CFRW Club Spotlight: HI-DESERT REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED

◼ HI-DESERT REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED

Our Caring For America Committee has been making no-sew lap blankets and crocheted lap blankets for the local Barstow Veteran's Home of California. Our goal was to create 200 lap blankets. We have surpassed that goal by 80 additional blankets at this writing. Our final meeting of the year will be held Tuesday. Last Sunday, the committee filled 200 gift bags with toiletries, game books, candy and snacks. The Committee will be taking the gifts bags and lap blankets to the aforementioned veterans home on December 8th. I am honored to be affiliated with these empowered women and their husbands.

Our membership was quite generous with regard to the Caring for America Project. When we needed funds for additional fabric, a voluntary collection at our regular meeting enabled us to purchase the fabric we needed.

I attended a mentoring workshop that was held by Lynette Simonson of San Gorgonio Pass RWF at one of the CFRW Southern Division meetings. Afterward, I was able to apply what I had learned there. We encourage, and now have Co-Chairs, that emphasize mentoring. The greatest issue I had was stress related. I learned that when women work in tandem with one another, the stress is lessened considerably.

On November 7, 8 and 9th, our Club volunteers supervised the gate at our local Victorville Home Show from 10-7. This event provides the Club with a substantial portion of our working capital. We attend the Home Show and work there in April and November.

I am proud of all of our women members.

Toni Di Rienzo
President, HI-DESERT REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED
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As your CFRW Membership Promotion Chairperson, I will be focusing on clubs from the three CFRW divisions throughout 2014-2015 . Please email me to inform me of anything you might like to share about what your club is doing. Please put in the subject area “Spotlight a Club” --- Email me, Gaylon Kastner: gylnkastner@gmail.com

Capitol Update: Saturday, September 27, 2014 With CFRW Ballot Recommendations

President's Message

Last week I had the privilege to attend the NFRW Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Dallas, Sept. 18-20. It is an honor to represent the members of California. The meetings began on Thursday afternoon with the State Presidents Meeting. We had the opportunity to share goals, ideas, accomplishments and even problems with each other. There is so much we all have in common. We also heard from speakers who updated us on new NFRW information including the new Data Base, brochures, Achievement Awards, NFRW Federation Trust, and the exciting National Associate Membership to help us engage younger women. That evening we enjoyed a lively Welcome Reception hosted by the hard working members of Texas RWF. Our exciting guest speaker, was George P. Bush, running for Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. He spoke about his dedication to advancing Conservative values and we also had the opportunity to speak with him one on one. George P. Bush is a big supporter of Texas RWF and the Federation! We closed the evening with dinner with friends.

Friday was a full day with informative speakers including Governor Rick Perry who spoke about how we have the potential to change America and what we do on November 4 will change the course of history. He also spoke about how we can make America great again, make the world more secure with our resources, freedom, exceptionalism and ensure that the world’s last best hope remains America. Other speakers included NFRW President Kathy Brugger who spoke about empowering, engaging and elevating to bring more women to our table, authors Katie Kieffer and Pete Seat each spoke about Barak Obama’s war on Millennials and engaging younger voters and RNC Co-Chair Sharon Day spoke about encouraging activism, following our passions and talking about Big Things to reach the voters. We also had updates on the 2014 election from Adam Kincaid, Special Projects Director for the RNC, and a very inspiring presentation on Leadership by Radio Talk show host and Speech Coach, Deb Sofield, at our luncheon. We heard from the various NFRW Standing and Special Committee Chairs, attended our NFRW Regional Director meeting with a chance to share information our RD Lynne Hartung and the other states in our region. The day closed with the Regents Reception. One of the highlights of the meetings is getting together with special friends we only see twice a year.

