Heart of Dixie and Yellowhammer state are the nicknames associated with Alabama. Alabama became a state on December 14, 1819 and was the 22nd state. Alabama comes from the alibamu Indians a Indian tribe from the Creek Confederacy. The size of Alabama is 51,705 sq. miles. The State Motto is "We dare defend our rights". Alabama's elected Republican officials, are Governor Fob James, Senator Richard C. Shelby, Senator Jeff Sessions, Representative Sonny Callahan, Representative Terry Everett, Representative Bob Riley and Representative Robert B. Aderholt.

The population of Alabama is 4,141,341. Alabama has a temperate climate, it contains the right amount of moisture which enables the state to have long growing seasons. The three main crops are soy beans, cotton and peanuts.

The agricultural industry in Alabama contributes more than $ 523 billion annually to the state's economy. Alabama ranks second nationally in broiler production, fourth in the production of peanuts, fourth in pecan production, eighth in cotton.

One of the primary industries that Alabama depends on is agriculture. Republican Senator Richard Shelby believes in helping farmers of America. Senator Shelby's Bill, "Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report" has been passed in the House and waits for the President's signature. The Bill gives support in many facets to farmers in areas where assistance is needed. The bill gives $ 500,000 to the Parasite Laboratory at Auburn University to prevent infectious diseases in catfish. In Alabama, catfish is a 200 million dollar industry. Such diseases claim as much as 50 percent of each year's catfish crop. Senator Shelby was also successful including 500,000 dollars in funding for food safety and detection systems research to be conducted at Auburn University.

Republican Senator Shelby believes "The most important issues Congress will be dealing with is education". Shelby stresses certain points that will improve the educational system in Alabama. He believes in giving more power to the local communities in deciding their policies. The parents and teachers have to play a more important role in improving the educational system. Senator Shelby voted for the "A+ Education Savings Account Bill" which will allow parents to contribute money to a child's savings account and accumulate interest tax free. This money can be used for a child's educational expenses. He also proposes federal block grants that will be given to the states. Each state could allocate their federal funds to each school district. Each district could spend the money as it chooses, if one district is in need of better qualified teachers, then they could use the funding in that manner. He believes Federal Funding through Block grants will reduce the involvement of Bureaucrats. Reducing the involvement of bureaucrats will help the school system move faster and run smoother which in the long run will better the school system.

Republican representative Robert B. Aderholt agrees with senator Shelby that education is one of congresses top priorities. He is a co-supporter of the "Education Flexibility Partnership act of 1999" which is similar to Shelby's proposal of block grants. They are similar because both proposals take power away from the federal government and put it into the hands of the state and local government. This act will give the state and local schools more flexibility in implementing programs for students. If a state or local school thinks that a federal program is not helping the children, they will be able to use government dollars in other ways.

Republicans are known naturally for the following characteristics, their conservatism, favoring a smaller Federal Government, greater control at the local and state levels and the Environment. Senator Shelby stands strong on these issues. Especially on issues that deal with the Environment since Alabama is an agricultural state. Shelby is in support of the "Omnibus Appropriations Bill" which will increase funding for research into improving our food supply, particularly for crops and species grown in Alabama.

Throughout Senator Shelby's tenure, he has worked to protect the interest of small businesses. He has tried to minimize Federal regulation of how companies can operate. He believes the cost of regulations to small Business is so high, that any potential benefit is negated. He has supported "The Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis Act". This piece of legislation would enable a group in the Legislative Branch to be in charge of analyzing the potential impacts of federal rules and regulations.

Congressman Robert B. Aderholt strongly believes in reducing the federal government's role. He supports the "Tax Limitation Amendment" that would require a two thirds vote in each house of Congress before taxes can be raised. His reason is that the typical family pays 38 percent of their income in taxes more than a family pays for food, clothing and shelter combined. He believes cutting taxes would not harm the economy, but stimulate growth. If people are allowed to keep more of their income, they will have more money to put back into the economy.

Robert B. Alderholt speaks forth on gun control. He has signed congressman Bob Barr's "Firearms Heritage Protection Act of 1999" and is a co-sponsor of this legislation. This act is counter to senator Barbara Boxer of California's legislation which will guarantee cities the right to sue gun manufactures responsible for the gun owner's use of a firearm. Representative Aderholt states "People need to take responsibility for their actions, and stop looking for the judicial system to seek justice when no violation has been committed". On National Defense, Senator Shelby supports President Clinton and NATO in their decision to use aerial attacks in Kosovo. The senator is very involved in the efforts in Kosovo. He and other republicans have visited Kosovo and have spoken to troops in the field and visited the refugee camps in Albania.

Social Security is a touchy topic among political officials. Each Party wants to save Social Security, and both Parties have different strategies for accomplishing this task. Congressman Aderholt believes that the U.S. budget surplus can be used to shore up Social Security. The Congressman supports the "Save Social Security Act"; he believes this act will halt the irresponsible spending for Social Security by the federal government . He believes there has been misinformation about Social Security. Today's senior citizens are not in danger of losing their benefits. The Office Management and Budget concludes that social security is safe until the year 2029.

Republican Secretary of state Jim Bennett asked for Alabama's State Legislature to adopt the Georgia Voter ID law on September 30, 1999. The Voter ID law requires voters to present one of the 14 approved forms of identification at the polling place. The Georgia voter ID law prescribes 14 acceptable forms of ID, for example drivers license, passport etc... If a voter does not have ID with them they may still vote by signing a paper saying he or she is that actual person. Alabama Republican Party Executive Director Chris Neely said the democratic party is more interested in promoting gambling than in the promotion of honest elections.
 
 

I. COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

98-I-A. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the free enterprise system that has made this country great, and supports the collective bargaining process and merit principles, and in the interest of assuring equal opportunity for all, supports right-to-work legislation. We also recognize the positive contribution of organized labor and we welcome and solicit the participation of union workers in the Republican Party of Alaska.

98-I-B. The Republican Party of Alaska supports simple, fair and equitable tax systems.

98-I-C. The Republican Party of Alaska recognizes that international trade is important to Alaska’s economy. We therefore support increased trade between Alaska and foreign countries. Furthermore, we support efforts to eliminate restrictions which exclude U.S. products from foreign markets, but we oppose any treaty that interferes with the sovereignty of our nation.

98-I-D. The Republican Party of Alaska recognizes that wetland protection is for the public benefit and therefore wetland owners shall be compensated at the fair market value of the land with compensation to be automatically triggered by denial of a Section 404 permit.

98-I-E. The Republican Party of Alaska believes that private ownership of land is essential in a free country and supports the systematic transfer of more lands from State and Federal ownership to private ownership.

98-I-F. The Republican Part of Alaska encourages opening of homesteading on federal and state lands within Alaska.

II. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

98-II-A. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes abortion and euthanasia, recognizing that all human life is of the highest value. The Republican Party of Alaska holds that Life begins at conception and must be protected from conception until natural death. The Republican Party of Alaska endorses the protection of the rights of the unborn child.

94-II-B. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the constitutionally guaranteed rights of individual law abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. Furthermore, we oppose all federal, state, and local laws that infringe upon this right.

98-II-C. The Republican Party of Alaska reaffirms its belief that the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights, mean exactly what they say, and to the idea that the Constitution defines certain rights and duties of Government, and that those rights not expressly granted to the Government by the Constitution of the United States are hereby and forever reserved to the States and to the People.

98-II-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports legislation or, if necessary, a constitutional amendment barring the federal government from requiring states or their citizens to waive any right guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution or their state constitution as a prerequisite or requirement to receive any federal assistance of any kind, or participation in any federal program. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes all federal mandates and action including executive orders that are beyond the scope of the powers delegated to the federal government by the constitution.

98-II-E. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the rights of all citizens to assemble and peaceably protest against persons and issues with which they disagree.

98-II-F. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the position that the 10th. Amendment of the United States Constitution, among other things, gives the State of Alaska sovereignty over all resources within its boundaries.
 
 
 
 

III. JUSTICE

98-III-A. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the swift implementation of capital punishment for heinous crimes.

98-III-B. The Republican Party of Alaska strongly supports a national war on drugs to eliminate the supply and demand for illegal drugs.

98-III-C. The Republican Party of Alaska supports strong enforceable state laws prohibiting the sale, possession, use, or transfer of all illegal substances, and mandatory minimum prison sentences for offenders, with stiffer penalties for those providing any illegal substance to minors.

98-III-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports requiring criminals, regardless of age, to make restitution to their victims as well as to the government for the costs incurred in their capture, conviction and incarceration.

98-III-E. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the enforcement of stronger statutory minimum felony penalties and public registration for persons convicted of felony sex offenses and child molestation.

98-III-F. The Republican Party of Alaska supports state and local legislation to discourage the production, sale and distribution of pornography.

98-III-G. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the implementation of strong mandatory minimum prison sentences for all persons, including minors, committing crimes with deadly weapon(s).

98-III-H. The Republican Party of Alaska supports enactment and enforcement of truancy and curfew laws for minors.

98-III-I. The Republican Party of Alaska supports punitive action for individuals who desecrate the American flag, for which so many died.
 
 

IV. EDUCATION

98-IV-A. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the regular use of the Pledge of Allegiance, the proper display of the American Flag and the State Flag, and active promotion of patriotism in our public schools through curriculum, activities, and emphasis.

98-IV-B. The Republican Party of Alaska believes that the accurate historical foundation of our country must be taught in our schools and that Creation Science be given equal representation with the other scientific theories in the classroom, and if evolution is taught, it should be presented as a theory.

98-IV-C. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the rights of religious equity in our schools and supports the reinstatement of voluntary prayer in public schools.

98-IV-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports maximizing local control of public education and opposes the implementation of Goals 2000, Alaska 2000, "Outcome Based Education" programs, and philosophies. The Republican Party of Alaska also opposes the intrusion of the federal government into the state schools and the creation of any National School Board.

98-IV-E. The Republican Party of Alaska support educational standards that are academic and develop cognitive skills which are measured by nationally normed tests, but oppose any Federal national testing program.

98-IV-F. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the choice and availability of public, private, charter, and home-based educational alternatives to all the children of this state. The Republican Party of Alaska also supports the maximization of parental choice in the education of their children through the use of tuition tax credits, vouchers or any other forms of compensation.

98-IV-G. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the right of parents to require active written consent before their children participate in sex education/HIV-AIDS curriculum and that such curriculum be truly abstinence-based.

V. FAMILY

98-V-A. The Republican Party of Alaska defines a family unit as people living together, who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption and does not include homosexual relationships or non-marital co-habitation.

98-V-B. The Republican Party of Alaska believes that marriage is an essential element in the foundation of a healthy society and that government has a duty to protect that foundation. We oppose the legalization of same-sex "marriage" and support the continued special sanction of civil marriage for one man and one woman as husband and wife.

98-V-C. The Republican Party of Alaska recognizes that parents have the ultimate responsibility for their children, including the right and duty to appropriately discipline, which may include spanking, and the right to require active, informed prior consent for all medical care, medical procedures, psychological testing, counseling, strip searching, and issuing birth control devices.

98-V-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports legislation which would make fornication, adultery, bestiality and homosexual acts illegal in the State of Alaska.

98-V-E. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the "Rights of the Child", and all policies depriving parents of their rights and responsibilities.

VI. FEDERAL AND STATE BUDGETS AND EXPENDITURES

98-VI-A. The Republican Party of Alaska supports a balanced budget amendment that does not raise taxes and the establishment of a constitutional line-item veto for the President of the USA.

98-VI-B. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes unfunded Federal and State mandates.

98-VI-C. The Republican Party of Alaska supports limiting state spending to a level of strict necessity. State government should provide only those public services that cannot be supplied by local government and the private sector.

98-VI-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports passage of an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska which would require an affirmative vote of the people prior to the imposition of any new state-wide income or sales tax.

98-VI-E. The Republican Party of Alaska supports a simplified tax system with no marriage penalty, and which reduces taxes for all Americans and reduces the intrusive power of the Internal Revenue Service.

98-VI-F. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes the use of public funds for abortion.

VII. HEALTH

98-VII-A. The Republican Party of Alaska recognizes that HIV-AIDS is a deadly communicable disease and should be treated as such. Furthermore, people with HIV-AIDS should not be afforded the legal advantages of minority or other special status based solely on their having the disease.

98-VII-B. The Republican Party of Alaska defines euthanasia as an action or omission which by itself and by intention causes death. Because these actions or omissions violate the sanctity of human life, we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.

98-VII-C. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes all fetal tissue research, taxpayer funding of abortions and abortifacients.

98-VII-D. The Republican Party of Alaska recognizes that willingly and knowingly transmitting HIV to be life-threatening and therefore believe it should be a felony.

98-VII-E. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes all cloning of human beings, and research pertaining to the cloning of human beings.

98-VII-F. The Republican Party of Alaska supports standardization of residency requirements for the receipt of all state welfare benefits.

VIII. NATIONAL DEFENSE - ARMED FORCES

98-VIII-A. The Republican Party of Alaska supports a strong, cost-effective defense which is second to none to protect our national interests, to fully deploy National missile defense, protect all states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and to amend and/or replace the ABM Treaty in full defense of Alaska.

98-VIII-B. The Republican Party of Alaska believes that the United States should never surrender its sovereignty over its armed forces to any foreign government or international organization. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the command of U.S. troops to the exclusive command of the United States.

98-VIII-C. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes mandatory service of women in combat.

98-VIII-D. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes allowing homosexuals to serve in the Armed Forces.

98-VIII-E. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes giving the United Nations control or oversight of US lands, i.e., National Parks, Scenic Rivers, or other US properties or possessions.

IX. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

98-IX-A. The Republican Party of Alaska believes in the Judeo-Christian ideal upon which this country was founded, and opposes the government making rules or regulations which restrict the expression of religious freedom at any publicly funded installation, at any time.

98-IX-B. The Republican Party of Alaska does not believe that lawmakers at any level of government may exempt themselves from laws or mandates.

98-IX-C. The Republican Party of Alaska believes that Alaskans deserve a state government that is open and fair to all and supports requiring all public officials to conduct themselves in a highly ethical and moral manner in both their public and personal affairs.

98-IX-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports English as the official language of the United States and Alaska.

98-IX-E. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes a federal takeover of health care in the USA and supports a free-market, consumer driven approach to medicine.

98-IX-F. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the election of the Attorney General by state-wide election and the election of the District Attorney and all State judges by their judicial districts. The Republican Party of Alaska also supports a process which will periodically review the performance of all judges to determine if they should continue in office.

98-IX-G. The Republican Party of Alaska opposes all forms of petitioning activities at polling places during voting hours.

X. WELFARE

98-X-A. The Republican Party of Alaska believes that individuals should be encouraged to provide for themselves and not be dependent upon government welfare programs.

98-X-B. The Republican Party of Alaska supports welfare reform by requiring education and/or job training experience and instituting a time limitation and residency requirements for receipt of benefits.

98-X-C. The Republican Party of Alaska supports denial of all welfare and other government benefits to illegal immigrants.

98-X-D. The Republican Party of Alaska does not believe that citizenship should be automatically awarded to those born to parents who are illegally in the United States.

XI. NATURAL RESOURCES, FISH & GAME & ACCESS

98-XI-A. The Republican Party of Alaska supports access to and reasonable incentives for the development of Alaska’s renewable and nonrenewable resources.

98-XI-B. The Republican Party of Alaska supports economically and environmentally sound development of agriculture, mining, oil and gas, forestry, manufacturing, recreation, fisheries, and tourism or other industries in Alaska.

98-XI-C. The Republican Party of Alaska adamantly opposes the interception of any species of salmon on the high seas.

98-XI-D. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the State of Alaska’s efforts, including legal challenges, to assert its rights to manage all natural resources within the state.

98-XI-E. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the continued leasing of the entire National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska.

98-XI-F. The Republican Party of Alaska supports significant improvement of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure to encourage better access to more areas of the state and its wise development.

98-XI-G. The Republican Party of Alaska supports state control of fish and game management on both state and federal lands and waters, and opposes federal mandates on state management.

98-XI-H. The Republican Party of Alaska SUPPORTS securing accessibility to commercial fisheries by Alaskans, by opposing the establishment of new transferable fishing quotas as a fisheries management tool.

98-XI-I. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the sustained yield principle being applied to all 5 species of salmon to ensure adequate escapement of all stock components. In absence of specific scientific data, conservative management principals should be applied.

98-XI-J. The Republican Party of Alaska recognizes the fundamental importance of the equal protection provisions of our Alaska State and U.S. Constitutions, and adamantly opposes any Alaska Constitutional Amendment which restricts users access to common property Fish and Game Resources to the detriment of Alaska Constitutional equality provisions.

98-XI-K. The Republican Party of Alaska seeks to expand Alaskan territorial water fisheries in order to provide for economic opportunities for Alaskans.

98-XI-L. The Republican Party of Alaska supports the rights of all Alaskans to hunt and fish. The rural preferential allocation of fish and game for subsistence only serves to divide Alaskans. The Republican Party of Alaska supports Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Alaska which states "the fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved to the people for common use."

The Republican Party of Alaska supports individual, class action, and state funded lawsuits to prohibit the federal government’s attempt to take over fish and wildlife management under ANILCA or ANSCA. A federal take-over of fish and game violates Articles 10 and 14 of the United States Constitution, and Articles I, Section 1 and Article VIII, Sections 3, 4, and 6 of the Constitution of Alaska, and the Public Trust Doctrine.

The Republican Party of Alaska does not support a constitutional amendment being placed on the ballot by the legislature to amend the Constitution of Alaska in order to provide for a rural subsistence preference.
 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Arizona entered its 113,642-sq. mi. area into the United States of America on February 14, 1912 as the 48^th State in the Union. Its present constitution was adopted in 1911. The 1998 resident population estimate of Arizona was 4,668,631. Its capital, Phoenix, has a population of 1,198,064 making it the states largest city as well. The 1990 resident census broke down the population as Male: 1,810,691; Female: 1,854,537; White: 2,963,186 (80.8%); Black: 110,524 (3.0%); American Indian: 203,527 (5.6%); Asian: 55,206 (1.5%); Other race: 332,785 (9.1%); Hispanic: 688,338 (18.8%). 1990 percent of population under 18: 26.8; 65 and over: 13.1; Median age: 32.0.

Arizona’s most important industry has become manufacturing. Electrical items, as well as communications, and aeronautical items are among the states principal products. Arizona also produces over half the country’s copper. Agriculture too plays an important role in the state economy.

Governor Jane Dee Hull, as well as Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, are of the Republican Party which also enjoys House Majority in the state legislature. Naturally the Republican Party of Arizona is one with great power and influence in the state.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARIZONA

The Republican Part of Arizona does not have its own specific platform. They adhere to the National GOP Party Platform. However, they naturally focus more on certain aspects rather than others. There are three sub-platforms within the National Party Platform that the Arizona Republicans focus on. The first is:

I. Building a Better America.

In this section of the GOP Platform six major issues are defined. They are improving the standard of living, tax relief for economic growth, balancing the budget and reducing spending, creating jobs for Americans, homeownership, and promoting trade and international prosperity.

The national GOP wants to do improve the standard of living through cutting the tax burden on Americans and reducing government spending. One of the four main goals of the Arizona 1999 House Majority Program of the 44^th Legislature – First Regular Session of the State of Arizona – is Fiscal Accountability and Tax Cuts. For the past seven years the Republican government in Arizona has cut the taxes of its citizens. Their goal is to allow families to spend more of their money how they see fit. They have stated that they are committed to continuing this trend. They examine state general fund spending through Program Authorization Review (PAR) and support the privatization of selected government services. To develop the economy, the majority has enacted programs on a statewide basis, as well as targeting projects where needed. The majority is working towards keeping the military bases in Arizona open due to the large role they play in the economy.
 
 

II. A CLEANER, SAFER, HEALTHIER AMERICA.

In this section of the GOP Platform four goals are defined. They are securing property rights, improving public lands, power for progress and agriculture in the 21^st century.

The majority has taken measures to improve the environment of Arizona. The have stated that they recognize that this is a continual issue and that they will support programs that clean their air and water and enhance their environment.

III. FAMILIES AND SOCIETY.

In this section of the GOP Platform, five goals are defined. They are stronger families, improving education, improving America’s healthcare, and renewing hope and opportunity, and older Americans.

The House Majority has said that families are the backbone of Arizona and as such the Majority will asses all legislative and governmental actions based on whether they strengthen or erode the family. Republican Governor Jane Dee Hull has created the Governor’s Office of Community and Family Programs. This serves as an umbrella organization for the Divisions for Children, Women, Domestic Violence Prevention, and Drug Policy.

The House Majority supports academic accountability measures, parental involvement, and the balanced use of teaching techniques in the schools to ensure that children reach basic reading levels by the third grade. Funding education is a top priority for the Majority, but they feel there must be accountability for the spending of these funds.

The Majority will focus on the behavioral health system problems in Arizona and are in support of funding for behavioral health needs. They support the cautious use of tobacco settlement money to examine the health care needs of Arizona.

The Republican Party of Arizona sticks with the National Party and focuses on the issues they see as most important to their state.
 
 

The State of Arkansas, known as The Land of Opportunity, is situated geographically in the west south central United States. The state consists of two mountainous regions and lowland plain. The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock, which is also the largest city in the state. Arkansas is the nation’s leading producer of rice and broiler chickens and the soybean is the most important cash crop. Tourism is another major source of revenue for the state.

Arkansas contains a population of 2,522,819 residents (1997 estimate). Whites make up approximately 83% of the population and blacks make up approximately 16%. Of residents over 25 years old, 66% have a high school diploma, which ranks Arkansas fourth lowest nationally. The most common religious denominations are Roman Catholic, Baptist and Methodist.

In 1803 the territory of Arkansas was bought by the U.S. government as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Arkansas became the 25^th State in 1836. The present State Constitution was adopted in 1874. The chief executive of the state is the Governor, who is elected to a four-year term. The legislature is known as the General Assembly and consists of a 35 member Senate and a 100 member House of Representatives. Arkansas is represented in the Electoral College with 6 votes. Bill Clinton, the current President of the United States, is a resident of Arkansas, where he served as governor from 1979-1981 and again from 1983-1993. *Information for this section was taken from the Microsoft Network Encarta Online Encyclopedia.

The Republican Party of Arkansas includes members currently in office in national, state and local office. U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson is joined in Washington by Representatives Jay Dickey and Asa Hutchinson. In the state government, both the Governor, Mike Huckabee and Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller are members of the Republican Party. In the General Assembly, 7 of 35 state senators are Republican, as well as 14 of 100 state representatives.

The Republican Party of Arkansas provides a detailed platform which is based on the following six principles (as published in the Preamble to the Party platform):

The United States of America was founded and has prospered with a strong faith in God. We believe that all people are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights and that we are one nation under God. The government must support freedom of religion.

1. Individuals are capable of managing their own affairs and should be free to do so without undue governmental intervention. The individual and the traditional family are the foundations upon which our society and culture stand. They should be encouraged, supported and protected
2. Governments must only pursue policies which encourage individual initiative and responsibility for economic, political and social well-being.
3. The basic functions of government are protection of life, liberty and property, and equal justice under the law.
4. The functions of government should be executed at the most local level possible.
5. Our freedom as Americans is inseparable from our responsibility to serve our community, state and nation; to participate in our political process, and work for the preservation of our freedom. (http://www.arkgop.com/nav.html)

In a related economic area, the Republican Party Platform also contains some recommendations regarding labor and business. The platform contends that the right to collective bargaining should be coupled with restraints on unions and strikers. The party is in favor of reducing the regulations on business and calls for strict enforcement of immigration laws.

Agriculture is an important source of income to the state of Arkansas, and the Republican platform contains several recommendations regarding agricultural policies. First among the goals is the desire to improve the domestic and international markets for products from Arkansas. Secondly, the party desires to protect soil and water resources, maintain forests and grazing lands and protect wildlife. Included in each of these goals is the acknowledgement and respect for private property owners. And the final recommendation for agricultural policy is a call for the repeal of Estate and capital gains taxes.

In addition to economic issues, the Republican Party of Arkansas also holds views on a host of social issues. The first issue treated in the platform is that of education. Arkansas Republicans believe that the main responsibility for education lies with the parents. The party supports school choice including home schooling and tuition vouchers to attend private school. The party also believes that state schools should spend less on administration and more on teachers and students. The platform calls for tougher disciplinary measures, a core curriculum for high school students and testing and evaluation at every level of education. The Republican Party of Arkansas also firmly supports prayer in public school.

In the area of human and civil rights, the Arkansas Republicans have views on a number of issues. First of all, the party states, " Bigotry has no place in our state. We denounce those persons, organizations, publications and movements which practice or promote racism, anti-Semitism or religious intolerance"(http://www.arkgop.com/nav.html The platform is opposed to any type of quota system enforced by the government (affirmative action). It is also against welfare programs, which it calls dependency programs, but it does want to make sure that the physically disabled have equal opportunities. And finally, the party is opposed to any form of control or restriction on the right to bear arms.

In the realm of criminal justice, the Republican Party calls for several measures which deal directly with the state of Arkansas such as the election of judges and sheriffs. In addition to those measures, the party calls for increased construction of prisons, reform and elimination of the parole system, increased funding for the Office of National Drug Control Policy and coordinated drug interdiction efforts among local, state, and federal agencies. The platform states that "Under no circumstances should the legalization of drugs occur" (http://www.arkgop.com/nav.html).

The Arkansas Republican platform also contains specific policy suggestions for healthcare including a call to the federal government to extend the life of Medicare and provide funding for the next 10 years. The platform also supports Medical Savings Accounts (similar to IRA accounts) and recommends that the distribution of Medicaid funds be left to the discretion of each state government. In addition to these policies, the party generally supports the Republican National Convention’s call to make "healthcare and health insurance more accessible and more affordable" (http://www.arkgop.com/nav.html).

The Republican Party of Arkansas promotes several policies that relate to the fiscal policies of the federal government. It supports a balanced budget and spending limit amendment to the Constitution. It supports the line-item veto for the President. And it also wants tax cuts linked to spending reductions. The platform is opposed to unfunded federal and state mandates. It calls for a reduction in the capital gains tax and for tax codes that promote marriage and the family.

Although this report is only an overview of the Arkansas Republican platform, it shows how the policies of the party support and defend the six principles established in the preamble to the platform. Many of the measures can be directly linked to one or more of the articulated values. For instance, the defense of prayer in school follows from the party belief in a strong faith in God. The position that states should control Medicaid stems from the principle that government should be executed at the most local level. And the support for the complete right to bear arms comes from the viewpoint that individuals are capable of managing their own affairs and should be both free and responsible. The information for this report was derived from the Republican Party of Arkansas Platform as it appears on the internet at the following address: http://www.arkgop.com/nav.html.
 
 

California enjoys a large and diverse culture totaling over 34 million people. This large number makes us the strongest state in the electoral college. California’s influence in the political arena is obviously very significant, and we are happy that the shift in control of this country to the Republican party, has also extended to our state. Republicans claim most of the offices in the state; Attorney General, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Insurance Commissioner. Additionally, the Republicans hold the majority of the California Assembly for the firs time in 21 years.

Party Platform:

Foreign Policy: We Support: maintaining spending as the highest budgetary priority of the United States, military intervention when 1.) the national interests of the US are directly at stake, 2.) the goal of the military solution is clear, and 3.) the military intervention includes a clear exit strategy once the goal is accomplished. We also support policies designed to bring down Communist governments such as Cuba and Vietnam. We do not support US conflict in Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia, which are problems not susceptible to foreign military intervention.

Equal Rights and Opportunity: We support equal opportunity for all. We oppose the imposition by government of race or religious-based quotas, and any special privileges, rights or accommodations based upon sexual orientation. Furthermore, we support merit, not some immaterial genetic attribute of religious belief, as the foundation of any employment or advancement decision. We also support the abolition of the state and National Davis Bacon Act. We do not agree with wage price fixing (at artificially high levels) for all public works involving state funds.

Trade: We support fair and open trade with foreign nations, and the creation of free trade zones within the state to create jobs and opportunity through import and export activity.

Health Care: We want to create a private sector, community-based networks to provide local delivery of health care services that will benefit the public by competing for the consumer dollar. Also, we support the reform of small business group insurance creating health insurance networks that would allow small firms to buy low cost, high quality insurance. We also encourage people to enroll in prepaid group plans and help the self-employed by allowing them to deduct 100% of their health insurance premium costs, or receive the health care tax credit, whichever is greater.

