So you’re asking, “why discuss a meeting scheduled for September 27?”  Good question!  Good answer:  The first half hour or so will be a short  presentation by Rachel Weiss from the redistricting commission, followed by Q&A.  You have a month to come up with your ideas for how the commission might draw state legislative districts in the Missoula area and present those ideas directly to Districting and Apportionment Commission research analysts.  For those who are hesitant to write letters, this is the golden opportunity to show up for a hearty buffet and join fellow precinct captains to express your opinions.  Rachel will bring maps to help us understand before-and-after scenarios.  After you’ve  finished reading this post, immediately mark all the calendars in your possession, including your smart phones, for September 27.  Come a little early…the gavel comes down to begin the meeting promptly at 7:00 pm.  After our guests leave, we will continue the meeting with an abbreviated agenda… no one enjoys long meetings.  See you there!

Via the Missoulian:

The Missoula City-County Board of Health and the Missoula Valley Water Quality District Board of Directors are seeking to fill several vacancies on the Water Quality Advisory Council.

Persons interested in applying may send a letter of application stating their interest and background to: Garon Smith, Missoula City-County Board of Health/ Water Quality District Board, 301 W. Alder, Missoula MT 59802.
Applications should be submitted by 5 p.m. July 1.

Susan Mural is hosting a desert & coffee Fund Raiser for Denny on Thursday, April 28 at 7PM at the Broadway Inn on West Broadway in the Mullan Room from 7 PM til everyone leaves!

The Broadway Inn is located near the corner of Mullan Road & West Broadway, just before the Garden City Funeral Home.

Susan Muralt – 406-728-8985

Chair: Charlie Olinger

Vice Chair: Susan Muralt

Treasurer: Sharon Gafney

Secretary: John Angwin

Finance Chair: Kathleen Roberts

State Committeeman: Thad Brinkman

State Committeewoman: Thelma Baker

Congressional Committeeman: Jim Sadler

Congressional Committeewoman: Barbara Ford

Come ask Denny some questions this week:

Rep. Denny Rehberg will be the speaker at City Club Missoula on Thursday, April 28, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park, 200 S. Pattee St.

The forum, titled “Face to Face: Delivering the Promise of Transparency and Accountability,” will include brief remarks about the work Congress is involved in and then the congressman will answer questions.

Convention Registration Goes Live!

You can register for convention right now at mtgop.org/convention.aspx! The 2011 Montana Republican Convention will be held at the Copper King Hotel in Butte from June 16 to 18. It begins Thursday evening with a Chairman’s Reception, and runs through Saturday evening with a banquet. You won’t want to miss this!

This is an officers’ convention, where we will elect our Chair for the coming two years as well as other officers. The people who have a vote in those elections are: U.S. Congressman, Montana State Senator, Montana State Representative, Public Service Commissioner, County Chair, County Finance Chair, County State Committeeman, County State Committeewoman. If you hold one of those offices, watch your mailbox for an official convention call.

Convention is not only a chance to gather with other Republicans from around the state. It’s also the Montana Republican Party’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The convention helps fund our get out the vote efforts, our research work, and more.  So why not consider registering as a convention All-Star? All-Stars are Republicans who have chosen to make an extra donation to make the convention better for everyone.  They’ll be recognized at the convention, and they’ll have the satisfaction of doing something to help all of us.

Rehberg Report: More Listening Sessions
Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, continued his record as the member of Montana’s Congressional delegation who’s most open to public input. He announced four more listening sessions in Montana, bringing his total to 81 since President Obama took office.  Rehberg visits each of Montana’s 56 counties every Congress – a pledge he’s kept to Montanans since his time as Montana’s Lieutenant Governor.

“Talking eye-to-eye with the folks I represent is the best part of my job,” said Rehberg. “It’s also the best way to hear what people are thinking so I can represent them in Washington.  While Montanans struggle to make ends meet, they deserve a government that is both transparent and accountable.  You won’t find anyone who is more publicly accessible than I am, and I’m proud of that.  It’s the Montana way.”

