Today's Tampa Tribune reported that the AFL-CIO has joined the National Rifle Association in supporting a proposed law to protect the gun rights of Florida workers. One of the leading opponents of gun rights in Florida is the state's Chamber of Commerce. Big business leaders feel that that employees should not have the right to keep and bear arms while traveling to and from work. http://tinyurl.com/2xuej3
By KEVIN BEGOS The Tampa Tribune
March 28, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - The issue was whether employees have the right to keep guns in their cars at work, and the National Rifle Association got help from an unexpected ally at a committee hearing Tuesday: the AFL-CIO labor union.
The business community strongly opposes the new NRA-supported legislation, but that's no surprise, said AFL-CIO spokesman Rich Templin, who said big businesswants sweeping new property rights.
"They're seeking to put the rights of dirt over the rights of people," Templin said. "They're seeking to say that the rights of Floridians stop at the boundaries of our property. People should not have to lose their rights simply to keep a job."
Templin said the labor group was motivated by situations in other states in which workers were fired for having union material in cars.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and other business groups said the bill attacks their right to regulate behavior on private property. The bill sponsor is Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, and an identical House bill is sponsored by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala.
Peaden said the right to bear arms is the core issue in the bill.
Chamber Executive Director Mark Wilson said the bill is the biggest assault on private property rights the Legislature has been asked to consider. He noted that for many years his group and the NRA were partners in fighting to limit government power.
"When the NRA sides with labor unions for bigger government, we have a problem," Wilson said.
Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River and Criminal Justice committee chairwoman, said businesses aren't the only ones with property rights.
"I think there's two property rights," Argenziano said, referring to the owner of a car and the owner of a parking lot. "I think it's a great bill."
The committee voted 7-1 to approve Peaden's bill, but with an amendment that requires the guns or other private material to be kept out of sight in the car.
The vote doesn't guarantee the bill will pass. Last year a similar bill passed initial committee stops, but it stalled later and was not brought to a full floor vote. http://www.tbo.com
A survey of union members would likely show strong support for the right to keep and bear arms among the rank and file. Let's hope that the AFL-CIO endorsement of the Florida gun rights bill is just the start of a long-term partnership between the NRA and labor.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Coalition Co-Chairs applaud key Blue Dog priorities in Democratic budget
WASHINGTON, DC – The Co-Chairs of the fiscally conservative, Democratic Blue Dog Coalition have commended House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt for including key Blue Dog budget priorities in the Democratic Budget Resolution.
The Blue Dog Co-Chairs applauded Chairman Spratt for including the following Blue Dog-advocated budget priorities:
Adherence to pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget discipline, a principle long advocated by the Blue Dogs as a solution for putting an end to deficit spending and reducing the nearly $9 trillion national debt;
A commitment to the extension of statutory PAYGO requirements, a tool that was instrumental in the return of budget surpluses during the 1990s;
A commitment to provide adequate funding for our government’s number one priority: the defense of our country and our citizens. This budget provides for a strong national defense, matching the funding request in the President’s budget and providing increases in homeland security funding levels;
Holding the line on mandatory spending levels, putting our country back on the path to fiscal responsibility; and,
Putting an end to irresponsible deficit spending, providing for a budget surplus by 2012 and greater deficit reduction than the President’s budget over 5 years.
“I applaud Chairman Spratt for his commitment to two principles we as Blue Dogs believe are essential if a government is to be accountable to its people – a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.
“Since PAYGO requirements expired in 2002, out of control deficit spending has resulted in trillions of dollars in new national debt. By returning to PAYGO budget discipline, this Budget Resolution takes the first step toward balancing the budget and returning our government to a fiscally responsible course.”
“With the inclusion of key Blue Dog priorities in the budget resolution, it is clear that the Blue Dogs are enhancing the Democratic agenda and making headway to restore fiscal honesty and responsibility to our budget,” said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. “As we work to reverse the tide of deficit spending that we have seen over the past six years, the Blue Dogs will continue to play a strong and central role in restoring our fiscal house and plotting a path for a brighter fiscal outlook in the future.”
“As a member of the Budget Committee and Policy Co-Chair for the Blue Dogs, I am proud that Congress is finally returning to the principle of fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS). “Americans are not afforded the luxury of living beyond their means and our government should stop doing so at the expense of future generations. Strong PAYGO rules that the Blue Dogs fought for years to restore will help us achieve the first balanced budget proposed by Congress in six years.”