Saturday began with a Call to Prayer, hands on practice with the new NFRW Data Base and two very lively presentations from Austin Texas, and Philadelphia, PA , cities hoping to host the 2017 Biennial Convention. Both presenters did a great job but the idea of going to a historic city and the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution won our hearts and we voted to spend our 2017 NFRW Biennial Convention in the city of Brotherly Love…Philadelphia. We all spent a very inspiring and momentous afternoon at the the President George W.Bush Library in Dallas, Texas. Many of us even took the opportunity to have a picture taken at the President’s desk in the Oval Office. We also saw a beautiful exhibit with designs by Laura Bush’s favorite fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta. I was personally very inspired to learn so much more about our 43rd President from the many exhibits and testimonials. America was so fortunate that George W. Bush was President when we were attacked on 9/11. His courage and resolve to fight the war over there rather then wait for them to come back to America, ensured we were not attacked during the next 7 years. I will forever be grateful to him! Too bad our current President does not have the courage and wisdom to follow the lead of President Bush!

We look forward to seeing you all at the CFRW Fall Conference in Bakersfield and we will prepare for the November election. Don’t forget to send in your registration!

God Bless America
Thank you for all you do,
Roseann
Working Together To Make A Difference
California Federation of Republican Women
Roseann Slonsky-Breault, President
Allison Olson, CFRW Advocate
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CFRW Ballot Recommendations

Below are the official CFRW Ballot Recommendations. Once again, it should be noted that our recommendations are just that- recommendations. It is the hope of the CFRW Voting Body that our Republican Women heed our recommendations but ultimately research these propositions on their own as well so that they can better educate other California voters. Every election is just as important as the last!

Prop 1 Water Bond. 

Funding for Water Quality, Supply, Treatment, and Storage Projects: 

Yes

Summary: Authorizes $7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for state water supply infrastructure projects, such as surface and groundwater storage; ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration; drinking water protection; water supply management; water recycling and advanced water treatment technology; and flood control. Reallocates $425 million of unused bond authority from prior water bond acts, for same purposes. Appropriates money from the General Fund to pay off bonds. Requires certain projects to provide matching funds from non-state sources in order to receive bond funds

Fiscal Impact: Increased state bond repayment costs averaging $360 million annually over the next 40 years. Savings to local governments related to water projects, likely averaging a couple hundred million dollars annually over the next few decades.

Talking Points:

- Republicans in the legislature fought hard to bring down the cost of this bond while increasing the amount of money allocated for surface storage projects to $2.7 billion.

- The bond is not perfect, and in fact still has a good amount of money allocated for some environmental “pet projects.” But Republicans must continue to fight for surface storage projects to be completed with this new bond. Living in a Democrat super majority state, we aren't going to have the "perfect water bond" come out of Sacramento. But this bond is a step in the right direction. If this bond does not pass and legislators must go back to the drawing board, we fear a worse bond will be brought back to the people of California, without the critical water storage the Republicans fought so hard to have included in this bond.

- Language for dam removal projects were removed from this bond and instead money will be allocated to fund two dam and reservoir projects, one in Colusa County and one in Fresno County. The Fresno County site, Temperance Flats, is especially important because our Central Valley Farmers have been relying so heavily on wells and groundwater that now that infrastructure is unstable. Our farmers need more surface storage to keep California growing.

- Again, it is important to note that this bond is not perfect and Republicans cannot rest on their laurels once it is passed. But we believe this is why it is so important to work hard to get Republicans elected to the legislature this cycle. The more Republicans we have protecting our interests in the Capitol, the better!

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Prop 2 State Budget. Budget Stabilization Account. 

Legislative Constitutional Amendment: 

Yes

Summary: Requires annual transfer of 1.5% of general fund revenues to state budget stabilization account. Requires additional transfer of personal capital gains tax revenues exceeding 8% of general fund revenues to budget stabilization account and, under certain conditions, a dedicated K–14 school reserve fund. Requires that half the budget stabilization account revenues be used to repay state debts and unfunded liabilities. Allows limited use of funds in case of emergency or if there is a state budget deficit. Caps budget stabilization account at 10% of general fund revenues, directs remainder to infrastructure

Fiscal Impact: Some existing state debts would be paid down faster, resulting in long-term savings for the state. Changes in the level of state budget reserves, which would depend on the economy and future decisions by the Governor and the Legislature. Reserves kept by some school districts would be smaller

Talking Points:

- Another measure that Republicans worked hard to get to the ballot. Republicans have been working towards a rainy day fund for years. Every single Republican legislator in both the Senate and the Assembly voted in support of this proposition.

