The "Green New Deal" is a Green Disaster

Rep. Phil Roe

by Phil Roe - Elections have consequences. Under the House Republican majority in the previous Congress, we focused on creating jobs, growing the economy, improving our security, taking care of our veterans, and making America energy independent.  Now that House Democrats have the majority, they have replaced our agenda with an agenda much more closely aligned with socialist principles and government control over all aspects of life. As President Trump pointed out in his State of the Union speech, history is littered with examples of the destruction caused by socialism, with Venezuela being the most recent. No document better lays out Democrats’ embrace of socialism than their recently-introduced “Green New Deal.”

The resolution, H.Res. 109, has the support of 68 House Democrats and 12 Democrats in the Senate on their version. Senate Democrats supporting this resolution include Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), among others. The resolution puts forth a goal for the United States to meet 100 percent of the U.S. power demand using zero-emission energy sources. This would require stopping the production of oil, natural gas, and coal – three of our most abundant energy sources and the energy sources that power 80% of our economy. The resolution also calls for updating or replacing ALL U.S. buildings, and calls for “guaranteeing a job . .  for all people of the United States.”

Some of their proposals are far too extreme and unrealistic to achieve in their 10-year goal. For instance, the resolution calls for “overhauling transportation systems in the United States to remove pollution and greenhouse gas emissions” and “working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers in the United States to remove pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), put out a FAQ along with the resolution to illustrate some of the policies the resolution calls for. The FAQ states they “aren’t sure that we’ll be able to fully get rid of farting cows and airplanes that fast,” - you can’t make this stuff up! Why on earth would anyone want to eliminate air travel or livestock from our agricultural system?

Here’s the most troubling part of the Green New Deal: it’s not about climate change, it’s about centralizing control of our economy with the government. Within the FAQ, the bill’s sponsors indicate the goals of the new deal include: providing “economic security for all who are…unwilling to work;” to “create millions of family supporting-wage, union jobs;” “guaranteeing…higher education;” and to “ensure a just transition for all communities and workers…that have historically relied on fossil fuel industries.”

Their plan to pay for this legislation is through credit extended by the Federal Reserve or by new public banks, or a carbon tax. California’s failed plan to build a high-speed rail is a prime example of how this “deal” would bring devastation to our country. The rail was estimated to exceed $77 billion in costs by the time of completion, and since abandoning the project, California has to return $3.5 billion to the federal government. The Democratic resolution isn’t a “green dream”, as Nancy Pelosi called it – it’s a green nightmare and a socialist fantasy.

If we are interested in reducing emissions, local communities are already leading the way with commonsense changes that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are good for the economy and taxpayers at the same time. While I served on the Johnson City Commission, including my time as Mayor, we worked to cap the gas coming out of our landfill – which is made up of methane – and used it to heat and cool the Mountain Home VA Medical Center instead of burning the methane off into the atmosphere. For that, we received a national award from the EPA. We also audited all our public buildings for energy efficiency and established a ‘Green Team’ that could work with entities to find ways to help them be more environmentally friendly. Johnson City was the first municipality in Tennessee to offer curbside recycling, and we replaced stoplight and streetlight bulbs with energy efficient bulbs that save energy and taxpayer dollars.

I’m all for solutions that will leave our children and grandchildren a healthier planet, but the extreme Green New Deal is not the answer.

Phil Roe represents the First Congressional District of Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is physician and co-chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus and a member of the Health Caucus. Prior to serving in Congress, he served as the Mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee.  

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Democratic lawmakers propose reforming Tennessee Democratic Party structure

Democrats in the State legislature have filed a bill to change the structure of the State Democratic Party.  Currently, the Party's State Executive Committee is composed of committee members from each State senatorial district with each district having the same number of people on the Executive Committee. The bill's lead sponsor in the Senate is Jason Powell.

The bill does not mandate how the Committee should be restructured but calls for the Party to have a state-wide convention to do so.  The argument for doing this is that the current structure gives Democrats in overwhelmingly Republicans Senatorial Districts the same number of votes in determining Democrat policies as do Democrats in heavily Democratic Senatorial districts. That is not considered fair.

I am totally in favor of the proposed change. It is fair.  And, it will tilt the party even further to the left with intercity Blacks, progressives, socialist, and younger people having a stronger voice in the party. This will quicken the pace at which sensible old style "conservative" Democrats realize they are no longer at home in the Democratic Party.  They will realize that the new socialist Democratic Party is not their daddy's Democratic Party and it is time to migrate to the Republican Party.

For more on this, follow this link.

