RESOLUTION OPPOSING NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE INTERSTATE COMPACT

Transcription

1 RESOLUTION OPPOSING NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE INTERSTATE COMPACT WHEREAS, the Constitution established the method of electing the President of the United States through the Electoral College, the process deemed best by the framers of the Constitution for ensuring state sovereignty because all states, both large and small, are included in the presidential election process; and WHEREAS, the Constitution preserves the balance of power between federal and state governments through the mechanism of the Electoral College; and WHEREAS, the Electoral College has been tested and proven itself in more than 50 presidential elections as the method to best preserve our representative form of government, resulting in the election of a President by a majority of electoral votes not a mere plurality; and WHEREAS, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, if successfully implemented, would eviscerate the Electoral College process of electing the President; and WHEREAS, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, if successfully implemented, would radically change the way we elect our President through a questionable legal maneuver by changing the rules of presidential elections via a compact among as few as 11 states instead of the normal 38 states needed to amend the Constitution; and WHEREAS, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, if successfully implemented, would undermine state authority and give more populated media markets, which are the large metropolitan areas, power over the voice of the states; and WHEREAS, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is being used to try to de-legitimize the Presidency of Donald J. Trump, by arguing that he did not win the popular vote and, therefore is not our legitimate President, even though he won 30 states and a majority in the Electoral College; and WHEREAS, the delegates of the Cherokee County Republican Party Convention fully support retaining the constitutionally approved and time-tested Electoral College method of awarding electoral votes to candidates to for the office of President of the United States; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates of the Cherokee County Republican Party Convention oppose this attempt to undermine the U.S. Constitution and the Electoral College by way of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the delegates of the Cherokee County Republican Party Convention strongly recommend the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor of Georgia and the Georgia 11 th Congressional District Delegation reject the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Signed this 18 th day of March 2017

2 RESOLUTION PROBITING LEGISLATORS FROM PARTICIPATNG ON GOP COMMITTEES DURING THE 40 DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEREAS, the Republican Party, the party named after Republicanism, the Dominant value during and since the American Revolution, has become known as a political and principled organization comprised of and run by Grassroots citizens not elected legislators and; WHEREAS, citizens that serve on this principled and grassroots driven body on a committee or any executive position is considered as an automatic resignation should they declare as a candidate for elected office as required in the Georgia State GOP, 11 th District and Cherokee County bylaws and; WHEREAS, we believe that it is their solemn duty as servants to do the will of the electorate they serve following Republican principles of Fiscal Conservatism, Lower Taxes, a Free Market Economy, less Government Intrusion into the Lives of Citizens; and, WHEREAS, the Georgia Legislative body has a short 40-day session that typically includes 1500 plus House bills, House resolutions, Senate bills and Senate resolutions including a 350 plus page budget; and WHEREAS, we believe the time from our elected servants of the People in government is most critical during the Georgia Legislature s 40-day session in order to remain focused on We the People ; and WHEREAS, any Legislator shall not deprive their constituents of the time required to fully and effectively comprehend and act upon such a large amount of legislation, sometimes critical to our families and livelihood or create the perception of a conflict of interest in the selection or recommendation of any Republican Party member over another member in good standing; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of their constituents and the Republican Party to prohibit our legislators from participating on committees during the 40-day session. THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the body of the Cherokee County Republican party, part of 11th Congressional District of the great state of Georgia; does hereby proclaim that our elected servants should wholly devote their time to the short 40-day session in order to best serve and make themselves available to answer their constituent s questions on proposed Georgia legislation in a timely manner; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a companion piece be included in a revision to the By-laws. Signed this 18 th day of March, 2017