- Sets aside state revenues in a fund that cannot be used to further state spending in times of excess.

- Finally works to pay down state debt payments.

- Another caveat though, this bill must have Republican oversight once passed to make sure the fund is safe from greedy Democrat spending even after it is passed.

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Prop 45 Approval of Healthcare 

Insurance Rate Changes. Initiative Statute: 

No

Summary: Requires health insurance rate changes to be approved by Insurance Commissioner before taking effect. Requires sworn statement by health insurer as to accuracy of information submitted to Insurance Commissioner to justify rate changes. Provides for public notice, disclosure and hearing on health insurance rate changes, and subsequent judicial review. Does not apply to employer large group health plans. Prohibits health, auto and homeowners insurers from determining policy eligibility or rates based on lack of prior coverage or credit history.

Fiscal Impact: Increased state administrative costs ranging in the low millions to low tens of millions of dollars annually to regulate health insurance rates, funded with revenues collected from filing fees paid by health insurance companies.

Talking Points:

- A very dangerous measure that would place all insurance rate power in the hands of one politician, who would also have the decision making ability for your treatment options.

- Would create yet another costly state bureaucracy that would be funded by your higher healthcare costs.

- Sponsored by special interest lawyers who included a hidden provision allowing them to charge up to $675/hour and make tens of millions in fees off costly health care lawsuits.

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Prop 46 Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors. 

Medical Negligence Lawsuits. Initiative Statute: 

No

Summary: Requires drug and alcohol testing of doctors and reporting of positive test to the California Medical Board. Requires Board to suspend doctor pending investigation of positive test and take disciplinary action if doctor was impaired while on duty. Requires doctors to report any other doctor suspected of drug or alcohol impairment or medical negligence. Requires health care practitioners to consult state prescription drug history database before prescribing certain controlled substances. Increases $250,000 cap on pain and suffering damages in medical negligence lawsuits to account for inflation.

Fiscal Impact: Increased state and local government health care costs from raising the cap on medical malpractice damages, likely ranging from the tens of millions of dollars to several hundred million dollars annually.

Talking Points:

- It is no secret this measure was drafted by trial lawyers who stand to make millions with an increase on the “emotional pain and suffering” cap for medical negligence lawsuits

- This measure forces doctors and pharmacists to use a massive statewide database filled with Californians’ personal medical prescription information. A mandate government will find impossible to implement, and a database with no increased security standards to protect your personal prescription information from hacking and theft – none.

- If California’s medical liability cap goes up, you could also lose your trusted doctor. It’s true. Many doctors will be forced to leave California to practice in states where medical liability insurance is more affordable.

- A recent study found that this initiative will increase health care costs by $9.9 billion annually – or more than $1,000/year in higher health costs for a family of four

- It is deceptive. The drug testing of doctors portion of this measure was only added as an illusion to the real goal of this prop- to raise the cap on emotional pain and suffering

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Prop 47 Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. 

Initiative Statute: 

No

Summary: Requires misdemeanor sentence instead of felony for petty theft, receiving stolen property, and forging/writing bad checks when value or amount involved is $950 or less. Requires misdemeanor sentence instead of felony for certain drug possession offenses. Allows felony sentence for these offenses if person has previous conviction for crimes such as rape, murder or child molestation or is a registered sex offender. Requires resentencing for persons serving felony sentences for these offenses unless court finds unreasonable public safety risk. Applies savings to mental health and drug treatment programs, K-12 schools, and crime victims.

Fiscal Impact: Unknown. Potential savings to criminal justice system. But also potential costs associated to recidivism rates.

Talking Points:

- Felons with prior convictions for armed robbery, kidnapping, car jacking, child abuse, residential burglary, arson, assault with a deadly weapon, and many other serious crimes are still eligible for early release under this prop.

