Monday, Jan. 17 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day so most people will have off from work. It also is the 2011 Virginia Tea Party Lobbying/Rally Day at the Capitol in Richmond.

Those of us in Northern VA are planning a carpool down to Richmond; contact Aaron to ride-share. There will be at least one car departing from Charlottesville; contact Steven to participate in the ride-share. The northern VA group will meet with the Central Virginia RLC group and other interested members/supporters from across the state on Monday morning at 8:45am. If you are planning to attend this event, let us know.

Our goals will be:
1. To meet other RLC members from across the state of Virginia.
2. To gather as a group to show a united front for individual liberty and limited government.
3. To hand out 2011 RLC Convention flyers and general RLC flyers (supplied by the Central Virginia RLC) to prospective members/supporters.
4. To talk to legislators about issues in the coming legislative session.
5. To listen to speakers, learn, educate, and mobilize.

VIRGINIA RLC 2011 LOBBY DAY AGENDA
7:15am – Northern Virginia Contingent Departs
8:45 - 9:30am – Virginia RLC Meeting at 821 Cafe
9:45 – 11am – Lobbying Legislators at Capitol (RLC members break out into small groups)
11am to 1pm – RLC Group Lunch (with various discounted options available)
1 to 2pm – Rally in front of Capitol Bell Tower
2pm – 4pm – Reception w/ Tea Party groups/legislators at Sam Miller’s Restaurant
4 – 4:30pm – Depart Richmond

Confirmed Rally Speakers:
• Parke West, Just Liberty – Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Angie Parker, CoLA Committee VTPP
• John Taylor, Tertium Quids
• Donna Holt, Va Campaign for Liberty
• Bob Shoemaker, ANCIR
• Keynote: Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

Click to view a summary of the Coalition Freedom Bills 2011.

Parking will be free because it is a federal holiday.

You may also RSVP to our event on Facebook. Please let us know if you plan to attend.

A common theme you hear in many libertarian circles is that no legislator or elected official has done anything good or can hold consistently pro-liberty positions.

A quartet of former Republican State Representatives from Maine, Maryland, Ohio, and Wisconsin will put that theory to rest at the 2011 RLC National Convention in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, February 12. We encourage you to learn more about these pro-liberty leaders below and register to attend the Convention to hear their remarks.

Jamie Callender is an attorney, college professor, and former State Representative who served in the Ohio House from 1997 to 2004. He represented a Democratic area despite being a Republican with a strong libertarian streak. With his leadership, Ohio was able to greatly expand school choice — an issue he is very passionate about. He was term limited out of office. Callender currently serves as a Professor of Public Policy at Kent State University. He and his family live in Lake County, Ohio in the Cleveland metropolitan area.

R. Kenneth Lindell is a former one-term Maine State Representative. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Maine, Ken was also Chairman of the Ron Paul for President campaign in Maine. Ken is also a Certified Financial Planner. He and his wife Althea, along with their three children, reside in Frankfurt, Maine. He has been a longtime advocate of the liberty message and also attended the 2006 RLC National Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Don Murphy is a former elected Delegate from Baltimore County, Maryland. He was first elected in 1993 and served until 2002. He is a co-founder of the Patapsco Valley Republican Club, served as Chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Party, and served as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention. In 2010, he was a Senior Advisor to RLC-endorsed Senate candidate Dr. Eric Wargotz. Don is also the founder of Republicans for Compassionate Access, a group of Republican legislators who believe in a patient’s right to choose medical treatment under a doctor’s care. Delegate Murphy has attended every RLC National Convention since 2006.

Terri McCormick is Vice Chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Wisconsin and is a former three-term State Representative who represented Appleton and Neenah. She is also a two-time candidate for Congress. Terri pioneered one of the first state charter school laws in the country and formed the Wisconsin Charter School Association. She is an advocate of term limits and upheld her term limits pledge. Legislation she authored expanded small business growth in the state of Wisconsin and also created a prescription drug purchasing pool for seniors. Terri is the author of the book, “What Sex Is a Republican? Stories from the Front Lines of American Politics and How You Can Change the Way Things Are.”

The RLC Convention lineup continues to attract prominent pro-liberty voices. We hope you’ll join us for all or part of the day on Saturday, February 12 at the Hilton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Please register before the prices rise on February 1.