3 RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHAIRMAN RICK DAVIES WHEREAS, Rick Davies was elected to serve as Chairman of the Cherokee County Republican Party during a seminal transition period of the party, for the purpose of building transparency, access, and fair mindedness in the party and in its leadership; and WHEREAS, Chairman Rick Davies has faithfully served the Republican Party and the community of Cherokee County for the past two years; and WHEREAS, Chairman Rick Davies has mentored, encouraged, and led the Cherokee County Republican Party in building a leadership team which exercised its duties with strict and consistent adherence to the highest standards of ethics, fairness, and mission focus; and WHEREAS, due to his leadership, the Cherokee County Republican Party is poised to take advantage of its ascendancy to the pinnacle of party influence in the Eleventh Congressional District; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cherokee County Republican Party recognizes and thanks Chairman Rick Davies for his dedicated service to the Party at the County, District, and State levels; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we wish him well in his future endeavors and continuing contributions to the Party and our community; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be posted for a minimum of five years on the Cherokee County Republican Party website in a readily accessible location as a downloadable document. THE FOREGOING WAS CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED AT THE CHEROKEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN CONVENTION ON MARCH 18, 2017: Convention Chair

4 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE NEED TO AMEND THE GEORGIA STATE CONSTITUTION MAKING ENGLISH THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE WHEREAS, all Georgians should have the ability to vote on a 2018 ballot question regarding amending the state constitution to make English the official language of government as referenced in O.C.G.A. Title ; and WHEREAS, no single method serves to unify and preserve any nation or state more than a common and official language; and WHEREAS, The United States has no official language; and WHEREAS, the state of Georgia has no constitutional official language; and WHEREAS, misguided public officials sometimes conduct naturalization ceremonies in languages other than English; and WHEREAS, having English as our official language simply means that for the government to act officially, or legally, it must communicate in English and means the language of record is the English language, and that no one has a right to demand government services in any other language; and WHEREAS, currently, the state of Georgia is administering the written driver s license exam in eleven languages; and WHEREAS, our grandfathers could not foresee the current struggle to dilute American traditions, values and unity or the attacks on the American culture and common language with multiculturalism; and WHEREAS, we proudly undertake the task of restoring harmony with the creation of a common and constitutionally official language in Georgia for the purposes of equality, advancement and protections of all Georgians; and WHEREAS, protections for non-english speakers in cases of ESOL education, health care, law enforcement and court proceedings should be codified into our state constitution; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED expressing the will of this body at the Cherokee County District convention of the Georgia Republican Party that we urge the Governor of Georgia and the state legislature to endeavor to pass a legislative Resolution that would allow all voters to answer YES or NO to a 2018 ballot question asking whether the state constitution shall be amended to make English the official language of government in Georgia; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Cherokee County District convention is hereby authorized and directed to transfer a copy of this Resolution to the Republican House and Senate Delegations, The Honorable Casey Cagle Lieutenant Governor of the State of Georgia, The Honorable Nathan Deal Governor of the State of Georgia and the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. Signed this 18 th day of March, 2017

5 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STOPPING OF ISSUANCE OF DRIVERS LICENSES TO ILLEGAL ALIENS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WHEREAS, relative to President Obama s multiple illegal executive deferred action on deportation amnesties called DACA and DAPA for illegal aliens and the state of Georgia issuing driver s licenses to illegal aliens; and WHEREAS, despite constitutional requirements for security, American borders have remained intentionally porous since the one-time congressional amnesty of 1986; and WHEREAS, illegal employers are the root cause of the crime of illegal immigration and black-market labor erodes not only the Rule of law upon which our nation was founded, but reduces job prospects and lowers wages for Georgia s struggling workers; and WHEREAS, ranking seventh in the nation in its population of illegal aliens, Georgia has more illegals than Arizona; and WHEREAS, illegal aliens who benefit in the future from former President Obama s illegal reward of work permits and Social Security Numbers do not have legal status and are still illegal aliens; and WHEREAS, Georgia has been issuing drivers license, official State ID Cards and public benefits including unemployment benefits to illegal aliens who are under deferred action on deportation proceedings since July of 2012; and WHEREAS, Georgia is issuing the exact same drivers license and official ID card to illegal aliens as is issued to foreign diplomats, Mercedes Benz executives and legal immigrants with lawful status; and WHEREAS, the current practice of issuing driver s licenses to deferred action illegal aliens is counter to the intent of decades-old state laws designed to make Georgia less attractive to illegal immigration and illegal employment; and WHEREAS, legislative remedies to state law to halt the ongoing practice of issuing driver s licenses to illegal aliens are easily accomplished; and WHEREAS, the nation of Mexico does not allow illegal aliens to obtain a driver s license and is currently more enthusiastic in its efforts to battle the crime of illegal immigration than the United States and the state of Georgia; and WHEREAS, Georgia driver s licenses should become at least as secure as the nation of Mexico; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cherokee County Republican Party that we call upon the Governor of Georgia and the state legislature to alter existing law so as to honor its intent to ensure that all illegal aliens are prohibited from accessing any type of legal permission to operate any motor vehicle on any public road in our great state; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Cherokee County Republican Party is hereby authorized and directed to transfer a copy of this Resolution to the Republican House and Senate Delegations, The Honorable Casey Cagle Lieutenant Governor of the State of Georgia, The Honorable Nathan Deal Governor of the State of Georgia and the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. Signed this 18 th day of March, 2017