- Judges must rule on a criminal’s early release based only on the most recent felony. Prior felony convictions will not affect a judge’s ruling except in extraordinary circumstances. This means that serious, violent felons will be released and there is little a judge can do about it.

- Under current law, stealing a gun is a felony, period. Prop 47 would redefine grand theft in such a way that theft of a firearm could only be considered a felony if the value of the gun is greater than $950. Almost all handguns (which are the most stolen kind of firearm) retail for well below $950. People don’t steal guns just so they can add to their gun collection. They steal guns to commit another crime. People stealing guns are protected under Proposition 47.

- Proposition 47 will reduce the penalty for possession of drugs used to facilitate date-rape to a simple misdemeanor. No matter how many times the suspected sexual predator has been charged with possession of date-rape drugs, it will only be a misdemeanor, and the judge will be forced to sentence them as if it were their very first time in court.

Prop 48 Referendum to Overturn Indian Gaming Compacts: Neutral or No Position

Summary: If the measure is approved by the state's voters, it will ratify AB 277 (Ch. 51, Stats. 2013), ratify two gaming compacts between California and, respectively, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, and the Wiyot Tribe, and exempt execution of the compacts, certain projects, and intergovernmental agreements from the California Environmental Quality Act. This measure is a veto referendum; this means that a "yes" vote is a vote to uphold or ratify the contested legislation (AB 277) that was enacted by the California State Legislature while a "no" vote is a vote to overturn AB 277.

Fiscal Impact: One-time payments between $16 million and $35 million from the North Fork tribe to local governments in the Madera County area to address costs related to the operation of a new casino.Annual payments over a 20-year period averaging around $10 million from the North Fork tribe to the state and local governments in the Madera County area to address costs related to the operation of a new casino. Increased revenue from economic growth in the Madera County area generally offset by revenue losses from decreased economic activity in surrounding areas

Talking Points:

- There are pros and cons to this proposition. That’s why the CFRW has taken a neutral position. It is our hope that the Republican Women research this prop and decide how this will effect them and the future of California.

- It will create thousands of jobs in a depressed economic area. Madera County is in desperate need of jobs.

- But it creates a precedence whereby Indians can game outside of their tribal land. This is currently unprecedented. The current Indian Gaming Pact with our state allows tribes to only game on their tribal land. This referendum would allow tribes to petition to the government to game (build casinos) outside of their tribal land.

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Club Spotlight!

The Club of the Week is Rancho La Habra Republican Women Federated! Congratulations! ◼ Click HERE to read all about their club's successes! If you would like to spotlight your club, contact: Gaylon Kastner- CFRW Membership Promotion email gylnkastner@gmail.com or call 707-255-2815

Spotlighting Novato Republican Women Federated

◼ Novato RWF

"Being a Republican women’s organization in Marin County is quite a challenge. Marin County is known for hot tubs; and it’s definitely NOT a Republican -friendly zone. But the Novato RWF continually meets the challenge head-on. Formed in 1962, with over 190 members, and over 50 associates, we remain active and growing each year.

Being Republican in “enemy territory” creates a special bond between us all, and we carry that message to our community and our county.

This being an election year, we have our work cut out for us, but we have and continue to tackle it by hosting Republican candidate forums, inviting them to speak at our luncheons, ramping up our voter registration with surprisingly good results, precinct walking, and working at the polls and watching the polls on election day. We have members on the Central Committee, and one of our members serves on the county election committee.

Education, active citizenship and community service are our ways of increasing the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government, and we endeavored to improve upon that this year.

We awarded $5,000 in scholarships to three local college-bound high school students this year, donated flags and books to high schools, and increased our participation in our reading program to preschoolers. This program continues to mean so much to the members personally.

Our popular monthly luncheons have introduced our group and their guests to an amazing group of speakers, Lance Izumi, Debra Bacigalupi, Lanhee Chen, to name a few, as well as our local and state candidates.

On the community service front, we had a successful year with our troop packages, our Valentines for Vets and our support of our Vets by participating at Veteran’s and Memorial Day ceremonies.