Congressman Justin Amash is the U.S. Representative-elect in Michigan’s 3rd congressional district, which encompasses the Grand Rapids area. After earning his law degree in 2006, Mr. Amash joined the Republican Liberty Caucus and developed a local chapter of the RLC in Kent County. He ran for State Representative in 2008 and won. After announcing his bid Congress in 2010, he was endorsed by FreedomWorks, the RLC, and local Tea Party groups. He won the primary and then the general election. He resides with his wife and family in Kentwood, Michigan.

Governor Gary E. Johnson is an outspoken advocate for efficient government, lower taxes, winning the war on drug abuse, protection of civil liberties, revitalization of the economy and promoting entrepreneurship and privatization. In 1976, he started his own company, Big J Enterprises, which grew into a multi-million dollar corporation that employed over 1000 people in New Mexico. He sold the company in 1999.

In 1994, Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico despite having little experience in politics. He was reelected in 1998. As Governor, he eliminated New Mexico’s budget deficit, cut the rate of growth in state government in half, privatized half of the state prisons, and shifted state Medicaid to managed care. While in office, Governor Johnson vetoed 750 bills and struck thousands of line items from legislation. During his term, New Mexico experienced the longest period without a tax increase in the state’s history. Johnson is an avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist who climbed Mount Everest in 2003. He has two grown children.

On Saturday, January 15 at the Ramada Celebration Resort & Conference Center in Kissimmee, FL, members of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida and other interested parties will gather for the biennial RLCFL Convention. The day will begin with meetings and reports from leadership around the state, culminating in the Annual Meeting and election of new officers. Once all of the work is finished, the Gala will occur at 7pm.

In addition to electing new leadership for the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, delegates will also hear from Republican State Senate President Mike Haridopolos. Senate President Haridopolos announced in November that he would live up to his promise to push TABOR in the 2011 session. He said he will explain the TABOR idea as he envisions it, discuss his strategy for implementing it in 2011, its prospects in the current political environment and how the RLC can help make it happen.

To register for the convention, click here. To become a candidate for a seat on the RLCFL state board, click here. See you in Orlando!

The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) works from within the Republican Party to return the party to its Jeffersonian roots. The RLC seeks to restore liberty, not restrict it; shrink government, not expand it; reduce taxes, not raise them; abolish programs, not create them; promote the freedom and independence of citizens, not the interference of government in their lives; and observe the limited, enumerated powers of the United States Constitution.

Senator Haridopolos (pictured) first addressed the RLC at our 2006 National Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Two passionate and outspoken defenders of liberty will be addressing delegates at the Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention on February 12, 2011 in Arlington Virginia — John Dennis and Dr. Murray Sabrin.

John Dennis (pictured with RLC members), a San Francisco entrepreneur and father, took on Queen Nancy Pelosi during the 2010 election cycle. His campaign was endorsed by Cindy Sheehan, Log Cabin Republicans, and The San Francisco Examiner. Before entering his race, John founded the San Francisco chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus.

Dr. Murray Sabrin was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate in New Jersey in 2008. Sabrin is executive director of the Center for Business and Public Policy at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. Sabrin was also the 1997 Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate in New Jersey and the first third party candidate to receive matching funds and participate in televised debates.

Dr. Sabrin is a former Board Member of the Republican Liberty Caucus. He was born in Germany to parents who survived the Holocaust and fled Nazi Europe. He earned a Ph.D. in economic geography from Rutgers University, he is a regular opinion columnist for numerous New Jersey newspapers, and he is the author of several books. Murray has worked in commercial real estate sales and marketing, personal portfolio management, and economic research in addition to his present position as Professor of Finance at Ramapo College.

Please register for the 2011 Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention today to hear from these passionate defenders of individual liberty and limited government!

Without philosophical or intellectual leaders, we are void of ideas.

Two prominent intellectual figures in the liberty movement will be speaking at the Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention on February 12, 2011 in Arlington Virginia — David Boaz and Dr. Randy Barnett.

David Boaz is best known as the author of Libertarianism: A Primer, published in 1997 and described by The Los Angeles Times as “a well-researched manifesto of libertarian ideas.” He has been involved in the libertarian movement for nearly 40 years. He frequently addresses topics such as education choice, the growth of government, the War on Drugs, and the libertarian movement. He is a frequent guest on national television and radio shows.

