. There is no crime without such a victim. Libertarian Solution: All laws regarding behavior not involving a victim should be repealed. Libertarian Action/Transition: All individuals now imprisoned solely for a victimless "crime" should be freed. B. The Government as Criminal Issue: Governmental violations of rights undermine the people's sense of justice with regard to crime. Principle: A crime is no less a crime when committed by the government itself.

53 15 Libertarian Solution: All state restrictions on the rights detailed in the previous planks must be ended, along with taxes. The government's practice of taking our money and running our lives must cease. We favor an immediate end to the doctrine of "Sovereign Immunity" which implies that the state can do no wrong and holds that the state, contrary to the tradition of redress of grievances, may not be sued without its permission or held accountable for its actions under civil law. Pennsylvania's so-called "limited" sovereign immunity is a sham. Libertarian Action/Transition: The present state budget allocates 88% of tax money to special interest groups (the remaining 12% go to protection of life and property). A Libertarian administration will seek to reduce the state budget to less than 12% of the present budget--no money will be used to apprehend victimless criminals. During the transition period, individuals now dependent on government services would be referred to appropriate private agencies. C. The Court System and Due Process Issue: The criminal court system has become biased against defendants by means of excluding jurors who understand our rights under the constitution, and through rules of evidence that prevent defense attorneys from presenting mitigating facts. Principle: Until such time as persons are proved guilty of crimes, they should be accorded full respect for their rights. Libertarian Solution: 1. Innocent until Proven Guilty End preventive detention and so-called "no-knock" laws. 2. Arbitration Services We advocate that parties to a dispute should always have the option to use private arbitration services, rather than the state court system. 3. Peremptory Challenges We call for a reform of the present judicial system allowing criminal defendants and civil parties to a court action a reasonable number of peremptory challenges to proposed judges, similar to their right under the present system to challenge proposed jurors. 4. Fully Informed Juries

54 16 Juries should be told of their right to judge the law as well as the facts of a case. 5. Immunity We oppose the use of grants of immunity from prosecution to compel testimony. 6. Insanity and Mental Retardation We advocate an end to criminal defense based on "insanity" or "mental retardation", which absolves the guilty of their responsibility. 7. Restitution In the commission of a crime, the rights of an individual, not society, have been violated, resulting in a loss to the individual. We propose a system of justice based solely on self-defense and restitution for victims of crimes. Upon conviction, a criminal should be required to compensate the victim or the victim's survivors for their losses, and compensate the victim's insurance company or the justice system itself for all costs involved, including his maintenance. 8. Restoration of Criminal's Individual Rights A criminal, having paid for his crime, shall enjoy full restoration of individual rights. Libertarian Action/Transition: We support full restitution for all loss suffered by individuals arrested, indicted, tried, imprisoned, or otherwise injured in the course of criminal proceedings against them which do not result in their conviction. When they are personally responsible, government police employees or agents should be liable for this restitution. D. The Legislature Issue: The legislature has turned into a full time occupation wherein (non- Libertarian) legislators spend most of their time concocting new ways to control and tax the citizenry. Principle: Legislators should be ordinary citizens who volunteer a small part of their lives to serve their fellow citizens by enacting laws to protect their rights. After a term in the legislature, they should return to private life to live under the laws they have crafted.

55 17 Libertarian Solution: Libertarian legislators will spend their time working to repeal all existing state laws that restrict individual liberty. Libertarian Action/Transition: We favor a part-time, rather than full-time, legislature. The longer the legislature is in session, the greater the opportunity for mischief. Of course, the governor should continue to have the authority to convene the legislature in case of emergency. E. The Government and Ethics Issue: Many individuals fail to question the means by which the government obtains its funds. Tax collection involves the coercion of individuals who can in no way be considered criminals--hence this process is inherently unethical. Principle: The proper function of government is to enact individual rights into law (or repeal restrictions), apprehend and try violators of these rights, and coerce such violators to make restitution to victims. Such action is inherently ethical; criminals are coerced, but non-criminals are not. Unfortunately, at present, the state is much more adept at coercing innocent individuals than it is at coercing criminals. Libertarian Solution: See Section III that follows. III. ACHIEVEMENT OF LIBERTY A. Current Executive Departments The size and scope of Pennsylvania s state government have grown for hundreds of years. Here is the list of current executive departments: Governor s Office, Executive Offices (including Office of General Counsel, Office of Budget, and Ofice of Policy Development), Lieutenant Governor s Ofice, Aging, Agriculture, Banking, Civil Service Commission, Community and Economic Development, Conservation and Natural Resources, Corrections, Education, Emergency Management Agency, Environmental Hearing Board, Environmental Protection, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, General Services, Health, Historical and Museum Commission, Infrastructure Investment Authority, Insurance, Labor and Industry, Liquor Control Board, Military and Veterans Afairs, Milk Marketing Board, Municipal Employees Retirement, Probation and Parole Board, Public Television Network, Public Utility Commission, Public Welfare, Revenue, School Employees Retirement System, Securities Commission, State, State Employees Retirement System, State Police, Tax Equalization Board, and Transportation.