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Senator Lamar Alexander: Trump's declaratiion of National Emergency is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution

Lamar Alexander

Senator Lamar Alexander - The president has made a strong case for increased border security, but declaring a national emergency is unnecessary, unwise and inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution. It is unnecessary because significant additional money already has been approved by Congress that he could spend on border security without declaring a national emergency. In fact, the president announced today that he would spend $3 billion of this additional funding to fund construction of the border wall. This $3 billion is in addition to the $22 billion Congress appropriated on Thursday for detention beds, technology, border patrol agents, ports of entry, replacing existing wall and 55 miles of new wall.

It is unwise because if this president can declare a national emergency to build a wall, the next president can declare a national emergency to tear it down; or declare a climate change emergency to close coal plants and build wind turbines; or a health care emergency and force into Medicare the 180 million Americans with health insurance on the job.

It is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution because, after the American Revolution against a king, our founders chose not to create a chief executive with the power to tax the people and spend their money any way he chooses. The Constitution gives that authority exclusively to a Congress elected by the people.

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A $23 million hole in the Metro budget as land sales fail

by Mike Reicher, The Tennessean - Nashville Mayor David Briley’s attempt to plug a $23 million budget shortfall by selling publicly-owned real estate isn’t going so well. 

One sale was scrapped by community opposition. Another parcel attracted just a single bidder and sold well under the appraised value. A third received no bids at all. .... Briley hasn’t said how he will cover the year’s operating expenses without the proceeds,... At-large councilman John Cooper criticized how the city sold the parcels through its online auction platform. That system is typically used to dispose of unused office furniture, school buses and other surplus city property. 

Rod's Comment: To summarized the rest of the article, one reason we could not sale the property in addition to trying to sell it on a webpage normally used to sell surplus office furniture, is that the city required the sale to close within 30 days. Usually a lot of due-diligence goes into such a sale on the part of the buyer and such a sale would take six months to close. Also, Metro requires ten percent down which is about double what would be required in a normal sale.

Selling property to fund operating budgets is a bad idea. Using one-time money for reoccurring expenses is just not wise. We have been terribly mismanaged and continue to be. We are having massive cost overruns on projects, we are paying consultants hundreds of thousands of dollars on days they spend socializing with Metro officials, we let contracts without taking bids, we spend $60 million dollars to build three and half miles of sidewalk, and we give million of dollars in "incentives" to one of the richest companies in the world. At the same time all of this is happening, we are understaffed in police protection, our roads are falling apart, we have not added new fire halls to reflect the city's growth, Metro employees could not get a promised cost of living raise, and our schools are failing.

It is time for a change in leadership and new mechanisms need to be put in place so it is less easy to hide mismanagement and corruption.

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A President Trump Happy Valentine's Day

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When Cities Go To War: Why Tax Incentives Are 'Terrible' | Think | NBC News

This short video from NBC news, obviously not a hotbed of libertarian dogma, explains that you cannot create wealth by purchasing jobs and that the hype of the benefits of attracting the new company rarely lives up to the expectation.  The basic unfairness of taxing existing local business to subsidized new arriving wealthy companies is stated.

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MNPS faces morale crisis, confidential report warns

by Phil Williams, WTVF -  Metro Nashville Public Schools, under Schools Director Dr. Shawn Joseph, faces seriously low morale and other issues that threaten the district’s ability to keep qualified employees, a confidential report obtained by NewsChannel 5 Investigates warns. (link) 

 

Rod's Comment: Please read the full story. Dr. Joseph's rules the Metro School System in an authoritarian style. The report says morale among principals is as low as could ever be remembered. The report says Sharon Pertiller of the Human Resources Department is "extremely divisive, dismissive and, in their belief, incompetent." Dr. Shawn Joseph needs to go!

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Metro School Board Members Call For Outside Investigation, As Questions Surround Director

WPLN - During Tuesday night's school board meeting, several members said there ought to be an extensive independent investigation into whether the Metro Nashville Public Schools Director, Shawn Joseph, violated purchasing rules in his business contracts with vendors.

This discussion comes after the Metro Audit Committee voted to rejected an audit that had been favorable toward the director. ... Mark Swann, Metro's chief audit executive, agrees his team's review was limited in scope. .... (link)

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Robert Nash Will be a Candidate for the Metropolitan Council District 27

Robert Nash

From Robert Nash - Nashville has been a wonderful place to live and work. My family has loved our McMurray Hills neighborhood. Barbara and I were very blessed to raise our three children here since our move in 1978. We have seen much growth and many changes in that time, but the warmth, friendship and support of our neighbors have been constant.