The listening sessions are listed here:

Stillwater County Listening Session
Tuesday, April 26, 3:00 pm
City Hall Council Chambers, Upper Conference Room
408 E. 1st Ave N, Columbus

Ravalli County Listening Session
Thursday, April 28, 4:00 pm
Hamilton Middle School Auditorium
209 South 5th Street, Hamilton

Lake County Listening Session
Friday, April 29, 10:30 am
Lake County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Conference Room
106 4th Avenue East, Polson

Lincoln County Listening Session
Saturday, April 30, 11:00 am
FVCC Lincoln County Campus, Room 127
225 Commerce Way, Libby

As always, all of Rehberg’s listening sessions are open to the public and the media.

On the Trail with Daines

Congressional candidate Steve Daines challenged Democrat opponent Franke Wilmer today to sign a pledge to protect taxpayers and oppose ALL tax increases—a pledge by Americans for Tax Reform that Daines eagerly signed in March. By signing the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” candidates promise that if elected they will “oppose any and all efforts” to increase taxes on individuals or businesses.

This challenge comes on the heels of a debt-reduction proposal by Democrat leaders in Washington, which would increase taxes on American families by at least $2 trillion over the next 12 years.

“Democrats in Washington seem to still have it backwards,” Daines said. “Our nation’s debt is not a product of under taxation; it’s a product of overspending.  The real question is whether Wilmer will stand and support the hard-working families and businesses of Montana, or the wealth-destroying agenda put forward by President Obama and Nancy Pelosi.”

The pledge, showing a wide margin of bi-partisan support, was signed by more than 270 members of the 112th Congress in 2010.

Daines, a lifetime Montanan and Bozeman businessman, has spent the past 27 years working in the private sector.  Daines believes this pledge is one more step in his fight for more jobs and less government.

Montana Republican Convention June 16-18

Montana’s Republican Convention is scheduled for June 16-18 in Butte. Mark your calendars and save the date, because this is going to be a big event!

A referendum to reject ObamaCare? Yes, we have that. A chance to replace Jon Tester in the U.S. Senate? Yes, we have that. Your fellow conservatives from all around Montana and America? Oh yes, we have that. The 2012 election cycle is taking shape right now, and this is your best chance to take part in that process.

Details will be posted on www.mtgop.org as they become available, so check back often. Soon, our web site will also include an opportunity to register online. This year, the member rate is only $175 to register for the convention — the same as last year, despite “Obama-flation.” But remember that’s the discount rate for members! If you’re not a member, you can join today! Visit http://mtgop.org/membership.aspx for information about membership.

Keep your calendars open for June 16-18 in Butte, because your presence can make a big difference at the Montana Republican Convention.

Rehberg Report: Denny’s statement on the Budget Compromise

Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement in response to a last-minute deal to fund the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 at $38.5 billion below Fiscal Year 2010 level.  At the last minute, the House and Senate voted on a temporary Bridge Continuing Resolution that reduced spending by an additional $2 billion.  The funding for the remainder of the year will be voted on next week.

“I’m glad we were able to avert a costly shutdown, but I’m going to reserve judgment until I can see exactly what’s in the final package.  Unfortunately, since the Senate never passed a bill, the negotiations were carried out in secret.  I’m glad that we managed to reduce the deficit by $38.5 billion.  But let’s keep some perspective.    We’ve got a lot of work in front of us to restore fiscal sanity in Washington in order to create a pro-job environment for our small businesses.  I’m going to keep working for Montanans just like I always have.”

Daines Statement on Federal Budget Compromise

U.S. Congressional candidate Steve Daines issued the following statement on the recent budget compromise.

“Hard to believe the drama that played out the past few days over a paltry $38 billion of spending cuts on a $3.8 TRILLION 2011 budget,”  Daines said. “This is a rounding error as we are closing in the 14.3 trillion dollar debt ceiling limit and  our leaders need to turn their attention to serious spending reform before we hit the next impasse with the looming vote on the debt ceiling.”