Firearms: We believe everyone has the constitutional right to own firearms and possess ammunition for hunting and safe recreational use and for personal protection. We support the repeal of the Roberti-Roos Act. We support mandatory and enhanced sentencing for those using firearm in the commission of a crime. We also support the implementation of an instant background check system at the point of purchase similar to the one used in the state of Virginia.

Taxation: We support a flat-rate personal income tax at a low level; shorter and more equitable depreciation schedule; and legislation, to remain in effect for the next decade, that will systematically reduce California’s total tax burden as a share of state personal income.

Abortion: We support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, which would restore to the states the right to determine the issue of abortion. We support the law passed by the California legislature requiring minors to receive parental consent before having an abortion, and legislation that would prevent the discriminatory practice of abortion for sex selection. We support providing women who are considering abortion adequate information about risks and alternatives so that, as with other medical procedures, they can give true and informed consent.

Welfare Reform: We support policies that encourage the development and maintenance of the family unit; and removing the incentives contained in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program that encourage recipients to bear more children; and legislation to require minors who have children to live with their fit parents or a legal guardian. We also support Work-Fare for able-bodied welfare recipients who do not have young children, to provide fairness to workers and taxpayers while freeing thousands of recipients from dependency on the welfare state.

Death Penalty: We support the judicial enforcement of California’s death penalty law.
 
 

Colorado, at the front of the Rocky Mountains and at the front edge often of cultural change can claim to be the typical American state, but in many ways it is not. Colorado is far away from just about any other population center. Colorado is an island of nearly four million people that is surrounded by the sea of the great plains of the Rockies. With vistas of vast emptiness it is mostly an urban state. Where more than half its people live in metropolitan Denver and four-fifths in the urban strip paralleling the front range, where the Rockies rise from the mile-high plateau. Colorado as a society has been subjected to lots of unsettling changes. Colorado seems to be in the process of a transition as we head into the next century. Colorado started off with a boom, brought on by the discovery of gold and silver in the in the canyons of the Rockies. Evidence of this mining boom can be seen still in the opera houses and the storefronts of Cripple Creek, built when Denver was just a village on the creek that is the South Platte River. Then Denver grew, as a meat-packing, banking and also became a manufacturing center, and the state capital it became the region headquarters of the federal government That was when growth become evident by the orderly neighborhoods and the lush trees and pleasant parks of older Denver neighborhoods.

Then came the booms of the 1960s and the high energy-priced 1970s, when the Denver skyline sprouted new buildings overlooking the Capital's golden dome. Sports entrepreneurs built even more ski resorts and year round mountain condominiums.

Young people looking for a beautiful environment settled where the front range of the Rockies rear up over the High Plains, for them Colorado was to them a geography of hope. A newcomer named Dick Lamm who was a liberal, and a democrat would go on to become governor, he went on to become elected three times. The 1970s would prove to be a great time for liberals, who included Lamm, Gary Hart, Patricia Schroder, Tim Wirth, all of them were democrats, and none of them natives of Colorado, set the tone for Colorado civic life and political struggles for most of two decades. They took prosperity for granted, opposed the war in Vietnam and looked with condescension at American power abroad. They wanted to preserve the environment and set limits on development. Their first success came in 1972, when they persuaded voters to reject the 1976 Winter Olympics, in quick succession Schroeder and Wirth were elected to Congress. Lamm was elected Governor and Hart Senator, and Democrats won the legislature. Republicans surged back to take the legislature in 1976;they held it since, to retain an open Senate seat in 1978, as Colorado took advantage of the energy boom of 1974-82.

It was a time of business of business success and excess, Denver was the base of several billionaires and also the infamous Silverado Saving and Loan; the environment was cleaned up in many ways, but Denver tends to have bad air quality, known as brown clouds. The government’s plutonium plant at Rocky Flats north of Denver was shut down in 1989 for safety violations. The original Denver liberals gave way to other Democrats who worked in cooperation with the private sector.

Roy Romer, was elected in 1986 governor, and reelected to serve until 1998.Former Denver Mayor Federico Pena now secretary of energy, who promoted a new convention center, Coors Field baseball stadium, and the giant Denver International Airport 25 miles from downtown. Airports can serve as a metaphor for Colorado's course in the 1990. Up through the 1980s the state's prime airport was Stapleton, a typical product of the combination of business leaders and government operators who ran Denver until the Denver liberals came along. The leaders in business proclaimed Stapleton could not handle future traffic and persuaded voters in 1990 to build DIA at a predicted cost of $1.7billion. DIA was considered a government dinosaur built by the Denver liberals.

The Colorado Springs Airport was expanded quietly and without fanfare. This was done by the fathers of the city that has become a symbol and spokesman for conservative trends that is increasingly important in the Colorado of the 1990s. As home of the Air Force Academy and Fort Carson, Colorado Springs has always been much more conservative than its much larger neighbor has. It is where Dr. James Dobson in 1994 built the headquarters of his focus on the family, an organization often affiliated with Christian conservative values, which runs radio programs and sends millions of publications, mostly advice to parents and young people .

The conservative ideas so popular in Colorado Springs are quietly making headway, Colorado grew robustly up 14% from 1990-1995. Most of the newcomers seem to be high- tech family oriented cultural conservatives: Republican registration rose 156,000 between the two elections of 1992 and 96. Colorado was one of the three states that Bill Clinton carried in 92, but lost in 96. Many Republicans consider Colorado a mainstream Republican state.

Colorado’s capital is Denver, the state is 104,000 square miles, with an estimated population of 3,822,676 people. The largest city is Denver, personal income per capita is $25,084 dollars. The population is mostly white, 2905,474, followed by people of Hispanic origin that amounts to 424,302, and a black population of 133,146, and all people of Asian descent make up 180,000. The Governor is Bill Owens who is the head of the State Republican Party, his party principles stress the independence of the frontier spirit, personal and fiscal responsibility, enterprise and entrepeneurship, a clean and healthy environment, and a compassion for the less fortunate of Colorado. These are the policies of the State republican Party as spelled out by the head of the state party Gov. Owens.

[Education] On education he is strongly in favor of granting waivers for charter schools, and holding schools personally responsible for the teachers and the schools performance. This would be based on a comprehensive school report card measured on student achievement tests, per pupil funding, teacher qualifications, and the drop out rate.

[Transportation] His platform on transportation is known as the 7^th Pot. He wants to focus on 28 strategic transportation projects around the state that would by estimation by the Transportation Department would take 25 years to complete. The way that he wants to finance these projects is through a portion of up front private money equal to the bulk of federal highway dollars. This program is called Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles- or GARVEEs for short. His second transportation priority is to expand passenger airline and air shuttle service.

[Conservation] His third priority is to harness the power of advanced information technology in Colorado’s highway system, to reduce air pollution. His party state platform on growth is to preserve open spaces and to protect the environment. He also states that his party is pro family, he says that he will measure each bill against a simple standard - a Family Impact Statement, and if a bill comes to him that he thinks harms the family, that he will veto it.

[Health insurance for children] As the head of his state party he also proposes to use a portion of the tobacco settlement to fund the Children Health Plan Plus to provide health insurance for at least 60,000 low-income children.

[Adoption] He also proposes to improve finding suitable homes for foster children, by making the Department of Human Services a one stop clearing house so parents willing to adopt children will know what children are available, he also wants to use the INTERNET for this purpose.

[Government Innovation] He proposed cutting waste through having government workers deliver better services at less cost.

[the Justice system] He is by Executive Order creating two new task forces, one will explore ways to reform the civil justice system , to improve the quality and afford-ability of civil justice. The second will work on crime and technology to ensure that Colorado’s criminal laws and criminal law enforcement keeps pace with technology. He also proposes to appoint tough judges and to appoint a victim on the Clemency Board. [Tax Relief] During Governor Owens first State of the State address on 1/14/99 he outlined a tax relief package that included a reduction of the states tax rate from 5% to 4.75% in the business and personal and property taxes, and an earned income tax credit, and a reduction in the amount of taxes paid on interest, dividends and capital gains.

Connecticut Statistics: Population: 547,747 with 31% of that in rural areas. Caucasians dominate that percentage with 95.1 %, 2.2% Black, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 1.6 % Other, 3.5% Hispanic origin. Approximately 59.2% of the population are married-coupled families; 26.5% married coupled families with children and 49.2% college educated. The median household income is $42,817. Per capita income is $19,863 and median house value is $166,400 with median gross rent at $482.

Connecticut has the highest per capita income in our nation. In part, this can be attributed to its history of saving and spending its wealth wisely. The Connecticut Republican Party feels strongly about continuing this practice. The Republicans of Connecticut believe that the state will prosper with less government, added healthcare, fewer taxes, and stricter crime laws. They also advocate the arts and humanities should be first-class and readily available to everyone. Welfare reform is one of the central issues to the republicans of Connecticut. The wealth of the state was mostly derived from large manufactures, a successful brass industry as well as frugal insurance companies. Some of those manufacturers are Pepperidge Farm, Nivea, Stanley Powerlock and most importantly Samuel Colt. Colt has produced arms and aircraft for the United States dating back to the Mexican-American War and has had a powerful impact on the employment levels in Connecticut.

The early 1990’s were a dismal time for Connecticut’s economy. The end of the Cold War, which led to cuts in defense spending, is one reason for the economy’s decline. The large casualty losses the insurance companies experienced during this period along with the state imposed income tax (one of the last states to impose such a tax) were but a few other explanations for the ebb in Connecticut’s economy. Republicans attribute much of the economic turnaround to Republican Governor John Rowland. Overall, Governor Rowland is directly inline with his party’s platform. According to the Party Platform, Governor Rowland and Lt. Governor M. Jodi Rell adhere "to the Republicans principles of dignity and equality for all as well as to smaller, effective, and [a] less intrusive government."

Regarding healthcare, Connecticut Republicans believe businesses and employees need more affordable healthcare, elders should be allowed to stay at home for as long as possible thus allowing the state to save taxpayers dollars in the future. In addition, they support programs that enable children to remain home to care for their ill parents. With support by the party, the HUSKY health plan was created which gives all of the states 90,000 uninsured quality and affordable healthcare.

After the state income tax was imposed (1991) under a Democratic governor, the Republicans were eager to make some changes once they regained the governors seat. The party position is that government has "become too large and intrusive, spending priorities in the state had become misdirected and had failed to help all residents and that too much was being collected in taxes." The Republican Party applauds Connecticut for returning tax money to the taxpayers in the form of rebates for the first time in history. Income taxes have been cut, as well as business and unemployment taxes in conjunction with a reduction in spending. The party takes a stand that a portion of the tax surplus should be returned to the taxpayer, "bonding should only occur for necessary improvements and to invest in their cities and towns." The belief of the party is that by reducing government you will stimulate job growth and that if business owners are not burdened by large taxes and unnecessary restrictions they will be in a position to prosper. With this philosophy, Connecticut has added more than 93,000 jobs and recovered almost 80 percent of the jobs lost during the 90’s recession. It has cut taxes by $1.3 billion and has the lowest unemployment rate in nine years.

"The best social program is a job," the party platform states. It takes a strong stand that welfare needs to be controlled and used only as a stepping stone to a better way of life, not a way of life in and of itself. Republicans in Connecticut feel strongly that child support enforcement is necessary in any welfare reform. Connecticut, under Gov. Rowland, has limited benefits for employable recipients to 21 months and reduced monthly cash assistance. It has also provided day care and temporary medical coverage to assist those moving from welfare to work and supports training programs to assist those seeking employment. Welfare rolls are down by 11,000 and 40 percent of all recipients are reporting wages compared with fewer than 10% before the Rowland/Rell welfare reform initiative.

The arts and humanities are an important issue for Connecticut Republicans. It plays and important economic and social role. Under Republican leadership, the Connecticut Commission on the Arts’ budget doubled and millions of dollars has been spent on theaters, museums and arts centers throughout the state. The Republican Party wishes to blend private initiatives and public grants and loans to aid the states theaters and museums. It also feels a child’s education and upbringing should have involvement with the arts and humanities.

When it comes to combating crime Connecticut Republicans argue that money put into law enforcement or into prisons is a prudent use of tax resources. Connecticut’s Megan’s Law is one of the strongest pieces of sex offender legislation in the country. They established a registry of convicted sex offenders that is posted on the Internet and is available at local police stations. Under Republican leadership Connecticut has instituted a workable death penalty. Prisoners now do at least 85% of their sentence, compared to approximately 15% in the past and inmates must work to help pay the costs of their incarceration and medical treatment. Republicans want to continue to assist law enforcement and judicial personnel in convicting criminals and to stiffen penalties for drunken driving and sexual assaults.

These conservative acts appear surprising considering Connecticut was moving towards Clinton Democratic in national politics. Tax cuts were pushed through every year Rowland has been in office even though the state Senate has been Democratic dominate since 1996 and House Democratic throughout.
 
 

Delaware is typically known for being the first state to adopt the U.S. Constitution and having a relatively small population, roughly 718,000. Its capital is Dover and the largest city is Wilmington. The demographics of the state are roughly 80.3% white and 16.9% black, its two most predominant religions are Methodist and Roman Catholic. The state of Delaware is divided into three counties in which case they are governed by a council headed by either an elected executive or an appointed administrator.

The state of Delaware has three electoral votes for presidential elections and has recently tried to hold their primary prior to New Hampshire in order to obtain media coverage and political importance. Due to the states small population it has three national seats of representation, two of which are currently occupied by Republicans; Senior Senator William V. Roth and their sole representative Michael N. Castle.

Delaware’s per capita income is roughly $28,493 compared to the national which is 25,238. An average worker earns about $31,000 in a year and a business owner earns about $37,500 annually. Delaware’s taxation laws are second to none; the state has no sale tax, corporate taxes are 8.7% of net income and individual taxes graduate to 6.4% plus "a set amount of income above $60,000. Many people wonder how a state like Delaware can operate when they do not resort to heavily taxing corporate and individual incomes in order to obtain funds for the state. The concept is somewhat apparent, Republicans sort after attracting corporations through tax incentives and lax corporate law, in turn the state receives many high paying jobs for the people of Delaware. These jobs and the income that they provide allow Republicans to drastically cut back on social programs like welfare and job training. One example of how the Republicans entice corporations to make Delaware their home is by offering them a low percentage of taxes that they have to pay and giving them the ability to increase their corporate profits, such as giving them the opportunity to practice usury [excessive rates of interest on funds that were lent].

Despite Delaware’s small size, the Republican politicians have a great amount of competitive edge nationally. This is mainly the product of one or two factors; the first being that liberal banking laws as well as lax corporate law have attracted many large corporations to the state. Because of this, the corporations supply the Republican politicians with monetary resources in order to preserve these laws well into the future. This enables the Republicans and or any future politicians to have a great deal of leverage over fellow politicians. Despite the advantage, Delaware Republicans must maintain a precise balance between the wants and needs of corporations and, the constituents who voted them into office.

Now that we know what Delaware Republican politicians are faced with, it is best to move onto what they have in store for the future, the main area of focus will be their party platform for the 2000 elections.

The Republicans’ primary concern for post 2000 election is to overhaul and improve the public education system through incentives as well as redevelopment. One such incentive is known as "HB-1" whereby the Republicans proposed a $250 million tax cut and require the state to take on local "mandated" share of school costs in exchange for an equal reduction in local school taxes. Aside from incentives, redevelopment is a key essential to the future existence of an outstanding public education system. As we see a large portion of our professional teachers head toward retirement, it is essential that we attract "top notch" teachers through competitive salary benefits along with an array of other incentives. Yet, at the same time, we take proper measures to insure that these hirees are trained in the best methods of social sciences.

There is one other aspect of education that should and will become a major target of the Republican party, and that is discipline. The legislation is designed to improve school attendance and their conduct requirement. The legislation sole purpose is to create a "well ordered school environment " in order to assist those that want to learn. Another piece of the puzzle that is a significant part of an outstanding public school system is parental responsibility to account for students accountability as well as an end to social promotion. Students will be promoted to the grade level that follows based upon a pupils performance and understanding of the study material within that grade, no longer will students be put in higher grades because of the notion, that at a certain age you belong in a certain grade.

Republican tax relief and financial proposals are of great concern because these need to be reconfigured in order to better suit the manner in which we save and the way we live after retirement. One such relief focuses on increasing the amount of income that is excluded from taxation for seniors. Simplification taxation, also known as a state flat tax, would not only create a simpler taxation method, but a great deal of savings for our citizens. We see privatization of social security as an means of individuals investing more productively for their future retirement, and we owe it to future generation of workers. Tax relief and financial proposals must focus on both the individual as well as the corporation. Corporations contribute a great deal of income in the form of jobs; therefore, we must contribute some of our legislative resources to them in return. One such resource in the form of tax relief is known as the cap gross receipts tax liability, which enables multi-state manufactures located within Delaware to be competitive with other competitors from other states.

In the mist of our state’s rapid expansion, it is crucial to preserve our open spaces and natural areas in order to maintain them for future enjoyment; this will be done by providing tax credits for land preservation.

Health and welfare is something that should never be jeopardized, and the Republican proposals for improving the health and welfare of Delawareans is an attempt to enhance the quality of life we all live. One such proposal is improving the State Services to children needs. Essentially wanting to make sure that children who were once neglected by their families will not fall through the "cracks" of the system. Control and containment of diseases the seem to be spreading like epidemics, one such disease is HIV. This is accomplished through mandatory HIV testing for babies. Some laws must be changed in order to have a common objective in preventing underage smoking and creating stricter regulations for the possession of the substance. We must concentrate effort to those who have HMO Insurance coverage and recognize the difficulties they encounter and assist in a meaningful role to alternative coverage.

These, along with many other reforms and proposals, are the core of the Delaware’s Republican party platform for the 2000 election. Do not be mislead because the Republican party on both the state and national level are relatively consistent and have few variances, for the most part the variances exist because of a diverse target audience.

One of the main focal points behind a state party platform is that it gives us the ability to address issues that are of great concern to our fellow citizens within the state. This in turn creates a party along with its agenda that is subjected to a great deal of constructive criticism and positive feedback.
 
 

"Florida is the southeastern most state of the United States. It is a peninsula along with part of the mainland continent of North America. Trees cover almost two thirds of the state. It has very distinctive tropical and sub tropical zones. There are over 1,700 streams and some 30,000 lakes. There is very little range in temperature, ranging from 68 Fahrenheit in the north to 77 degrees Fahrenheit in the south"(Britannica 841).

The capital of Florida is Tallahassee. It is one of the fastest growing states in the country, between 1970-85 the growth rate was almost four times the national average. There is a sizable Haitian and Cuban population in Florida. Florida produces the largest amount of citrus fruit in the country and is second in production of vegetables. Tourism is the leading industry. Electronic and aerospace, which is centered around John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Carnaveral ,are the leading manufacturing industries (Britannica 841).

The Republican Party of Florida is the largest state party in the country, including California and Texas. The chairman of their party is Al Cardas. He was elected January 30, 1999. Republicans are less than forty percent of the regular voting population of the Florida electorate. Despite this, they hold the majority at all state levels of government in Florida. This includes their republican governor, Jed Bush (Republican Party of Florida).

The Republican Party of Florida believes in smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, stronger families, and greater personal freedom. They want an accountable government, better schools, responsible balanced budgets, lighter tax loads, and a strong military defense. This is through money being spent sensible, or in other words less on social policy programs such as welfare and more being put into our military budget, in their words, to keep America safe. They feel government policy should encourage people to save and invest. They also feel the closer a decision can be made by the people it will effect the better it is (Republican Party of Florida).

The Florida Republicans feel very strongly about the issue of education. The party wants quality and choice in the education system for the American public. They felt during past administrations in their state, with the Democrats in control, the education system was not run well. They feel that the Democrats spent too much money on old programs that were not solving the Florida's educational problems. These being Florida's schools lingering at the bottom when it came to national test scores and student achievement. They feel a program of sensible spending and new programs that are effective in challenging the students, teachers and parents would work better. An example of this belief being put into action is the new program Governor Bush called his A+ plan that became law in Florida this past summer. It involves competency tests for third through tenth graders that in the end will also give their schools a grade based on the results of these tests (Republican Party of Florida).

The party is also in favor of reducing the debt by $500 billion and returning $800 billion to the hard working people and families in our country over the next ten years. Part of the plan to implement this is a tax relief package the National Republican Party put through congress and President Bill Clinton recently vetoed on September 23, 1999 and wants to increase spending instead. The Republican Party of Florida feels strongly that they do not want to allow President Clinton to do this to working families (Republican Party of Florida).

The Florida Republican Party goes along with the National party's stand on foreign policy and America's global role for the purpose of maintaining America's superiority and promoting freedom and democracy world wide. They feel our interests at home are more important than the interests of other nations and the United Nations are. They do not support the allowance of the United Nation's or any other international body to be able to punish the United States and do not agree with U.S. troops being under foreign commanders in UN peacekeeping missions. They believe that today's military research and development are the procurement of tomorrow's readiness. They would like to rebuild our military, which they feel the present administration has let fall behind. Money must be spent the right way, with long term efficiencies in mind. They would like to see the reduction in overhead and infrastructure of the defense department and successful demonstrations of weapons prior to full-scale purchase. They feel these budgetary decisions should be made with these ideals in mind so the money is spent in a productive way. They do not support women in ground combat in the military. They feel money should be spent on intelligence work, even if it is expensive, because they feel it is our first defense against terrorism, drug trafficking, nuclear proliferation, and foreign espionage. They also want to lead the world in ending terrorism. They want to isolate and punish state sponsors of terrorism by imposing and enforcing sanctions, banning investment, and leading our allies in these effective policies. They feel countries such as North Korea, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Libra, Sudan, and Cuba must know we mean business. They support U.S. aid programs that promote freedom and the free market system, but feel they should be done on a case by case basis, with more emphasis on money being spent home then abroad (Republican Party Platform).

They also feel that for the betterment of all society we must strengthen the American family. They feel religious, community, and private groups can tackle social ills better than often ruinous government programs. They are against the same sex marriage act, which would allow homosexual couples to be married under the eyes of the law. They feel this would hurt the family morals in America. They are against nationalized health care, which they feel it would serve the governments wants instead of the people. They want to strengthen Medicaid and Social Security, which are government programs they feel work for the people. They are against sex education in schools that promote anything but chastity until marriage and oppose school-based clinics that refer, counsel, and relay serves for contraception and abortion (Republican Party Platform).

The party feels their successes that they have accomplished during this administration and their beliefs will bring Florida a brighter future, and are pushing for success in campaign 2000 (Republican Party of Florida).

AFlorida@ The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1998.

Republican Party Platform:1996. Republican National Committee Home Page. Online.

Netscape. Available www.rnc.org

Republican Party of Florida Home Page. Online. Netscape. Available www.ropof.com

Republican Party of Florida. Party Ideals. Pamphlet. 1998.

The state of Georgia is on the verge of a remarkable transformation. In the past decade, Georgia has emerged as a powerful state, reaching the top ten largest states in the country. "Georgia has emerged as the Boom State of the 1990’s - in population, in economy, and in spirit." The capital city of Georgia is Atlanta, a city that has become not only nationally known, but also globally recognized. Being the largest city, Atlanta’s population exceeds 394,000. Governor Roy E. Barnes runs the state. Being Georgia’s 80^th governor, Barnes had also served in the U.S Senate for 16 years. His attorney General is Thurbert E. Baker. Georgia was admitted as a state in 1788, and has and still is an active player in U.S politics. Everything ranging from the civil rights movement to its’ recent hosting of the Olympic Games, Georgia is indeed a major contributor to U.S political, social, and economic role. The population of Georgia is estimated to be 7,353,225. Its’ total area is 59,441 sq. miles, which includes both land and water. Georgia receives 13 electoral votes, which is significant compared to those of neighboring southern and mid-western states. In the past 1996 presidential elections, Georgia was an official Republican State. However, political preferences have changed with time, Republicans and Democrats have switched on and off in respect to power; those who do win, do so in the slightest of margins.

As far as foreign Policy and America’s Global role, the Georgia Republican state party agrees and reflects the views of a strong, democratic promoting superpower, which is heavily concerned with foreign issues. As Bob Dole once stated, " It’s time to restore American leadership that is respected, American leadership that is trusted, and when necessary, American leadership that is feared." The Republican Party feels a strong urgency to increase the safety of the American people. The primary concerns that this party declares as a must is the increase in spending on the military. The Georgia Republican party believes in rebuilding America’s strength, "ensuring the status of the United States as the world’s preeminent military power." Missile attacks, which our country has no defense against, is a major issue in which this party is concerned. "The danger of a missile attack with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons is the most serious threat to our national security." The Georgian Republican State party agrees to deploy missile defenses as soon as possible, in all the U.S, including Hawaii and Alaska. Indeed, military is a primary concern. An increase of both money and effort, in research and development is crucial for the U.S. The United States’ Military must once again be noticeably the most powerful, efficient and eminent.

Foreign assistance is also crucial in taking the U.S to the next level. The U.S should aid its’ allies, when necessary, with U.S defense equipment. "Our country should not bear world burdens alone." Foreign assistance is crucial to the benefit of the American people. It allows us to establish whom our allies and friends are, and in return, gain the respect and leadership of the world.

The Georgia Republican State Party believes in a strong, healthy economy for the benefit of the people. "Our formula for growth, opportunity, and a better family life is simple: Trust the people, cut their taxes, scale back to the size and scope of the government, foster job creation, and get out of the way." The Republican Party believes not so much in an equitable economy, but rather an efficient one. As far as taxes, The Georgia State Republican Party believes in tax cuts at all levels. Federal, State and Local taxes must be cut. A new tax system in which it is fair, simple, pro-growth, pro-family, and understandable is what the U.S needs. "We firmly commit to a tax code for the 21^st century that will raise revenues sufficient for a smaller, more effective and less wasteful government without increasing the national debt." Balancing the budget is a task taken by all presidents and parties, which yet fails to derive to a concrete and stable solution. The reason the U.S has grown into national debt before is not because our tax rates are too low, but rather the simple fact that the government overspends. A simple solution to balancing the budget is a decrease in government spending, regulatory reform and lower taxes.

The Georgia Republican State party is dedicated to a fair and simple social policy which is supported by the national constitution. "We defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms." This party promotes training and safe usage of firearms, along with support on initiatives to keep firearms away from convicted felons. This party believes in the right to own a gun, it also believes in the safety of the people, and the consequences of such a freedom.

Abortion is a very complicated issue. However, the Georgian Republican State party proudly stands what it believes in. "The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed." This party does not support agencies which advocate it, yet respect those people who believe in family values. This party does however, support and ensure that women with pregnancies receive the support and care necessary for a healthy birth. This party also supports adoption institution, along with other pro-life initiatives.

Concerning Campaign Reform, the Georgia Republican State party agrees with the efforts and decisions taken by the national Republican Party. Certain issues vary and have different points of view. However, the main goal, according to this party, is to have candidates that are both supported by a strong political party, and are indeed in touch with the American people. Issues dealing with both soft and hard money are controversial, however, the key point is to have a candidate who is dedicated and serious in becoming president, as well as one who has the support of the town.

Georgia’s Republican Party clearly has its position on many issues. The emphasizing of individual freedom, and increase in personal responsibility , and a reduced government are just a few broad views of this party. The main goal for a better country lies in the relationship between one and their nation, between politicians, and among countries. For when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.
 
 

Although the mention of Hawaii might bring to mind surfing and shirts with wild patterns, Hawaii has come to mean much more to American history while still retaining its own unique identity. Settled over 1500 years ago by Polynesian peoples, the island chain quickly developed a new civilization and culture. In 1819 however, native Hawaiian royalty met American missionaries with open arms and outlawed many traditional religious practices. By the 1850’s, these foreigners had set up sugar and pineapple plantations throughout the islands. A turning point in Hawaiian history occurred in 1893, when the native Queen Liliuokalani was ousted by American planters and businessmen of the region, aided by the US Marines. The US then proceeded to annex Hawaii, until it was admitted as a state in 1959.

Today, slightly over one million people reside in Hawaii. The population is fairly racially diverse, including Whites, Asians, Filipinos, Blacks and Native Hawaiians. In 1996, 84.4% of Hawaii’s people had graduated high school. However, 23.9% of the population received their college degrees. The average household income for 1994 to 1996 was $43,541, with 10.4% of families below the poverty level. Living costs are estimated to be 1/3 higher than on much of mainland America. The economy, which was originally built on agriculture and later on the military due to its strategic location, has now narrowly focused on tourism. Although the tourist industry has generated wealth in Hawaii, it has also proven to be unreliable at times. The industry is greatly dependent on the economy elsewhere, influencing whether people can afford to vacation in Hawaii. It has become a concern among Hawaiians that the prevalence of tourism jobs that pay poorly and do not require high skill may result in the state’s well-educated young people migrating to the mainland United States for better jobs and salaries.

The Republican Party of Hawaii has noted that tourism is the main thrust to the economy, and while they would like to see its continued success, they support the search for alternative industries that would help diversify the economy. Some Hawaiian Republicans hope for resurgence in agriculture. In order for this to occur, they believe there should be an end to all government subsidies and likewise interference in industries such as sugar production. They argue that Hawaiian government price supports have destroyed the state’s sugar industry because soft drink companies have opted to replace sugar with the cheaper high fructose corn syrup. Hawaii’s Republicans also want to eliminate unnecessary layers of bureaucracy that contribute to a high cost of government. Those savings would then be passed on to the common citizen through tax reductions. The party stands for creating a "performance-based budget" that outlines very specific goals for government to achieve, and makes it clear to people what they are receiving for their tax dollars.

The party also believes that greater autonomy should be placed in the hands of the state rather than the federal government on certain issues, like education and the environment. At the same time, Hawaii’s Republicans also assert that certain issues should be left almost entirely to the federal government, such as orchestrating national defense and foreign policy. Some members of the party contend that the US should not interfere in foreign conflicts we have not been asked to assist in and resolve unless we have a clear winning and exit strategy prepared. But for the most part, the party maintains that foreign policy decisions should be made at the federal level.

The Republicans of Hawaii do take stances on various current social policy issues. They want to implement programs that would educate young people about the burdens of teenage parenthood as a preventative measure. This fits in with their desire to reinvigorate family values among Hawaii’s population. Requiring parental consent in order to have an abortion is also supported, which they believe would help open up discussions of alternatives to the abortion. The party opposes partial birth abortions for humanitarian reasons. According to the party platform, welfare should be drastically reformed to clearly encourage those on welfare to get off welfare as quickly as possible. Under the current system, Hawaii’s Republicans believe that welfare programs have actually promoted dependency and eliminated values of individual initiative and community responsibility in many of those who are on the programs. To change that, they hope to enact a social service system that acts as a safety net for those in dire need of it and not to create citizens with "non-working lifestyles" supported by taxpayers.

As for education, the party advocates decentralizing the current statewide Board of Education into a group of community-based, locally administered school systems. By once again eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic layers, the party believes the majority of available resources will then be distributed directly into the classroom. The also support a "merit pay" system through which excellence in teaching and administering could be rewarded. On the whole, power should be put in the hands of parents and local communities in how they want their children to be educated. On the hot topic of gun control, the party believes that current laws regulating guns should be enforced, but that this legislation is adequate and there is no need for further laws.

The idea that current law is satisfactory on gun control is one that pervades the Republican Party of Hawaii’s feeling about most equal rights and opportunities issues as well. The party advocates maintaining legislation regarding affirmative action, same sex marriages and minimum wage laws, but does not encourage that these laws be enhanced in any way. For instance, they admit that affirmative action has a place where past discrimination has been proven and continues to be a problem. But at the same time, they distinctly oppose any quotas or forms of reverse discrimination.

Finally, on campaign finance reform, the party argues that American businesses and citizens should have the right to donate as much as they like to a party or candidate as long as the amount is fully disclosed and the contribution voluntary. They are staunchly opposed to banning "soft money," which they believe allows private groups to criticize and support politicians on issues. Instead, the Republican Party of Hawaii would like to enact reforms that would not violate a citizen’s right to free speech or compromise Republican interests. Such reforms would include making sure that every dollar spent in the political arena be an American dollar and not from a foreign source. In addition, the donations must be voluntary (so that labor unions cannot contribute dues money to a candidate or party) and that every contribution be made known to the public, via the Internet.
 
 

The Republican State of Idaho is one of the leading states in this country. This state leads in cultural aspects, politics, population growth and technological progress.

Idaho means, "gem of the mountain", hence its nickname "gem of the state. It was discovered by Europeans in 1805 and was the least of the fifty States sighted. President Lincoln on March 4, 1863 signed this state as an organized territory. Geographically Idaho is 83,574 square miles. Mt. Borah its highest peak at sea level stands at 12,662 feet. Boise Idaho’s capital is the largest city. In 1996 the population was estimated at 1,189,000. In 1995 the leading industries were manufacturing, service industries, and retail trade. Leading agricultural commodities are potatoes, cattle, dairy products and wheat.

The state’s republican leaders are as follows:

Phil Bratt is the governor. His main platform was lowering taxes. Governor Bratt has been in the political arena since 1964 when he was elected to the State House.

Larry Craig is the Senior Senator. He was elected in 1974 at age 29. He has held various offices since his election. He is presently the chairman of the forest and public land committee among many other titles.

Dick Kepthorne is the Junior Senator. He has had a long and successful political career. Kepthorne has been quite patriotic to his state. He has voted against NAFTA and GATT due to its consequence on Idaho’s sugar beet farmer. He presides over environmental drinking water, wildlife, fisheries and other titles.

Some other Republican leaders are:

Lt. Governor - C.L. Otter

Secretary of State - Pete T. Cenarrusa

Treasurer – Lydia Justice Edwards

Attorney General Alan Lance. Treasurer

Senate President – Jerry Twigs

House Speaker – Michael Simpson

Congresswoman 1^st District – Helen Chenoweth

Congressman 2^nd District- Michael Crappo.

Idaho has 2 districts. The first district extends from the Nevada border to Canada. This district is the least Republican. Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth is over this district. The 2^nd District runs from central Boise east to the Utah border and is predominantly republican. The congressman of this district is Larry Crappo. The Republican Party begins its platform with a declaration of faith in God. It quotes, "We believe the strength of our nation lies with our faith and reliance on God our Creator… " Idaho’s Republican platform deals with some of the following issues: economic issues, social Policy, equal rights and opportunity and foreign policy.

Economic Issues

TAXES: On the issue of taxes, the Republican Party acknowledges that taxing citizens provides government revenues. Additional federal taxation is disagreed on. They believe that the problem is not a lack of finances but it is the superabundant spending of the Democrats.

Idaho has a tightly regulated taxation system. They believe that the combination of income, sales and property taxes furnishes a steadfast and dependable source of income for governmental needs.

A tax system that will enable a family to care and support its family financially is what the Republican Party longs for. They also want the elimination of the marriage penalty tax.

The Budget: The Idaho Republican Party praises the Idaho Republican Congressional leaders for their endeavors to balance the federal budget. The Idaho Republican Party demands instant passage of the balanced budget amendment to the balanced budget constitution. Zero based budgeting for Idaho is supported.

The Environment: Idaho’s Republican Party acknowledges that the richness of their natural environment can be protected and enhanced while flourishing. They believe there should be little government regulation and special prominence on multiple use and local control.
 
 

Social Policy

Education: The party recognizes that the quality of education provided is vital to the future of the State. To them successful education is accountability between everyone. That is, the individual, family and the community. An educational system closest to the people is believed to be a well-balanced one.

Priorities for an outstanding education system should be focused on early childhood reading and developing basic skills.

The Republicans want the public school system to be a safe haven for its students. It should be discipline and provide excellence in education. Elementary skills that aid children to function as literate citizens should also be provided.

Idaho encourages the continuation of higher education for its citizens. It prides itself in the many committed professional teachers and educators who have given themselves to their students, schools and families.

Health and Welfare: The party believes that government should have very little regulation on healthcare. It supports quality healthcare that is affordable. They believe that health and welfare should be the responsibility of the citizens. Health and welfare should be an aid for citizens to return to productive life.

Gun Control: Idaho Republican Party is a strong supporter of the 2^nd amendment. That is the right to bear arms. Organizations are commended for their hard work to preserve and foster that right.

Abortion: The Party believes that abortion should be performed ONLY on the grounds to save the life of the mother. President Clinton’s Administration plan for use of taxpayer’s money to fund abortion is strongly opposed. The party stands firmly on their support for the sanctity of life and the rights of the unborn child. They will not support abortion based on birth control, sex selection and convenience. Parental consent for minors to obtain an abortion is approved. Adoption in place of abortion is promoted.

Equal Rights and Opportunity

Race: The Republicans believe in equality of rights, justice and opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or disability. They are supporting the Human Rights Commission, which allows the initial handling of employment by the state.

Foreign policy and America’s Global Role

Defense needs at home and abroad: The Republican Party believes it is essential to have a powerful defense. They believe in a solid army and National Guard. Peace through strength is their strong belief.

On an international level they believe American soldiers should not be used as "world policemen".

The above has been some of the issues from the Idaho Republican platform.
 
 

The state of Illinois is the largest populated state of the Midwestern states. It ranks 24^th in size among all the states and eighth in size among the Midwestern states. According to the 1990 census, provided by the US Census Bureau, it ranks fifth in the nation with a population of 12,045,326; the urban population of Illinois ranks fifth in the nation with 9,668,552. Chicago is the state’s most populated city with a population of 2,721,547. In fact, the Greater Chicago area contains 1/3 of the state’s population. The Caucasian population of Illinois comprises 81.3% of the state populous with 9,671,367, ranking it seventh in the nation. Conversely, the Black population of Illinois comprises 15.3% of the state populous with 1,825,051, ranking it sixth in the nation. The remaining percentage comprises of the Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian population (in order of size).

Illinois is a high ranking growth agricultural state. The acres of soybeans (10,650,000) and grain (10,450,000) harvested in 1998 ranks first and second, respectively, in the nation; it also harvested 1,200,000 acres of wheat (rank: 13). In addition to its growth agricultural crops, Illinois also breeds livestock with cattle totaling 1,510,000 and hogs/pigs totaling 4,700,000 to rank 13^th and 4^th, respectively. Illinois also ranks first in producing corn products used in syrups, starch, and alcohol used in making fuels.

In 1996, Illinois had a Gross State Product of $370,778,000,000 to rank it fourth in the US. It’s 41 Fortune 500 Companies and its high new business incorporations (36,090) contributed to Illinois’ high personal income of $332,241,000,000 (rank: 4) and median household income of $40,613 (rank: 11) in 1997. However, the US Department of Defense expenditures ($3,368,603,000) and total contracts ($1,248,130,000) ranked only 18^th and 21^st in the nation. Although Illinois has a large agricultural economy a large contributor to its economy is its rich mining and drilling operations of bituminous coal and petroleum.

Politically, Illinois is relatively divided even between the Republican and Democratic parties making it a swing state. In the State Assembly, the Democrats have a six-member lead whereas, in the State Senate, the Republicans control it by five-members. In the US Congress, the Republicans and Democrats equally divide the Senate and House of Representatives with 1 Senator and 10 Representatives each. This distinct fact compels these state leaders to continuously compromise on legislation, thereby making it a legitimately functioning bipartisan government.

Republican power is split between the suburbs, with their affluent free-marketeer dislike for taxes, and downstate, with their old fashion, practical-minded Midwestern politics. Democrat power is split between Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate. The large minority population in Greater Chicago area makes it a Democratic stronghold. Political trends in the state usually sway towards the party controlling the state’s most visible government position, the mayor of Chicago. In the two previous presidential elections the Illinois electorate have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Democrats (Clinton) by an average 16% margin.

The Illinois Republican Party has taken the initiative in dealing with Illinois’ social and economic issues. One of its primary concerns is in the field of education. Republicans recognized that the deterioration of the public school system required a major infusion of innovative ideas. In response, Governor George H. Ryan and the Republican Party designated that 51% of all new tax dollars is spent on education and workforce development. The Fiscal Year 2000 budget increases these funds to $528 million with the intention of closing the gap between the state’s wealthiest and neediest schools. In trying to improve the quality of education in the state, the Governor is allocating enough funds to hire 10,000 qualified new teachers over the next four years to reduce class sizes—especially in the kindergarten through 3^rd grade range. There is also a $3 million increase for reading grants to improve the reading ability in the Illinois public school system. To fight the war against illiteracy, the Governor created the Governor’s Office on Literacy. The literacy office is responsible for the coordination of literacy programs among the various state agencies and offices to maximize state and federal resources.

In an effort to provide for a safe learning environment in Illinois, the Republicans have accelerated school construction and repair grants and appropriated approximately $4 billion in state funds and local matching dollars over the next 5 years. An additional $14 million was secured to support Attorney General James E. Ryan’s "Safe to Learn" program that creates a school based safety and violence prevention grant that will give school districts the resources and technical support needed to create a safe and secure school environment. A $13 million allocation for Illinois’ "Teen Reach" program supports after-school activities for at-risk school children designed to combat the lure of gang involvement and substance abuse.

The issue of taxes and budget are significant parts of the Republican Party platform. In 1999, the Illinois Republicans instituted a Tuition Tax Credit program that will provide families of children in public and private schools a tax credit worth 25% of their qualified school related expenses with a maximum credit of $500 per family. The Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act provides tax credits for businesses that create new jobs and make capital investments in Illinois. This keeps Illinois in a competitive range with other states. In regards to the budget, former Illinois Republican Chairman Harold Smith most eloquently described the party’s sentiment by declaring that "the Balance Budget Amendment will force politicians and bureaucrats in Washington to permanently change the way government does business. Illinois Republicans feel that the Democratic idea of deficit spending imposes hidden taxes on American families in artificially high mortgage rates, higher college loan payments, and higher costs for an averaged priced car. Balancing the budget will help erase these hidden taxes by putting more money into the hands of hard working Americans. In addition, government will stop wasting scarce economic resources that are needed to expand the economy, create jobs, and boost incomes.

Quality of life is an important issue to the Republican Party. In an effort to improve the quality of life in Illinois, the Republicans have directed efforts towards improving Illinois’ health care system. In 1999, the Illinois Republican Party negotiated a serious bipartisan reform to Illinois’ managed care system. The reforms include a "Patient’s Bill of Rights" that levels the playing field between the patients and their health maintenance organizations (HMOs). It ensures emergency care without prior authorization, prevents the use of "gag" orders, creates a grievance procedure, a guarantee that only physicians or other health professionals can deny care, and requires confidentiality of patient information.

The most important health issue to Illinois Republicans is the improvement of a child’s life in Illinois. Beginning in January 1999, Governor Ryan took action to increase the enrollment in Illinois’ "Kid Care" program. The program provides health care coverage to uninsured children. By organizing outreach programs, coordinating marketing among state agencies, providing additional training to outreach workers and a simplified application form has resulted in a 35% increase in the program’s enrollment. Republicans also expanded the quality childcare opportunities throughout the state with the reinvestment of savings from welfare reform to quality childcare. An additional $85 million was appropriated to allow more than 157,000 children access to childcare. A 78% funding increase to AG Ryan’s "Child Advocacy Centers" will allow these facilities to assure coordination among state agencies when a child requires to be removed from an abusive setting.

In dealing with the recent gun related violence across the nation, Illinois Republicans are passing decisive gun control and criminal punishment laws. The "15-20-Life" law intends to provide a major deterrent for crime. The law adds 15 years for possession of a gun during a crime, 20 years for firing a gun during a crime, and 25 years to life imprisonment for shooting someone during a crime. A budget increase was made to accommodate 100 new police officers in the state. In progress is a comprehensive rewrite of the criminal code to adequately reflect the increased violence of gangs, the growth of drug trafficking, and computer technology crimes. In an effort to stop Illinois’ rise in gun homicides among youths, the passage of the Governor’s "Child Gun Access Prevention" bill provides necessary safeguards, including trigger locks, and penalties for improper storage of guns near minors. Early in the year, the Governor established the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes to identify and develop new and innovative strategies to eliminate discrimination and hate crimes. Illinois Republicans intend to provide for a safer Illinois for all.

Illinois Republican support of Women’s Rights issues has resulted in the creation of the Commission on the Status of Women. The commission’s duty is to evaluate the status of women in Illinois in effort to remove economic, legal, societal, and equity barriers for women. The Governor’s support for equity in the workplace, equal opportunity for success in the marketplace, and fair access to governmental procurement contracting has led to the implementation of a proposal to increase the goals for women procurement from 5% to 12%. The new goal is based on a disparity study conducted by National Economic Research Associates. To address the special health risks that inflict women the resources to the Office of Women’s health was doubled to launch the new "Women’s Health Illinois" initiative.

Environmentally, the Republicans support the Illinois EPA "Cap and Trade" program. The program will reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides in the state to help maintain air quality set forth by the US EPA. The emissions trading program is a cost effective means of obtaining reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions, which in turn reduce the threat of illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, allergies, respiratory problems, and heart and lung diseases. The "Open Lands Trust Initiative" is set to use $160 million over the next five years for the largest open space land acquisition and preservation program in Illinois history.

The initiatives selected by the Illinois Republicans are taken in the hopes that they will provide a bright and prosperous future for the state of Illinois and its people
 
 

Throughout history, the Republican party has been defined by the positions taken on certain issues. These issues concern the citizens of the United States of America like us. Some of the issues concerning the upcoming presidential election are education, taxes, the environment, government reform, and social security. The Republican party is known for being conservative and in some ways can be predictable in the positions taken on these various issues. Generally, it may be assumed that on matters concerning taxes and the role of government in the lives of Americans one can be quite sure that the republican party will always be against tax increases and will promote less government.

Indiana is the thirty eighth largest state in America and is known as the "Hoosier State", a term thought to be derived from the greeting "whos yere" used by pioneers. The population is approximately 5,752,000 as of 1994 which ranks it fourteenth in the U.S. This is important because the size and population of a state determines how much weight it carries when it comes to the election, therefore Indiana holds twelve electoral college votes. Enrollment in schools is primarily public and there are seventy-eight institutions of higher education.

The Indiana state Republican party is not unlike the National Republican Party in that they share many of the same convictions. The Indiana Republican party can be described as a conservative group of individuals who favor right-wing views when it comes to things like the issues listed above. The platform states that the Republican party of Indiana wants to restore credibility to our government by encouraging the participation of citizens and making government more of a public institution. They feel that if government is more open to the public, it will force politicians to act in the interests of the people who elect them. It goes on to indicate that our politicians should be considered role models for our children and act like it. Some of the issues discussed in the Indiana State Republican party’s platform are the following... Integrity in government- The platform states that the Republican party of Indiana wants to "restore credibility to our government by encouraging the participation of citizens and making government more of a public institution. They feel that if government is more open to the public, it will force politicians to act in the interests of the people who elect them. It goes on to indicate that our politicians should be considered role models for our children and act like it.

Another issue is Equal Opportunity- This is regarding equal access to public office. The platform states that one of the many goals of the Republican party is restoring confidence in the American Dream and ensuring that it is available to all people regardless of age, gender, race, creed, religion, national origin, economic status or physical challenge. To ensure this idea, it is suggested that more minorities be recruited for public office therefore trying to discount the belief of many people that government is for rich white men, and very few others. This would suggest that the Indiana Republican party believes in affirmative action although it is not mentioned specifically in the platform.

As discussed before, the Republican party wishes to limit Taxes. The Republican party states that it would like to change the federal tax system to one that is flatter, fairer and simpler. Another aspect is to enforce the federal budget and start paying off the national debt. They would also like to get rid of the present marriage penalty in income taxes and make social security more of a personal choice. One last belief when it comes to taxes is a $1 billion reduction in property tax. Since Republicans are usually categorized as upper class, this would mean the richer people of the United States saving a lot of money when it comes to inheritance, income, and property like secondary residences. This would also affect the middle class families that own homes and have less money to pay taxes.

When it comes to the economy, the Indiana Republican Party would like to promote free markets and higher wages. The party in Indiana would like to limit the regulations put upon small business ownership. They also state the desire to increase exportation and the use of technology to improve the success of local businesses. This is probably an attempt to convince voters that the republican party is looking out for those working in the growing field of technology which is becoming an even bigger part of American life.

Crime- The Indiana Republican party is for making sure that people have the right to keep and bear arms but also for speedy and severe punishment for convicted criminals. The belief of the Republican party is that each citizen is totally responsible for their actions and should be held accountable for any actions that they take. Part of the plan for fighting crime in the U.S.A. is to concentrate on drugs and preventing them from affecting our children and the elderly.

The Environment- Recognizing that protecting the environment is an important responsibility for all Americans, we believe: Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Republicans encourage the exercise of precaution in activities that might have harmful effects on humans and the environment. This is a very general statement to make for this issue. Although the Republican party would not exactly say that they want to kill the environment, they do not take a very powerful stand on the issue. This vague way of speaking about the issue conveys a message. That message is that although the environment issue can not be ignored especially in today's society, it is not on the top of the list of priorities for Republicans.

On the issue of government policies and programs- the Republican party voices that fact that they want a strong national defense like our army and navy. This is to help protect the U.S. national security and economy. It is the belief of the Indiana Republican party that we need a strong defense because we are known as a powerful country. There is also the issue of campaign finance. Campaign finance has a huge affect on elections. It is stated in the Indiana Republican party platform that there should be full disclosure when it comes to contributions to campaigns. It is suggested that doing this would help keep politicians honest and true to the issues they promote. This is important because although they want full disclosure, they do not suggest any limit on spending which has an effect on candidates who do not use public funds to finance their campaign.

Altogether, the platform put forth by the Indiana Republican party is not very different from the national party platform when it comes down to where they stand on different issues. The difference I noticed however is the priority of the issues on the platform and the details in which they are presented. The platform was put together by holding public hearings in Indiana in several locations in order to ensure that the platform reflects the beliefs of the people across Indiana.
 
 

Iowa is a state of rolling hills and grasslands. Agriculture is number one, bringing in revenue astronomically higher than any other industry in the state. The representative republican Governor of the state is Terry E. Branstad, with Senator Grassly representing the Republican Party in the Senate.

Iowa is first ands foremost an agricultural state, thus policy begins on that topic. In order to allow American agriculture to flourish, the party supports national government opening all markets possible for US sales, national and international. Within the agricultural realms the individual state should have the majority of the authority. "Iowa farms are the model of economic efficiency and performance, to be emulated by the world". The world should not emulate the Iowan farms in Iowa however. The party supports laws restricting foreign ownership of farmland.

On issues monetary in nature, Iowa stands nearly right alongside the national GOP. Being that the government is run solely on the financial backs of the people the party wishes to put a limited amount of stress on those backs in the form of lower taxes, primarily a hefty reduction of property taxes. A flat income tax or consumption tax is supported, Within the borders of Iowan state income, inheritance, capital gain and pension taxes should be abolished. The national budget being an utmost priority, the Iowa GOP wishes to spend any yearly budge surplus totally on reducing the national deficit. Campaign finance reform is a necessary step.

In military issues funding of national defense programs should be adequate to the point where we as a nation are capable of defending our selves as well as capable of carrying out our foreign policy. Curiously enough, Iowa is in opposition of the feminization of the military. The party is in favor of intensive use of military personnel and equipment in order to protect our borders from illegal drug trafficking. Human rights and religious freedom is supported and should be well defended on an international level. Firm campaigns should be led against any and every threat to humanity the world over.

Dealing with human rights and services the Iowa GOP is in a word, conservative. "Health care is a privilege, not a right", therefor socialized care systems are opposed, and Medicare and Medicaid should be phased out slowly and privatized in the process. Affirmative action should be brought to an end. On issues of same-sex relationships, marriage should remain illegal, as should the right to adopt. For heterosexual couples the adoption process should be made simpler and more efficient. The GOP of Iowa is adamantly pro-life. The Fourteenth Amendment applies to unborn children, thereby making abortion wrong in matters of law and morals. Partial birth abortion is opposed, and a ban on party funds is advocated for any candidate supporting it. Roe V. Wade should be overturned. Assisted suicide is opposed.

On matters of law, it is said, "the job of the government is to uphold law and maintain order, protect the innocent resolve dispute, and punish crime". Along those lines the reinstatement of the death penalty is supported as well as an overhaul of the penal system in order to reduce the level of chaos. The party opposes the legalization of controlled substances for recreational purposes. The Second Amendment is reaffirmed, supporting the rights for law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, however ignorance of ones deadly weapon is not supported, hence the approval of law that stress firearm safety. The war on drugs should be fought through stronger laws, longer prison terms for major offenders, and more intensive steps to educate the youth.

Environmental policies should be governed by unbiased scientific research, in a sensitive manner in order to create "sound ecological practices". The federal EPA is opposed being that the party believes environmental issues are best addressed at the state and local levels. Trees and forests in Iowa should be conserved, as well as the reforestation of marginal land should be implemented. Recycling is promoted as well as all other forms of environmental conservation on the popular level.

The Iowa GOP believes "quality, meaningful, rigorous education is essential for maintaining our republican form of government". "American Values": honesty, integrity and respect for authority should be taught in schools, along with creation theory alongside evolutionary theory. The party opposes homosexuality being taught in schools as an acceptable lifestyle.

The GOP party of Iowa does indeed fall within the Republican lines and well deserves the title conservative.
 
 

KANSAS is shaped like a rectangle, almost twice as long as it is wide. Its greatest length, from east to west, is 411 miles (661 kilometers). Its greatest width, from north to south, is 207 miles (333 kilometers). The total area of Kansas is 82,264 square miles (213,063 square kilometers), including 477 square miles (1,235 square kilometers) of inland water surface. Because it is about 600 miles (966 kilometers) from any large body of water, Kansas has a continental climate. Summers are hot and winters are cold.

The chief conservation problem in Kansas has been the protection of the soil from erosion by wind and water. This has been partly accomplished by improved farming practices and by the planting of trees. In the northern half of the state the rivers of the Missouri Basin are being developed primarily for flood-control and irrigation purposes. Since 1925 many of the state's natural resources have been administered by the Kansas Fish and Game Commission.

After Kansas was opened to white settlement in 1854, the Indians began to surrender their lands. By about 1880 most tribes had been resettled in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Today the state has about 15,300 Native Americans.

Only a few foreign-born immigrants came to Kansas, and today they make up only about 2 percent of the population. Of the total foreign population, Germans are the most numerous. African Americans make up about 5 percent of the state's population. Many are the descendants of the "exodusters"--freed slaves from the South who were falsely promised "40 acres and a mule" after the American Civil War.

Only about one out of every six workers in Kansas is engaged in manufacturing industries. The chief industry is the manufacture of aircraft, motor vehicles, and other transportation equipment. The manufacture of non-electrical machinery--for example, farm, garden, and construction equipment--is the second most important industry.

The chief executive officer is the governor, elected every four years. Lawmaking is in the hands of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court. In the 1930s Kansas pioneered in the development of a legislative council, an interim body to study public problems and prepare bills for the legislature between regular sessions. In 1971 it was replaced by the Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of three senators and four representatives.

Predominantly Republican Kansas has elected only seven Democratic governors in this century. In presidential elections it generally votes Republican. In 1936, however, it failed to support its own Republican governor, Alfred M. Landon (1933-37), the unsuccessful "Sunflower" candidate who won only eight electoral votes in his campaign against the popular Franklin D. Roosevelt--one of the poorest showings in United States history.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Madame Chief Justice, Members of the Legislature, and Fellow Kansans: We're gathered this evening in the exquisitely restored Chamber of the House of Representatives. My compliments to the artist and workers who made this possible, and on behalf of the people of Kansas, I want to express my appreciation to the Kansas Legislature for their vision and commitment to the restoration of this significant piece of Kansas History. It is a great pleasure to join you for the fifth time to present the State of the State message. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead Kansas into a new century, an opportunity afforded to a governor only once before, in 1899, to Governor William E. Stanley. In Governor Stanley's message that year to the legislature he declared "Kansas enters upon the thirty-ninth year of its existence under most favorable auspices." One hundred years later I am pleased to report that Kansas enters its one hundred thirty-ninth year under very favorable conditions.

A strong economy, sound investments in public education, safety and quality of life have prepared Kansas well for 1999. In spite of our strength there are troubled areas, and all of Kansas should be concerned with the plight of the men and women in the agriculture and oil sectors of the economy. Kansas farmers and stockmen are the best in the world, yet their reward has been the collapse of value of their products in the market place.

The Kansas oil industry has been devastated. Our national policy regarding energy is both disastrous and dangerous. Foreign and national policies significantly impact these two areas and make state policy less significant. Nevertheless, we must do what we can and be sensitive to these needs as we make public policy. Even with these problems, Kansas is strong. We are not a stagnant state, but a growing one. Our 1.1% growth in population from July 1997 to July 1998 was the highest in 37 years, and Kansas ranked first in the 12-state Midwest region. I believe good public policy, excellent private sector performance and the outstanding efforts of the working men and women of Kansas have made our success possible. We have an obligation to continue good public policy that will support and enhance the growth of Kansas.

Tonight I will share proposals I believe can contribute to the strength and future of our state. As is traditional, I present to you my budget and a budget that will take us into the next century. The increase in spending from the State General Fund is 2.6%, which matches the forecasted inflation rate. As in my past budgets you will find the allocation of resources to be balanced, reasonable and responsible. This is the fifth consecutive year in which I am recommending tax cuts for the people of Kansas, but doing so while still committed to adequately funding all aspects of state government. While I won't review all of my proposals to cut taxes, I promised the people of Kansas an end to the property taxes they pay every year on cars and trucks when they register their vehicles. Eliminating this tax was not just a campaign promise, it is a top priority. If the legislature agrees with my proposal, Kansans will no longer pay this burdensome tax.

Many have speculated, with election to my final term as Governor, that my commitment to the people of this state to reduce their tax burden will wane. It will not; it cannot; it must not. Taxes are too high and they must be reduced. While there will be significant issues to address this session, including a new transportation plan and the restructuring of higher education, tonight I would like to depart from the tradition of reviewing multiple policy and budget initiatives. We have the responsibility of constructing the budget that takes Kansas into the next century. Tonight I would like to focus on the most important investments in my budget. There is no greater way to ensure the success of Kansas tomorrow than by ensuring the success of our children today. For the next four years there will be no greater emphasis, no greater focus, no greater priority than the one we place on our children.

There is a significant difference between the Bill Graves who presented the State of the State in 1995 and the Bill Graves of today. That difference in one word is "Katie." Today as a parent I better understand how important the issues of health, safety, education and a loving environment are to our kids. While we cannot build programs that guarantee perfection, we can build a system that provides greater opportunity for the children of Kansas and a system focused on health, education and supportive and collaborative programs. My message tonight will address some of our proposed investments in those areas.

Health

We must continue our commitment to provide health insurance to those children who are not covered. Last year, together, we created the Kansas HealthWave Program and are in the process of enrolling more than 60,000 children who lack this essential coverage. This budget includes more than $12.0 million of state money, which will match federal funding of $30.0 million to ensure our commitment is continued. Other programs, while not as large, are important and deserve enhancements. As an example, I am recommending funding to expand TeleKid Care. This program at the University of Kansas Medical Center was the first established in the nation. It allows doctors at the hospital to provide top-flight care to children at school through interactive video. The success of this program has been proven at four schools in Wyandotte County. Additional funding will allow the service to expand to 10 rural communities statewide.

The Newborn Screening program promotes early identification of serious medical conditions that may respond to early treatment, thus better protecting the newborn infant. The current test methods utilized by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment were devised some 30 years ago, have an unacceptably high margin of error, and have not been modernized. My funding recommendation of $260,000 will make Kansas' newborn screening capability state of the art. Physical health is only a part of the health needs of our children. Mental health care is also critical, and I am proposing a $1.0 million enhancement to expand community based mental health services for children with severe emotional disturbances. This will provide service to hundreds of additional children and will provide total funding of $8.0 million. These are but a few of the programs and funding I will recommend to improve the physical and mental health care of our children.

Education

The education of our children continues to be the first priority of Kansans. Education opens the door to their future. For some it is where dreams are given a chance to become reality. Unfortunately for some it is the only safe harbor from the grim reality in which they live. For all, education is a critical component in determining their future, and I am determined to continue providing enhanced resources to our system of education. My budget recommends more than 87 million new dollars for K-12 education. This includes additional dollars for each child in each classroom, continues our efforts to make the funding formula equitable for all school districts and meets the increased costs for special education. Also included in this amount is an additional $4.1 million to support extra assistance for the 100,000 children who, for a variety of reasons, do not have the same chance at success as other students.

These are children most at risk. This nearly doubles the commitment to at-risk children since the beginning of my administration. One lesson we all have learned is that the earlier we prepare children the greater their chance for success. Therefore, I am recommending increased funding of $1.0 million for our four-year-olds who are at risk. With my recommendation, we will serve 33% more of these children enabling them to receive advance preparation before beginning school. This budget attempts to better recognize the instrumental role teachers play in our children's educational success. I have included money for scholarships for 65 teachers to achieve national board certification, which recognizes teaching excellence. Funds are also recommended for bonuses for teachers in Kansas who successfully complete certification. It is my hope that this heightens the interest in and rewards teaching excellence.

We must not forget that parents are a child's first teacher and it is important we assist them to be the best teachers they can be. More parental involvement in our children's education is an important goal, and I am recommending an increase of nearly $800,000 for the parents education program. The success of this program is well documented, and this additional funding will increase the number of families served. These education programs that focus on early preparation and prevention, family involvement, and children most at risk, must be supported and enhanced.

Supportive and Collaborative Programs

Often a state's best role is that of support and collaboration. In fact, the state cannot and should not provide all the resources necessary for our children to succeed. There are many examples where local government and not-for-profit initiatives have achieved significant success. The state should be a strong partner in these efforts. A good example is our partnership with counties to provide the Healthy Start Program. My recommended enhancement of $1.0 million will increase by 20,000 the number of families served by Kansas counties through this program. The Infants and Toddlers Program involves more than 30 interagency networks throughout Kansas and uses private and public funds. The focus of the program is the promotion of policies and procedures to identify infants and toddlers with developmental delays and to provide early intervention. My recommendation of $250,000 will bring our 2-year enhancement for this program to $1.75 million. I would like to address the issue of juvenile justice. Kansas communities and the Juvenile Justice Authority are working together.

To support their efforts I am recommending more than $40.0 million for local communities. Included in this amount is an increase of $3.0 million for enhanced community services. In addition, our partnership will be strengthened with my proposal of $4.0 million in increased funding for programs that focus on delinquency prevention. These programs include counseling, mentoring and intervention for academic and behavior problems. This total enhancement of $7.0 million can make a significant difference in the troubled lives of our youth. The best juvenile justice program is the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Often not-for-profit organizations have both the knowledge and compassion to develop innovative programs. My budget creates an innovative child health grant program administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that will make $460,000 available to not-for-profit health agencies desiring to enhance basic health care services for children. Partner, support, and collaborate is how we maximize both resources and results.

These are but a few of the programs that comprise our children's segment of the budget. Overall, we will invest more that $2.5 billion of state funds and $3.2 billion from all funding sources in our support of children. Since the passage of the Fiscal Year 1999 budget, the commitment of this administration to financially enhance programs for children, with the presentation of this budget, is nearly $170.0 million. The state can never serve as a substitute for the love of a parent or the inspiration of a good teacher, but we can and must create opportunity for our children, and support those people, policies and programs that make a difference in their lives. The success of our future will be found in the strength of our commitment to the children and youth of Kansas. Even with the dollars and programs I am proposing I believe there is something of even greater value we can give future generations. We can provide the example of what we want our children to be.

Yesterday in my inaugural address I quoted the poet Edgar Masters when he wrote: I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I would rather someone walk with me than merely point the way. Our children and youth don't want our preaching. They want our teaching by example. As elected and public officials we have an obligation to set that example. If we cannot conduct the business of the state with civility, how can we ask our children to be civil? If we are not truthful with each other, how can we tell our children that honesty is the best policy? If we are intolerant of others' ideas, how can we encourage our children to think and dream? If we mistreat each other, how can we ask our children to follow the golden rule? We look to Washington and see a city in anguish. Let us conduct the state of this state so that Washington can look to Kansas and see a positive example. Now more than ever we need to reinforce positive values in the deliberations of public policy and values that built this great state and integrity, compassion, tolerance and civility. It is not my intent to "merely point the way." I intend to walk with you in making the people of Kansas proud. Proud not only of what we achieve this session, but even more proud of how we achieve it. I look forward to walking with you. I look forward to the journey.
 
 

Historical Perspective

Like all states, Kentucky's political attitude is greatly determined by its economic, social, and demographic conditions. Kentucky has remained a rural and agricultural community since the eighteenth century and the state's income is heavily dependent on the tobacco, whiskey, and coal industries.

Kentucky's population has experienced only a thirty percent growth increase in the last fifty years, creating strong traditions amongst generations of Kentuckians. Since the Civil War, most of the 120 counties have voted consistently. In areas populated with coal miners and in the western end of the state where slave-holding was long practiced there is Democratic support. In both the eastern mountains which have been generally pro-union and Louisville, which supports a large German-American community, Republican politics have been favored.

Overall Kentucky's agricultural traditions and values have created strong support for the Democrats throughout the majority of the state. The Republican Kentucky Party faces a natural disadvantage but has been experiencing increasing support. This trend is accounted for as a dissatisfaction with agricultural and health policies relating to the regulation of tobacco sales under the Clinton administration.

Platform and Issues

The Republican Party of Kentucky defines itself as a vehicle for electing Republican candidates. The Kentucky GOP, on the whole, is more concerned with getting its candidates elected than it is with particular platform topics. This of course does not mean that party members are without opinion. Issues of importance to Kentucky Republicans are education and health care reform, tax simplification, the elimination of drug trafficking, and tobacco and whiskey regulations (and more recently the receipt of tobacco settlement funds). Foreign affairs and the national budget are of less weight to the state GOP platform.

One of the most "traditional" Republican values is the belief in limited government involvement. Ideally, the theory holds that through minimal government involvement, free trade, and capitalism, optimal harmony and prosperity can be reached in the civil sphere. This places great faith in the potential of individual citizens to create their own physical and emotional wealth. The debate is about how to translate this ideology into functioning policies.

Some of the major Kentucky issues concerning today's social policy are those of improving health care and education. The Republican Party feels that health care providers should be able to respond to consumer demands through consumer choice, making health care affordable, accessible, and reducing the role that the government and insurance companies play in health care. In recent response to a one billion to more than two and half billion rise in The Kentucky Medicaid Budget, the General Assembly created a Medicaid managed care demonstration project. The aim of the project was to get community providers together forming health care partnerships. Louisville and Lexington are two places where such partnerships have been created. The party is continuing to introduce legislation that addresses concerns raised over cost versus savings, quality, and access to services that are managed by non-Medicaid vehicles. Current legislation being considered includes the requirement of the Department of Medicaid Services to develop a comprehensive plan comparing the quality of managed Medicaid to traditional Medicaid, as well as requiring that copies of all studies and research be released.

In the education department, the party stresses family choice on all levels of learning. This includes the abolishment of the board of education and federal involvement in the school system, placing control in the hands of parents, teachers, local school boards, and the community and tax payers in general. Education remains one of the most important issues considered each session by the Kentucky General Assembly. In 1990 the General Assembly enacted legislation which created an entirely new system of public education known as KERA; the Kentucky Education Reform Act. The main goal of KERA was to provide more state funds for public education directed towards higher standards for students, accountability for school districts, technology investment, and The EPSB -Education Professional Standards Board, to establish standards for teacher preparation and certification.

Connected with educational issues are youth concerns such as gun and drug control. Over ninety percent of those incarcerated in Kentucky's jails have used illegal substances. Currently, Kentucky's efforts to eliminate trafficking in illegal drugs and addictions are spread over many agencies, with no organization uniting their efforts. A possible solution is the creation of a "Drug Czar," as a cabinet-level appointment to head an Office of Drug Control Policy. This would create a position where one person steers the drug policy in Kentucky and would be able to work with the community and local authorities in their efforts. Community and parental responsibility are also stressed as crime prevention. The punishment of minor crimes is considered necessary to prevent larger offenses. Truancy laws, adult trials for juveniles committing adult crimes and protecting the rights of victims are considered important elements of reducing juvenile crime rates.

Kentucky faces two major concerns regarding its tax code. First, Kentucky taxes its working poor at the highest rate in the nation. Secondly, Kentucky has not enacted tax cuts in a systematic way, thus causing the tax code to become over complicated. It is felt that only a full-scale tax code revision will simplify the matter. In response to the first concern, the Interim Commission on Poverty has recently suggested to the General Assembly that it eliminate the Kentucky income tax for families of four at or below the poverty line. Another area where many Republican legislators are focussing on is the elimination of the Automobile property tax on vehicles under 20,000 in value.

One of the most recent issues debated on is the receipt and use of tobacco settlement agreement funds. Under the 1998 Tobacco Settlement, Kentucky should receive about $3.5 billion distributed in phases over the next 25 years. The General Assembly is considering what to do with the funds and there are two schools of thought on the topic. One is to establish a spending scheme now, and then disburse the funds as they are received. Another idea is to create a trust for the money received, and fund programs from the interest generated by the trust.
 
 

Louisiana is located in the south with a population of about 4.3 million people. The capital city is Baton Rouge and it was admitted as a state in 1812. The leading industries as of 1995 were Service Industries, Manufacturing and Retail Trade. The leading agricultural commodities as of 1995 were cotton, sugar cane, rice, and soybeans. The governor is Mike Foster, when he came into office he made some major changes in some of Louisiana’s issues; such as education, employment and other issues that will be mentioned later.

Political Issues and Accomplishments of Gov. Foster

When Gov. Foster came into office he decided to put education as one of the first issues on his agenda. Here are some demographics on education before he came into office in 1995. Starting salaries of K-12 teachers were; starting salary $19,406 and the average salary is $26,800. After he came into office he made some big changes with education for example he raised the salary of K-12 students by $5000. He was devoted to giving children access to computers in classrooms. He created a plan to reward schools that improve and restructure schools that do not. He implemented high-stakes testing for 4^th and 8^th ending social promotion. He also developed a higher standard for what students should be learning at each level. For Post Secondary and higher education he created a program that would encourage qualified students to stay in Louisiana and go to school for free. He also rebuilt college campuses after years of neglect.

Another one of the major issues that he tackled was welfare reform, job training. He reduced the welfare rolls by 53%. Taking 37,000 people off of welfare. In 1995 dependents totaled 129,000 but that figure included other groups. Governor Foster created the second largest work-training fund in the nation. This fund upgraded the skills of over 40,000 thousand people for better jobs. In reference to economy or Fiscal Conservatism he reduced the state debt by 45%. Moving the state of Louisiana to the number one state in the nation of debt reduction. He ended the death tax, stating that the government cannot take a child’s inheritance if the child is gone. He also forced the state departments to operate with standstill budgets and to have fewer employees.

One more program he started was a workers compensation benefit providing workers who suffer from serious accidents with some compensation. In reference to fighting crime, he passed a law that allowed law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon to protect themselves. He mandated that criminals that use guns to commit a crime will have a long jail sentence. Sending a message that if you do the crime you will do the time. He insured 40,000 uninsured children with a program by the name of LaChIP. He reduced spending to the Southern average while increasing services in Medicaid programs by fighting fraud and increasing efficiency. He created a fully funded program that promoted a fought teen pregnancy.

Other Minor Issues

Protecting the Environment: he put prisoners on the highway to pick up litter and increased grass cutting, road side pick up and bridge cleaning. He capped more than 382 abandoned wells in four years versus 70 in the previous four years. He fully funded our coastal restoration program, completing as many projects as possible in four previous years as in the previous eight.

Bringing Fairness to our legal system: he cut auto insurance rates by 10% through a no pay no play program.. He eliminated strict liability, meaning just because you own it does not mean you are responsible for it. He created a fixed joint and several liabilities to ensure that you are only responsible for your share of damages.

Good Government: he created a rainy day trust fun, a savings account for the state, depositing 50 million dollars. Banned retirement funds for part-time elected officials. He mandated electronic filing of campaign contributions and posting on the Internet for easier public access. He moved Louisiana from 44^th to 17^th in the national rankings of states fiscal management.

Governor Foster tackled some major issues for his campaign and he has made some changes in Louisiana.
 
 

Maine is a state located at the northeastern of the United States. It is the largest state of the six New England States. The area of Maine is 35,387 square miles. About 7% of Maine are covered by inland water, and 84% is covered by forest making it the largest portion forestland in any state. The capital of Maine is Augusta, the largest city is Portland. It has a population of 1,243,316 people living in Maine. Maine is best known for its eggs, potatoes, dairy products, and aquaculture. Its leading industries are service industries, manufacturing, and retail trade. Maine is most important minerals are sand, gravel, zinc, clays, peat and lead.

Maine became the 23^rd state to be added to the Missouri Compromise in 1820 after it was separated from Massachusetts. Maine is now the only state with an independent governor. During the 1996 elections Maine voted 52% for Bill Clinton a Democrat and 31% for Bob Dole a Republican. According to the 1994 elections only 909,000 people had the age to vote, 81.6% were registered to vote, but only 8.2% voted. The rest thought that their vote did not count or they did not have the time to go and vote. After a candidate gets four votes for the Electoral College he wins in the state of Maine, therefore, he can move on to another state. The system of government for Maine is the same as any other state; a governor can be in office only two terms. It has four representatives and two senators.

Since the elections for the year 2000 are months away Maine now wants to be a Republican state. The candidates who are running for reelections are Senator Olympia Snowe and Junior Senator Susan Collins. They believe that the role of the government is to serve the people, not the people to serve the government. The Republicans support the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which is the right to bear arms, so that each citizen could be protected for any danger. The Republicans believe that it is fine to carry weapons if it is only use as protection. When it comes to education the Republicans assure that every child and adult in Maine will receive public education, and that the local government would control everything. The local government will be in charge of providing a safe learning environment and a drug free school for kids.

The Republican Party wants to provide an affordable health care to all people. Especially for the elderly, people with mental illness, and people with developmental disabilities that can not take care of themselves. The Republicans think that each Maine citizen has the right to have some kind of health care plan no matter how much his or her income is. They think that all tax deduction should be the same for everyone. To the Republicans, family is considered the most valuable thing that exists. Therefore, the government should be a resource of protection to children who are threatened, abused, or neglected by a parent. They are willing to help them in one way or other as long as they are safe. Social Security is the main concern of many people that is why the Republican Party is willing to keep protecting that system. Another concern the citizens of Maine have is criminal activity. They believe that all alleged juvenile felony offenders should be tried as adults no matter how old they are. The party believes that crime control should not be done at the expense of the Constitution, but by the individual who needs it.

The Republicans assure that the government will protect any property owned by a Maine citizen. Any violence of property will be the same as a violation of human rights. According to the Republican the owner of a property is the only one who could make any decisions about his land, the owner is considered being the principal conservation of the environment. The party encourages the development of less polluting and more efficient automobiles because it believes that a healthy environment is important for the families and future generations.

Most of the citizens in Maine have high quality jobs created by the sector not by the government. During the year 1995, 316,000 men were employed, and 290,000 women were working. They worked an average 40 hours weekly and earned $13 hourly. The Maine Republican party seeks to decrease the amount of the state budget by adopting a prudent spending policy and adjusting rates on tax structures. Especially to individuals who have a low income tax rate, so that Maine would not have a reputation as an anti-business high tax state. The party believes spending should be reduced rather than taxes raised in case of a revenue shortfall. The party also wants to reduce the sales tax on things from six percent to five percent.

The Maine Republican Party also believes in equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity for all no matter what race, creed, sex, and age. They also believe in free enterprise so that each individual would have an opportunity to succeed in life. The mission of the Maine Republican Party is to help Republican candidates win elected office from the school board to the White House to ensure that all children continue to live in a state and a nation of opportunity for all.
 
 

The state of Maryland was named in honor of the wife of a King Charles I by a grateful Cecil Calvert Lord Baltimore whom in 1632 was granted charter for the land as a haven in which his fellow Roman Catholics could escape the restrictions placed on them in England. The states’ nickname is the Free State or Old Fine State, its motto Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine (Manly Deeds, Womanly Words).

Since 1694 Annapolis has been the Capital of Maryland. Eighty-percent of Maryland’s inhabitants live in areas classified as urban. The heaviest concentration of the population is centered around Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, which contain eighty-three-percent of the states’ population of 4,265,000. Baltimore, the largest city of Maryland was the center of major immigration for Europeans in the nineteenth century.

Maryland’s economy is based primarily on government service and manufacturing. Department of Defense, installations and several large federal agencies, such as the Bureau of the Census and The Food and Drug Administration are among the largest employers in the state. The city of Baltimore has about one-third of the state’s manufacturing establishments. The largest manufacturing payrolls are in the primary metals, electrical equipment, food products and transportation equipment industries. The wages in Maryland for production workers are slightly above the national average.

On the economic issue of taxes the Maryland Republican Party is in favor of a fifteen percent tax cut to marginal tax rates. The party feels that such a tax cut should be the first step toward reducing overall tax burdens while promoting the economic growth that will raise family incomes and our overall standard of living. They feel that the government’s failure to maintain the personal and dependent exemption at historic levels has created a burden on family finances, which is why the Republicans have made the $500-per-child family tax credit. Republicans support expansion of IRAs and the establishment of spousal IRAs to encourage savings and investment. The Republicans also believe that to remove impediments to job creation and economic growth, you must support reducing the top tax rate on capital gains by 50 percent. The proposals making the current tax codes fairer and less burdensome should be viewed as an interim step toward comprehensive tax reform.

The Republican Party feels that raising tax rates is the wrong way to balance the budget. Reducing the budget deficit by shrinking government produces a fiscal dividend in stronger growth and lower interest rates. The Republican Party pledges a non-political monetary policy to keep prices stable and maintain public confidence in the value of the dollar.

On the economic issue of the budget the Republican party feels that a reformation of the entire budget process is part of the solution to the $5 trillion debt along with restraining government spending. Their goal for the nations budget is the enactment of a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.

The goal of the Republican Party for the environmental issues they want to continue the progress made to achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier environment. They use the Superfund program, which is a program designed to help clean up abandoned toxic waste sites, as an example in which billions of dollars have been spent on litigation and administration, while the toxic waste sites wait to be cleaned up. The party is proposing to fix the broken Superfund law and direct resources to clean up sites here there are real risks. For all environmental problems the Republican Party proposes a common sense approach based on flexibility and consensus that builds a better future on free enterprise, local control, sound science, and technological development. The Republicans advocate conserving animal and plant resources, and want to improve the Endangered Species Act (ESA.), by implementing a program in cooperation with State, local and tribal governments and private individuals to recognize the critical relationship between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.

The Republican Party believes in upholding the right of all. They are dedicated to strengthening the social, cultural and political ties that bind us as a free people. The Party recognizes the differing views held by its members and feel that this diversity of views is a source of strength. They feel that no one’s rights are negotiable and denounce all who practice or promote racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic prejudice and religious intolerance. According to the Republican Party the only source of equal opportunity for all is equality before the law, they are opposed to discrimination based on sex, race, age creed, or national origin and will enforce anti-discrimination statutes.

The Republican Party rejects the laws made to protect homosexuals, and endorse the Defense of Marriage Act to prevent state from being forced to recognize same-sex unions. They feel rights inhere in individuals, not in groups. The Republican Party also endorses the Dole-Canady Equal Opportunity Act to end discrimination by the federal government. They also endorse Proposition 209, which is a California Civil Rights Initiative to restore to law the original meaning of civil rights. It is also the view of the Republican Party that Public Policy respect and accommodate women whether they are full-time homemakers or pursue a career.

The Republican Party put emphasis on the community integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities, by both personal example and practical enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other laws. The party is ensuring to safeguard the interest of disabled individuals in Medicare and Medicaid, and also in federal work force programs. They are also against the non withholding of health care or treatment because of disability, age or infirmity, just as they oppose euthanasia.

On the social policy of abortion the Republican Party is opposed to abortion; however, their pro-life agenda doesn’t include punitive action against women who have an abortion. They are opposed to using public revenues for abortion and do not fund organizations that advocate it. The Republican Party salutes those who provide alternatives to abortion and offer adoption services.

As for the issue of gun control, the Republican Party defends the right to bear arms and wish to restore the efforts of Operation Triggerlock, the Republican initiative to jail any felon caught with a gun, and set minimum mandatory penalties for the use of guns in committing a crime: five years for possession, 10 years for brandishing, and 20 years for discharge.

The Republican Party sees juvenile crime as one of the most difficult challenges facing our nation. They see the cause of this as a generation of fatherless boys raising the prospects of soaring juvenile crime aided by the lack of enforcement of truancy laws. The party also views that juveniles going unsupervised especially at night are most often victims of abuse in our society. To combat these issues, the Republican Party wants to stress accountability and require adult trials for juveniles who commit adult crimes. The Party is also encouraging local jurisdictions to enact programs to address juvenile crime and to consider juvenile nocturnal curfews as a law enforcement tool to help reduce juvenile crime and victimization. The Republican Party feels teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as another problem being faced by our youth. They feel the best preventive measure is educational initiatives to promote chastity until marriage as the expected standard of behavior. The party is also opposed to school based clinics, which provide referrals, counseling and relate services for contraception and abortion.

As for education, the Republican Party wants to return its control to parents, teachers, local school boards, communities and local tax payers. In doing so they will abolish the Department of Education and promote family choice at all levels of learning such as providing parents an option of home schooling. The party supports the recognition of English as the nations common language and advocate foreign language training in our schools and the retention of heritage languages in homes and cultural institutions. The Republican Party believes that Governors, State legislators, and local school boards should support requiring public school to dedicate one full day each year to studying the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Republican Party believes in making health care and health insurance more accessible and more affordable. In doing so they wish to: make insurance portable from job to job, crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, allow individuals to set up tax-free Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), so they can pan for their own medical needs instead of relying on government or insurance companies.

Republicans are determined to protect Medicare, and are ensuring a significant annual expansion in Medicare. The party is proposing to allow unprecedented patient choice in Medicare, so that older Americans can select health care arrangements that work best for them, including provider-sponsored organizations offering quality care with strong consumer protections.

In their crusade to preserve, protect and strengthen Medicare the Republican Party is opposed to the earnings limitations for Social Security benefits. Their common goal is to secure an economic future. They feel public policy should encourage cooperative efforts by businesses and employees to expand the availability of savings vehicles for all. They wish to expand retirement options so that individual choice steers the decision making process.

Republicans view the key to welfare reform is restoring personal responsibility and encouraging two parent households. They feel that all able bodied adults must be required to work either in private sector jobs or in community work projects. Illegal aliens must be ineligible for all but emergency benefits and a time limit for receipt of welfare must be enforced. They also see illegitimacy as the most serious cause of child poverty and encourage States to stop cash payments to unmarried teens and set a family cap on payments for additional children. Republicans feel that the benefits by teen mothers should be dependent on their attendance at school and their living at home with a parent, adult relative or guardian.

Republicans put the interest of our country over those of other nations - and of the United Nations. They believe the safety and prosperity of the American home and workplace depend upon ensuring our national security in a dangerous world. They support restoring the promotion of democracy worldwide as a cornerstone of U.S. Foreign policy.
 
 

From west to east the mainland of Massachusetts extends 145 miles (233 kilometers). The peninsula of Cape Cod measures 65 miles (105 kilometers) to its curved tip. The width, north to south, of the western part of the state is 47 miles (76 kilometers). At its eastern end the width is 100 miles (161 kilometers). Massachusetts is 8,257 square miles (21,386 square kilometers) in area, including 431 square miles (1,116 square kilometers) of inland water surface.

Most of the Bay State has a continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The Coastal Plain region, tempered by the ocean and the nearness of the Gulf Stream, has the mildest climate. At Boston, average monthly temperatures vary from 30°F (-1°C) in January to 74°F (23°C) in July. Although winters are quite severe in the western part of the state, the weather is especially fine in late summer and autumn. At Pittsfield, which receives an average of nearly 80 inches (203 centimeters) of snow a year, average monthly temperatures range from 22°F (-6°C) in January to 68°F (20°C) in July.

Today about 9 percent of its people are foreign born. Of the total foreign population, the largest groups had their origins in Canada, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. African Americans make up about 5 percent of the state's population.

The chief executive officer is the governor, elected for a four-year term. The legislature, called the General Court, consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Heading the judiciary is the Supreme Judicial Court of seven justices.

Preamble

Abraham Lincoln, the founder of the Republican Party, noted that government ought not to do for the people those things which they can do for themselves. While government may promote opportunities for all, the Republican Party believes it is the individual who can best determine his or her own destiny.

Government does not create wealth: only productive private enterprise can do that. The activity of government must be supported by the wealth created by private enterprise and individuals. When bureaucracy grows, a large government sector has to be funded by the productivity of a small private sector, and less wealth is created for the society as a whole. Thus the competitiveness and prosperity of the entire society suffer.

It is the Republican view that good jobs are created by private business small and large - while jobs created by government programs only redistribute tax dollars taken from the productivity of private business. It should be the role of government to stimulate job creation by the private sector, through policies conducive to business activity, and to preserve precious taxpayer dollars to do only those things which people cannot do for themselves.

The Republican Party believes that the way to a prosperous Massachusetts is through limited government, limited taxes, limited government spending and an emphasis on individual freedom and personal responsibility.

It is this vision which the Republican Party again offers the people of the Commonwealth now, to provide leadership into further prosperity for the next four years.

ECONOMICS

Massachusetts residents are enjoying the best of times. Businesses are growing, more people are working in this state than ever before, and unemployment is now under 4 percent. Cutting taxes, balancing budgets, creating business incentives, and slashing red tape, has produced a vibrant economy and helped create 400,000 new jobs since the last recession. By reducing the size of state government, eliminating needless regulations, and balancing eight budgets in a row, the state is fiscally fit and in the black. Republican administrations have created a business-friendly environment by reducing the non-tax burden: reforming unemployment insurance and workers' compensation. The Republican Party believes that raising taxes is the wrong way to create jobs. The citizens of Massachusetts are subject to some of the highest tax rates in the nation.

The Republican Party firmly believes that lower taxes, less spending and a state budget that is balanced should be the core of sound fiscal management.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, the Massachusetts Republican Party insists on the reduction of the state Income Tax to 5%, which is a return to the pre-Dukakis tax rate; and reducing the state's highest in the nation Savings and Investment Tax by conforming to the income tax rate. We support the pending bill and the tax cut referenda, designed to attain the aforementioned tax reductions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Massachusetts Republican Party ardently opposes the Finneran Tax increase on long term Capital Gains recently passed by the House of Representatives.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

The challenge of beneficial health care reform is to provide the availability of affordable health insurance to all Americans, while maintaining consumer choice and the excellent quality of medical care offered by our current health care system The Massachusetts Republican Party believes that everyone, especially senior citizens, must have access to health coverage, without exclusions for pre- existing conditions and without fear of insurance loss in the event of job change or loss.

The Republican Party also believes that those goals can only be obtained through market-based incentives, without raising taxes, rather than through the creation of a huge, inefficient government bureaucracy.

Reforms supported by the Republican Party have reduced the rate of growth in Medicaid expenditures while providing improved care for the Medicaid population through enrolled primary care physicians.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Republican Party advocates achieving health care reform through instituting competitive options including privately-run managed care; encouraging competition among health care providers and among insurers; achieving cost reduction through tort reform, reduction of administrative costs, paperwork reduction, and emphasis on preventative medicine; and providing tax incentives to businesses and individuals to purchase health insurance, as well as financial assistance to the working poor to obtain insurance. Massachusetts is an internationally renowned leader in medical care, research, and medical education. The Massachusetts Republican Party opposes any health care initiative that will negatively impact our state's health care industry and jeopardize the thousands of health-related jobs in the Commonwealth.

WELFARE REFORM

Proper implementation of welfare reform is critical for the future of our society as we head into the 2lst century. While hard-working parents deserve our support, and our admiration, the single greatest determinant of poverty for children is whether there are two parents in the household. Children born into single-parent families do not have the same opportunities to succeed as those born into two-parent families. Government must not subsidize the single-parent Lifestyle. We must also end generational dependence on welfare. Although legislation cannot solve every problem associated with breakdown of the American family, we must hold current fathers and mothers, as well as potential parents, accountable for their behavior.

The Republican Party supports the welfare reform law that requires all able-bodied recipients with school-age children to work, imposes a mandatory two-year limit for benefits and a family-cap to discourage out-of-wedlock births. This law has produced dramatic and lasting results.

Continued welfare reform in Massachusetts will help more parents work their way off the rolls, find hope in their lives and unexpected promise in themselves. The welfare rolls have dropped every single month - by over 35,000- since welfare reform legislation was signed into law over three years ago. The state is spending almost $200 million less on welfare per year than It did a few years ago. Massachusetts has tough and innovative welfare reform policy that has become a model for the nation.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Republican Party continues to support changing the welfare system to encourage the values of work, self-sufficiency, and two-parent families. The Republican Party supports eliminating the traditional cash grants to able-bodied welfare recipients and instead providing work-supporting day care and health care. The Republican Party also supports strict enforcement of child support orders to ensure that both parents fulfill their responsibilities. The Republican Party believes that private and community-based organizations are often better suited to help people than government. Government should provide the proper incentives to help these organizations fulfill their missions to help people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Republican Party supports the continued implementation of welfare reform, and WOULD REJECT ANY LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO WEAKEN IT.

EDUCATION

The Republican Party affirms its belief that excellence in education and continued education reform are essential to our state's social, economic and political future. The Republican Party, since its inception, has stood for the worth of every person and we believe that access to quality education is key to unlocking the potential to achieve that exists within individuals. In turn, an educated, informed, and active citizenry is fundamental to any other efforts to improve and revitalize our state.

The Republican Party reaffirms its beliefs that parents are entrusted with the primary right and responsibility for educating their children; we also recognize that in today's increasingly complex society, responsibility for developing and delivering quality education has extended far beyond family.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Republican Party supports reforms that will fundamental change the way our schools operate. We support programs and reforms that promote choice, access, opportunity, competition and accountability in education for all citizens, regardless of race, ethnic origin or gender. Our party supports school choice because it empowers every parent and child regardless of income, to choose the best school We also support creating more charter schools, which allow enterprising teachers, organizations and individuals from all walks of life to open a new generation of public schools which will promote innovation and accelerate the drive for improvement in every school As long as there is one child on a waiting list to enter a charter school, then we need to have more charter schools

For over three centuries our state has served as a leader in both education and educational reform The Republican Party believes that by developing and implementing meaningful and comprehensive educational reforms our state can lead the nation into a new century.

Today, only four out of every 10 public school employees are teachers. The Republican Party supports initiatives to change this ratio and dedicate more public school resources to teaching students.

CRIME

Government has no greater role to play than upholding the public safety. The ability to maintain peace and safety is the primary purpose of government and without it, all the other freedoms we enjoy are meaningless.

The Massachusetts Republican Party is committed to supporting laws cracking down on criminals including truth-in-sentencing, a tough Juvenile Justice Bill that punishes those who commit adult crimes with adult sentences and bail reform. The focus of the state's efforts to combat crime must be a tougher response to persons who commit crime Tougher sentences and a no-nonsense attitude toward repeat offenders will in the long run save money as well as life and property.

The Massachusetts Republican Party is committed to combating domestic violence having become the first state to have a computerized domestic violence registry, passing a stalking law, implementing model guidelines including mandatory arrest for violation of a restraining order, and now, pushing legislation to keep batterers from getting custody of their children.

The Massachusetts Republican Party believes that there are criminals in Massachusetts for whom punishment and incarceration or the death penalty are the appropriate responses. The people of Massachusetts want a death penalty, and the Republican Party speaks for them in supporting it wholeheartedly.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Republican Party supports capital punishment for convicted first-degree murderers, killers of law enforcement personnel, and major drug traffickers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Republican Party does not support the proposed Sentencing Commission guidelines, such as lifting mandatory, minimum sentences for drug dealers, that would undercut all the progress made in this state to stiffen penalties and reduce crime in our state.

The Republican Party also believes that we have a moral obligation to all citizens of Massachusetts to respond forcefully and swiftly to all wrongdoing, so that crimes against the public safety are duly punished.

PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION

The medical procedure known as "Partial-Birth Abortion" goes beyond the basic debate on abortion. Organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Physicians Ad Hoc Committee for Truth including former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop have stated that the procedure is never medically necessary. Accordingly, the Massachusetts Republican Party strongly supports and urges a ban of "partial-birth abortion" at both the state and federal levels.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Republican Party strongly opposes the procedure known as "Partial-Birth Abortion" at both the State and Federal levels and supports tile bill passed by Congress and vetoed by President Clinton which prohibits "Partial-Birth Abortion" except to save the life of the mother.

GOVERNMENT REFORM: TERM LIMITS

The Democrats have controlled both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature for nearly forty years - longer than Castro has controlled Cuba. Their entrenched power has produced a Legislature which is arrogant and out of touch, hopelessly entangled with lobbyists wielding undue influence and certain individual legislators enjoying perks and privileges of elected office.

Too often, public service has become a perpetual run for reelection. Incentives for office holders to exercise fiscal restraint are disappearing, while the pressure to erect wasteful pork barrel projects to ensure re-election increases. As a result, a lack of choice in our elections has become too common.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Republican Party reaffirms its support to restore accountability to Massachusetts representative democracy; that among the changes needed are a legal limit on the number of terms served by elected officials. We decry the flawed decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to void the people's right to vote to reinstate term limits via the 1998 ballot.

ABORTION

Because of the non-partisan and highly personal nature of the abortion issue, there is no uniform Republican position, any more than there is a uniform Democrat position.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Republican Party of Massachusetts leaves it to individuals, and individual candidates, to form and clearly articulate their own position on the issue of abortion.

INCLUSION RESOLUTION

Whereas, at the last National Republican Party Convention, the Party, in accordance with an earlier resolution of the Massachusetts Republican Party State Convention, eliminated non-voting "auxiliaries" from the Republican National Committee; and

Whereas, the National Republican Party has filed to eliminate a pattern of "bonus" delegates to the Republican National Convention that skew the apportionment of delegates to less populous states at the expense of the more populous states; and

Whereas, the new Rule 34(f) of the National Republican Party Rules calls into question the Massachusetts Presidential Primary System, stating, that '~o state law... shall be observed... if state law.. provides for the selection of the nominee of the Republican Party in violation of this rule..., unless a state party rule provides specifically to the contrary".

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that in accordance with The Republican National Party's Rule 34(1), the Massachusetts Republican Party affirms the right of Massachusetts Voters to select their Presidential Nominees though our state Presidential Primary laws. This affirmation shall be considered and have the effect of a "state party rule" under said Rule 34(f).

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Republican Party calls for elimination of National Rule 34(1) as inconsistent with Republican desires for respect of the rights of states to determine their own Presidential Primary process.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Republican Party calls for the elimination of the "bonus" delegate selection system that skews the ratio of apportionment of a state's delegates to the National Convention in favor of less populous states and insists on a return to the apportionment of delegates based solely on the Federal Constitution.
 
 

MICHIGAN STATE

Michigan State is located in the East North Central United States. It consists of the Lower and Upper Peninsulas completely separated by water. Having more than 11,000 lakes and many kilometers of coastline on four of the Great Lakes, Michigan is the 11^th largest of the U.S. states with an area of 250,465 sq. km. The name of the state is taken from that of Lake Michigan. The interior location in the northern part of North America results in a continental climate, characterized by four definite seasons with moist, mild to hot summers and snowy, cold winters.

Michigan ranks as the eighth most populous state. Its population in the 1990 national census was 9,295,297. Most of the population is concentrated in the industrial cities in the southern Lower Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula is a less populated region of great natural beauty that is known as a recreation and wilderness area.

Detroit is Michigan’s largest city with a population of 1,027,974 according to the 1990 census. Nearly half the population lives in the Detroit metropolitan area. Lansing is the state capital with 127,321 people.

During the colonial period, when Michigan had few European settlers, fur trapping and trading were the principal economic activities. As the region became more populated farming, lumbering, and mining occupied the settlers. Mining allowed Michigan to develop a manufacturing economy and the state became a center for producing motor vehicles and associated equipment.

MICHIGAN GOVERNMENT

Michigan is governed under a revised constitution that went into effect in 1964. The state elects two senators and sixteen representatives to the Congress of the United States, giving the state eighteen electoral votes in presidential elections.

Michigan was one of the birthplaces of the Republican Party, which was founded in Jackson in 1854 and swept the state in the elections later that year. Through the 1920’s, Michigan was one of the most Republican states in the nation. In the years that followed the Democratic Party ascended. Historically, politics divided Michigan between the Detroit metro area and Outstate. Thus, in 1960 John Kennedy carried metro Detroit 62%-38% and Richard Nixon carried Outstate 60%-39%. Now that difference has diminished: George Bush in 1988 and then Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996 carried both regions. New divisions have been created. In the Detroit metro area, the economically growing regions usually vote Republicans while Outstate, Democrats still run well. In 1998, John Engler, a Republican, became governor of Michigan. That was not the first time for him. Engler was first elected to lead Michigan in 1990 when the state was an economic disaster. Unemployment was rampant, taxes were high, and the states outlook was grim. Governor John Engler cut taxes over 21 times, business rebounded and over one-half million new jobs were created. Furthermore, the per person income growth was the fastest in the nation.

In 1996 Engler was mentioned as a candidate for vice president but he was subject to some ridicule when it was revealed he had been deferred from the draft for being two pounds overweight! Michigan Republicans took a whipping in 1996 but the victory came two years later, in 1998, when Engler became governor again.

MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN’S ISSUES

Michigan Republicans do not have any individual platform; they just follow the platforms of the Republicans National Committee. At their 1999 State Convention they passed the following issues:

1. Resolved, that the Michigan Republican State Committee shall support Governor Engler’s plan to cut the state income tax to 3.9% or lower, coupled with continued cuts and reductions in state government spending.
2. Resolved, that the Michigan Republican State Committee shall support continued reform of Michigan’s public education system, including support of legislation that would give parents tuition tax credits that follow their children to the schools of their choice.
3. Resolved, that the Michigan Republican State Committee shall support strengthening our national defenses, including the support of a missile defense program.
4. Resolved, that the Michigan Republican State Committee shall support legislation that strengthens the enforcement of Michigan Campaign Finance laws.

In Engler’s plan to reform education system is the creation of the $2,500 Michigan Merit Award for students who master reading, writing, math and science. The scholarship can be used for either college or training at any Michigan school and is open to all students, including children who attend public, private or home schools. In addition, the award will be enhanced by $500 for students who pass their MEAP tests in the 7^th and 8^th grades, making the total award $3,000.

According to David Hill, President of Hill Research Consultants and advisor of the Michigan Republican Party on political strategy, the first step toward victory in 1998 was learning the lessons of 1996. Taking nothing for granted, the Michigan Republicans now turn toward 2000 with the hope and opportunity to build upon their recent success. Recruitment will continue and their leaders will beat the bushes. In the area of direct contact, grassroots campaigning and get-out-the vote efforts the state party revamped their list operation for the better. In the crucial area of message development and advertising that message the Michigan Republicans realized that on key issues from crime to schools to taxes they have to use language that connects their goals to the lives of ordinary Michiganders. Another factor that counted for the party’s success in 1998 and will be helpful in the 2000 race is the field of attracting women and minorities. According to the exit polls, Engler received the votes of 59% of females (70% of white females) and 27% of African Americans. Finally, the Michigan Republican’s fundraising successes will contribute to their ability to get their message out because they believe that, "a party without a well-funded treasury is not going to be successful."
 
 

Minnesota ranks 12th in area. It is roughly rectangular in shape. From north to south it extends 406 miles (653 kilometers); from east to west, 357 miles (575 kilometers). Lake Superior stretches along its northeastern border for 180 miles (290 kilometers). The state's area is 84,068 square miles (217,735 square kilometers), including 4,779 square miles (12,378 square kilometers) of inland water, but excluding 2,212 square miles (5,729 square kilometers) of Lake Superior.

Because of its size and its location in the middle of the continent, Minnesota has changeable weather. Cool polar air masses sometimes sweep across the state from Canada. However, prolonged periods of heat often result from the warm, moist air that moves northward from the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Superior moderates temperatures near the lake in all seasons. The average annual temperature varies from about 39°F (4°C) in the northern part of the state to about 46°F (8°C) in the southern part. But temperatures vary widely between summer and winter. Temperatures during the winter months in the northwest, the coldest section of the state, average about 11°F (-12°C). Below-zero weather is common here. Summer temperatures quickly change and average about 69°F (21°C) in the warmest section, the south-central part of the state.

Minnesota's immigrants came largely from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Great Britain. Later Finns and Slavs came to work the iron mines. Meat-packing attracted Balkans, Poles, and Lithuanians. In the 1970s and 1980s the cities drew Hispanics and refugees from the Vietnam War.

Today only 2.6 percent of the population is foreign born. Of the total foreign population, the largest groups are from Germany, Sweden, and Canada. African Americans make up 1.3 percent of the total population, and most of them are concentrated in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. There are even fewer Indians, and they live mainly on reservations in the northern part of the state.

Two Minnesotans were among the Democratic presidential candidates who received the state's votes from 1932 to 1948, 1960 to 1968, and 1976 to 1988. (Several of these were losing candidates.) Among the nominees were two Minnesotans. Hubert H. Humphrey, in 1964 the first resident to be elected vice-president of the United States, was the Democratic candidate in 1968. Walter F. Mondale, vice-president from 1977 to 1981, was the party's candidate for president in 1984. An outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota became a national figure in 1968 when he challenged President Lyndon B. Johnson in the state presidential primaries.
 
 

Civil Rights Reform

Work toward a society in which people are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. We support the following reforms:

• Prohibiting any form of racial, ethnic or religious discrimination by government including racial preferences or quotas in state or other government employment, student admissions and faculty hiring, or set asides in the awarding of government contracts.
• Repealing the provisions of all state statutes that require differential treatment of citizens based on race, ethnicity or religion.
• Encouraging respect for our American heritage and our status as American citizens rather than as members of any class based on race, ethnicity or religion.
• Protecting the right to religious expression in any public setting in which other types of ‘speech’ are permitted.

Legal Reform

Repair Minnesota’s out-of-control litigation system which produces unreasonable awards for minor damages, excessive punitive damages, huge attorneys’ fees and frivolous lawsuits. We support the following reforms

• Limiting unreasonable monetary awards and attorneys’ fees.
• Preventing abusive class action lawsuits by prohibiting massive attorneys’ fees in trivial cases where plaintiffs receive insignificant damages.
• Limiting a defendant’s responsibility for any damage award to the defendant’s actual share of fault as found by the jury.
• Empowering juries to determine that a suit was without any merit and in such a case require the plaintiff and his attorney to pay the defendant’s attorney’s fees and court costs.
• Limiting prisoners’ ability to file frivolous lawsuits.

Health Care and Welfare Reform

Simplify Minnesota’s complicated and costly health care system to give Minnesotans choices, reduce costs and improve quality through real market competition. Continue restructuring of Minnesota’s welfare system. We support the following reforms:

• Promoting programs that reduce health care costs by introducing genuine market competition into the system, repealing MinnesotaCare, and opposing programs that ration health care.
• Giving individuals more health care choices by permitting medical savings accounts and giving people the option of using their own money for the type of plan they choose.
• Opposing state or federal access to individually identifiable medical data on individuals, or the collection of such data on state or federal health care databases without the consent of the parent, guardian, or individual.
• Supporting the current direction of welfare reform that requires able- bodied candidates to work before they become eligible for benefits, limits welfare benefits for able-bodied individuals to two years, imposes a residency requirement on welfare recipients and ends welfare benefits for illegal immigrants.
• Enabling, encouraging and participating in private charity for the poor, and enacting federal and state tax credits for charitable contributions.

Property Rights, Environment and Agriculture Reform

Bring back common sense and basic fairness in land use, farming practices and conservation. We support the following reforms:

• Requiring government compensation for property devaluation when regulations or zoning cause declines in property value. We support restricting the government’s ownership of our land to the 40% that it now owns.
• Moving towards free markets in agricultural products, opposing restrictions on agricultural exports and repealing subsidies.
• Adopting a reasonable wetlands policy in which the cost of preserving water quality is not borne unfairly by a few private property owners.
• Urging the passage of the American Land Sovereignty Act which would require that all treaties be ratified by Congress before they could be enacted, even by executive order.
• Opposing ratification of the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty, which places severe restrictions on U.S. businesses with no scientific evidence.
• Opposing legislation that places a state-wide moratorium on feed lots and logging roads -- townships and counties should decide these matters.
• Adopting U.S. Senator Rod Grams’ proposal to return management of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park to the original intent of the 1978 BWCAW law and Public Law 91-661 creating the park.
• Amending the Minnesota Constitution so that hunting and fishing rights are guaranteed. We support returning timber wolf management back to the state.
• Opposing Minnesota Planning’s use of the 1992 United Nations Rio De Janeiro Bio Diversity Treaty from being used as the basis for any planning in Minnesota. We support repealing the Minnesota Community Based Planning Act, since local government should decide these matters.
• Opposing federal ‘heritage area’ acts that would generically provide funding and other opportunities for bureaucracies and other non-governmental organizations to use tax dollars to lobby and prepare for regulation of our land and resources.
• Opposing the Minnesota DNR’s ecosystem management approach to natural resource management, while supporting a return to traditional silverculture and wildlife management techniques.

Environment. We favor clean air, clean water, a healthy environment and preserving our natural heritage for future generations. The issue is not clean versus dirty, but reasonable versus unfair and extreme. A very serious issue is who should bear the costs of environmental protection. These are difficult, complicated issues that deserve more than emotional responses based on little or no information. Environmental policy-making should be based on peer-reviewed scientific research and should involve government regulation in limited circumstances.

Agriculture. We support our farmers and their efforts to operate their farms without undue interference from state and local governments. After all, farmers manage their farms much better than politicians and bureaucrats.

Family Security and Defense of Life Reform

Adopt policies that strengthen the family, defend human life and support our traditional Minnesota values. We support the following reforms:

• Adopting policies reflecting the principle that every human being, born and unborn, has an inalienable right to life from conception to natural death.
• Opposing abortion and supporting legislation aimed at prohibiting partial birth abortions.
• Submitting to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment to overturn the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision that forces taxpayers to pay for elective abortions.
• Opposing legislation that defines food and water as "medical treatment" that can be withheld from a patient.
• Adopting changes that encourage families to stay together, including changes in marriage, divorce, child support, welfare and tax laws.
• Making it easier and less costly for heterosexual parents to adopt children of any race.
• Opposing recognition of same sex marriages or the establishment of homosexuals as a protected class.
• Eliminating all advertising promoting state-sponsored gambling by radio, television or free promotional items.
• Strengthening laws and regulations that restrict the sale, production and promotion of obscene material, including on the internet and the telephone.

We are also concerned about the growing epidemic of gambling in Minnesota. This is breaking up families and creating financial hardships. Today two-thirds of personal bankruptcies are gambling related. Much crime is also generated by gambling addiction. For these reasons, we support restrictions to slow the spread of this dangerous disease. In particular, we believe the state should not promote gambling.

Education Reform

Restore Minnesota’s education system by returning to a system that emphasizes local control, parental involvement, learning and traditional values. We support the following reforms:

• Re-emphasizing the ‘three Rs’ and a traditional knowledge-based curriculum in education. We support teaching the traditional Minnesota values of hard work, honesty, home and family, rather than indoctrination in the liberal social agenda.
• Making Minnesota’s education system more effective and efficient by reducing the federal and state bureaucracies’ control over education and by returning authority to parents and local communities.
• Abandoning the Profile of Learning, opposing the Diversity Rule and withdrawing from Goals 2000.
• Supporting a state-wide testing system that emphasizes basic skills in a core curriculum.
• Re-establishing the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Increasing accountability through competition in our schools by preserving and expanding tax credits, deductions or voucher programs.
• Protecting parents’ rights to home school their children and to receive tax credits for home schooling. Continuing to support the expansion of charter schools.
• Reforming tenure, limiting public teachers’ right to strike, and restoring balance to the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA).

By instilling these time-honored values in our children, we will educate students of character and integrity. In the past 35 years, Minnesota’s spending per student has more than doubled in inflation-adjusted dollars. This additional governmental spending on education has not resulted in improved educational achievement, as student performance has declined. During this time, both state and federal governments have taken ever-increasing control over the educational system, pushing aside parental and local control. The result is an educational system that is inefficient, ineffective, expensive and choked by bureaucracy. Minnesota Republicans advocate returning control to parents and local school boards.

The most effective form of parental control is school choice. Tax credits, vouchers and charter schools allow parents to choose the best education for their children. Parental choice in education must also include the option of home schooling. Parents who home school must be given the same rights, resources and tax benefits as other parents. Educational IRA’s are another means by which parental choice can be maximized. The latest panacea in Minnesota education is called the Profile of Learning. This program, along with its parent program, Goals 2000, is fatally flawed. The Profile of Learning incorrectly stresses "project learning" over a traditional knowledge-based curriculum. Moreover, the Profile of Learning is a bureaucratic nightmare that will throw students’ and teachers’ lives into utter chaos.

We also oppose the "Diversity Rule" because its main goal is social engineering, not educational performance. The educational establishment has changed its focus from teaching basic academics to promoting a liberal social agenda. This has resulted in schools spending hours of class time on such social issues as abuse education, AIDS, sex education and racism. Frequently, schools place more importance on individual self-esteem than on academic performance. This must change! Our public schools must stop serving the role of social and child-care institutions and start educating our children.

Crime Reform

Reduce crime in Minnesota by getting tough with violent and repeat criminals. We support the following reforms:

• Establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences, substantially higher for repeat offenders, and ending probation for violent criminals.
• Building new prisons only after all existing facilities require double bunking. Fewer expenditures should be made on luxury items such as televisions, telephones, unlimited access to athletic facilities and the internet.
• Changing state law so any juvenile who is arrested for a violent crime is tried as an adult.
• Requiring all prisoners to work to provide restitution to their victims and the state for crimes committed.
• Giving the people of Minnesota an opportunity to vote by referendum on capital punishment.
• Supporting a responsible, competent citizen’s right to self-defense through gun ownership and a "must issue" carry permit system.

We believe that prisons need to become prisons again. The cost of maintaining a criminal in a Minnesota prison is nearly double the national average due to the numerous services and amenities our prisoners receive. Prisoners should be required to work in order to repay their victims and the state for crimes committed. We believe that the benefits experienced by the over thirty states which have non-discretionary "must issue" carry permit laws should be extended to Minnesotans. Where these laws have been enacted, there has been real, marked decreases in violent crime. After all, an armed victim is a criminal’s worst nightmare.

None of the extraordinary things about our country are gifts of government. They are the accomplishments of free people in a free society. They are achievements, not entitlements – and are sweeter for that fact. All our efforts as Republicans are guided by the fixed star of this single principle: that freedom always exceeds our highest expectations. "Freedom is the last, best hope of earth."

1. FREEDOM from Oppressive Taxes, Spending and Regulation Republicans support an economic agenda that reduces taxes, spending and regulation to create opportunities for American families and businesses. We believe tax surpluses belong to taxpayers, not the government. Republicans support abolishing the current IRS tax code and replacing it with a fairer, simpler tax system. We support financially sound Social Security and Medicare systems. This includes individual discretion and ownership of a portion of Social Security contributions, while maintaining our obligations to older Americans.
2. FREEDOM from the Fear of Crime Republicans believe that the best way to reduce crime is to get tough with violent and repeat criminals. We will do this by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences and by ending probation for violent criminals. Republicans support a law-abiding citizen’s right to carry concealed weapons to defend themselves.
3. FREEDOM of Choice in our Children’s Education Republicans believe that educational funding is better allocated by parents, through tax credits and deductions, than government bureaucrats. Goals 2000 and the Profile of Learning champion process over substance, sentiment over knowledge and political correctness over historical and literary understanding. They should be replaced by a demonstration of competence in traditional knowledge and basic skills.
4. FREEDOM that Strengthens Family Security, Defends Life and Supports Traditional Minnesota Values Republicans understand that every human being, born and unborn, has an inalienable right-to-life. We believe that laws should be passed to prohibit partial birth abortion and forced taxpayer funding for elective abortions. Republicans support adoption and oppose special rights for homosexuals.
5. FREEDOM to Enjoy Private Property and Agricultural Rights while Protecting the Environment Republicans support the rights of individuals to own their own property free from government restriction and to receive just compensation where restrictions are deemed of overwhelming necessity. We believe in protecting the environment based on scientifically sound doctrines. Republicans support free markets for agricultural products.
6. FREEDOM of Citizens, Enhanced through Government Reform Republicans support both rediscovering federalism by moving government functions closer to citizens and empowering individual voters through real campaign finance reform. This includes requiring all unions to receive written permission from their members before collecting funds for political purposes.
7. FREEDOM to Pursue Quality Health Care Republicans believe that real market competition will improve the quality and lower the cost of our health care system. FREEDOM to Pursue Opportunities Unfettered by the Shackles of Welfare Republicans support the current direction of welfare reform that calls for work and residency requirements.
8. FREEDOM from Lawsuit Abuse through Legal Reform Republicans will repair Minnesota’s litigation system, by eliminating colossal awards for minor damages, excessive punitive damages, huge attorneys’ fees and frivolous lawsuits.
9. FREEDOM and Equality for All Americans through Civil Rights Reform Republicans believe individuals should not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Therefore, government mandated discrimination, including racial preference and quotas, should be prohibited.

Mississippi's total area is 48,286 square miles. According to the 1990 national census, Mississippi ranked 31st among the states in population, with a total of 2,573,216. This represented an increase of 2.1 percent since 1980, when the state’s population was 2,520,638. The estimated population for 1997 was 2,730,501. In1990 Mississippi had an average population density of 21 persons per sq. km (53 per sq. mi.). The rural density was greatest in the Delta. In 1990 Mississippi had an average population density of 21 persons per sq. km (53 per sq. mi.). The rural density was greatest in the Delta. The State’s Physical geography consist of broad, flat, highly fertile lowlands, known locally as the Delta, cover much of the western part of the state along the Mississippi River. The remainder of the state is covered by the low hills of the East Gulf Coastal Plain, which rises from sea level along the marshy Gulf Coast to the Tennessee River Hills.

Mississippi has five members in the U.S. House of Representatives and elects two senators. The state casts seven electoral votes in presidential elections. The Republicans have dominated Mississippi since the past recent years. Both of Mississippi’s senators and three of its five congressmen are Republicans. In 1991 Kirk Fordice became the first Republican to be elected governor in 120 years. Fordice became the first Mississippi governor in the 20th century to serve consecutive terms when he was reelected in 1995. The Mississippi Republican Party focuses on Economic Development, Education, Right to life, Government Reform, Lowering Taxes, Welfare Reform, and on protecting the Environment. The Republicans believe that this platform will lead them to a new millennium with growth and opportunity for the state.

The Economic Development in Mississippi has been good with in the last four years; it has seen a growth of new jobs. By the early 1990s the number of those working in manufacturing exceeded agricultural workers. Of the 1,280,000 workers in Mississippi, about 21 percent worked in service industries such as restaurants and data processing centers; 21 percent in manufacturing; 20 percent in wholesale or retail trade; 19 percent in federal, state, or local government, including those in the military; 5 percent in farming (including agricultural services), forestry, or fishing; 5 percent in construction; 5 percent in finance, insurance, or real estate; 4 percent in transportation or public utilities; and 1 percent in mining. In the mid-1990s about 6 percent of Mississippi’s workers were members of labor unions. For this reason the Republicans number one priority is the creation of private sector jobs. The expansion of these businesses would lead to even more employment for the citizens of Mississippi. They also support the "Right to work law" which allows allow any individual the right to work. A Right to Work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union.

In the mid-1990s Mississippi spent about $3230 on each student’s education, compared to a national average of about $5310. There were 18.2 students for every teacher, giving the state an average class size higher than the national average. Of those older than 25 years of age in the state, only 64 percent had a high school diploma, the lowest level of educational attainment among the states. The Republican party believes that "It is not how much money is spent on a child but it is how much the child has learn." They want to increase the accountability in the education system through standardized testing and a merit base pay for teachers and administrators. They also would like a reform system on recruiting and retraining teachers. The Republicans also support a Voucher system in that the parents have the choice to pick the best school for their children needs. They would like to see the reduction in the number of colleges because this would strengthen higher learning and it would save funds.

The Mississippi Republican Party believes strongly in right to life and wants a human life amendment added to the Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment’s protection applies to unborn children. They oppose the public revenues used for abortion. One alternative that they suggest is for more adoption services.

The Mississippi governor is elected for a four-year term. A change in law effective in 1994 allowed for the first time the governor to serve consecutive terms, although a two-term limit was imposed. The governor enjoys wide appointive powers. Alone or subject to the approval of the senate, the governor appoints many of the members of the state’s more than 100 agencies, departments, boards, and commissions. Republicans want to see limited government and individual freedom. They recommend the reduction of government at the federal, state and national levels. This would consolidate departments and stop wasteful spending. They also support a statewide voter registration system and would like to eliminate Motor Voter Registration System because it would increase voter fraud.

The combined tax of federal and state creates an enormous burden on families. The Mississippi Republicans are committed to fight to provide tax relief for families. One of the way to reduce this tax is to get rid of the 1992 sales tax which will immediate have a tax relief to all Mississippians.

Some economic problems persist. Too many Mississippians lack the technical and educational skills necessary for high-wage, sophisticated industries. This is especially true in the Delta and the central hill counties. Too many Mississippians depend for their livelihoods on government: In many depressed counties the chief source of income is government payments such as welfare and social security. The Republicans argue that the welfare program was intended to provide temporary aid and not for dependence on government assistance. They would like to see a "Work First" program, which requires welfare recipients to work to receive benefits, which will ultimately lift them out of the cycle of dependency.

The major concerns of conservation authorities in Mississippi are the prevention of soil erosion and water pollution, reforestation, the reclamation of infertile and wet lands, and flood control. In the early 1990s Mississippi spent 1.4 percent of its annual budget on the environment, ranking it among the lower one-third of the states. In the mid-1990s the state had five hazardous waste sites placed on a national priority list for cleanup due to their severity or proximity to people. In comparison to other states, little progress was being made in efforts to reduce pollution; by 1993 the amount of toxic chemicals discharged into the environment had been reduced by only 1 percent from four years before, a much smaller decrease than in most other states. The Mississippi Republicans are aware of the their natural resources that are valuable assets for promoting tourism and attracting new industries.
 
 

The best way to explain the state of Missouri is by quoting from the preamble to its 1945 Constitution, "We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the State." This constitution further developed a very appropriate state motto: Salus Populi Suprema Les Esto (The Welfare of the People Shall Be the Supreme Law).

The state’s population increased by over 30,000 people in one year to an estimated total of 5,438,559 on July 1, 1998. Much of the growth was due to migration gains. Over 10,000 more people moved into the state than moved out of it. Natural growth (births minus deaths) was about 20,000 persons. Missouri has gained 322,000 persons, a growth rate of 6.3 percent since 1990.

Missouri women hold an important role in the states financial growth. Labor Force Data from the 1990 Census of Population and Housing reported that 1,102,173 women aged 16 and over were employed in Missouri, working in such capacities as cooperate managers. These women have also obtained professional specialty occupations including public administrator, official, executive, engineer, and health assessment and treatment teachers.

Missouri’s social policies include a lot of legislatures that grant aid and assistance to both rural and urban citizens. These legislatures have had positive reinforcement from both parties of the Missouri House of Representatives. Although the House majority is Democratic, these issues, as well as many others, are equally supported by both fractions of the government.

For example, in July of 1999, Governor Mel Carhahan (Democratic), along with the assistance and aid of state Republican leaders, signed two pieces of legislation aimed at preserving urban communities, Housing Preservation Program, and promoting the development of small businesses, New Enterprise Creation Act.

The Housing Preservation Program utilizes tax credits to encourage the rehabilitation of older homes and the construction of new homes in the states core cities and town. The goal of the program is to encourage the preservation and redevelopment of communities in Missouri’s urban centers and older suburbs.

The second piece of legislation, the New Enterprise Creation Act, allocates tax credits to establish a $20 million fund that will be used to finance early-stage businesses in Missouri. The program is geared toward assisting the establishment of innovative, high tech companies that previously had no financing source.

Rural Economic Assistance Program, or REAP, provides seed capitol for foster sustainable community and economic development programs in rural areas. It’s aim is to "prime the pump" to help communities achieve resources necessary to establish long term community and economic development efforts.

Missouri, Republican powered, anti-abortion laws have recently been the direct targets of Planned Parenthood. In a direct attack on the 1973 Supreme Court ruling, Roe v. Wade, the state of Missouri has outlawed virtually all abortion procedures. This law is so broad and so vague it bans virtually all abortion procedures. Unlike similar bans passed by other state legislatures, the Missouri law goes far beyond just banning abortion. For example, this law, criminalizes women who undergo an abortion procedure, carrying a sentence of up to life in prison

The Missouri General Assembly voted in September 1999, to override Governor Carnahan's veto of the so-called "Infant's Protection Act. " Panned Parenthood Federation of America's lawyers, acting on behalf of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, has been seeking an injunction to stop the ban from going into effect. The decision of the Missouri General Assembly was supported by the Missouri State GOP, one such supporter, Rep. Carl Vogel, R-Jefferson City, said " Things have changed drastically over the past five years," at an anti-abortion rally. "The time has come to receive fair and open debate."

Missouri voters will soon have more decisions to make at the election booth. New legislation is being put forth by the Missouri state Republican caucus in the House that will allow voters to elect future state Board of Education members. Currently, board members are appointed by the governor and are confirmed by the Senate; however, the Board of Education appointments are a part of the Missouri State Constitution. House Republican Leader Delbert Scott's says he believes teacher's organizations would be supportive of this legislation. "Since the appointment of Board of Education Members is a part of the Missouri Constitution, voters must approve any changes. If the new policy is passed by the legislature, Missouri teachers would have the opportunity to make their opinion known."

The "Missouri Families- Mutual Responsibility Plan," a statewide welfare demonstration, project that emphasizes work, parental responsibility and self-sufficiency was passed by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1995 and was supported by state Republicans. Missouri is the 26th state to receive approval to implement a welfare reform demonstration under the Clinton administration. Under Missouri's demonstration all aid to families with dependent children recipients must, unless exempted, sign and fulfill a self-sufficiency agreement that establishes a plan for work and a two-year time limit on benefits. The agreement allows an additional two years if necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

Republicans gave Democratic leader, Governor Carnahan, a standing ovation when he called for tax relief in January. That ovation has turned into a chorus of boos since the Democrats have failed to pass a meaningful tax cut.

On foreign affairs, state GOP leaders such as Gutknecht, and Ramstad have helped to approve the bill to commit the United States to a nationwide defense against ballistic missiles. The Ballistic Missile testing program is the Pentagon’s plan to have a total of 19 tests of the new national missile defense system. The experiment is the first time in which a ground based interceptor will be launched from the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands to determine if the exo-atmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) can hit a missile warhead launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The target missile will carry a beacon that will guide the rocket booster until it gets within range of the EKV.
 
 

Montana is the fourth largest state in terms of size, but ranks 44th in population. According to the 1990 census there were 799,065 people living in the state and in 1996 an estimated 879,372. The state is a two party state, but is controlled by Republicans. There is a Republican governor. The State Senate consists of 50 members, of which 34 are Republicans. The State House has 100 members, of which 65 are Republicans. Montana is your typical western state, large amounts of land with few people living there. There is an average of 6.0 people per square mile. When people register to vote in Montana they do not have a system of party registration. In 1996, there were 650,000 registered voters and in the 1996 election roughly 62% of the voting population turned out.

Population wise, Montana is a small state. There are no cities in Montana with more than 100,000 people. The most densely populated city in Montana is Billings, which has approximately 81,200 people. Predominantly the people in Montana are white. In 1990, of the 786,690 people that lived in Montana, 741,111 were white. Most people in Montana are educated, with 85.6% having graduated from high school, and 21.9% from college. The main staple of the Montana economy is agriculture. The total Gross State Product (GSP) was $16,862,000,000, with agriculture services coming in first with $970,000,000. Montana is a state that depends on the goods produced on farms around the state; there are currently 22,000 farms in Montana.

Agriculture is the main staple of the Montana's economy. Though foreign policy in a national issues, the Republican Party of Montana understands that importance on taking a stand on the issues. The party believes that because of instability in Europe the nation must maintain a high level of military competence. The party platform states that political turmoil in throughout world makes it imperative the nation meet the challenge that lies ahead, with emphasis on research and development, armed forces, and improving our defense strategy technology.

Ideas the party has regarding foreign Policy are: to continue to prevent nuclear proliferation without unilateral disarmament in the Unites States; US military or its resources must never come under United Nations or foreign command, nor should UN or foreign troops be allowed on American soil. The party favors the country's right to defend itself against terrorism. The party feels that there should be stronger control in the transfer of technology that might be used for military purposes in any country that poses a military or political threat to the United States. The party also feels that defense spending is important but that the money should be spent in a manner that is both productive and efficient. However, concerns about cutting the defense budget in a time of political crisis around the world need to be addressed. Instead of cutting the defense budget the party argues that the amount should remain the same. On the issue of troops, the party feels that American troops should only be sent overseas when national security is threatened, and only under the command of the nation's Joint Chief of Staff.

On the issue of Equality and Opportunity, the party states their "historic commitment to equal rights and equality for every citizen regardless of gender, age, race, national origin, religion, creed or physical impairment." The party encourages citizen participation in all levels of government, especially elected offices. It also supports equal opportunity laws and the elimination of discrimination, including reverse discrimination. It affirms the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all individuals, stating that partial birth abortion if a brutal procedure that denies and individual the right to life. Abortion and equality are linked together because the party believes that every individual whether born or not is endowed with certain rights. It condemns President Clinton's veto on the partial abortion ban, and encourage Congress to override the veto as soon as possible.

On the issue of education, the party feels that the system should be controlled on the local level. The party feels that the Board of Public Education must be performance oriented, but that the local school board must be given the flexibility to achieve preset state standards. The party feels that the parent should make the ultimate choice on how their child will be educated and oppose any effort to limit academic freedom of choice by state regulation of church, private or home schools. It also feels that competition serves the educational marketplace and strengthens both public and private education, with children benefiting most. It supports educational policy that allows for the education of the child to be the choice of the parent.

On the issue of health care, the party recognizes the need to have public health care, but also feel there needs to be private health care as well. The party supports the patients' right to choose. It supports the use of nurse practitioner and physicians' assistants under the supervision of qualified physicians. It believes that hospitals should be linked to health care facilities in both large and small communities, should any complications arise. They also believe that physicians should get a tax credit, low-cost equipment loans, and rural care residency programs for family physicians to encourage physicians to settle in rural areas.

On the issue of welfare, the party feels that feels that administration of the system does belong in the hands of the state. It promote a workfare program where recipients earn their benefits by performing a specific job. It wants limitations for the amount of time that people can receive benefits. Job training should also be available to those people that are on the welfare rolls, so that they will be able to become "self-supporting" citizens.

Gun control is an issue where the party feels that they do not have the right to regulate. Quoting the Second Amendment to the Constitution that a, "well-regulated militias being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arm shall not be infringed." The party is opposes the confiscation of firearms by regulation or taxation. The party is opposes any system of national registration of firearm owners and their guns, or setting limits to the amount of firearms and ammunitions owned by any citizen. The party also calls for the recalling of the Brady Bill.

The issue of services to children and youth are a part of the party platform. The party believes that children need to protected. They need to live and learn in an environment that is conducive to their growing into functional members of society. The party is pushing towards social policies and services that preserve and protect the traditional family unit. They support inter-agency planning, collaboration, and coordination to maximize the use of community-based, family-based services tailored to the needs of children. The party feels that more resources must be available so that children that come from abused homes can receive the proper treatment for their individual needs. In addition, the party feels that the juvenile correction should be changed so that judges have the option as to whether the child should be incarcerated in order to make them accountable for their actions.

On the issue of economic issues and the environment, the party feels that it is imperative to reduce government to achieve a balanced budget, and to protect our remaining natural resources. A balanced budget must be achieved not by raising general taxes, but with less government spending. The party also feels that they need to make economic policies that produce an environment that creates more jobs and encourages private enterprises. "A favorable economic climate will provide the needed opportunities for our young people to stay in Montana." In Montana, the Republican Party believes that their economy and the environment go hand-in-hand, since the economy is based largely on agriculture. The party feels that in order to Montana to prosper that their agricultural producers must prosper as well. They support economically sound recycling. They support informed natural resource decision-making policy based on scientific proof. They oppose policy that is based on misinformation and scare tactics.

The Republican party of Montana is a party that believes in less government intervention so that local governments will have the power to make the decisions within the state. The Republican party believes in the fundamentals of the Constitution. It believes that national government should reduce its spending but not at the expense of the states. It believes that all people should be treated equally regardless of the race, creed or color. The rules for the Republican party of Montana they state that they are Republican because they believe, "...the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideas into positive and successful principles of government."
 
 

As the Nebraska Republican Party, we believe that the strength of the state and what we may accomplish as a state is rooted in our people. It is believed that the maintenance of the government of the state of Nebraska is critical to the input and participation of the citizens of this state. The government that we, the Nebraskan Republican Party believes in, is a "good government". This government should guarantee to individuals equality before the law regardless of race, creed, age, gender, national origin, or income level and that each person’s ability, dignity, and freedom, as well as responsibilities, must be recognized and honored. The government should promote the health, welfare, and safety of the individual and that government’s proper function is to do only those things which individuals cannot do for themselves. We as the Republican Party of Nebraska believe that this party can be used as a vehicle for all persons who desire a positive and responsive government at the city, county, state, and national levels.

The top issues that the Nebraskan Republican Party are concerned with are: Agriculture, Economic Development, Education, Health Care, Human Rights, Family, Fiscal Responsibility, Environment & Natural Resources, Social Services, and Defense and Foreign Policy.

Agriculture is seen not only as a basic industry to Nebraska, but as a cornerstone of the economy. Programs to help agriculture, both long and short term must be able to balance between the commodity groups to ensure that the individual commodities will not be adversely affected. Support for the development of research and development facilities within our state party is very strong. Our leading agricultural commodities in 1995 were cattle, corn, hogs, and soybeans.

The belief of economic development for the Republican Party is deep rooted in the fact that full employment and the creation of economic opportunity is for all citizens of Nebraska through the free enterprise system. Aggressive and judicious recruitment of business for the state is supported for the retention of business within the state as well as the repeal of the capital gains tax to help spur economic development and the creation of jobs. Along with the provision of fundamental services in a quality manner, the establishment of fair and equitable policies of taxation, the encouragement of expansion, and reducing government regulation for businesses on the state of Nebraska. It is also supported that the development of enterprising zones is needed to assist in the further development of businesses where needed to stimulate economic growth.

The Nebraskan Republican Party also believes that education plays a vital role in the development of effective and responsible citizens. This is supported by the affirmation of the local school board holding the primary responsibility of their respective school districts as well as all children (K-12) receive an excellent education. Federal control and funding of education is opposed due to the fact that it erodes the fundamental parental right to control their own children’s education. The School-to-Work Career program is vehemently opposed because this will

1. not only turn our free enterprise system into a planned and managed economy
2. it places the burden of training of the students on taxpayer rather than the employer
3. also every student has the right to determine their own future and career path, there is no need for students to be forced into a career path at the elementary/secondary age

We also support educational alternatives because the family is a basic function of the state. We encourage the families to take a larger role in their children’s education. We also encourage the "support of parental choices in the are of education as adding to the richness and diversity of our culture and the pluralistic matrix of American society". The reinforcement of aforementioned statement "we support an education system based on a parental choice voucher program…" this drives the principles of the free market competition into education.

It is also believed that every citizen should have access to quality and affordable health care. The availability of health care in rural areas is necessary to support economic development within the neighborhood. Reimbursements must be adequate to the providers in order for necessary health care services to be provided to all Nebraskans. These reimbursements must also be at such a level such that the uncompensated costs of health care are not shifted to other paying consumers. A health care plan must place the individual first and therefore implement such measures such as medical savings account so that families will always have control over their health care options. It is also supported that the American family should have the ability to purchase their own health insurance privately and if this is allowed there should be legislation that allow a 100% deductibility off their taxes for this private purchase. We also believe that individuals have to right to be educated and informed of all possible exposures to all health harming elements regardless of any legal basis of confidentiality. Schools should not provide comprehensive health services because this is a right of the family. If this family right is usurped it will undermine the integrity of the family that this country is founded on. Taxpayer family planning clinics are also opposed as well as minors receiving contraceptives without prior parental consent and all health care facilities should be subject to federal regulations and inspections.

Our strong support of human rights reaffirms our position that everyone has the inalienable right to human dignity and equal treatment under the law. It is our belief that equal rights and responsibilities is basic to a free society. No discrimination should take place regardless of being physically or mentally challenged, race, religion, color, creed, gender, age, marital status, or national origin. We believe that equal pay and benefits should be given for equal work for all people. It is opposed that any extra effort made to extend special laws or privileges to anyone based upon sexual preference.

Our commitment is reaffirmed by the freedoms that are given and guaranteed by the constitution of the United States for the freedom of religion and speech. We also reaffirm the privilege that all people can practice the same, including the right of students to practice voluntarily prayer in school and commencement ceremonies.

The unborn child, we believe, has fundamental rights. We endorse legislation to amend the 14^th amendment to include protections for the unborn child. We believe that life is to be cherished, not eliminated; therefore, we do not support the use of public revenues or organizations that fund abortion as well as the testing or introduction of abortifacients (such as RU486). We support the alternatives to abortion such as adoption to help meet the needs of the expectant mother.

We oppose the practice of euthanasia, assisted suicide, infanticide, fetal tissue research, and partial birth abortion. We believe that the traditional criteria for death be used before organs are harvested for donation as well as it is the individuals right to determine to utilize artificial maintenance to sustain life.

As stated previously in our party platform, we believe that family is a foundation that is needed in our country; therefore society is only as strong as the institution and scanty of marriage and the family. We believe that family, home, religion, and the neighborhood are institutions that this country was founded on. Because this country was founded on aforementioned basis, we seek to eliminate the red tape that prevents and prolong the adoption process for those families who have the ability to provide a strong family with traditional values. To us it is a national disgrace that children are trapped in a foster care system when there are families who are ready, willing and able to adopt.

We as the Nebraskan Republican Party, have different beliefs as to what the federal and state fiscal responsibilities are. For federal, we belief that balancing the budget is essential to continued economic growth. We have committed ourselves to not only eliminating the deficit and debt but also eliminating excessive spending. We support a constitutional amendment that requires a balanced budget and the repeal of the capital gains tax. For state fiscal responsibilities, we believe that there must be limits on the increases in state spending by the state and local governing bodies. State policy must reflect basic changes in our economy. As well as tax equity being best secured with a relatively broad base with a minimum of exemptions in conjunction of low tax rates. Elected officials are encouraged and urged to modify statutes and policies of the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations regarding public sector wages and evaluate the various tax policies of the state for the purpose of reducing property taxes.

Environment and natural resources are vital to the survival of the agriculture of the state of Nebraska; therefore our main concern is using, conserving, and management of both soil and water. Neither of these resources should be considered as a saleable resource. They must be conserved for this and all future of all Nebraskan generations. Other environmental policy should be balanced between environmental concerns and economic concerns and yet not threaten private property rights.

In regards to social services, we as the Nebraskan Republican Party, believe that the government and society should provide assistance to those who can not provide for themselves. Yet simultaneously, the individuals should learn to become self-supporting, productive individuals with pride in their independence.

Our belief in defense and foreign policy is deeply rooted in the belief that spread of democracy and economic liberty is the best guarantee of peace. We believe that "Peace thorough strength" is the Republican policy for survival and the triumph of America and the freedom that it stands for which precludes a hollow military. Our men and women should be the finest trained military and if a hollow military was to be created, an effective and resilient military would not be built in a day if we have to go to war. In addition, we, as Americans, can not ruin our greatest asset, for whom we depend upon for our security.

As the Nebraskan Republican Party, we support our veterans and guarantee that funding will be maintained to their hospitals and medical care system. Also, we fervently oppose homosexuals in the military in order to keep good order, morale, and discipline.

Regarding foreign aid or involvement, we as a nation should a have a national interest and a reasonable relationship. In order for this to be determined, we support a review of such programs to ensure that they are effectual and justified.
 
 

The state of Nevada is an ever-growing state with a population in 1990 of 1,201,833 at a 50% increase over the population in 1980. That is a more than considerable increase. Nevada has experienced the fastest rate of population increase of any state, more than doubling it’s size, in mostly Las Vegas and Reno. Over 88% of this population live in urban areas. In 1990 84% of the populous is White, 7% African American, 3% Asian.

The Federal Government controls over 80% of the land. The Government has built huge water projects and military installations. A huge expansion of high technology industries in the 70’s and 80’s helped Nevada to be one of the fastest growing states in the Sunbelt. Mining formed the backbone of the economy. Today Nevada leads the country in the extraction of gold, silver, mercury, berite, and gravel. The industry is dominated by the manufacturing of gaming devices, and aerospace products.

The Nevada Constitution provides for a Governor elected to four-year terms. The legislature consists of a Senate whom 20 members serve four-year terms, and an Assembly with 42 members elected to two-year terms. Nevada is represented in the U.S. Congress by 2 Senators and 2 Representatives, and has 4 electoral votes. The Senate has 12 Republicans and 9 Democrats. The Assembly has 28 Democrats and 14 Republicans. The Governor Kenny Guinn is a Republican.

The Republican Party feels that the issues of "People’s money, personal integrity, honesty, and hard work" are very important. Other important issues mentioned were balancing the budget, public safety, ethics, and most importantly, education. To the Governor Kenny Guinn, education is very important, since he was a teacher, and the Superintendent of the Clark County School District.

Taken from the State Party Platform in the 1998 State Convention

When dealing with the issue of Foreign Policy, the Republican Party in the State of Nevada feels that maintaining a strong, capable, modern, motivated National Defense should be a primary obligation of the Federal Government. They feel that all international transfers of first line technology and fissionable material should be banned. As far as military capability goes, they believe that the country must restore the ability to fight military actions on multiple fronts. They support missile defense development and restored funding for SDI and anti-satellite defense programs. The party feels that the nation must remain a sovereign nation, not subordinate to the United Nations or any other "one-world" government or organization. They also support the repeal of the Emergency War Powers Act.

The party urges a clear and consistent foreign policy favoring the vital and economic interests of the United States and their citizens. All foreign aid should be eliminated to any nation or group engaging in actions or policies contrary to the best interest of the United States and their citizens. In regard to The United Nations, they believe that all members of the United Nations should provide an equitable share of support and favor reducing the financial participation of the United States. They do not recognize any authority of the United Nations to tax or regulate the United States citizens or businesses.

With the issues of Equal Rights and Opportunity, the Nevada Republican Party was very vague and information was limited. They believe that every person has a right to, and an individual responsibility to strive for equal opportunity. They feel all persons are entitled to equal opportunity for advancement, equal pay for equal work, and freedom from all forms of discrimination. They oppose affirmative action. They oppose same sex marriage. The stable family unit is woman and man. " We support the sanctity of marriage between man and woman, this is the pattern that God set forth on this Earth." (Quoted from the party platform) They feel parental rights are important, and that parents should be responsible for their children and not the Government. They also oppose any federally mandated standards on prices or wages, and support raising the minimum wage.

With the issues of Social Policy a lot was mentioned, but most things said were very vague and unspecific. Crime and punishment is a very important issue on the State and National Level. They support truth-in-sentencing and minimal sentence reductions on cases involving violent crime. They support changes that would allow for quicker final adjudication of criminal cases with a limited number of appeals. They support the death penalty. They support strong measures of control and punishment for those convicted of trafficking in and or use of any illegal drug. They oppose any actions designed to legalize the use of any illegal drug. They support string laws against pornography, especially involving children and violence. They support the reforming of the federal prisons, to reduce the cost of maintaining prisoners, eliminating luxuries.

In regards to social policy and immigration issues, the Republican Party feels very strongly about immigration reform and laws. They want current immigration laws to be strictly enforced, including the following: They oppose paying public assistance to illegal aliens. Borders should be better protected against illegal aliens entering the country for our economic security. They support legislation declaring that children born in the USA of parents who are not in this country legally are not automatically American Citizens. Illegal immigrants should depend on their sponsors and not the American Taxpayers for assistance. This party feels that the English language should be the official language of the U.S, and that English, and the knowledge of English should be a pre-requisite to naturalization as a citizen of the U.S.

The Party supports the idea of getting Americans off of the welfare program and back into the working community, but does not say how. They mention healthcare, saying they support a free market approach which emphasizes individual choice and responsibility, considering such concepts as medical IRA’s and malpractice liability reform, yet this is very vague and does not specify what a free market approach means to their party.

They were clear in saying that they are against abortions, partial birth abortions and, opposed to funding abortions. They support reforms to Medicare, such as taking measures to take an active pursuit to fraud.

Veterans are very important to the Republican Party of Nevada. They feel we owe our men and women of our military a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices they have made for this country. They are extremely patriotic. They believe our country must be able to provide them with adequate health care, designed for them. They support VA/Medicare subvention, and feel veterans should be entitled to reasonable treatment for Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome. They oppose the contracting of space in VA Hospitals to Prison Authorities.

The Republicans did not go into length on the issues of Social Security, Medicare, or Gun control, and was very vague about Health Care. But, they did speak about economic issues like the Budget and Taxes. They talk a lot about balancing the budget, and doing it with real and permanent controls placed on spending. They "demand" retirement of the national debt without raising taxes. They support a Constitutional Amendment requiring a balanced budget. They oppose the diversion or lending of trust funds earmarked for specific purposes. They support zero-balanced budgeting at all levels of government, and a requirement for strict accounting of allocated funds and a return of all unspent funds to the general fund. They support legislation to sunset the current Federal Tax code by December 31, 2001. They support reform of the current tax system, including but not limited to reduction of capital gains taxes and elimination of inheritance taxes, and taxes on tips. They support a "national retail sales tax" or a "flat tax." They oppose any mining taxes, federal taxes on gaming and disguised taxation. They believe it should be a violation of the Law of The United States to order or require the IRS to investigate any citizen or organization from the order of the President, any member of the Administration, or member of Congress.

States Rights and the Constitution Issues: The party supports the strict interpretation of the Constitution. They feel the ultimate contract with America is the Constitution of the United States. They clearly support the right to bear arms. The Second Amendment is something very important to them, and they support repeals on legislation infringing on these rights. They support strict interpretation of the Fifth Amendment rights regarding compensation for the taking of property by physical occupancy, regulation or other means. They feel all people should be held accountable to the laws of the respective states, and to the US. Including all government agencies, Congress, and the Senate. They support reforms that move police powers of government to state and local levels. They support existing legislation prohibiting federal agencies from lobbying Congress.

In regard to environmental protection, they support efforts to preserve and protect our environment in order to balance interests between the public and private rights. They encourage industry to research and develop better ways of recycling waste into useable products, rather than dumping or storing waste. Specifically nuclear waste. For example, Yucca Mountain Project: a nuclear storage facility; a man made mountain. They feel no environmental law should be imposed until a financial analysis is completed.

Education is a big issue for Nevada Republicans. The Governor, Kenny Guinn, who is a Republican, was also a teacher and a school Superintendent. They support the elimination of the Federal Department of Education and allow administration to be handled locally. They oppose the testing of national standards and national testing. They support school vouchers, freedom of choice in education, true charter schools, and/ or educational savings accounts. They support random audits of schools and the elimination of automatic tenure for teachers. It should be based on merit and ability. And schools need to spend money properly. They oppose bilingual education and support all classes being taught in English. They oppose the teaching of homosexuality as a viable alternative lifestyle in our public schools, and want to restore teaching traditional ethical values.

Kenny Guinn in his State of the State Address, in January 1999, spoke about Education and balancing the Budget at length. He also talked about allocating a lot of the state budget towards education. For example, putting money onto K-12 education, saying that Nevada schools are one of the fastest growing in the Nation. From the general fund revenues, they will have approximately 238 million dollars in their budget. For K-12 education he will spend about 130 million. For college education, 50 million. The rest of the money will go to insuring public safety, for example, a new juvenile detention facility. Also, from a National settlement from the Tobacco Industry, Guinn plans to use the forty million to pay for "Millennium Scholarships," so all children to get a higher education. He plans on finishing the building of a new prison in Cold Creek, and lease out the old one to other states to help the budget. Privatizing the prison medical services, and privatizing the state insurance system, also will help save money.

Located in upper New England, New Hampshire is one of the most predominately Republican states of the union. A highly rural state, 59% of its 1,137,000 (as of 1994) citizens live in metropolitan areas, none of these areas with a population over 100,000. 98% of New Hampshire’s population in 1990 is white, and it is equally female and male. Although New Hampshire is ranked forty-second in total population as compared with the other fifty states, it is an important player in America’s political theater.

In 1997, New Hampshire had 713,236 registered voters, 39% of which are Republican, 30% Democrat and 32% Unaffiliated or registered with minor parties. Of the state legislature, 15 out of the 24 state senators and 253 out of the 400 state representatives are Republican. All federal representatives (2 each in both the House and Senate) are Republican.

The significance of these demographics is that in general, state policies lean towards the conservative. The New Hampshire GOP (NHGOP) is a powerful force in state politics. As they are the party of the majority, their tenets and beliefs are closely bound to state agenda.

The NHGOP mirrors the Republican National Committee (RNC) in its basic, general platform: they believe in limited government, limited spending and taxes, individual liberty, compassion for the truly needy and the strength of the individual, the traditional family, the church and community. However, the NHGOP is uniquely resolved independent of the RNC on myriad issues affecting its citizens.

Their foreign policy is supportive of America’s principality in leading the world into the next millennium. They affirm the United States’ position as a vanguard of democracy, and a model of economic and technological success to other nations. They promote free trade and the sharing of open markets abroad. They wholly oppose the reduction of military and defense funding, as well as using American troops to "police" NATO and UN conflicts.

On the home front, the NHGOP’s national policies run the gamut. Above all, they value the traditional family. They are opposed to same-sex marriages, alternate-lifestyle adoptions, and single parenting. They also feel that abortion and pro-choice ideology undermine this rich family environment. They propose a championing of marriage, a streamlining of the adoption process and a banning of the use of public funds to finance and promote abortion. They consider these views to be integral parts of a system with strong family values. They recognize parents as the primary educators of the family, innately endowed with the liberty to choose their children’s education (be it parochial, home schooling, etc…). Second to parents, they believe that local communities in control of education create strong, successful school systems. In order to promote these policies, they propose the establishment of readily available charter schools, the empowerment of teachers to maintain orderly, disciplined classrooms, and the removal of mandates from state and federal school aid so that parents and local taxpayers can make educational decisions for themselves.

As liberty is one of the axioms affirmed by the NHGOP for the New Hampshire citizenry, freedom of action is a universal thread that runs throughout the party’s platform. For example, they oppose any legislation that restricts the Second Amendment in any way. They uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. They also support the rights of adults to choose the use of safety belts, harnesses and helmets, as opposed to a state-wide mandated law compelling their use.

The issue of health care is briefly addressed by the NHGOP. They believe in the promotion of patients’ rights, by advocating the awareness of and availability to hospital, insurer, and doctor credentials. They indicate that insurance carriers ought to guarantee the health care decisions of New Hampshire citizens are made solely between the doctor and patient, without the involvement of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or any other third parties.

As New Hampshire is largely a rural state, the environment is an important issue to its citizens. The NHGOP proposes to promote the preservation of open space and historic/cultural landmarks and areas. They strive to provide public access to New Hampshire’s renowned ponds, and oppose the transformation of the White Mountains National Forest into an national park, thus safeguarding its manifold uses as a profitable, state owned resource.

Finally, the NHGOP’s positions on the economy, both state and national, are aggressive. In order to bolster the state economy, they wish to encourage tourism to New Hampshire’s many state recreational parks including the White Mountains Preserves- a lucrative skiing retreat. They endeavor to create private sector job positions and broaden public entrepreneurship. Statewide and nationally, they oppose broad-based taxes on sales, income and property. They want to bring businesses into New Hampshire, and so propose to dramatically cut and/ or even eliminate taxes on business profit, enterprise, earning and saving.

New Hampshire’s "first in the nation" status is a subject of pride for state Republicans. They claim the founding of the Republican Party in 1853. New Hampshire is a key state in national politics, principally because of laws requiring that the New Hampshire Presidential Primary (NHPP) be the first primary held in each voting season. America’s eyes turn towards New Hampshire every four years to see the nation’s political machine in action.

Bibliography
 
 

The state of New Jersey was admitted as a state in December 18, 1787. Today, it has an estimated population of 7,988.000. Its population boomed in the 1980’s and as a result a new New Jersey has sprouted. It is the nation ninth most populous state; 74% of its population is White, 12.71% Black and 9.6% from Hispanic origin. In 1990 New Jersey had more people (7.7 million) than New York City (7.3 million) it had far more than Pennsylvania (5.9 million) an its has been generating more new jobs than New York and its neighbor Pennsylvania. Most of the oil tanks, farms, and swamplands of the Jersey Meadows have become sports places and office complexes. New Jersey pharmaceutical firms lead the nation in sophisticated research and it is the leader in telecommunications. New Jersey’s personal income per capita is $31,053 and its median Household income is $40,927.

In the 1996 presidential election 36% of the voting population voted for the Republican candidate Dole (82% of the voters voted for him in the presidential primary.) The Republican Party has always fought for a less intrusive government that does "not ride on the backs of the people." Today, they are still leading this fight and to insure that this goal is met the Governor of New Jersey, Christine Todd Whitman proposed $1 Billion in property tax relief in a five year plan designed to reduce the average New Jersey school tax bill by one-third. The plan will provide direct relief to taxpayers, returning an average of $600 per year to nearly 2 million homeowners. The Homestead Rebate program that already returns an average of $324 million per year to those who are eligible will continue. Under this new initiative, homeowners will receive a check from the program that returns the greater amount. The House GOP plan provides for $792 billion in tax relief over the next 10 years. The House plans includes 10% income tax cuts rates phased in over 10 years, cut the top rate for most investments held at least a year from 20% to 15%, and eventually repeal taxes on inheritances (Death Tax). In July, the state Legislature passed the first energy deregulation bill in the nation. Under the new legislation sponsored by assembly Majority Leader, Paul DiGaetno and Senator Peter Inverso people will receive an immediate 5% electricity rate cut by August 1, 1999. Consumers will save up to 10% over the next three years and thanks to the 105th Republican Congress people are now reaping the benefits of the first budget surplus since 1969 and the first tax cut in sixteen years. In addition, the Republicans propose a plan that will allow marriage couples to claim a standard deduction of $8,600, $1,400 more than it is now allowed.

New Jersey Republicans want tax cuts to "stop government over taxation." To do, so the state assembly passed four tax relief bills on February 18th designed to ease tax burdens on people and at he same time increase development. One of the bills sponsored by Jack Collins exempts 261.000 low-income New Jersyans from paying income tax. Two bills seek to provide tax relief by supplying $35 million in aid for municipalities and school districts that share public services or regionalize. The measures were based on suggestions from Governor Whitman’s Property Tax Commission.

Among her environmental initiatives Governor Whitman approved the purchase of valuable acreage to protect wildlife, preserving the purity of drinking water and acquire recreational open space and farmland. In New Jersey, Governor Christie Todd Whitman is leading the efforts to preserve a million acres of open space and farmland. In last November’s state-wide referendum, New Jersey voters approved a permanent and stable source of funding for natural resources and historic sites preservation. In addition, farmland and open space funds have been established in 92 municipalities and 16 counties; 334 farms covering nearly 51,000 acres have been preserved under this program. Whitman’s goal is to triple the pace and preserve 300,000 total acres during the next four years and 1 million acres in the coming decade. Including the one million acres already preserved through the Green Acres and Farmland Preservation program, the initiative will result in the preservation of more than 40% of the total land in the in the state of New Jersey. Governor Whitman is not just committed to preserve "open space" she is also committed to preserving "a successful future that will heavily depend in revitalized urban areas." She created the nation’s first rehabilitation subcode for older buildings which is making it more economical and practical for developers to reclaim old buildings in the cities and bring them to life once again. The program (subcode) encourages the reuse of New Jersey’s older buildings by eliminating regulatory barriers to investing in such buildings. Whitman also signed into law Brownfields's legislation that facilitates the development of commercial properties that are contaminated by environmental hazardous. Whitman initiated a new air permit program to improve air equality and reduce the bureaucracy and established a means of settling environmental disputes by mediation instead of litigation. She now serves as a chairperson of the national Governor’s association natural resources committee.

Governor’s Whitman’s social reforms include a welfare reform proposal that would limit recipients to five years of benefits and enforce tougher jobs requirements, while increasing funding for child care and job placements. She also proposed a school funding plan based on recently enacted core standards in seven academic subject areas so that every child in every public school has equal educational opportunity.

Moreover, Republicans are working hard to save Social Security, strengthen Medicare, help with the high cost of prescription drugs, create more jobs and build a strong national defense.
 
 

On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47^th state to join the Union. Located in the southwest part of the country, this region north of Mexico was named Nuevo Mexico by a Spanish explorer in the 1560’s, giving rise to its present name. Sante Fe, the oldest and present day capital city of New Mexico, was founded in 1610.

Like many southwestern states, New Mexico experienced a population boom that began in the 1950's, mostly concentrated around the cities. Going from 681,198 residents in 1950 to 1,515,069 in 1990 (U.S. Census Bureau), New Mexico still ranks 37^th in overall population among the States, but 5^th in terms of total area (121,598 square miles). This population boom also transformed the demographics of New Mexico from mostly rural to urban (73% urban, 23% rural-1990). New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque, contains almost 38% of the population.

New Mexico’s sparsely populated rural areas and natural resources have allowed for the growth of the farming and ranching industries in the 90's. Mining is the state’s primary economic activity. The federal government also has various military bases and laboratories in New Mexico, providing much needed employment. NASA has a base in New Mexico, and it is no surprise that the first atomic bomb was tested in 1945 near Alamogordo in White Sands National Monument, a huge desert of pure-white dunes. In the urban areas, the majority of employment is provided by the tourist, retail, computer technology and the service industries. Still, New Mexico remains one of the poorest state in the Union, with a personal per capita income of $16, 674(1996).

New Mexico considers itself tri-cultural. Native Americans, the original settlers of the land, compose 8.9% of the population. Hispanics, the majority of Mexican descent, compromise 38.9%, and Whites 50.6% of the population. For almost 70 years, the mostly Hispanic-supported Democratic party controlled the state. The population boom brought in a great majority of white Republicans, shifting the political landscape. Currently, the state has a Republican Governor, Gary E. Johnson. Two out of the three members to the House Representatives and one of the Senators are Republican.

The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) has a well defined platform. Its overall philosophy coincides with the most basic of Republican ideals. The RPNM believes in a small, low-tax, open and less-intrusive government. It also contends that a better society can be accomplished through faith in God and our fellow man rather than faith in a big, regulatory government.

The RPNM believes in being tough on crime. It supports swift and sure criminal punishment. It believes in the death penalty as punishment and a deterrent of crime, and advocates victim’s rights. At the same time, the RPNM argues for the privatization of the state prison system due to the high cost of incarceration and the shortage of prison cells. Along these lines, the RPNM also supports innovative criminal punishment programs such as boot camps. The RPNM makes a special note of mentioning its desire to have rigorous enforcement of child pornography laws. The RPNM believes in the peoples right to bear arms, as stated in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, without reservations, and as a way for people to defend their families and homes. Therefore, it opposes most gun-control legislation.

Similarly, privatization is the overriding principle in position on healthcare. The RPNM supports private healthcare and opposes any government takeover, or increased regulation, of the healthcare system.

On the topic of education, the RPNM supports parents right to educate their children as they see fit, and therefore the ability to send their children and their tax dollars to the school of their choice, possibly in the form of school vouchers, whether public or private/religious. The RPNM states that since the goal of education is to produce employable, well-educated citizens, they oppose federally-mandated testing and national standards, citing them as detrimental.

The RPNM believes that a clean environment and a sound economy are possible. They contend that the private citizens, ranchers and farmers of New Mexico are the best stewards of the land and should be trusted to preserve it. The RPNM proposes that any environmental regulations should be based on sound science. With no specific proposals, the NMRP does state that it supports the protection and expansion of private property rights, as well as the just compensation of private property owners in the event of regulatory take over.

While not taking a strict anti-abortion stand outright, the RPNM declares that they believe in the sanctity of human life, support parental involvement, informed decision making, and oppose tax-payer funding of abortion. Also, the RPNM states that the traditional family is the foundation of our society, and calls on the Legislature to make a law defining marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman, clearly opposing recognizing homosexual unions or marriages. The RPNM supports equal rights, stating that no group should be given any special rights through legislation, and that everyone should be judged on their own merits. Therefore, they oppose affirmative action.

The Republican Party of New Mexico supports the transformation of welfare into workfare. Explaining that welfare should not be a lifetime hand out, but a hand up, it proposes a workfare system that encourages a return to work, promotes personal responsibility, self-reliance and independence. In terms of work, it does support every person’s right to freely join a union but not as a requirement for employment. Union dues should also not be used for political purposes without prior consent of the union members.

The RPNM proposes a system of open government, where all government decision making and legislative meetings should be held in public. The RPNM also advocates keeping current campaign finance laws as they are, especially the ban against foreign contributions, while allowing for public disclosure of all campaign receipts and expenditures.

The RPNM refers back to the National Republican Party platform on the issue of foreign policy. In general, the RPNM believes that the United States is the only super power on earth and has the obligation to lead economically, militarily, diplomatically and morally. The U.S. should also build up it’s military in order to be ready to protect our interest. In terms of international trade, RPNM contends that given fair trade agreements, the products made by the American worker will win in an international market, creating jobs and stimulating our economy. Immigration is the one controversial topic among New Mexico Republicans. While the National Party proposes limits on immigration, no public benefits for illegal immigrants and increased funding for border patrols, the state party recognizes how these views offend the growing number of Hispanic Republicans within the state.
 
 

Brief History of New York State

New York is the 3^rd largest State in the United States. Albany is its capital. Within New York State, NYC is the center of World Finance, Business and Communication. It Has an area of 49,576 square miles (128,402 sq. km). Its population in 1990 was 17,990,455, a 2.5% increase over 1980 population. In 1996 there was an estimate of 18,184,774 population. The New York State ranked 2^nd in the nation in population after California in both 1990 and 1980. Of the people counted in 1990, about 73.6% identified themselves as whites, 15.7% as blacks, .34% as American Indians, 3.8% as Asians, and 5.4% belonging to other races. Some 12.1% people, of various races claimed Hispanic origin. More than 85% of the population was living in the urban area.

New York has the largest Educational System in the United States. New York also offers a wealth of specialized educational programs. New York City is the only city in the United States with a large public–university system. Although public schools have a high truancy and drop out rate by occasional violence on school property and by a deteriorating physical plant, the system has compiled an enviable record of achievement in many areas. In 1983 there were 925,000 students in the public schools of NYC. There were about 70% of black or Hispanic in the public schools. The oldest wealthiest and most famous of New York major education institution is "Columbia University".

Politics in New York is complicated by many factors. New York has a wide diversity of economic interests, racial, religion and national groups makes it difficult for the Government to satisfy competing demands. Also, because of the State’s large electoral vote New York Governors often regard themselves as potential candidates for the presidency and afterward they tend to introduce national issues into state politics. The provisions of services, commerce, and manufacturing provide the main economic support for New York City.

NYS Republican Party Platform

Governor George E. Pataki is the highest elected Republican official. He has been in office since November 8, 1994. On November 3, 1998, Governor Pataki was re-elected. He received more than 1 million votes, the largest landslide for a Republican Governor in New York History.

Governor George E. Pataki and The NYS Republicans agenda is to make NYS a better place for American People. By doing so effectively, they compiled a poll of how the American people felt about various issues and they were able to consolidate a Party Platform that will hopefully satisfy and benefit the American people.

Below is a requested list the American people ask for:

1. American People wanted income taxes to be cut.

2. Welfare Recipients to work for their benefits.

3. Tougher Sentences for Violent Criminals.
4. Protection for Child Abuse victims.
5. Create more jobs.
6. Put more money into Education.
7. Improve Health Care.
8. Reduce the size and cost of State Government.

The New York State Republican Party Platform is as follows:

Social Polices

Health Care

The Health Care in New York has improved. New York now has the strongest managed Care Bill of Rights to protect the patients and their doctors. New rights along with new research and detection tools have been given to women to help fight one of the leading causes of death Breast Cancer. Campaigns are being organized to prevent pregnant women along with adolescent from destroying their lives by smoking. NYS has funded more treatment facilities for newborns that have been exposed to the AIDS virus. NYS have expanded Health Care Services for uninsured children as well. Governor Pataki has build a "NY Child Health Plus Program" for the uninsured and they are using it as a model to attract more health care workers nationally to come and service over 400,000 previously uninsured children. It will generate long-term health care savings and save historic commitment to charity care and public health.

Welfare

Governor Pataki has established a "Workforce Program" for welfare recipients. This new program has reduced the welfare rolls by 632,000 people and decline of 38% (through Oct 1998). The purpose of Workfare is to produce morality amongst Welfare Recipients. Also, Workfare prevents welfare recipients from collecting money permanently from the government. Also, in New York State, persistent deadbeat parents are penalized, their driver’s licenses are being suspended. By suspending their licenses the rate of the child support collection has risen to 2%, because it is helping 54,000 families move off welfare. Also, suspended licenses helps to encourage quality parenting responsibility for their children.
 
 
 
 

Education

Schools are receiving valuable resources that they need to help the students. More attention is being placed on classrooms instead of Administration. Governor Pataki has establish a "New York Wired for Education Program." With this new program, all schools are to be wired to the internet and new technology will be delivered to the classrooms. Governor Pataki is trying to turn NY into a leadership State by using the lottery funds. Governor Pataki wants to reinforce "The Lottery’s" original purpose of using the funds to help students improve academically.

Crime

Governor Pataki has restored the death penalty. He ended Parole, Work Release Programs and toughened sentences for Violent Criminals. As a result, the murder rate has reduced by 45 percent since Governor Pataki has been in office. Surveys show that New Yorkers feel safer than they have in years. Governor Pataki is against Child and Domestic Abuse. He has signed off on two new Laws one called "Megan’s Law" to inform neighbors in communities that a convicted child molester is moving into their neighborhood. Also a second law "Domestic Violence Protection" gives domestic violence victims new rights to ensure that they are being treated fairly. By doing so, Governor Pataki is giving access to sealed incident reports to investigators. Governor Pataki also toughened the penalties for violating orders of protection for abused victims.

Economic Issues

Taxes

In 1996, New York State has cut taxes more than all other 49 States combined. Since Governor Pataki has been in office, New Yorker’s State income tax bill have reduced about 25%. The tax burden imposed by the state is now at its lowest level since 1972.

Governor Pataki has also established "Star Program" this is a new program that will cut and reduce New Yorker’s school taxes by 27%; 45% for senior citizens. The sales tax for clothing under $110 is being eliminated, and New York’s "Added on Estate’s Tax" has been eliminated. Governor Pataki plan for 1999 is to call for $1 billion in new tax cuts. So far he has cut taxes 36 times, saving taxpayers $19 billion. He says the savings will rise to $52 billion when all the new taxes goes into effect.

Environment

Governor Pataki is still continuing to promote economic growth. He is protecting natural resources for NY, now and as well as for new generations to come. He has strengthened NY Water Environment Quality. Projects are seeing $1 billion from the bond act. The World biggest landfill, Fresh Kills, will be closed in the year 2001. Governor Pataki has freed $80 million to help close outdated landfills and a large amount to continue protecting the water quality.

Fiscal Prudence

The size and cost of the state government has been reduced. For the first time in 50 years, the state workforce has declined by10% since 1995. New York State has a fund called the "Rainy Day Fund" – this is a fund used when the economy is doing poorly. For the first time New York has eliminated its accumulated deficit, New York has ran 4 consecutive budget surpluses. Governor Pataki says: "Conservative budgeting and smart economic policies have allowed us to devote our resources to new ideas".

Jobs

The job rates are higher than it has been in years. More jobs are being created and the business confidence level is strengthening as well. Also, the percentage of private sector jobs growth are escalating. In 1998, 419,300 New Yorkers secured private sector jobs. This was the first time Private Sector employment has grown in 11 years. IBM is even expanding. They are creating a Computer Chip Research Facility in the Hudson Valley Area.

In conclusion, Governor Pataki and the NYS Republicans are really trying to expand New York State, they are trying to make it a better place for more people to come and visit and also make it a better and safer environment for the American People to live and feel protected.
 
 

North Carolina, the Tar Heel State, is the home to over 7.5 million Americans and has grown into the tenth largest state. In the past an agricultural giant (still leading the country in tobacco production), North Carolina has spread its horizons, drawing in business and out of state investment to keep progression moving forward. Sighting its economic and social problems, North Carolina has taken clear and precise methods to keep the prosperity going in the right direction and alleviate any roadblocks standing in its way.

North Carolina legislature is made up of a House and Senate which have actually worked together to promote state wellness. In 1990 national statistics revealed an alarming downward trend in overall education plus a growing senior (approx.30% and climbing) and minority (approx. 25% currently) population. The state posted a literacy rate of nearly 13%, and elementary schools posted math & reading scores below the national average. With the steadily decreasing market in tobacco (the state’s largest cash crop), officials realized they better get with the program and prepare there younger generation for times to come.

They started with teaching. More teachers in North Carolina today are nationally certified than any other state. Also, state officials are increasing teacher’s pay to national levels to entice better teachers to stay. Committees were formed to bring up standards and accountability in the schools; they are now among the highest in the nation. The school environment is becoming safer. Having a gun in school became a felony in 1994; incidences are down 64%. Uniformed law officers are in schools in 87 of the 100 counties. Lawmakers are doing their part as well making tougher; quicker punishment has been imposed on juveniles to show them the consequences of their actions. Alternative schools were created along with cooperative- education programs and internships; major corporations have begun mentoring programs. Following its heritage, the people are pitching in.

Next on the list was the state welfare system. Instead of receiving welfare checks, people are earning paychecks with programs like WorkFirst. It requires every capable person who has applied for welfare to get any job, paying or non-paying within twelve weeks or his or her benefits will be revoked. Subsidies have been created for new and growing businesses in efforts to generate more jobs in state. JobReady, a program designed to ready students to join the workforce was created. Having a low unemployment rate does not always equal overall wealth so; $1.3 billion in taxes were cut since 1993.

With retirees and state residents poring into the urban areas, Medicaid and social security programs need to be adjusted to consider new families and children. Smart Start gave all children and families the right and opportunity to receive health care and support. Legislation has also passed bills to protect seniors rights and guarantee medical benefits to long term care patients and retirement homes. The Republican Party of North Carolina has been a strong proponent in these accomplishments by sticking to their party goals and promoting them in the state.

When the state joined the Union, it refused to ratify the Constitution on the basis the central government was too strong. Only after the constitution was amended with the Bill of Rights did North Carolina sign the Constitution. The Republican Party of North Carolina believes in the power of the people and will oppose any effort to limit or control that by the government. The party also realizes the importance of the two-parent family in the raising of children today. While not protesting against same sex marriages, the party is against any special recognition or privileges in legislation regarding same sex marriages and adoption. The Republican Party of the state does not encourage efforts to remove of the ban on homosexuals in the military and having women stationed on the front line. The Republicans of N.C also are against any drastic military budget cuts and stationing U.S. troops the United Nations or any other attempts to weaken U.S. defenses. The party believes that we should renounce our membership in the United Nations and concentrate more on the individual citizen.

They support a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget as a critical reform for Congress. They oppose needless bureaucratic rules and regulations that can hinder private enterprise, also government spending which only adds to the deficit, hampering economic growth. Under Republican leadership, North Carolina reduced taxes by over $1 billion dollars. The Republican Party will continue to endorse all efforts to relieve the tax burden on the hard-working citizens of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Republican party is also is an advocate for human life. The party strongly believes that unborn children have constitutional rights and urge the U.S Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade. The party is against any federal regulation, which would fund abortion and argue it is not an alternative to birth control. The Republican Party of NC supports informed and parental consent for any minor receiving pregnancy planning services and is strong opponents of euthanasia in any form.

The Republican Party of North Carolina realizes that the people’s right to vote, is of great import. The Party believes special interest groups, franked mail, special elections have manipulated voter turn out. The North Carolina Republicans also wish to do away with "Motor Voter" laws and push for the reregistration of voters every four years. This would prove a good source of monitoring the voter turnout in the state. The NC Republicans believe that the voters should elect their government officials, not the politicians through their manipulative restructuring of districts. The Party also refuses to allow any attempts to appoint state judges rather then elect them. The right to control the state legislature through elections is one of the most important rights the people could have. The Republicans of North Carolina also believe that the Full Disclosure Act will help people make the right choices come election time after they realize how much the candidates receive and spend during their election campaigns. They believe that proper reporting is the best way to campaign finance reform, not public funding.

