Attendees will receive exclusive grassroots training from the Leadership Institute.  Ron Nehring, Chariman Emeritus of the California Republican Party, will conduct a grassroots activism course with a focus on communications, fundraising, and candidate recruitment.

At the conclusion of the official business meeting, the MCYRs will host a Poolside Social with Madison County elected officials, Republican club leaders, and grassroots activists.  The Poolside Social will be held at the Ledges Clubhouse from 4:30 – 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 20.  Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and drinks will be available for purchase at the cash bar.

Please contact David Pinkleton at davidpinkleton@hotmail.com for more information.

I am honored and humbled to have been elected to my first term as Chairman of the Madison County Republican Executive Committee. I look forward to working with you and for you for the next two years to ensure we increase our Republican presence in our local, state and federal governments.

The year is already starting off to show how controversial and contentious issues can be in our state as the legislature and the senate develop and pass new legislation for our state. It is interesting to see how our opponents can twist and fabricate messages to vilify the Republicans and scare voters into believing the sky is falling without allowing citizens the opportunity to fairly evaluate the legislation for themselves. However, I am going to stop right here before I get into a political discussion that will make you stop reading this first message from me.

We are extremely fortunate to have an outstanding team of elected officials from Madison County. They have stepped up to the plate and tackled some very important issues concerning, women’s health, and school accountability. We need to support them and let them know that we appreciate the job they are doing. Conversely, when we disagree with what they are doing, we should tell them and explain why we disagree.

The Republican Party has done very well in Alabama. Alabama is a conservative state. As a party, we espouse conservative values that resonate with our citizens. However, in the last election, not only did we not capture the minority voters, the young voters, or the women voters; we failed to energize our base to get out and the vote for our national and local candidates.  During the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) our National Chairman, Reince Priebus, stated that our message was poor and that the party is seen as a group of “angry old men.”  This is the message and image we need to change, while still reassuring our conservative base that we are steadfast in our principles and beliefs.

What are we doing in Madison County? We are reaching out to young men and women to become more involved in the Republican Party. We are organizing to reach out to minority voters, to speak with them, and try to show them that our conservative principles mesh very well with their beliefs. Our basic problem in many cases is that we have not tried to go into the minority communities to discuss issues. We must open that discussion!

I want you to join us!  We are a party of hard-working men and women who share several basic principles:

• We believe in smaller government and the free market.
• We believe it individual freedom.
• We believe in individual/personal responsibility.
• We believe in lower taxes rates which encourage entrepreneurs to create jobs for our citizens.
• We believe in the Constitution of the United States and support it.
• We believe in strong family values and the traditional definition of marriage.
• We believe in the right to life at any age.

The Madison County Republican Executive Committee (MCREC) is an elected committee whose members must run for a district seat in the district where they live. This happens every four years during the years in which the governor of the State of Alabama is elected. We want to hear from you and welcome your comments and concerns.

I urge you to contact us and join us as we move forward into the 2014 election cycle. There are several Republican Clubs that you can join. The clubs are:

• The Teenage Republicans Club
• The Young Republicans Club
• The  Republican Women of Huntsville Club
• The  Republican Women of Madison Club
• The Twickenham Republican Women’s Club
• The Republican Men’s Club
• The Pachyderm Club
• The Tennessee Valley Republican Club.

I look forward to hearing from you and encourage you to join us, challenge us, and help us find candidates for local, state, and national offices. We need your input and support. Please contact us.

Regards and respects,

John A. Como

Chairman

VIP Dinner and Photo Op tickets are available for An Evening with Ann Coulter.  Please direct inquiries to ACT Director of Operations & Outreach Cody Garton at wcg0006@auburn.edu.

the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in 2014.  Rep. Merrill is

announcing his candidacy in the next two days in four cities in Alabama.

Location of the Huntsville event:

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Madison County Courthouse Front Steps (Inside if rain)

100 Northside Square

Visit his website at:  www.electjohnmerrill.com

For more information:  John@ElectJohnMerrill.com

205-887-2787

Visit: http://alhousegop.com/2013/01/17/2013agenda/

Chairman: John Como
Vice Chairman: Randy Hariston
Secretary: Kathy Linden
Treasurer: Leah Hitt

At Large:
Policy Committee: Elbert Peters
Policy Committee: Brad Taylor

As the elected officers begin serving in January 2013, we thank the outgoing officers for their service. We also thank the MCREC members and elected officials for all of their work and dedication during the 2012 elections.