56 18 B. One Department for Protection of Persons and Property In contrast, there would be only one department in a minimal state: Protection of Persons and Property. Programs and individuals from Executive Offices, Civil Service, Corrections, Emergency Management, Probation and Parole Board, Revenue, and State Police departments could be moved into this one department. Specialists in contract law and fraud detection from the departments of Agriculture, Banking, Health, and Insurance and from the Securities Commission could also be moved over to the one department. C. Omnibus Bill for Liberty A Libertarian governor would ask the Office of General Counsel and Office of Policy Development to make a categorized list of all existing Pennsylvania laws that violate individual liberty. An omnibus bill to repeal all of these laws would then be submitted to the legislature. If a majority of members of the General Assembly are elected Libertarians, then the bill will pass. In that fortuitous event, we could then begin radically shrinking the size and cost of the state government. We will do this in a rational and orderly fashion. What follows is one possible path to the minimal state. D. Office of Transition Services An office of Transition Services will be set up to coordinate the closing of departments. Before closing, the staff of each department will compile a computerized list of private and voluntary organizations across the state that can perform the same or similar functions. This list will be added to the master computer list kept at the office of Transition Services. Citizens calling the state for anything other than protection of persons or property will be referred to the appropriate private or voluntary agency. E. Existing Workers and Contracts Existing state workers who are no longer needed in the minimal state will be given a three month notice of termination to give them an opportunity to find work in the private or volunteer sector. Existing state contracts with businesses will be kept if they are for a duration of one year or less; after completion, the contracts will not be renewed unless they are involved with the protection of

57 19 persons or property. Current multi-year contracts with businesses or individuals will have to be renegotiated or terminated. State obligations to retired state employees will have to be continued to be honored. F. Pardon of Victimless Criminals A Libertarian governor will pardon and free all incarcerated individuals convicted solely of a victimless crime. G. Pay-off of State Debt Existing tax revenues will be used to pay off the state debt, which now totals over 4 billion dollars. H. Ending of Taxation After the debt is paid off, all state taxes will be abolished immediately, with the exception of the sales tax and gas tax (which are partially voluntary). The sales tax will then be reduced by 1 ¼ points each year for four years, in tandem with cuts in government spending. By the end of the fourth year, the minimal state will be financed by the 1% sales tax, the state lottery, the gasoline tax, and fees for contract enforcement. We plan to end the 1% sales tax and gasoline tax in the fifth year. I. State Endowment Fund Any excess of revenue over spending will go into the state endowment fund (curently caled the rainy day fund ). Presumably, by the fifth year of the transition, proceeds from the state lottery, from fees for contract enforcement, and from distributions of the endowment fund will be enough to fund the minimal state, in which case the sales and gasoline tax will be eliminated entirely. At that point, the office of Transition Services will be closed, and its referral database will be privatized. Proceeds from the sale of the state colleges, the state parks, and the state liquor stores will go into the state endowment fund. J. Operation of the Minimal State To non-criminals, the state will be virtually invisible. To those who initiate force, theft, or fraud, the state will be very visible. State-of-the-art equipment and

58 20 highly trained personnel will be used to apprehend and try such criminals and, upon their conviction, coerce them to make restitution to their victims. The state will have no other focus or purpose. The part-time legislature will continue to fine-tune a minimal code of law. Successful demonstration of the blessings of liberty wil be our party s answer to critics in other parties and the news media. K. Less Rosy Scenarios The above scenario is our most optimistic one. If, instead, we have a Libertarian governor but a non-libertarian legislature, then we can promise this: all government spending increases will be vetoed; all government spending reductions will be approved; all tax increases will be vetoed; all tax reductions will be approved. Similarly, if we have a non-libertarian governor and less than a 2/3 Libertarian majority, then we will have to proceed in a piece-meal fashion, working with the governor to get the largest possible spending and tax cuts. CALL FOR SUPPORT The Libertarian Party is the only party proposing both maximal civil liberty and maximal economic liberty. Why waste your vote on politics-as-usual? Why not make your vote count by voting for the principles of liberty and a party that can back up its words with actions? People who are now supporting the Libertarian Party care about their country. They have chosen a political alternative that offers hope for a better future. How about you?

59 Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Convention 2008 Platform Plank Retention Ballot Please mark if you would like the following platform planks retained or removed. RETAIN REMOVE STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ( ) ( ) I. LIBERTY I. A. Civil I. A. 1. Individuals and the Government ( ) ( ) I. A. 2. Individual Rights ( ) ( ) I. A. 2. a. action 1. choice.( ) ( ) 2. movement..( ) ( ) 3. privacy...( ) ( ) 4. self protection... ( ) ( ) 5. substance use ( ) ( ) 6. sex.. ( ) ( ) 7. birth control and abortion.. ( ) ( ) I. A. 2. b. belief 1. religion..... ( ) ( ) 2. education...( ) ( ) 3. politics.. ( ) ( ) 4. mental health ( ) ( ) I. A. 2. c. communication ( ) ( ) I. B. Economic I. B. 1. Individuals, Businesses, and the Government ( ) ( ) I. B. 1. a. subsidies and regulations ( ) ( ) 1 of 3

60 RETAIN REMOVE I. B. 1. b. economic controls ( ) ( ) I. B. 1. c. taxes ( ) ( ) I. B. 2. Employment ( ) ( ) I. B. 3. Unions ( ) ( ) I. B. 4. Welfare ( ) ( ) I. B. 5. Property and Trade ( ) ( ) I. B. 6. Legal and Medical Services ( ) ( ) I. B. 7. Business Rights I. B. 7. a. general ( ) ( ) 1. banking industry.. ( ) ( ) 2. transportation...( ) ( ) 3. public utilities.. ( ) ( ) 4. energy ( ) ( ) 5. pollution and conservation..( ) ( ) 6. entertainment and drink. ( ) ( ) II. PROTECTION OF LIBERTY II. A. Definition of Crimes ( ) ( ) II. B. The Government as Criminal ( ) ( ) II. C. The Court System and Due Process ( ) ( ) 1. Innocent until Proven Guilty. ( ) ( ) 2. Arbitration Services ( ) ( ) 3. Peremtory Challenges. ( ) ( ) 4. Fully Informed Juries..( ) ( ) 5. Immunity.. ( ) ( ) 6. Insanity and Mental Retardation.. ( ) ( ) 7. Restitution.( ) ( ) 8. Restoration of Criminal s Individual Rights.. ( ) ( ) II. D. The Legislature ( ) ( ) 2 of 3

61 RETAIN REMOVE II. E. The Government and Ethics ( ) ( ) III. ACHIEVEMENT OF LIBERTY III. A. Current Executive Departments ( ) ( ) III. B. One Dept. for Protection of Persons and Property ( ) ( ) III. C. Omnibus Bill for Liberty ( ) ( ) III. D. Office of Transition Services ( ) ( ) III. E. Existing Workers and Contracts ( ) ( ) III. F. Pardon of Victimless Criminals ( ) ( ) III. G. Pay-off State Debt ( ) ( ) III. H. Ending of Taxation ( ) ( ) III. I. State Endowment Fund ( ) ( ) III. J. Operation of the Minimal State ( ) ( ) III. K. Less Rosy Scenarios ( ) ( ) CALL FOR SUPPORT ( ) ( ) 3 of 3

62 Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Delegate to Libertarian Party National Convention Denver, Colorado - May 23rd and 26th Name: Address: County: I wish to represent Pennsylvania as a (Circle one) Delegate Alternate Delegate