And finally, the “F” in Novato RWF is not for “final” but for fun. With our Shotgun Training, Wine Tasting, and our fantastic Fashion Show featuring Alice Becker, let there be no doubt that this group, above all else, has fun."

-Carolyn Heyder, President, Novato RWF

Over the next several weeks, I will be placing focus on individual clubs from CFRW. This is the best way to highlight the accomplishments of each California Club and has the potential to give each member some new project ideas.

I encourage any of you that would like your club to be featured in “Spotlight” to email or call me at 707-255-2815. I look forward to hearing about what makes your particular club shine.

GAYLON KASTNER
CFRW Membership Promotion
--- Email: gylnkastner@gmail.coms

CFRW Club Spotlight! Brea RWF of Orange County

◼ Brea RWF of Orange County

Brea is a relatively conservative community on the northern border of Orange County. Our club has been part of the Federation for 55 years and now has a diverse group of more than 100 club members. Many retired members enjoy coming to 9the regular monthly day meetings. However, we felt we were neglecting to include younger working women that were unable to attend our meetings during the day. Therefore, we began holding monthly evening meetings called “Briefs.”

Ours is not a satellite club. We provide education to those that are unable to come during the day. This puts a great deal of pressure on our fabulous 1st VP, Sue Hamilton, because it means we must locate more than one speaker per month. She has been amazing with this!

Working women need a shorter time frame and an excellent reason to stop by for an hour after a long day at work. Our evening meetings are more "topical" in scope. We provide education about such things as human slave trafficking about which our Congressman, Ed Royce, is actively perusing related legislation. We are also concerned with the increase in prescription drug usage and its effects on our community. In addition, Rebecca Friedrich was asked to present information about her court battle with the California Teachers Union.

With the aid of social media and invitations, these topics bring out not only our members, but also new women that are eager to learn about the topics and how they can get involved. The simple agenda for our Briefs is: We pray, pledge the flag, followed by a speaker and questions from the audience. The meetings are held in a member's home with light refreshments provided.

We also believe that we can "win" more people over to our way of thinking by showing love. Therefore, we do Caring for America projects and Caring for Brea projects. We have provided cookie baskets to our Police and Fire Departments, the VFW Hall, the Military recruiting offices and even the Post Office. With the baskets of cookies we provide literature about our club

In June, we purchased replacement flags for businesses that needed them, and we presented certificates of
Appreciation to several businesses that display our flag daily. By our recognition, they become aware that we are here in Brea and committed to our City.

We have wonderful projects around the holidays for our soldiers. These include sending them Valentines and Mother's Day cards so they can send them home to their loved ones. Our members love participating in all of them.

Our 3rd VP, Annie Ramirez, has been instrumental in providing fund raiser events that draw in many new women. Our 2nd VP, Sharon Paiz, has written many letters and made even more phone calls that haveand take their assignments enthusiastically. Truly, our board is the backbone of our organization!!!

Some women joined our club because we are actually "doing something" rather than just having lunch and listening to a speaker. Women want to participate in changing California politics. We view our activities as ways in which to increase voter turn out. We are a group of women that seriously cares about our city!
We, as Brea Republican women, quietly but consistently, go about the every day business of caring for our City and State. During elections, we work hard. In non-election years, we focus on increasing our membership using a formula that is working for us. We are on Facebook and just designed our own website.

Peggy Westerfield is President of Brea RWF of Orange County.

◼ LIKE Brea RWF on FACEBOOK
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GAYLON KASTNER
CFRW Membership Promotion
--- Email: gylnkastner@gmail.coms

CFRW Club Spotlight! Sacramento Republican Women Federated

This spotlight features the Sacramento Republican Women Federated club. The club’s primary focus over the past year was on increasing membership numbers. Last year’s memberships were carefully examined, and everyone that had not renewed was called and urged to renew. Additionally, each local Republican woman candidate was contacted and invited to join our club.

All local Republican office holders were sent letters and copies of our newsletter. This helped give our club greater exposure and demonstrated that we are a strong, viable organization that is available to assist them in their future endeavors. This was a valuable step in showing them that we are willing to work hard to achieve our goals as Republicans.