Congressman Mo Brooks – 5th Congressional District

Twinkle Andress Cavenaugh – President, Public Service Commission

Roy Moore – Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court
Tommy Bryan –  Alabama Supreme Court, Place 1
Lyn Stuart – Alabama Supreme Court, Place 2
Glenn Murdock – Alabama Supreme Court, Place 3
Jim Main – Alabama Supreme Court, Place 4

Sam Welch – AL Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1
Liles Burke –  AL Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
J. Michael Joiner – AL Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3

Craig Pittman – Al Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1
Terri Thomas – Al Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2
Terry A. Moore – Al Court of Civil Appeals, Place 3

Claude Hundley – Madison County District Court, Place 1

Karen Hall – Circuit Court, Place 1
Ruth Ann Hall – Circuit Court, Place 3
Donna Pate – Circuit Court, Place 5
Chris Comer – Circuit Court, Place 6

Linda Coats – District Court, Place 3

Jane Smith – Madison County Circuit Clerk

Dale Strong – Chairman, Madison County Commission
Steve Haraway - Madison County Commission, District 2
Eddie Sisk - Madison County Commission, District 3
Phil Vandiver – Madison County Commission, District 4
Phil Riddick – Madison County Commission, District 5

Dan Nash – Madison County School Board, Place 1
Angie Bates –  Madison County School Board, Place 2

http://twitter.com/4GOP

Details on the GOP Victory Party are below. We hope you will come out to celebrate with us!

The Madison County Sample Ballot can be downloaded (PDF) from the Circuit Clerk’s web site

Note: Alabama Conservatives differs on Amendment 2. You can find their recommendation at their web site.

Amendment 1 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, relating to the Forever Wild Land Trust, to reauthorize the trust for a 20-year period. (Proposed by Act No. 2011-315)

Explanation – The Forever Wild Land Trust was established in 1992 and since then has aquired over 227,000 acres across the state, available for hunting and recreational use. Forever Wild is funded by 10% of the interest earned by the Alabama Trust Fund. This amendment is seeking to reauthorize using those funds for Forever Wild.

Voting Yes means you are agreeing to use up to $300 million from the Alabama Trust Fun to purchase additional land for the Forever Wild Program.
Voting No means that you do not agree with using Alabama Trust Funds to purchase additional land for the Forever Wild Program, but it does not stop the current use of land already used by the Forever Wild Program.

Conservative Vote: NO. Alabama can’t afford to spend $300 million to buy privately held lands.

Amendment 2 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, to allow issuance by the State from time to time of general obligation bonds under the authority of Section 219.04 and Section 219.041 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such general obligation bonds at any time outstanding is not in excess of $750 million. This amendment would replace the maximum aggregate principal limitations currently contained in said Sections 219.04 and 219.041. The proposed amendment would also allow issuance by the State of general obligation refunding bonds under the authority of Sections 219.04 and 219.041 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, subject to certain minimum savings thresholds and limitations of maximum average maturity. (Proposed by Act No. 2012-567)

Explanation – Is passed, this amendment will allow Alabama to refinance loans at a lower rate. It also allows Alabama to sell up to $750 million in bonds to provide money to give as incentives for new industries to locate in the state.

Voting Yes means you agree with authorizing Alabama to refinance its current debts, as well as allow Alabama to sell up to $750 million in bonds to provide money to give as incentives for new industries to locate in the state.
Voting No means you do not agree with authorizing Alabama to refinance its current debts, as well as allow Alabama to sell up to $750 million in bonds to provide money to give as incentives for new industries to locate in the state.

Conservative Vote: YES. This amendment will save $150 million in interest. Note that conservative groups are split on this measure. Some conservatives don’t like that it is a revolving line of borrowing to be used for business incentives (redistribution of wealth).

Amendment 3 – Relating to Baldwin County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to define the Stockton Landmark District within the county and to prohibit the annexation by local law of any property within the district into any municipality. (Proposed by Act No. 2011-316)

Explanation – (The Constitution requires any change in the Constitution to be voted state-wide even if it is a local county issue.) Stockton, an unincorporated community in Baldwin County, would be designated as Alabama’s 1st Landmark District if this Amendment is passed. This will allow residents of Stockton to vote on whether or not their community could be annexed into a municipality if that situation ever arises.