I had a great career at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department where I served for 33 years and retired as Commander of the East Precinct. I am eternally grateful to the citizens of Nashville for that opportunity.

Public safety will certainly always be a priority interest for me. However, our city faces many issues that need the urgent attention of the Metropolitan Council – responsibly managing our growth, creating first class schools, easing traffic congestion, building affordable housing, being fiscally responsible, and maintaining and expanding our aging infrastructure.

My promise to the residents of District 27, if elected, is to do all that I can to keep our neighborhoods welcoming places in which to live, work and play. It would be an honor for me to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.

A more formal announcement will be issued when the campaign is officially launched.

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Dr. Joseph plays the race card in response to criticism over no bid handouts to cronies

by Rod Williams - At Tuesday night's School Board meeting, Dr. Shawn Joseph played the race card and said criticism of his administration of Metro Schools was the same product of the factors that led to the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and the treatment of other African-American men.  "What we know is fear is a mind killer," said Dr. Joseph as pictures of Martin and others were shown on monitors around the board room.

At the heart of the recent controversy was recently uncovered evidence by NewsChannel 5 Investigates about companies that got no-bid contracts under Joseph's administration and how his administration misled the board about key details. His primary critic was School Board member Amy Frogge. School Board Chair Sharon Gentry defended Joseph.

For an understanding of the mood at the School Board, here is a description of what happened as reported on the blog Dad Gone Wild:

After the board opened the floor for comments on the recently completed audit/investigation by the Metro Government audit department, board member Amy Frogge read in a dispassionate voice a long list on transgressions that included several instances of laws being broken and board policy not adhered to. All of the charges included extensive supporting documentation.

At the end of her speech, comments from fellow board members focused not on fixing the problems of financial fidelity, but rather how the board could avoid continuing to be viewed as dysfunctional. There was little concern expressed about addressing an apparent inability to follow procedure and protecting taxpayer investment. Instead, the impetus was clearly on cleaning up the board’s image so that they could procure more of that taxpayer money.

I have been  impressed by School Board member Amy Frogge  in  her effort to expose corruption and mismanagement at Metro Schools.  Ms Frogge has not been one of my favorite school board members.  I am in favor of charter schools and Ms Frogge has been a consistent critic. However, Ms Frogge has risen in my esteem due to her persistence in opposing cronyism and mismanagement on the part of the current school administration. 

For more on this story see the followng from News Channel 5: Contract questions continue to haunt Metro School Board, Analysis: MNPS audit leaves unanswered questions,
 and MNPS official failed to disclose consulting fees from vendor group. For anyone who wishes to stay informed about Metro School issues, I would recommend following the blog Dad Gone Wild. It is a consistent good source of information and analysis.

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Briley dips into reserve funds for over-budget fairgrounds buildings

A project has a cost overrun!

 When will we every learn that almost ever government construction project has a cost overrun. A good rule of thumb is to assume the true cost of a project is one and half times the official original estimate.  Some government projects are multiple times the original estimate.  A cynic may be inclined to believe that projects are purposely low-balled in order to get legislative approval and public acceptance knowing the real cost will be much higher.

This latest Metro cost overrun of a project is for  the new Expo Center buildings at the Nashville Fairgrounds. It was initially supposed to cost $25 million and that is the amount the Council approved. Now, the projected cost of the Expo Center project is estimated to be $37.6 million. Mayor David Briley is dipping into a contingency fund for $5 million more than what was appropriated by the Metro Council for the project.  While this is an expenditure for replacing some of the old buildings at the Fairgrounds, which need upgrading, this was part of the soccer stadium deal and most likely it would have been less costly to upgrade the fairground building if not for the soccer stadium. If I were a cynical person I would suspect that cost were manipulated to make the soccer stadium deal look less bad for the city.

For more details, follow this link.

 

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If you contract with a disabled, Black, lesbian owned firm, do you get to check four boxes?

If you are a procurement officer with Metro government and you contract with a small business that is owned by a disabled, Black, lesbian, do you get to check four boxes?

Nashville is the first city in the South to recognize LGBT-owned businesses in contracting.

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Gays to also get affirmative action in Metro contracting

Mayor  Briley Signs Historic Executive Order For LGBT-Owned Businesses, Affirms Inclusion As Recognized Category For Metro Procurement

Metro press release, 2-11-2019 - Mayor David Briley today signed an historic executive order for LGBT-owned businesses, affirming their inclusion as a recognized category for Metro Procurement. By signing the executive order, Mayor Briley makes Nashville the first city in the South to recognize LGBT-owned businesses.  

