Category: State / Local Issues

Thank You Gov. Walker for FINALLY Turning Down Early Innovator Grant Money

Governor Walker issued the following press release late yesterday afternoon.  Thanks to all of you who sent in your strings, and those of you who coordinated the effort. Madison—Today Governor Walker announced he will not pursue the implementation of a health insurance exchange and has turned down Early Innovator Grant funding from the federal government. The Governor also will repeal the executive order that created the Office of Free Market Health Care. “I have directed the Department of Health Services to notify the federal government that we will discontinue any development on a health exchange and that Wisconsin will turn down funding from the Early Innovator Grant program,” said Governor Walker. “Stopping the encroachment of ObamaCare in our state, which has the potential to have a devastating impact on Wisconsin’s economy, is a top priority. Wisconsin has been a leader and innovator in health care reform for two decades, and we have achieved a high level of health insurance coverage without federal mandates. When job creators and Wisconsin families are facing difficult times it doesn’t make sense to commit to a federal health care mandate that will result in hidden taxes for Wisconsin families, increased health care costs and insurance…

Send Strings – Make the Dangers of the Early Innovator Grant Clear

Send Strings: Make the Dangers of the Early Innovator Grant Clear Written by Kirsten – From WI 9/12 Project Monday, 09 January 2012 00:01 Last month, I wrote about the claim of Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) that the Early Innovator Grant (EIG) Governor Walker accepted on behalf of the State of Wisconsin in February 2011 came with no strings attached.  Those who’ve been following this issue already know that the EIG has strings o’plenty. First and foremost, acceptance of EIG funds obligates recipient states to plan and implement an Obamacare-compliant health insurance exchange. That means Wisconsin has been in the process of implementing and complying with Obamacare for at least the past year. As noted in previous articles on this site, we’ve seen the evidence.  Wisconsin’s Obamacare compliant exchange is definitely well underway…much further than most people realize.  If we don’t do something about it soon, it will indeed be too late. Someone has taken this reality to heart and raised the matter to a creative new level. We’re delighted. Remember back when the Tea Party got its start–how many people put tea bags into envelopes and sent them to elected officials?  That concrete message, particularly in…

From The 10th Amendment Center – “Aborting Guns?”

Below is a very good article on State vs. Federal power.  This applies to so many issues that are happening today and speaks to why we have an out-of-control federal government.  This is also due, in part, to the national media.  There is a vested interest by the national news media in having a strong central government.  Not only does this increase the “importance” of their coverage, but also allows for easier coverage.  Most of the media focus only needs to be spent in one place, Washington D.C, instead of the coverage being spread throughout the 50 State Capitals of our nation. The Framers set up our constitutional republic as a system having the power “decentralized”.  Many of the most contentious issues like abortion, I believe, will never be solved on a national level.  To truly solve these issues the States need to re-assert their sovereignty. Pro-Life advocates, for example, have a much better chance to stop abortion on a State level.  As the article points out, if a person doesn’t like how their respective State is handling this issue, they can work to change it and/or “vote with their feet” to another State with whose laws they agree with….

TELL GOV. WALKER NO ON OBAMACARE COMPLIANCE

Your help is needed NOW.   The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) for Wisconsin has forwarded an emergency order to Gov. Walker that would begin Wisconsin’s compliance with ObamaCare. I have no idea what the motivation is behind it, but WE MUST STOP IT. Please call Gov. Walker TODAY at 608-266-1212 and let him know Wisconsin wants absolutely nothing to do with ObamaCare.   If you don’t believe me, take a look at the attached Emergency Rule for yourself and count how many times it refers to the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (ObamaCare) and “45 CFR 147.136”. Tell Gov. Walker to send back the $49 million in Early Innovator Grant Funds.

Senator Lasee Urges Walker Administration To Return Obamacare Funds

Attached is the press release from Senator Frank Lasee asking the Walker Administration to send back the $49 million in Obamacare grant money that was to be used to set up insurance exchanges. Senator Frank Lasee Press Release – Release Obamacare Funds We have said repeatedly that government “insurance exchanges” are a bad idea.  It IS government run healthcare, just at a different level.  They do nothing to fix the healthcare problems we face.  Instead, they just add another layer of bureaucracy. The best thing government can do is to repeal all the coverage mandates so consumers can tailor an insurance product that fits their individual situation.  Only consumer driven, market based approaches can solve the insurance problem. The states need to WAKE UP to the fact that anytime the FEDS dangle money out there for some project, that it is somehow “free” money.  That is money taken from someone who actually earned it.  As long as states accept this money, they are bound to the conditions imposed by the FEDS giving up their autonomy and sovereignty in the process. Governor Walker…SEND THE MONEY BACK!!!

Castle Doctrine Passes State Assembly…Scheduled for Thursday In The Senate

We are happy that the Castle Doctrine has passed the State Assembly.  Here is the link to the bill: Castle Doctrine AB69 As we have said from the start, we wanted to see strong “Stand Your Ground” language in this bill similar to what is in place in Florida.  Even though we haven’t achieved that language in this bill,  it is a leap forward in the right direction.  The bill now moves to the State Senate Thursday. Also on the calendar tomorrow is AB303 – Smart Growth Opt Out.  This bill is an important step in fighting back against Agenda 21 programs.  Contact your legislator and tell them to support AB303.

Senator Lasee – AB210 – Will not advance from his committee – HOORAY!!!

Here is an article from WI Senator Frank Lasee about why he won’t advance AB210 out of his committee.  It is taken from The Daily Caller.  This is what we need from out elected officials…PRINCIPLES!!! We have also heard that the Governor’s Office is not happy about this decision and will be attacking Senator Lasee as an Obamacare supporter.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Call the Governor’s office and tell them you applaud Senator Lasee’s decision. Why I refuse to advance AB 210 By Sen. Frank Lasee Over the past few weeks, Wisconsin’s state legislators have been strongly pressured to pass AB 210. The bill quickly cleared the State Assembly on October 18, after which it was assigned to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Housing, which I chair. After a public hearing and full evaluation of the bill, I have decided to let AB 210 die in my committee. A great deal of noise will almost certainly be made about this decision. I want to provide Wisconsinites and everyone else watching this issue with the facts so that they can understand my reasons for killing this dangerous bill. What would AB 210 achieve? AB 210 would bring…

From Media Trackers: Assembly Modifies, Passes Obamacare Compliance

Assembly Modifies, Passes Obamacare Compliance There are many TEA Party / Patriot Groups opposed to this bill. It is shameful that only a handful of Assembly Republican saw this bill for what it was more big gov’t.  Our hats go off to Reps Nass, Wynn, Craig, August, and Knudson for seeing this bill for what it truly is.  To the others, we simply ask “Why?” This bill must be killed in the WI Senate!  

Wisconsin 2011 Assembly Bill 210 – Questions

We are looking into what appears to be a rush to pass AB210 – implementing health insurance reform, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Much of what is in this legislation is very complex and has not been thoroughly studied.  We have spoken with at least one very reliable conservative representative on this and have been told this is a BAD BILL.  His office is still looking into this.  We have heard that lobbyists are all over the place at the capitol trying to get the votes for this bill.  It has been scheduled for the floor on October 18th.     If you are hearing that ALL the TEA Party / Patriot Groups support AB210, THAT IS COMPLETELY FALSE!!!  This could set-up an Obamacare type system at the state level.  Even if / when Obamacare is declared unconstitutional, we could have this system as it would be WI state law.  Furthermore, this may be another example of crony capitalism as a pay-off the insurance industry. We might be totally wrong.  However, do we really want to pass something before we know what’s in it?  Why the rush?  We need the details!!! WE DO NOT SUPPORT GOV’T…