Voting Yes will give the citizens of Stockton the right to vote on whether or not a larger municipality can annex Stockton. Right now, residents in communities such as Stockton do not have this right.
Voting No will allow larger municipalities to annex Stockton without allowing the residents of Stockton to have a say.

Conservative Vote: YES. Voting yes will ensure the measure passes statewide. Local Baldwin County voters will then be able to determine if this measure goes into effect. The amendment must pass both at the state and the local level.

Amendment 4 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to repeal portions of Amendment 111, now appearing as Section 256 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, relating to separation of schools by race and to repeal Section 259, Amendment 90, and Amendment 109, relating to the poll tax.(Proposed by Act No. 2011-353)

Explanation – This amendment removes racist language referring to poll taxes and segregation in schools based on race from our state constitution, specifically in Article XIV, Sec. 256 and Sec. 259.
The exact wording being repealed from Section 256: To avoid confusion and disorder and to promote effective and economical planning for education, the legislature may authorize the parents or guardians of minors, who desire that such minors shall attend schools provided for their own race, to make election to that end, such election to be effective for such period and to such extent as the legislature may provide. (As amended by Amendment 111)
The exact wording being repealed from Section 259: All poll taxes collected in this state shall be applied to the support and furtherance of education in the respective counties where collected. (As amended by Amendment 111.)

Voting Yes is a vote to repeal the racist language.
Voting No is a vote to keep the sections as they currently are.

Conservative Vote: YES. The AEA argument that ties this to education is a stupid argument.

Amendment 5 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide for the transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Water Works and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard to the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Mobile, presently known as the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System. (Proposed by Act No. 2011-543)

Explanation – (The Constitution requires any change in the Constitution to be voted state-wide even if it is a local county issue.) This amendment will call for the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) to acquire the Water and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard, therefore dissolving Prichard’s Water and Sewer Board. This bill specifically states that existing customers of MAWSS will not incur any increases at any time from the acquisition or maintenance of the Water and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard.

Voting Yes authorizes MAWSS to acquire the Water and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard.
Voting No means that the Water and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard remains the same.

Conservative Vote: YES. Voting yes will ensure the measure passes statewide. Local voters will then be able to determine if this measure goes into effect. The amendment must pass both at the state and the local level.

Amendment 6 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to prohibit any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system. (Proposed by Act No. 2011-617)

Explanation – This amendment will give the people of Alabama the ability to opt-out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare. The bill states, “In order to preserve the freedom of all residents of Alabama to provide for their own healthcare, a law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or healthcare provider to participate in any healthcare system.”

Voting Yes gives Alabamians the right to opt-out of Obamacare.
Voting No will mean that Alabamians will not have the right to opt-out of Obamacare.

Conservative Vote: YES. Alabama should not be forced to participate in Obamacare.

Amendment 7 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to amend Amendment 579 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 177 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, to provide that the right of individuals to vote for public office, public votes on referenda, or votes of employee representation by secret ballot is fundamental. (Proposed by Act No. 2011-656)

Explanation – Throughout the United States it is the accepted practice to allow secret ballots when voting for public office, however the right to vote by secret ballot for employee representation is something many unions do not want to continue. This amendment will ensure that individuals have the right to vote for public office, on referendums and for employee representation by secret ballot.

Voting Yes will ensure the right to vote for employee representation by secret ballot, supporting Alabama’s “Right to Work State” status.
Voting No means that the right to vote for employee representation by secret ballot is not ensured.

Conservative Vote: YES. Workers should not be harassed if they choose to vote against a union.

Amendment 8 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to repeal the existing provisions for legislative compensation and expenses and establish the basic compensation of the Legislature at the median household income in Alabama; to require legislators to submit signed vouchers for reimbursement for expenses; and to prohibit the Legislature from increasing the compensation or expenses payable to its members. (Proposed by Act No. 2012-269)

Explanation – This amendment will repeal the 62% legislative pay-raise that the Alabama legislature passed in 2007, and will tie the salary of Alabama legislators to the annual median household income of Alabama citizens. Alabama legislators will no longer be able to increase their own salaries if this amendment is adopted.

Voting Yes will approve the repeal of the 62% pay increase and make the legislators’ salaries to be equal to the median income of Alabama households.
Voting No will mean that 62% pay increase will not be repealed and that legislators can continue to vote for the increase of their own salaries.

Conservative Vote: YES.

Amendment 9 – Proposing an amendment to the private corporation provisions of Article 12 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to become effective January 1, 2014, to continue the authority of the Legislature to pass general laws pertaining to corporations and other entities; to continue the authority of the Legislature to regulate and impose a business privilege tax on corporations and other entities; and to repeal various provisions concerning private corporations, railroads, and canals. (Proposed by Act No. 2012-275)

Explanation – This amendment will modernize and remove outdated language (such as references to telegraph companies) in our Constitution, specifically in Article XII, dealing with business entities and the different laws under which they must operate. These changes will provide uniformity and clarity in our law for businesses.

Voting Yes is a vote to remove outdated language in Article XII, as well as enact other changes.
Voting No will keep Article XII as it is.

Conservative Vote: NO. One of the provision that would be deleted is a prohibition on taxation of churches and charities.

Amendment 10 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, effective January 1, 2014, to amend Section 247 relating to the authority of the Legislature concerning banks and banking, to repeal various other provisions of Article XIII concerning banks and banking; and to repeal
Amendment 154 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 255.01 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of
Alabama of 1901, as amended, subject to the contingency that a new Article XII of the state constitution is adopted that repeals existing
Section 232 of the state constitution, and subject to the contingency that Sections 10A-2-15.01 and 10A-2-15.02, Code of Alabama 1975, are repealed. (Proposed by Act No. 2012-276)

Explanation – This amendment will make changes to Article XIII, which has sections that are outdated or irrelevant to our current banking system, conforming to current legal requirements. Two sections will be repealed, while other sections will be combined in a more logical way.
The exact wording being repealed from Section 249: All bills or notes issued as money shall be at times redeemable in gold or silver, and no law shall be passed sanctioning directly or indirectly the suspension by any bank or banking company of specie of payment. (This section reflects a time when bank notes functioned as the principal medium of exchange, i.e., as money.)
The exact wording being repealed form Section 252: No bank shall receive directly or indirectly, a greater rate of interest than shall be allowed by law to individuals for lending money. (Banking is now heavily regulated by state and federal general laws and regulation, so that this section is no longer needed. See Ala. Code Title 5 and Title 8.)

Voting Yes means you authorize the repeal of section 249 and section 252, and the consolidation of Article XIII.
Voting No means you want Article XIII to stay as it is.

Conservative Vote: NO. This amendment would allow state and local entities to invest assets in associations and corporations. The state has proven itself to be a bad investor, as evidenced by their mismanaged Prepaid Affordable College Tuition program.

Amendment 11 – Relating to Lawrence County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to prohibit any municipality located
entirely outside of Lawrence County from imposing any municipal ordinance or regulation, including, but not limited to, any tax, zoning,
planning, or sanitation regulations, and any inspection service in its police jurisdiction located in Lawrence County and to provide that a municipality prohibited from imposing any tax or regulation under this amendment shall not provide any regulatory function or police or fire protection services in its police jurisdiction located in Lawrence County, other than public safety mutual aid. (Proposed by Act No. 2012-308)

Explanation – (The Constitution requires any change in the Constitution to be voted state-wide, even if it is a local county issue.) This amendment prohibits officials and municipalities outside Lawrence County from making decisions for zoning, regulation, planning, and sanitation that affect the people living inside Lawrence County.

Voting Yes means that you want municipalities that are not located in Lawrence County to be prohibited from imposing ordinances or regulations on the people of Lawrence County.
Voting No means that you want municipalities that are not located in Lawrence County to be able to impose ordinances or regulations on the people of Lawrence County.

Conservative Vote: YES. Voting yes will ensure the measure passes statewide. Local Lawrence County voters will then be able to determine if this measure goes into effect. The amendment must pass both at the state and the local level.

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NOTE: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT REPRESENT OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY POSITIONS

Join the Madison County Republican Party for food and fun as we gather to watch Representative Paul Ryan take on Vice President Joe Biden. We will gather at MGOP headquarters at 7:30 PM CDT with the debate starting at 8:00 PM CDT on Thursday, October 11.

The Madison County Headquarters is located at 806 Governors Drive, behind Checkers and across from Stanleo’s.