Blue Dog Whip Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) said, “Budgets are statements of our nation’s values and priorities. Unfortunately, for far too long, leaders in the House have had the wrong priorities and have been unwilling to make the tough choices necessary to balance the federal budget. By adopting strong PAYGO rules and making a commitment to fiscal responsibility, this budget takes key initial steps toward restoring our nation’s financial health.”
* BUSINESS GROUP CALLS FOR FAST TRACK REJECTION
The U.S. Business & Industry Council (USBIC) is urging Congress to reject President Bush's request for a one-year renewal of fast-track trade negotiating authority.Rather than continue fast track, the USBIC is calling for a complete moratorium on new trade agreements until the trade deficit is brought under control and balance is restored to the world trading system.
According to the USBIC, when the U.S. begins considering new trade agreements again, they should be made as the Constitution requires, with full input from domestic interests through their elected representatives—not by the Executive branch with the guidance of multinational corporations.
USBIC President Kevin L. Kearns stated that passing fast track severely limits debate on new trade deals and denies Congress the right to amend them.
Says Kearns, "Renewing fast track would allow the President to stay on a policy course that has wracked up nearly $3.6 trillion in merchandise trade deficits, lost huge chunks of vital domestic manufacturing markets to imports, and hemorrhaged millions of high-wage manufacturing jobs to foreign competitors."
The Blue Dog Co-Chairs applauded Chairman Spratt for including the following Blue Dog-advocated budget priorities:
Adherence to pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget discipline, a principle long advocated by the Blue Dogs as a solution for putting an end to deficit spending and reducing the nearly $9 trillion national debt;
A commitment to the extension of statutory PAYGO requirements, a tool that was instrumental in the return of budget surpluses during the 1990s;
A commitment to provide adequate funding for our government’s number one priority: the defense of our country and our citizens. This budget provides for a strong national defense, matching the funding request in the President’s budget and providing increases in homeland security funding levels;
Holding the line on mandatory spending levels, putting our country back on the path to fiscal responsibility; and,
Putting an end to irresponsible deficit spending, providing for a budget surplus by 2012 and greater deficit reduction than the President’s budget over 5 years.
“I applaud Chairman Spratt for his commitment to two principles we as Blue Dogs believe are essential if a government is to be accountable to its people – a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.
“Since PAYGO requirements expired in 2002, out of control deficit spending has resulted in trillions of dollars in new national debt. By returning to PAYGO budget discipline, this Budget Resolution takes the first step toward balancing the budget and returning our government to a fiscally responsible course.”
“With the inclusion of key Blue Dog priorities in the budget resolution, it is clear that the Blue Dogs are enhancing the Democratic agenda and making headway to restore fiscal honesty and responsibility to our budget,” said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. “As we work to reverse the tide of deficit spending that we have seen over the past six years, the Blue Dogs will continue to play a strong and central role in restoring our fiscal house and plotting a path for a brighter fiscal outlook in the future.”
“As a member of the Budget Committee and Policy Co-Chair for the Blue Dogs, I am proud that Congress is finally returning to the principle of fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS). “Americans are not afforded the luxury of living beyond their means and our government should stop doing so at the expense of future generations. Strong PAYGO rules that the Blue Dogs fought for years to restore will help us achieve the first balanced budget proposed by Congress in six years.”
Blue Dog Whip Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) said, “Budgets are statements of our nation’s values and priorities. Unfortunately, for far too long, leaders in the House have had the wrong priorities and have been unwilling to make the tough choices necessary to balance the federal budget. By adopting strong PAYGO rules and making a commitment to fiscal responsibility, this budget takes key initial steps toward restoring our nation’s financial health.”
* BUSINESS GROUP CALLS FOR FAST TRACK REJECTION
The U.S. Business & Industry Council (USBIC) is urging Congress to reject President Bush's request for a one-year renewal of fast-track trade negotiating authority.Rather than continue fast track, the USBIC is calling for a complete moratorium on new trade agreements until the trade deficit is brought under control and balance is restored to the world trading system.
According to the USBIC, when the U.S. begins considering new trade agreements again, they should be made as the Constitution requires, with full input from domestic interests through their elected representatives—not by the Executive branch with the guidance of multinational corporations.
USBIC President Kevin L. Kearns stated that passing fast track severely limits debate on new trade deals and denies Congress the right to amend them.
Says Kearns, "Renewing fast track would allow the President to stay on a policy course that has wracked up nearly $3.6 trillion in merchandise trade deficits, lost huge chunks of vital domestic manufacturing markets to imports, and hemorrhaged millions of high-wage manufacturing jobs to foreign competitors."
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