Randy E. Barnett is an attorney and a law professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches constitutional law and contracts. He writes and speaks about the libertarian theory of law and contract theory, constitutional law, and jurisprudence. He is a Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute and the Goldwater Institute. Professor Barnett’s book The Structure of Liberty won the Ralph Gregory Elliot Book Award in 1998. In 2009, he drafted the Bill of Federalism, 10 proposed amendments to the US Constitution designed to limit federal power and strengthen individual rights. Barnett’s arguments on libertarian theories within jurisprudence and contract theory have been criticized by other libertarian academics ranging from Richard Epstein and David Mayer to N. Stephen Kinsella and Walter Block.

Please register for the 2011 Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention today to hear from these liberty-minded intellectual leaders!

For the first time in recent memory, the Republican Liberty Caucus will host an outreach booth at the Conservative Political Action Conference from February 10-12, 2011 in Washington, DC.
The Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention will also occur on February 12, 2011 in nearby Arlington, Virginia — a short metrorail or cab ride from the CPAC location.

We decided to host our Convention on the final day of CPAC to piggyback on the fact that many potential Convention attendees and many likely Convention attendees may already be in town for CPAC.  Interested parties can choose to attend one event — or both.  Most major CPAC events, including the Campaign for Liberty and assorted liberty movement events, will occur on February 10-11, while our Convention will occur on February 12.

This is an excellent opportunity to inform or remind folks that no public policies will change without changing the Republican Party structure and makeup; hence, the RLC’s existence.  “Education” is important, but “action” is also necessary.

If you’re planning to attend CPAC, please make sure to stop by the Republican Liberty Caucus booth and say hello to us!  If you wish to register for CPAC, you can check out the following links:

• Gary Johnson CPAC Packages
• Young Americans for Liberty / C4L CPAC Packages
• CPAC Official Site – Agenda and List of Speakers

Please make sure to register and attend the 2011 RLC National Convention on Saturday, February 12, 2011 in Arlington, VA — the largest gathering of liberty Republicans in the country!

If you would like to volunteer to work the RLC booth at CPAC 2011, please get in touch with us.

At the upcoming Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention on February 12, delegates from across the country will elect a new National Committee to lead the organization forward in the coming years.

The National Committee consists of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, At-Large Board members, Alternate Board members, and four Regional Directors for the Midwest, Northeast, Southern, and Western Regions.

Regional Directors are elected from among their members by the officers of Chartered states in each of the Regions within thirty days of the Regular Convention.

These are voluntary positions and running for one of them is an excellent way to become more active in the liberty movement. The responsibilities of the positions are as follows:

• Chair: Primary spokesman of the Caucus; must execute the resolutions of the Board; must preside at meetings of the Board and official sessions of any Convention; must ensure the administration of all provisions of the RLC Bylaws.  The bylaws require having served on the National Board for 6 months and having been a registered member of the Caucus for 2 years in order to be qualified to run for this position.
• Vice-Chair: Assumes the duties and obligations of Chairman in his/her absence; assists the Chairman in his/her duties and oversees state chartering and the Convention Committees. You must have served on the board for 6 months and have been a registered member for 2 years to run for this position.
• Secretary: Records and distributes the minutes of all Board meetings and Conventions, certifies Delegates, conducts such ballots as the Board may direct, and acts as Parliamentarian (unless otherwise designated) for all official business of the Caucus. Also directs the Public Relations Committee.  You must have been a dues-paid RLC member for 1 year to run.
• Treasurer: The custodian of all Caucus funds; must propose annual and quarterly budgets, safeguard the financial resources of the Caucus and make such periodic reports of finances as the Board may require. The Treasurer directs the Fundraising Committee. You must have been a dues-paid RLC member for 1 year to run.
• At-Large Board members: Responsible for attending RLC meetings (conference calls) regularly, boosting RLC membership, and promoting the RLC. You must have been a dues-paid RLC member for 1 year to run.
• Regional Directors: There is one director in each of the four Regions established by the Bylaws. Each regional director should attend RLC meetings (conference calls) regularly, be in contact with state affiliates in their region, try to develop more state chapters in their region, and recruit new RLC members. You must have been a dues-paid RLC member for 1 year to run.