6 A RESOLUTION REQUIRING OPEN GOVERNMENT AT GEORGIA S CAPITOL WHEREAS, the very foundation of the Republic rests on open, transparent and honest procedures in making law; and WHEREAS, most working Georgians are unable to attend Gold Dome committee hearings; and WHEREAS, 21 st century technology can easily accommodate broadcasting of all committee hearings including subcommittee hearings in the state Capitol; and WHEREAS, the Georgia House now broadcasts most full committee hearings from many of the same rooms that accommodate sub-committee hearings and senate committee hearings; and WHEREAS, the current unrecorded voting process in committees of both chambers and on the senate floor violates the promise of fair, open and transparent government of the People and for the People; and WHEREAS, floor amendments that have passed with unrecorded votes from the senate floor have cost Georgians tens of thousands of dollars in taxes; and WHEREAS, the principles of open government demand that all legislative committee hearings be broadcast, archived for full access and all votes be recorded for accountability by We the People; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Cherokee County Republican Party that we call upon the Lt. Governor of Georgia, the Speaker of the House and the state legislature to alter existing procedures in the state Capitol so as to provide full live and archived video access to all legislative hearings and for all votes in all hearings including sub-committees to be recorded and available to We the People; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Cherokee County Republican Party is hereby authorized and directed to transfer a copy of this Resolution to the Republican House and Senate Delegations, The Honorable Casey Cagle Lieutenant Governor of the State of Georgia, The Honorable Nathan Deal Governor of the State of Georgia, the Honorable David Ralston, Speaker of the House and the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. Signed this 18 th day of March, 2017

7 RESOLUTION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY WHEREAS, our founding fathers, in the unanimous Declaration of Independence acknowledged that the purpose of government is to secure natural rights; and WHEREAS, such governments are instituted among Men, with their consent, to protect Life, Liberty, and property; and WHEREAS, the mere potential to deprive someone of Life, Liberty, or property should never be considered a crime in a free and just society; and WHEREAS, evil resides in the heart of the individual, not in pieces of metal or plastic, nor are objects in and of themselves evil; and WHEREAS, in a free and just society, the government should not ban or restrict their possession or use; and WHEREAS, individuals should not have to ask permission or have to pay a tax in order to exercise a natural right; and WHEREAS, criminals do not follow the law, and licensing only usurps the natural rights of individuals; and WHEREAS, such legislation exists in fourteen other states; and WHEREAS, that such legislation has been introduced in the Georgia General Assembly since 2012; and WHEREAS, the Cherokee County Republican Party rejects the licensing of natural rights and insists that Constitutional Carry be passed in Georgia, affirming the right of lawabiding individuals to carry a firearm, open or concealed. WHEREAS, with a Republican majority in the House, the Senate and the executive branch, there is no excuse as to why Constitutional Carry hasn t already passed. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Cherokee County Republican Party is hereby authorized and directed to transfer a copy of this Resolution to the Republican House and Senate Delegations to be acted upon, with the support of The Honorable Casey Cagle Lieutenant Governor of the State of Georgia, The Honorable Nathan Deal Governor of the State of Georgia, the Honorable David Ralston, Speaker of the House and the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. Signed this 18 th day of March 2017