The signing is part of Mayor Briley’s mission to have Metro Government reflect the diversity of Nashville in its hiring practices, contracting and economic development opportunities, and through the delivery of equitable programs, services, and policies.
“It’s my job as Mayor to make sure that everyone in our city, regardless of who they are or where they come from, has equal access to economic opportunities,” said Mayor Briley. “Today, we’ve taken an important step towards better equity for LGBT-owned businesses in Nashville. I am proud to sign this executive order and look forward to seeing these Nashville businesses flourish.”

The executive order charges the Metro Purchasing Agent with the following:

1. Modifying the business registration documents related to procurement to allow for self-identification as an LGBT-owned business.
2. Developing a process to acknowledge LGBT certification and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) as the certifying entity, in collaboration with the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce as their local affiliate.
3. Monitor and track usage of LGBT-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and services for the Metropolitan Government.
4. To the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee law and the Metropolitan Code, provide LGBT-owned businesses with similar programs and services as those offered to Minority, Service Disabled, Small, and Women-owned businesses in Davidson County to ensure such businesses are familiar with how to do business with the Metropolitan Government and are informed about procurement opportunities.

The executive order will result in consistent provision of critical capacity-building services for all vendors as well as Metro’s better understanding of the firms with which it does and could do business. By tracking LGBT-owned and certified businesses – and the contracts they bid for – Metro will be able to better understand the availability of LGBT firms and assess if it is contracting with them equitably. This change also sets the foundation for LGBT firms to be included in future official disparity studies.

“We are thrilled that Mayor Briley signed this much-needed executive order today,” said Joe Woolley, CEO, Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “This has been at the top of our advocacy list for quite some time. Mayor Briley embraced the idea and even put in a $25,000 grant to the Chamber so we could grow LGBT-certified businesses that were ready to do business with Metro. We are proud to see Nashville become the first city in the South to recognize LGBT-certified businesses.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Briley and of our local affiliate chamber, the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce, LGBT entrepreneurs in the Nashville region will now have the opportunity to create jobs and develop innovations that benefit all who live there,” said NGLCC Senior Vice President Jonathan Lovitz. “We are excited to see LGBTBEs from all different fields help grow the economy of Nashville and beyond.” 

“This is a special day not just for my business and my employees but for me personally,” said Jack Davis, Founder of Good Neighbor Festivals. “My company prides itself on creating meaningful experiences, building communities, and bringing people together around shared interests. By signing this executive order, Mayor Briley has lifted Nashville up to a higher standard, deciding that in order for our city to truly succeed, we must build a more inclusive and loving community. Today marks a special moment in Nashville’s history, and one I won’t soon forget.” 

Today’s executive order is Mayor Briley’s latest step to spread economic opportunity and prosperity in Nashville to all people. The Mayor’s leadership in creating the Minority Business Advisory Council, the Equal Business Opportunity ordinance and Nashville GRAD are earlier testaments of his commitment to ensuring our city’s growth doesn’t leave anyone behind. 

Councilmembers Voice Support For Mayor Briley's Executive Order

Councilmember Nancy VanReece: When I moved to Nashville in 1986, I came as a small business owner and in my first decade here launched six additional successful startups. In 1998, I was one of the original members of what is now known as the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Gay-owned small businesses like mine were not counted in disparity studies or offered assistance from organizations like the NGLCC. That stops now. As the first out woman elected to a legislative body in the State of Tennessee, I couldn’t be more proud of Nashville today, and I thank Mayor Briley for his leadership.

Councilmember Tanaka Vercher: As a city government, we must always strive to make sure we are representing everyone in our community. The executive order Mayor Briley signed today will allow LGBT-owned businesses in our city to have a fairer shake when it comes to doing business with Metro. It’s an honor to be here today as we continue to make Nashville a more diverse and equitable place for all who live here.

Councilmember Brett Withers: LGBT entrepreneurs and business owners played a pivotal role in revitalizing the historic neighborhoods in District 6 and greater East Nashville. Many were also pioneers in establishing the nascent Five Points Business district that today sustains residents and attracts visitors from around the world. As one of two out LGBT Councilmembers, I introduced pro-business legislation that changed Metro’s Codes to expand access to unisex bathroom facilities in Davidson County. I am proud of our city’s history of promoting inclusivity and appreciate Mayor Briley’s bold action to recognize the importance of our LGBT business owners.