If you are interested in running for any of these positions, please let us know. Additionally, the Convention Business page will have information on who is running for what position, the proposed Bylaw changes, and other relevant information for Convention delegates.

The Board ensures the effective implementation of the Bylaws, adopts an annual or quarterly budget, provides for effective communications among members, Chartered State organizations and the general public, and makes arrangements for Regular and Special Conventions of the Caucus. Regular meetings of the Board must occur at least quarterly. (Typically the Board has met once per month via teleconference and is in regular e-mail communication.)

Other Opportunities to Get Involved

The RLC has the following committees: Finance Committee, Membership Committee, Outreach and Press Committee, Publications Committee, and Technology Committee. If you are interested in serving on any of these Committees, please let us know.

• RLC Statement of Principles
• RLC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Convention FAQ and Convention Homepage
• Volunteer with the RLC!

What’s In It For Me?

We are a grassroots, volunteer operation. The only thing in it for you is experience and the ability to reach new people with the message of individual liberty and limited government. We consider the RLC a very professional organization with patriotic, principled members who are making a real difference for liberty in their communities.

Tomorrow members of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Travis County as well as other activists from throughout Texas will gather in Austin for the first meeting of a newly expanded affiliate of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas — the Central Texas chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus. “Our chapter has grown beyond just Travis County alone, so we decided to include all of Central Texas in our region,” explained Dave Nalle, who also serves as National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus.

The featured lunch speaker for the meeting is State Representative-elect David Simpson, who represents an East Texas district that includes the city of Longview. Simpson was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus in his November 2 victory.

The event will occur tomorrow, November 20, at the Cool River Café (in the Longhorn Room) at 4001 West Parmer Lane, Austin. Admission is free; the lunch buffet is $20. RSVP to the lunch buffet at travispct112chair@gmail.com.

“This is a special event bringing together representatives of diverse activist groups in the Central Texas area, including Tea Party groups, pro-liberty groups and issue advocacy organizations with the goal of coordinating future activities and identifying issues of mutual interest.” The schedule is as follows:

12 Noon — Lunch Buffet ($20)
Featured Speaker – Rep. David Simpson
1 PM — General Session
Welcome – Dave Nalle, National RLC Chairman
How Paradigm’s Shift – Pierre de Rochement, CenTex RLC
How to Stimulate a Mass Movement – Barry Klein
Coalition Building – Johana Scot, Parental Guidance Center
Profile of 2011 Texas Legislature – Greg Holloway, Austin Tea Party Patriots

3pm — Group Session – Dave Nalle, Moderator
Discussion of Lobbying and Activism Coordination
Defining Target Issues – Health Freedom, Nullification, Family Rights
RLC Membership Outreach

4:30pm — Closed Session
RLC members only.

You can RSVP to the event on Facebook.

Several county Republican organizations have either co-sponsored or sent out e-mails promoting appearances in their communities by former New Mexico Governor and Republican Liberty Caucus Advisory Board member Gary E. Johnson. Johnson, a lifelong Republican, recently remarked that the party had always treated him well and he had no reason — if he ran for future political office — to run as something other than a Republican.

Republican Party organizations in Brevard County, Florida and Jefferson County, Alabama are promoting Republican Liberty Caucus-sponsored forums with the courageous former Governor:

At the Brevard County Republican Party website, the county party previews Governor Johnson’s upcoming appearance: “BREC is joining with the Republican Liberty Caucus of Central East Florida and the Florida Campaign for Liberty to host a meet and greet for former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson on Friday, November 19, 6:30 – 8 PM, at the Duran Golf Club. RPOF Vice Chair and Party Chairman candidate Debbie Cox-Roush will also be speaking. The event is free of charge, so please join us. There will be a private policy briefing and photo opportunity with the governor following the reception at a cost of $100.”

In Alabama, the Jefferson County Republican Party — home of Birmingham — sent an e-mail blast promoting the upcoming event with the Governor sponsored by the Alabama RLC and the Samford University Republicans. Their message was addressed to “Members, Elected Officials, clubs, friends, and interested individuals.”

This is exactly the purpose of the RLC: to spread the liberty message to local Republican Party clubs. Congratulations to the Alabama and Central East Florida RLC affiliates for their efforts!