The debt ceiling, a cap set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow, was increased last February, from 12.4 trillion to the current 14.3 trillion. As of April 7, the debt subject to that limit totaled $14.208 trillion — or $86 billion shy of the cap.

“Our leaders need to have the same resolve in tackling our debt crisis as our entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers across Montana do in keeping their businesses strong and growing,” Daines said.

Daines is a 5th generation Montanan who has spent the past 27 years of his life working in the private sector as a successful businessman, most recently as General Manager/Vice President of Asia-Pacific business for RightNow Technologies, a company founded and headquartered in Bozeman.  RightNow Technologies has more than 1,000 employees and is Bozeman’s largest commercial employer.

MT GOP Files Formal Complaint against Steve Bullock

Since April 8, 2009, Steve Bullock has deposited more than $70,000 into an account that violates Montana campaign finance laws, reads a complaint filed by the Montana Republican Party.

Steve Bullock’s campaign finance disclosure statements do not state what office he’s running for.

According to the administrative rules of Montana, Political committees are required to provide “The name, office sought, and party affiliation (if any) of each candidate whom a committee is supporting.”

(http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=44.10.405)

The Montana Republican Party believes Bullock’s refusal to provide information about the office he seeks is a clear violation of the requirement for candidates to provide their “office sought.”  In his complaint, party Chairman Will Deschamps called for the maximum possible fine to be imposed: $219,525

The full complaint, and supporting documents can be read here:

http://mtgop.org/steve-bullock-accusations.aspx

Rehberg Report: Defunding Obamacare and Saving Taxpayer Dollars

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montanan’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, received a letter from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) verifying his amendment saves taxpayer dollars while stopping the implementation of Obamacare.  Rehberg’s Amendment would prevent any funds from being used to pay the salary for anyone who would implement provisions of Obamacare for the remainder of this fiscal year.

“When you cut through the budget tricks and accounting gimmicks, it turns out that common sense wins the day,” said Rehberg, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education.  “When you strip away all of the spin, and warnings that defunding Obamacare this year would cost money, you’re left with the truth: $1.4 billion in savings this year.  Only in Washington would someone actually buy the claim that it costs money not to spend money.”

According to the CBO, cost savings are achieved in the following ways:

• Delaying completion of regulatory processes for ongoing programs;
• Delaying the implementation of new programs;
• Preventing or delaying the obligation of funds for grant programs; and
• Reducing compliance with changes to the tax code.

The letter also notes that, as a result of the accounting tricks that Democrats used to suggest creating a new $2.6 trillion government entitlement program would also balance the budget, outlying years appear to increase the deficit.

“It’s true that once you get past the actual policy of this year, the CBO is forced to ignore reality and focus on the shimmering mirage of budget gimmicks in outlying years,” said Rehberg.  “Of course, the only way those figures mean anything is if Congress doesn’t change any laws after October 31, 2011.  We’ll get new numbers with every change, and just like a mirage fades away when you get closer, the smoke and mirrors of Obamacare budgeting won’t stand the scrutiny of reality.”

The CBO Letter can be viewed online at: http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=12093

Rotunda Report

At www.rotundareport.com there’s news of another Republican victory in the resistance to ObamaCare. Republicans in the Montana legislature have passed a bill through both chambers that will include Montana in the lawsuit against the unconstitutional individual mandate.

http://www.rotundareport.com/2011/03/a-victory-against-obamacare/

The Rotunda report carries the stories that the mainstream media won’t. When Republicans pass jobs bills, it’s always on the rotunda report, but rarely in the paper. When Republicans cut the budget, the Rotunda Report covers it.

If you want the real inside story of how Republicans in the Montana legislature are getting government out of the way so the free market can create jobs, visit www.rotundareport.com.

Thank You, Lincoln Day Sponsors!

The Montana Republican Party’s statewide Lincoln day dinner was a tremendous success.  Gubernatorial candidates had the chance to showcase their views, the party raised money to continue our work, and most of all, hundreds of Republicans from all around the state had a great time.