Rod's Comment: We know how programs like this really work.  Agencies of Metro will be judged on how "inclusive" and "diverse" they are in their contracting programs and agencies will have to do periodic reports showing what percentage of their contracts were awarded to the preferred minority class.  This system ends up discriminating against one who is not in the preferred class.  If you are a person responsible for awarding contracts, you do not want to be identified as one who is hiring minority contractors at a rate lower than their representation in the community, so if you have two equally qualified and competitive companies submitting bids and you are low on contracts awarded to women or Blacks, you will be tempted to award the contract to the minority-owned firm.  This encourages quotas and reverse discrimination.

I do not know how this would work in treating LGBTQ people as a preferred class.  Not all gay people fly the gay flag.  It might be that they are gay or bisexual but it is not something that dominates their identity.  There sexual preferences may be a strictly private affair that they keep to themselves.  One can't tell a person's sexual orientation by looking at them. If one, a long time ago, had a single homosexual encounter, can he claim bisexual status?  What if one never had a homosexual encounter but briefly thought about it? Just as Elizabeth Warren identified as American Indian to advance her career interest, it may be beneficial for contractors seeking Metro contracts to identify as bisexual.  That is not something anyone could ever disprove.

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Report from the Davidson County Republican Party Convention.

Davidson County Republican Party Executive Committee, left to right: Tim Herndon, Assistant Treasurer; 1st Vice-Chair Jim Garrett; 2nd Vice-Chair Chase Montgomery; Chairwomen Mellisa Smithson;  Erin Rogus, Communications Secretary; John Shorter, Treasurer; and Mark Woodward, Recording Secretary.

by Rod Williams - Over 100 Nashville Republicans came together to elect the next Davidson County county leadership team yesterday, Saturday Feb. 9th.  They are pictured above.  To all of those elected, "Congratulations," and thank you for your willingness to serve.

The event was held at 1230 West Trinity Lane, a spacious meeting venue which was previously a church. Attendees had to preregister and the party reviewed the application to ensure they were really Republicans.  When attendees arrived they had to show their identification and then were issue credentials.  Doors opened at 9:30 and the meeting started at 10:30.  I arrived about 9:50 and check-in was quick and easy so I had time to enjoy coffee and donuts and socialize.

The meeting featured several speeches including comments from the head of the Election Commission who explained the structure of the Commission and who made a plea for Republicans to work as poll workers.  We heard a passionate speech from Councilman Steve Glover urging Republicans to run for council and urging Republicans to support and help elect Republicans seeking those seats. Melissa Smithson spoke about the activities and successes of the Party in the last two years. Unfortunately I had to leave early shortly after the voting for Chair ended.  I had a sitter for my wife Louella, who is an invalid, and I had not anticipated the meeting would last as long as it did and my sitter could not work past 12:30.  I did not miss much however, but would have enjoyed some additional socializing after the meeting.

I had anticipated that yesterday was the caucus and next weekend was the convention.  That is the way it has worked in the past and I was unaware of  changes that had been made that now made the convention a one-shot deal.  The caucus is done away with. I approve of the changes. 

Under the old system, the county was divided into 35 separate groups corresponding to Council Districts. Each group was allotted a certain number of delegates based on a formula that gave more seats to those districts which voted more Republican.  The problem with this is that in some districts people who wanted to participate in the convention were not permitted to.  If a district was assigned ten seats and twelve people showed up to participate from that district, two could not. They could be alternates but could not vote at the convention.  More often than too many people attending for the number of allotted seats, some districts did not have enough people attend to fill the number of seats the district was allotted. Another problem with the old system is that many people cannot give two Saturdays in a row to the Party.  That was difficult for me due to my situations getting a caregiver for Louella.  This new system is much better and simpler. If so many people wanted to participate that it was unmanageable, then the district caucus system would make sense, but that has ever been a problem. 

While Davidson County is predominantly Democratic, it is not a lost cause. We do have a Republican State senator and several representative districts in Nashville are competitive. It is important to hold the elective seats we have and to compete for those that are winnable.  The Party also works on issues, such as saving the Fairground, opposing the Police Community Oversight Board, and opposing the transit referendum.  The party also provides lots of workers for phone banks in national and state elections and helps Republicans running in other counties. And, the party works to identify and help Republicans seeking election to the non-partisan Metro Council.  I wish the Party would find serious qualified candidates to run for some of he various court house offices and judgeships.  Unfortunately, in Davidson County, the Democratic primary determines the outcome of the election  of all courthouse offices and judicial seats.  I don't know what it would take to change that and maybe it can't be changed anytime soon.  Republicans are the minority in Nashville but we still need a strong party and need to keep fighting. To those willing to lead the Davidson County Republican Party, "Thank you."

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