8 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GEORGIA GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT WHEREAS, there is currently a need to establish a method whereby the efficiency of state government may be reviewed and the productivity and statutory provisions of each agency may be evaluated; and WHEREAS, a method of agency accountability will help to ensure that the valuable resources of this state are best utilized, services by agencies are not duplicated, and unnecessary statutory provisions relating to agencies performing nonessential government services may be repealed; and WHEREAS, an established system of accountability would include a review of state statutes applicable to the state agency and identify the programs and services performed by the state agency pursuant to an identifiable statute or duties assumed by an agency without a statutory mandate, including all special purpose activities undertaken to perform such statutorily and non-statutorily prescribed obligations; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly is responsible for ensuring that the valuable resources of this state are safeguarded through the close examination of state government activities; and WHEREAS, a process should be established to avoid wasteful spending of revenues generated from this state s hardworking taxpayers and to guarantee that such revenues are utilized by state government in the best possible manner; and WHEREAS, state agencies must be held accountable for their service to the public and their responsiveness to the needs of the citizens of this state; and WHEREAS, the state Constitution contemplates a separation of power within state government, giving the legislative branch the power to determine policies and programs and review agency performance; and WHEREAS, this state currently has no uniform policy concerning the overview and auditing of the performance of departments, agencies, commissions, boards, authorities, or other entities within the executive branch of state government; and WHEREAS, state agencies and the statutory obligations of such agencies need to be reviewed and audited periodically from the bottom up to promote efficiency in serving the public and to avoid duplication of service and the waste of taxpayers money; and WHEREAS, the State of Texas enacted such a provision in 1978, and by 2011, 58 state agencies have been abolished, 12 state agencies have been consolidated, and savings are estimated to be around $783.7 million, estimating that for every dollar spent on the process, Texas has seen over $27 in return; and WHEREAS, in 2013, when the Governor of Georgia vetoed a similar measure, claiming that it was too expensive at $3 million, mismanaged funds of approximately $1 billion were found in the Department of Transportation, the 1996 Olympics Committee was found to be remaining, and the Governor allocated $300 million for a football stadium;

9 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT WHEREAS, religious liberty is one of the bedrock principles upon which our nation and our State are founded; and WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Constitution goes even further, providing in Article I Section I that Each person has the natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of that person s own conscience; and no human authority should, in any case, control or interfere with that right of conscience, and that No inhabitant of this state shall be molested in person or property or prohibited from holding any public office or trust on account of religious opinions; but the right of freedom of religion shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state ; and WHEREAS, other fundamental rights such as speech and press enjoy the highest level of legal enforcement, that is, the strict scrutiny test, whereby the government may intrude on the right only to the minimum extent necessary to accomplish a compelling government interest; and WHEREAS, in the 1990 case of Employment Division v. Smith, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a lesser standard of scrutiny, more deferential to the government, should be used by the courts in religious liberty cases, thus reducing religious liberty to a second-class right; and WHEREAS, in 1993, the United States Congress, by a unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a vote of 97-3 in the Senate, passed the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), restoring religious freedom to the category of first class rights to which the strict scrutiny test applies; and WHEREAS, in the 1997 case of City of Boerne v. Flores, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the federal RFRA applied only to federal intrusions on religious freedom, not state and local government intrusions, but that states are free to pass their own RFRA statutes to govern religious freedom in their states; and WHEREAS, presently 31 states have either passed their own state version of RFRA or had RFRA protections (e.g., the strict scrutiny test) established by state appellate court decision; and WHEREAS, contrary to the claims of the opposition, nowhere in the United States has RFRA ever justified criminal conduct or invidious discrimination; and