The next meeting of the Missoula County Central Committee will be on March 22, 2011 at 7pm at the Double Tree Hotel.

INTRODUCTION:                          INVOCATION AND PLEDGE

WELCOME:                                     GUESTS

SECRETARY’S REPORT:            MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

TREASURER’S REPORT:            SHARON GAFFNEY

NATIONAL AND STATE

COMMITTEE REPORTS:            THELMA, JIM, AND, CHARLIE

PACHYDERM REPORT:              CHARLIE/THAD/THELMA

COLLEGE REPUBLICANS:        CR REPRESENTATIVE

YR REPUBLICANS:                      YR REPRESENTATIVE

ELECTED OFFICIALS:                IN ATTENDANCE

CANDIDATES:                                IN ATTENDANCE

OLD BUSINESS:                             COUNTY CONVENTION APRIL 26TH

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

NEW BUSINESS:                            CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES AND PLANS

COUNTY CONVENTION DATE

B. Election of County Officers

The Missoula County Central Committee must hold an election convention for the purpose of organizing the Central Committee between February 1 and May 15 in each odd numbered year.  The County Chairman shall mail notice of this requirement at least ten (10) days prior to the period that elections may commence.  Such conventions shall be called and notice of the call must be given as provided by state law.  The County Chairman shall preside at the county convention and no person other than a duly elected or appointed committeeman or committeewoman or officer of the committee is entitled to participate in the convention.  Only duly elected precinct committeemen and committeewomen will be allowed to vote.

NOTE: The word “election” was added to clarify the purpose of the convention.   Please see RULES OF THE MONTANA REPUBLICAN PARTY, page 7, Section C ( III) (B) Election of County Officers –most of the paragraph was copied verbatim. 

1. County Officers to Be Elected.

At such convention, the Central Committee shall elect the following officers, who need not be precinct committeemen or committeewomen, but who must be registered electors of Missoula County:

a)      County Chairman*

b)      County Vice-Chairman*

c)      2^nd Vice Chair (optional)**

d)      Secretary

e)      Treasurer

f)       State Committeeman

g)      State Committeewoman

h)      Congressional Committeeman

i)        Congressional Committeewoman

j)        Finance Chairman

k)      Such other officers as may be deemed appropriate.

*The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are paired positions, one of whom shall be a man and one of whom shall be a woman.

**When a 2^nd Vice Chair is elected, that position must be of the opposite sex of the Vice Chair.

2.     Call of Election

The Chairman of the Central Committee shall call the county  convention and, not less than seven (7) days before the date of the convention, shall publish the call in a newspaper published at the county seat and mail or email a copy of the call to each precinct committeeman, committeewoman and officer of the  Central Committee.

3.     Conduct of Election

The Chairman of the Central Committee shall preside at the county convention.  No person other than a duly elected or appointed precinct committeeman, committeewoman or officer of the Central Committee is entitled to vote in the convention.

4.     Proxies A  precinct committeeman or committeewoman may appoint a proxy to represent him or her at the convention.  No proxy shall be recognized unless held by a registered elector of the precinct represented by the committeeman or committeewoman.  Officers of the committee must be present to vote.  No officer proxies are allowed.  A precinct committeeman or committeewoman serving as an officer shall have only one vote in person or by proxy.

5.     Credentials

Prior to convening the convention, a Credentials Committee shall inspect the credentials and proxies of convention delegates.

6. Absence

If a precinct committeeman or committeewoman is absent from convention, by not appearing in person or by proxy, the convention may fill the vacancy by appointing a registered elector of the party, resident in the precinct, to represent the precinct in the convention. Such appointment must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the members eligible to vote in the convention.

7.     Results of Election

Within five (5) days of the County Convention, the Central Committee shall submit a report of the convention results to the State Central Committee.  Failure to file the report within the allotted time may

result in the county delegation not being seated at the next State Convention.

STATE PARTY UPDATE:            STATE L/R DAY

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT:       GOOD OF THE ORDER

E brief

Need to have e mails addys if you would like the info

Also Rotunda report

ADJOURNMENT: