Monday, March 23, 2015

Capitol Update Saturday, March 23, 2015

The Hidden Gas Tax

A few Capitol Updates ago, we explored why California still has the highest gas prices in the country, despite prices being historically low across the nation. One reason is the hidden gas tax that our California Air Resources Board (CARB) has implemented on transportation fuels for the state's cap-and-trade program. Read more on that HERE or in this online column HERE by Board of Equalization member, George Runner. We also discussed in recent Capitol Updates the efforts being made by Republicans to repeal the hidden gas tax by exempting transportation fuels from the state's cap-and-trade regulations. Two bills in particular, SB 5 (Vidak, R) and AB 23 (Patterson, R) will have tough fights in upcoming committee hearings. To support Republican efforts, read further!

SAVE THE DATE: Support AB 23 & End the Hidden Gas Tax

Come out to support Assemblyman Jim Patterson at a press conference/rally before AB23 faces its first and most important hearing in Assembly Natural Resources later that afternoon.

Gas prices in California have risen by more than $1.00 a gallon in the last month in many cities. Nationwide prices have only risen by 23 cents in the last month.

Please join us to support Affordable Gas for California Families. Say NO to the Hidden Gas Tax!
____________________________________________

WHERE: State Capitol
West Steps

WHEN: Monday, March 23
10:30 am

WHO: Assemblyman Jim Patterson
AB 23 Co-Authors & Members
George Runner, Vice-Chair Board of Equalization
Salter’s Distributing
Clovis Unified School District
National Federation of Independent Business - CA
Sacramento Tax Payers Association
American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association

Sign-up and show your support by clicking ◼ HERE!


Advocacy Workshop

Our 40th Annual Advocacy Workshop is right around the corner! Join us, April 20th & 21st in Sacramento for and exciting and educational workshop! We need our clubs to go out and sponsor as many high school students as you can, because we have an amazing opportunity for our student guests! The student’s session will have a private showing of Dinesh D’Souza’s movie, AMERICA. But it is not the movie you’ve all seen- it is a special, educational cut that Dinesh created specifically for high school students! After the movie we are working on a skype interview with Dinesh himself! Our students will also have the opportunity to participate in a legislative committee hearing at the Capitol! For our members, we have the opportunity to hear from our amazing new Republican legislators, our luncheon speaker is CRP Vice Chair Harmeet Dhillon, and afterwards an informative program on Women in Politics by GrassRoots Lab. Be sure to get your registration in by April 7 to avoid a late fee. Please also be sure to make your hotel reservation by April 7 to get the special room rate of $119 a night. The Holiday Inn Express is not set up to do online reservations so please call the number on the registration form in Call to Advocacy or here (877-408-0083). Be sure to tell the reservations agent you are with the California Federation of Republican Women (CFRW) to get the special rate of $119. Remember to sign up for the Hands on Workshop for the New NFRW Data Base on Tuesday, April 21st, with NFRW Membership Chair, Frederika Verhulst! We look forward to seeing you April 20 & 21 in Sacramento. CLICK HERE for the Call to Advocacy!

Club Spotlight

Ten years ago the Upper Napa Valley Republican Women's Club was in need of a major make over. After a lot of hard work and dedication we went from a handful to a roomful attending our monthly lunch meetings. We found that well organized meetings with hot topic speakers, a great newsletter and extensive publicity was the key to attendance building.

We are now reaching out to neighboring clubs for networking and idea sharing with a presentation called "Survival 101, a First Aid Kit for Club Life Support. Our Club President Dee Cuney is the presenter of the Club Survival 101 presentation since she was actively involved in the efforts to save our club. Not only does Dee's presentation cover Club Survival but it also covers how to Survive the Healthcare Guidelines after her recent Cancer Diagnosis. Never take NO for an answer, you MUST be your own health advocate.

Dee also suggests that Republican Women on the Regional, State and National level need to develop a Leadership Team Blog or Face Book Page for Networking and Sharing Ideas with Club Presidents and Regional Directors.

Our club is also working on a Spring 2015 Membership Drive called "Membership has it's Rewards" for a chance at a drawing for a Free Lunch Reward for an upcoming club meeting. Membership has it's Rewards if you pay your 2015 club dues.

Together, We are Better! ◼ LIKE Upper Napa Valley Republican Women Fed. on FACEBOOK

Dee Cuney is the current president of Upper Napa Valley Republican Women Federated.