Assembly leader, Connie Conway joined our club and is now an associate member. She is a valuable member of the Sacramento community and we look forward to working with her. The club’s satellite entity for business and professional women that was started twelve years ago has also enjoyed an increase in growth. Our current Republican Sacramento County Supervisors, Susan Peters and Roberta MacGlashan, also joined. Roberta now serves as a member of the Sacramento club and Susan joined as an associate member. Janet Gardner is also a member.

We look forward to working together in the New Year with a view toward achieving our important goals and increasing our membership.

-Lynn MacLean, President
◼ Sacramento Republican Women Federated

Over the next several weeks, I will be placing focus on individual clubs from CFRW. This is the best way to highlight the accomplishments of each California club and has the potential to give each member some new project ideas. I encourage any of you that would like your club to be featured in “Spotlight” to email or call me at 707-255-2815. I look forward to hearing about what makes your particular Club shine.

GAYLON KASTNER
CFRW Membership Promotion
--- Email: gylnkastner@gmail.coms

CFRW Club Spotlight! Fresno City & County Republican Women Federated

◼ (www.fresnorepublicanwomen.org)

Each event held for Fresno CCRWF this summer has boosted our membership. Honor Flight is a national program to treat veterans to a visit to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. Paul Loeffler, host of KMJ’s Hometown Heroes, spoke about this program at the June luncheon. Local veteran and retired minister, Dick Christensen, gave a moving account of his Honor Flight trip and fortified our patriotism. This touching event encouraged guests to join the club. That evening we welcomed a group of vets returning from DC at the Fresno airport.

July started off with a New Member Orientation Breakfast at the Café Via. CFRW-Central Division, Region IV Director Janelle Seibert spoke on “3 in 1 Membership” while CFRW-CD bylaws Chair, Maxine Bennett, stressed the importance of having bylaws. FCCRWF 1st VP, Sharon Gerardi, spoke on Republican principle. Fresno Membership Promotion Chair, Martha Kistler, urged the new members to become involved in voter registration and GOTV.

Special guest, Brenda McElroy, of Organized by Choice gave great tips in her talk on “Time Management for Busy Republican Women.” An additional highlight were the introductions by new members. Although a diverse group, the new members are united in their patriotism and are concerned for the future. Each new member received a New Member Packet, of information about the Federation and how it operates.

Despite the hot July weather, we had a record-breaking attendance for our Fashion Show Fund Raiser. Fresno CCRWF 2nd VP, Jessie Robb, and her team, assembled a silent auction while Mary Ellen Willis of Nonnie’s House Boutique was an entertaining moderator for the fashions. Guest models included Fresno County Supervisor Judy Case, and CFRW President Roseann Slonsky-Breault. Roseann was also our guest speaker. Her enthusiasm definitely contributed to the new members we received that day.

Fresno CCRWF President, Cheryl Storer, organized summer Action Nights at the Victory headquarters. We noticed that new members join because they are worried about the country. They are coming off the sidelines to help move things in a better direction. Activities like Action Nights are what they want to see us organizing. We are keeping our mission of electing Republicans at the forefront of everything we do in response to our new members desires.

Event attendance has almost doubled. We credit our professional website ◼ (www.fresnorepublicanwomen.org) and the use of iContact for the increase in membership as well. Implementing these things has been cost efficient and the results have been substantial. We have increased our web presence with our Twitter account and can track the campaigns more effectively by following the candidates on Twitter. In addition we maintain good relations with the Central Valley Tea Party and promote each other’s events.

The only “dark” event of this summer for our organization was in the movie theater watching Dinesh D’Souza’s America or Glenn Beck’s We Will Not Conform. With 30 new members we’re happy we kept our programs going. Stay tuned for a busy fall.

Carol Storer is President of Fresno City & County Republican Women Federated
◼ LIKE Fresno City & County Republican Women Federated on FACEBOOK
◼ FOLLOW Fresno City & County Republican Women Federated on TWITTER

GAYLON KASTNER
CFRW Membership Promotion
--- Email: gylnkastner@gmail.coms