West Carroll Republican Club

MONTHLY BULLETIN – NOVEMBER 2005

President, Frank Johnson; Vice-President, Selby Black; Secretary/Treasurer, Dorothy Rue

 

November 21 Meeting –

Welcome to Senator David Brinkley

Senator David R. Brinkley, from our own District 4, will speak on upcoming legislative issues at our November meeting.  Senator Brinkley served two terms in the House of Delegates before being elected to the State Senate in 2002.  He serves on the critical Budget and Taxation Committee in the State Senate, and as a result, participates in key state budget discussions.

 

With a strong economy and continued higher-than-expected revenues, many legislators almost seem to be salivating at all the extra funds.  While the short term picture does seem bright – as it does for local governments as well, in the short term – we know that several factors suggest caution.  These include – an accounting change that will require a good portion of the so-called “billion dollar surplus” to be set aside for future health care costs of those covered by the State pension system (something also affecting local governments); a long term structural deficit, largely due to education, health insurance and Medicaid costs (among others); and increased costs for construction and operating expenses (another item impacting local governments as well). 

 

With the glow from the democratic-led “malpractice reform” fading – leaving democratic leaders with the realization that, largely, the Governor was probably right to veto their bill – many “correcting” bills were filed last session, and are expected this year as well.  Other possible solutions to the health insurance crisis might include allowing more competition, rather than having regulations supporting the current system of two or three companies writing all of the policies.

 

Medicaid costs also continue to escalate, especially for future years, largely causing the long term structural deficit the State faces.

 

We look forward to hearing Senator Brinkley’s perspective on these issues, as well as other key issues the legislature will surely face (including the eminent domain issue, among others) and local issues such as our own 5-Commissioner districting proposals.

 

Christmas Party in Westminster – Thanks to Delegate Nancy Stocksdale

Delegate Stocksdale has extended an invitation to our club to have our Christmas Party (on December 19) at her home in Westminster, which is well-suited for such an event, and among other amenities offers wonderful views.

 

We are planning on bringing “covered dishes” for the party but should take some time to coordinate in order to better ensure that all of us don’t bring that rice-krispie baked dish.  Given our shared self-interest in this matter I am sure we’ll devote some time to it at the November meeting.  We’ll also want to have a good count of those attending.  In addition, our Christmas party will no doubt feature the gift-giving process – far too complicated to put in writing – that starts with a $10.00 gift that could be suitable for a man or woman.

 

Meeting Attendance and

January-February reminder

We have had very consistent attendance at our monthly meetings, but certainly want to keep that up.  We thank the Buttersburg Inn for providing good food and a good meeting place.  We are also trying to ensure good, interesting speakers at every meeting.  Please make sure you let us know if you have ideas for speakers or meeting agendas.  If we can do more to make the meetings worthwhile and interesting, we’re happy to do it.

 

Also remember – we do not meet in January or February, but will start the new year again in March.