The Republicans in North Carolina regulate themselves and state government. They support the line item veto for the governor and put term limitations for the General Assembly, encouraging a more efficient active government. The Republicans also believe that parents, not the state, are responsible for the education of their children. They support tuition tax credits which will give the parents the right to choose where their children will be educated, not by zoning laws of the state. They impose any regulation that would cut off any possible opportunity for children to learn. They support any effort to abolish the Federal Department of Education, and encourage local control of curriculum, textbooks and personnel. Reforming school standards is a top priority, The Republicans are all for cutting bureaucratic waste and encouraging academic achievement, deemed more important than outcome based education. The Republicans of North Carolina are proud of their country and dedicated to working for their people.
 
 

North Dakota is a richly agricultural and ethnically diverse state. North Dakota is considered the 39th state and was founded on Nov 2, 1899. The state is known for it's vast farmland and numerous Indian reservations. In fact, the name "Dakota" was actually taken from the Sioux Indian Tribe and means "friend". North Dakota's population is approximately 638, 8000, and the Native American population makes about 25,000 of that, on average there are 9 people living on every square mile. The capital is Bismarck, but the largest most well known city is Fargo. North Dakota is the US's largest producer of pasta wheat; they also produce a considerable amount of the U.S. barley, beans and sunflowers supply. Unfortunately, in these last couple years North Dakota has been bombarded with numerous weather problems that has had a devastating effect on their agricultural and Livestock production. Nonetheless, in 1998 North Dakota had the lowest crime rate in the nation, this coupled with low unemployment and new surge in job creation, has further boasted the Republican Party’s clout.

The majority of North Dakota's current congressional representatives are Republican. In fact North Dakota’s Governor, Secretary of state, House majority leader and Senate majority leader are all Republicans. The Governor, Ed Schaffer, has developed an agenda for a current reform of North Dakota. The Republican agenda is quite widespread; the most contentious issue has always been tribal ethnic problems and poverty on reservations. Yet the most important general agenda for most North Dakotans is concern for their livelihood, agricultural issues, farming, taxes, disaster relief for flooding and blizzards, education, and health care.

In his state of the state address of 1998, Governor Ed Schaffer outlined a number of North Dakota’s political issues. To begin with Governor Schaffer proposed a bigger tax break, loans, and funds that are committed for disaster relief. This is for farmers and ranchers that were crippled by bad weather to quell their frustrations. The government is investing millions into protection programs such as "flood proofing" properties, building dams along the Red River Valley, and purchasing homes in flood-prone areas and moving the population inward. They also plan to redesign their "floodplain Act" and appeal for more federal money to "disaster proof North Dakota." The Governor will also support funding for environmental programs aimed at improving the quality of water within the state. The Governor has appealed for more research grants for developing disease resistant crops and grassroots activism from the community in support of the agricultural industry lobbying.

The governor also outlined a plan to invest in over $180 million in re-organizing North Dakota’s public school system. Yet, statewide, student enrollment is falling considerably. The Governor blames the dropping enrollment on the fact that over 50,000 people left North Dakota, for various reasons, in the 1980’s. The Republican agenda calls for a re-building of the network ties of the community and purposes a " report Card for North Dakota’s future" as a long-term strategic plan to raise enrollment and standards. Also, the Governor introduced a comprehensive plan to upgrade and revitalize North Dakota’s University system. There will be 33 million dollar increase the states funding of the University as part of it’s six year funding plan.

The Republicans have also planned to provide their first ever "Children’s Health Insurance program." The program will give health care to low income children and provide the basic medical needs including dental and eye care. They will be using private insurance to finance this care to avoid bureaucracy.

The most publicized political issue in North Dakota is of course, the terrible conditions on the Native Americans reservations. Substance abuses, suicide, extremely high unemployment, bad living conditions, and petty crime, plague the thousands of ethnic Native American’s living on these reservations. As Governor Schaffer puts it, "The problems fester and grow from the inside out, and are devastating too many people and communities." The Governor has outlined a plan to raise the standards of living on these reservations, which includes more monitoring and cooperation with the local tribal governments. The Governor was vague regarding the specifics on just how he planned to improve the tense relations between the government and the Native American community leaders. The Republicans also want to see more economic development on these reservations, more government collaboration on housing projects, yet less government protection of the reservations hunting and fishing territory. The Governor believes that those particular regulations " Create conflicts among users and discourage a broader use and enjoyment of these vast and relatively untapped recreation resources." The Republican Party stops short of providing any direct government relief or financing for the reservations.

Finally the Republican Party called on the citizens of North Dakota to be more vigilant in terms of community building and leadership. They stressed the need for a resurgence of public support of their Republican ideals within North Dakota for the next century.
 
 

Ohio, the buckeye state, ranks seventh in number of electoral college votes in the nation. It has 21 electoral votes. It was the first state formed from the Northwest Territory of 1787 and after the Civil War, became one of the great industrial states in the Midwest.

• Capital: Columbus
• Area: 44,828 square miles
• Population: 11,173,000 (1996 est.)
• 9,522,000 white
• 1,154,000 black
• 140,000 Hispanic
• Registered voters: 6,644,803 (1996)
• Registered Democrats: 914,795
• Registered Republicans: 1,030,248
• Unaffiliated and Minor Parties: 4,699,760
• Governor: Robert Taft II (R)
• Lt. Governor: Maureen O’Connor (R)
• Attorney General: Betty Montgomery (R)
• Secretary of State: Ken Blackwell (R)
• Auditor of State: Jim Petro (R)
• State Treasurer: Joe Deters (R)
• State Senate: 33 members, Republican majority
• State House of Representatives: 99 members, Republican majority
• U.S. Senators: Mike DeWine (R), elected 1994
• George Voinovitch (R) elected 1998

• 8 Democrats
• 11 Republicans

The Northeast portion of the state – including the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and Toledo – has been heavily unionized (rubber, steel, and glass are produced there) and leans toward the Democrat party. Cincinnati in the South, Columbus in the center of the state, and the small factory towns in the Northwest are mostly Republican strongholds.

Ohio produced the Republican President William McKinley in 1896. He was a former governor of the state, and former chairman of the House ways and Means Committee who stood for high tariffs, hard money, and was anti- union.

Another conservative Ohioan, Robert Taft (grandfather of the present governor), was a major figure in the U.S. Senate in the 1940s and authored the Taft- Harley act (1947) which reduced union power in the U.S. Taft opposed Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in the 1952 Republican primary but lost the nomination.

In the 1970s Ohio swung to the Democrats who controlled the State House throughout the 1970s and 1980s. But in the 1990s, Ohio veered Republican. Despite this, President Clinton carried the state in 1992 (40% to 38%) and in 1996 (47% to 41%).

Ohio Republicans won a strong victory in 1994, including the re-election of a Republican governor by a 75% to 25% margin. Also in 1994, Republicans elected Mike DeWine as Senator over democrat Joel Hyatt by a 53% to 39% margin. Ohio had not elected a republican senator since 1970. And Republicans won all the state-wide offices, which had been dominated by Democrats since 1970.

In 1996, Ohio Republicans lost two U.S. House seats, but held a majority of the House delegation and both houses of the state legislature.

The Ohio Republican party does not have an official platform but generally follows the principles of the Republican national platform. Among these principles are:

• A balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
• Lower taxes within a simpler tax system.
• Reduced government spending.
• Tough law enforcement, especially against juvenile crime and drug traffic, with stiff penalties, no loopholes, and judges that respect the rights of law- abiding citizens.
• Welfare reform that eliminates waste, fraud and abuse; requires work from those who are capable; and limits time on public assistance.
• Family choice in schooling (vouchers).
• Defending America against missile attack.

Governor Bob Taft is the chairman of the Ohio Bush for President Committee, and it is considered likely that Ohio Republicans will support Bush in the presidential primary. However, Malcolm Forbes has the support of Ken Blackwell, Ohio’s secretary of state.
 
 

Oklahoma has a mixed modern economy based on manufacturing, agriculture, and mineral production. Oklahomans "look forward to the continued and effective development of the state and its resources" (Americana, pg. 687). The State of Oklahoma has an area of 181,185 kilometer (km 2), which "ranks it number 18th. in size among the states" (Academic American Encyclopedia (A.A.E.), pg. 366) and with a population of at least 3,145,585 (1990 census) it ranks 26th. among the states. This is an increase of 4 percent (%), (1980-1990). It has a population density of 18.4 persons (km 2), distributed as follows: (1986): 58.5 % metropolitan, 41.5 % non metropolitan. The average annual growth rate is (1980-87) 1.2 %. Oklahoma City, its largest city, is also its capital with a population of 446,120 (1986. est. population). It is followed by Tulsa with a population of 367,302. Seven out of ten Oklahomans live in an urban area, but the state still lags behind the rate of urbanization to the rest of the nation.

Principal Products: Manufactures-nonelectrical machinery, processed food and kindred products, fabricated metal products, petroleum products; minerals -petroleum, natural gas coal, gypsum, sand and gravel; farm products-cattle, wheat, dairy products, cotton" (Americana, pg. 687).

Mineral Resources: Oklahoma is a mineral rich state producing petroleum, natural gas, and coal; these products account for more than 95 % of the states mineral production. Other important minerals are gypsum, bentonite, pumice, and helium, building stones, sand, gravel and feldspar.

Agriculture: Oklahoma’s agricultural industry includes beef cattle, dairy farming, poultry, sheep and hogs. Wheat is the leading cash crop followed by cotton, broom corn, grain sorghum, peanuts, soybeans, fruits, nuts and vegetables. The number of ranchers and farms in the state is declining.

The People: Oklahoma’ population (1980) was composed of "85.9% white, 6.8% black, 5.6% Indian, and 1.9% Hispanic" (A. A. E. pg. 367). With less than 1 % foreign-born from Germany, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Structure of Government: The state possesses three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Chief executive is the governor, who is popularly elected; he along with the lieutenant governor, and heads of executive departments (the attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state, and superintendent of public instruction) to serves a four year term and can only serve two consecutive terms. The state has 77 counties. In presidential elections, it has eight electoral college votes.

The state Legislature is made up of a Senate of 48 members that serve four-year terms and a House of Representatives of 101 elected for two years, with each county entitled to at least one representative.

Economic growth: The Republican state government has pushed for many changes that favor businesses. Tax cuts and welfare reform have been aggressively pushed through the legislature to stimulate the states economy. In 1998 a cut in the state income tax was achieved. The largest broad-based tax cut ever of $140 million was enacted that same year. In 1999, a special session to cut taxes for the oil industry was called. A limit on property taxes for homeowners was also supported.

The state’s Republican dominated agencies have aggressively recruited new businesses and jobs. 130,000 new jobs were created; there have also been attempts to reform workers compensation.

The Republican government also pushed for legislation to help rural Oklahoma grow. Several statewide and regional Economic Growth Summits were sponsored.

Education: The state created school choice, charter schools and education reform. Also new standards resulted in Oklahoma’s high school curriculum being among the 15 toughest in the nation. Social promotion was ended in Oklahoma. The state appropriated more funds for education at all levels, including higher education than ever before; a fy-99 investment of more than $100 million. A Republican majority pushed through legislation to resolve a midterm school funding dilemma. Programs such as Great Expectations and High Schools That Work Schools were also funded, and an expansion of the school’s technology systems was achieved.

Appropriations to save the endangered teacher retirement system were increased. Technology transfers were put in place so that universities and researchers could market inventions and research. Funding for a Graduate and Research Center was negotiated for Tulsa.

Environment: The Republican government has managed to pass important environmental laws and regulations; the Animal Waste and Water Quality Protection Task Force is one important achievement. Passage of a poultry regulations bill that forces large scale poultry operations to register with the state for the first time occurred during Keating’s administration. New regulations on large scale hog operations, make Oklahoma’s hog farming regulations the toughest in the nation.

Crime, Prisons, Public Safety: The crime rate is down and it must continue this way. To stimulate this there was a substantial increase in pay for state troopers and other law enforcement agents. Early release programs for criminals were stopped. Real Truth-in-Sentencing was attempted and parole policies were tightened. There was also an overhaul of laws to keep criminals in jail longer. Money-saving private prisons were allowed. Laws against child abuse were strengthened.

Fiscal Responsibility: The Republicans gained public approval by implementing a record number of cuts in spending; and other spending bills were vetoed while the state government’s hiring freeze that had been in place to hold down cost of government was continued. The party has also called for the elimination of the current corporate franchise tax. "Oklahomans deserve tax relief" (Governor Keating).

Highways: A trend toward lower highway spending was reversed with a three billion dollar road program for highway construction.

Moral Reform: The goals of the Republican moral reform movement are to reduce the rate of divorce, out-of-wedlock births, drug use, alcohol addiction and child abuse.

Other Reforms: Welfare reform, which within a year made more Oklahomans go to work, resulted in AFDC rolls falling by 31 %, down 45 % within three years.

Keating’ appointment of workers compensation judges has resulted in lower punitive damages in lawsuits. Sanctions were enacted for bringing of frivolous law suits. The first African-American District Court Judge in 30 years was appointed. And tougher ethics rules for all public officials was implemented.

A Trauma Care Task Force to assure quality emergency medical care statewide was created.

Republicans sponsored legislation prohibition class action suits and tort claims against government the and businesses arising from Y2K problems if there were reasonable efforts to protect the computer system. The deregulation of utilities and telecommunications Republican back measures, were put into law additionally, the privatization of state services and the negotiated privatization of University Hospital are going forward under the Republican administration.
 
 

From east to west Oregon extends 395 miles (636 kilometers), and from north to south, 295 miles (475 kilometers). The Pacific coastline is 296 miles (476 kilometers) long. Oregon's area is 97,073 square miles (251,418 square kilometers), including 889 square miles (2,303 square kilometers) of inland water.

Oregon has a wide range of climate. Warm, moisture-laden winds blow eastward from the Pacific. As they rise over the Coast Ranges and the Cascades, they drop much of their moisture. As a result, western Oregon has an even climate of cool summers and mild winters. Average monthly temperatures vary from nearly 40°F (4°C) to more than 60°F (16°C). Precipitation (rain and snow) is abundant over most of western Oregon, averaging 60 inches (152 centimeters) or more a year. Most of the region has a growing season of more than 200 days a year.

With the encroachment of white pioneers, wars and disease greatly reduced the Native American population during the 1800s. Today the state has about 27,300 Indians. Of these some 4,800 live on reservations, east of the Cascades. The largest of these reservations are Warm Springs and Umatilla.

The first white settlers in the region were native-born Americans and French Canadians. During the great migration along the Oregon Trail, wagon trains of settlers represented every state in the Union. Some Chinese and Japanese were brought into the state to ease a labor shortage in the second half of the 1800s. From 1970 to 1980 the population increased 25.9 percent, much more than the national average. African Americans total about 1 percent of the population, concentrated mostly in the Portland area. About 108,000 Oregonians are foreign born. The largest number of these are of Canadian origin.

The chief executive officer is the governor, who is elected for four years and may serve two consecutive terms. The state elected its first woman governor, Barbara Roberts, in 1990. The Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court, with seven justices, heads the judiciary.

Oregon usually votes Republican. In presidential elections it has cast all of its electoral votes for the Republican candidate in every year except 1868, 1912, 1932 through 1944, 1964, and 1988.

GOP on Education:

Education should be a matter of parental choice without government interference. Republicans support the parent's right to choose how their children are educated. Republicans oppose the "Education Act for the 21st century" and similar social engineering programs. Students must be competent in reading, language arts (including spelling), math, physical and sciences, U.S. and world history, and geography. Republicans believe education is best administered at the local level.

GOP on Crime

Swift and sure punishment is a deterrent to crime, including mandatory and severe punishment for those convicted of manufacturing, transporting, supplying, or dealing illegal drugs. Individuals must be held accountable for their actions. Criminals should receive sentences commensurate with the severity of their crimes, pay restitution to their victims, and pay for the cost of their punishment and rehabilitation.

GOP on Taxes

Republicans support a single tax rate and oppose attempts to redistribute income through a graduated tax code. Support the "2% Kicker" to refund overpaid income tax. Oppose a sales tax. Oppose unfunded mandates. Support reductions of personal and corporate income taxes. GOP on the Economy Cost-effective government, the elimination of unequal taxes, and the reduction of regulatory burdens is key to new business growth in Oregon. Government should create an environment encouraging to small businesses that does not impinge on business through excessive government hurdles and regulations, including licenses and fees.

GOP on Health Care

Republicans want to protect and preserve the world's best health care system. The centerpiece for the Republican health care plan is the Medical Savings Account. Like an IRA, the MSA allows for the creation of a tax-free savings account to fund medical care. Conclusion on the GOP The Oregon GOP continues to be the "Party of Ideas" producing a platform with specific, concrete proposals to deal with the real challenges faced by Oregonians.
 
 

After the Civil War, Pennsylvania became a Republican stronghold under the leadership of Simon Cameron, J. Donald Cameron, Matthew Quay, and Boies Penrose, who held control almost continuously for more than 50 years. The succession of Republican bosses ended in 1921 with the death of Penrose.

In the late 1970’s and the early 1980’s, increased obsolescence and foreign competition, as well as a series of national economic recessions, led to a massive decline of the steel industry. Many steel mills closed permanently, and thousands of workers lost their jobs. Moreover, Pennsylvania’s population growth slowed to 0.6 percent during the 1970’s and to only 0.1 percent during the 1980’s. Many of its best-trained and highly educated people left the state in search of a better economic opportunities.

Pennsylvania plays a major role in U.S. politics, in 1990 was ranked 5th in population and it has 21 representatives, and 23 electoral votes. Today, Pennsylvania is headed by Republican Governor Tom Ridge, who has a vision of his own for Pennsylvania’s future. This bright future includes: welfare reform, the environment, education, and the local economy.

Welfare Reform- The Republican state party believes that the state government has spend billions to eradicate poverty. But, instead of helping people out of poverty, government has created a cycle of dependency. Today’s welfare system has lost sight of the values that Pennsylvanians believe in: family values, education, work, and self sufficiency.

Pennsylvania’s Republicans want a new and improved welfare system, that is based on family, education, and work. They want a system that embodies common sense and compassion by calling on Pennsylvanian’s traditions. This new system calls for all Pennsylvanians to work together and to help each other through work ethic, commitment to the family, and education.

This proposal creates an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility that spells out the steps welfare recipients and state caseworkers together must take to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency. Only, when both the state and the welfare recipients agree to do their part, people will be better empowered to escape the welfare trap.

The unity of the family will play a big role in the Republican welfare reform. Families must be kept together and not driven apart. Teen parents will be required to live at home or in an adult supervised setting. Welfare recipients will be required to cooperate in the establishment of paternity.

A 115% increase in funding for daycare and other support services will help welfare parents go to work and/or school. In today’s society, no diploma equals no job. The young welfare recipients will be required to go back to school, remain in school, and get a degree. Also, job training for other recipients will be increased by 66% in programs that have been proven to work. With these new programs, people will learn job skills and just as importantly, employment skills such as interview techniques and resume writing.

Work, in order to receive welfare benefits, recipients will be required to start their job search immediately. " There is dignity in all work" ( according to Governor Ridge). Even a part-time job leads to a work history and better jobs down the line. Also, those who are still on public assistance after two years will be required to work at least 20 hrs a week to maintain eligibility. Lastly, the new welfare reform would required those applying for welfare assistance to be resident of Pennsylvania for 12 months before becoming eligible for benefits.

The Environment Governor Ridge’s proposal for the environment is to built a new environmental partnership to protect Pennsylvania’s environment and public health, using sound science and technology to secure compliance assistance, pollution prevention, and other effective use of the natural and human resources.

Gov. Ridge signed legislation to establish a more realistic standards for the cleanup of abandoned industrial cites, to encourage their reuse. This legislation can serve as a national model on how to overcome the failures of the past federal and state cleanup policies. The Gov. said " the new policy focused on "getting the environmental results we want: site cleanups-while producing significant economic benefits-putting people back to work.""

The re structuring of DER (Department of Environmental Resources) into two cabinet level agencies, will play a big role. One will protect the environment and the other will manage state parks and forests. The new structure will enhance the governmental stature of Pennsylvania’s vast acreage of park and forest land; which are popular destination for people that love the outdoors. It will also support the Governor’s strategy to seek compliance rather than confrontation in environmental law enforcement.

Education Governor Ridge wants to increased state funding for Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts. $ 1.4 million will be made available for charter schools, planning grants for parents, teachers, and community organizations to plan and develop charter schools. Grants totaling $ 250,000 will be awarded to community based organizations to recruit new mentors for " at-risk youth " who live in troubled communities.

The Governor also plans to send to the legislature a "dramatic education reform plan," the K.I.D.S plan, to make public schools more effective and to enable parents to choose the school that best meet their children’s needs (public or private). The plan also includes the start of a grant program to help children from low to moderate income families to attend the school of their choice. Moreover, the plan will allocate money for distance learning in rural districts, alternative schools for disruptive students, and a greater local autonomy from state regulations.

The Economy Governor Ridge wants to create a " job friendly " Pennsylvania that enables employers and communities to provide all Pennsylvanians with unmatched economic opportunities and unsurpassed quality of life in an increasingly competitive job market. The plan is to reduced the cost of doing business in order to create more jobs in the private sector. This means state tax reduction, including cuts in the corporate net income tax and incentives to interstate companies to locate their jobs in Pennsylvania. Gov. Ridge is also encouraging more Pennsylvania businesses large and small to expand their exports abroad. Tourism will also play a part in Pennsylvania’s economy, this will mean more jobs for the state.

Investing in community growth will help the economy too. The Pennsylvania Development Bank will make capital available and provide assistance to people in struggling urban and rural neighborhoods to rebuilt their communities with small businesses and services. This enterprise will provide services and products needed within the local economy, hence it will improved the overall economy.

This is the Pennsylvania that the state Republican party wants for the future. A state that is clean, with good schools, and a strong economy. A place where every adult and child can achieve his/her full potential and reach for the stars in spite of his/her background. This is the vision that the state Republican party has, not only for Pennsylvania, but for the whole country.
 
 

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States of America. Rhode Island only agreed to accept statehood after the remaining twelve of the original thirteen states agreed to join the Union. Rhode Island is about 1,545 in area square miles. Providence is the largest city on the state, which is also the state capital. In 1996, the estimated population for Rhode Island was 990,225. Over 917,375 of the population are Whites, 38,861 are Blacks and the remaining of the total population are classified as Others. Rhode Island major form of employment comes from the service industry, unlike in the past, when it was the textile industry that was the dominant way of earning a living.

Rhode Island was founded in the 1600’s, at the time; Samuel Slater established the first textile mill, which became the main source of earning an income for the community. Since it was founded, Rhode Island has been a state of controversy. In 1787, the state refused to send a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. It also refused to acknowledge its share of the cost of the Revolutionary War budget.

Currently the highest elected official of the state is Governor Lincoln Almond, who is a Republican. Governor Almond was born on June 16^th, 1936 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In 1959, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and later earned a law degree from Boston University. Before becoming Governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Almond served as U.S Attorney for over twenty years.

In 1999, when Governor Almond delivered his State of State address he expressed some of his concerns facing the state. He stressed the urgency to take action now in order to achieve the goals of the future. He spoke of the drastic reduction in unemployment rate for the past nine years. The Governor believes that the creation of new and well paying jobs will contribute to the state booming economy. Governor Almond has also expressed his vision for the new millennium as having Rhode Islanders working at better jobs, increase tourism, and improving the state railways. He believes in creating access to higher education and expanding health care for children. In his efforts to stress the importance of time, Governor Almond advice all Rhode Islanders to "keep Rhode Island moving forward to even greater heights."

Governor Almond strongly feel that the children are the future of the state, therefore, parents and government should do all they can to give them a "good start" in life. One of his proposed idea is to eliminate the cause of lead poisoning. The way to achieve this goal, according to the Governor, is to double the funding for the Housing Resource Commission, which was previously receiving seven million dollars. Governor Almond marvels at the fact that Rhode Island is the first state to receive federal funding to create better homes for children and prevention grants for lead poisoning.

In 1998, the Governor established a Starting Right Program. One of the benefits of this program is to create affordable child care. The program also require the government to ensure that the children in child care are receiving a proper education. The care takers of the children have to be qualify in order to obtain a job as a child care specialist. Another point of the Starting Right Program is to increase the availability of extra circular activities to young teenagers. In order to carry out his reforms, Governor Almond propose an additional funding of twenty one million dollars a year.

After explaining his plans for better health care, the Governor spoke of his standpoint on how to increase the economic well being of the state. One way in which Governor Almond wants to increase the economic nature of the state is to use Quonset. Quonset was land that was reserved for the federal government to use for military purposes only. Recently Rhode Island has regained control of the land, which the Governor plans to use as a new industrial site. Governor Almond hopes that this will create a larger business atmosphere for Rhode Island, which will bring economic prosperity.

South Carolina has come a long way since the early days of slavery and racial segregation. Starting the 1950s fewer people were kept from voting by the poll tax, and turnout surged as South Carolina became competitive in the presidential elections of 1952, 1956, and 1960. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ended legal segregation of public accommodations and workplaces and brought blacks suddenly into the electorate. This naturally shook up South Carolina politics, though not in the way widely expected: Democrats hoped to build biracial majorities, and sometimes did, but overall South Carolina moved, more than any other state in the South, toward Republicanism. South Carolina was one of the most heavily Republican states in the presidential races in the 1980s and, thanks to a pre-Super Tuesday primary it was the key state in determining the Republican nominees in 1988 and in 1996.

South Carolina is the 26^th largest state of the United States. In 1996, South Carolina had an estimated population of 3,699,000. The population grew 6.1% between 1990 and 1996. Forty-five percent of the state is rural. Sixty-eight percent of its residents are white, 29.7% is Black, 1% is Asian, 1% is of Hispanic origin. The household compositions: 56.4% are married couple families; 27% are married couple families with children; 39% are college educated; median household income is $ 26,256; per capita income: $11,897; median monthly rent is $276. There is 6.0% unemployment.

The governor of the state is Jim Hodges, a Republican. In his State of the State speech, he addressed several issues such as education, law enforcement, the budget, taxes, and the environment. He proposed various programs to resolve the crucial problems facing South Carolina today.

Education

South Carolina faces a $4 Billion problem with substandard school buildings. Many schools are facing deplorable conditions such as insulation falling through the ceilings, dripping pipes, bathroom fixtures broken off or inoperable, makeshift classrooms beyond repair. Some schools have the equivalent of an entire school in portable classrooms. South Carolina’s governor, Jim Hodges’ number one priority is education. He believes that excellence in education only happens when parents join government, teachers and students to make it happen.

The Governor proposed that at the beginning of every school year every parent should sign a Compact with Our Children. This is a pledge to set high standards for parents and government and teachers as partners in the children’s education. This pledge requires the parent to oversee his or her child’s regular and punctual school attendance and read to their young children and encourage older ones to read for themselves. Parents also pledge to provide a quiet, well-lighted study area, adequate rest, food and a healthy environment to the children. As well as, support school activities by volunteering, visiting the classroom and attending parent-teacher conferences.

Another proposal was to implement a state lottery with the proceeds constitutionally committed to education. According to the Governor, an education lottery would generate at least $150 million dollars a year. He feels that the additional money the lottery dollars would generate can be used to build 21^st century schools and give access to the tools the children need. The governor also requested the General Assembly to dedicate fully one half of the available dollars coming to the general fund and the EIA to educate the children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. This represents an increased educational spending of $380 million. This money would be used to cut class size down from the present 25 or more to an average of no more than 17 children for every teacher. Since decreasing class size demands more teachers, the governor proposes to turn to the corps of retired teachers. He wants to give the school districts the flexibility to keep some of the most experienced teachers in the classrooms. He also recognizes the value of the present teachers and wants to give teachers a salary that is $300 above the southeastern average. Part of this proposal also recommends that $25 million of the $380 million be designated towards buying laptop computers and SAT review software programs to get student’s SAT scores up.

The governor also proposed a Governor’s Institute of Reading. The Institute would bring to South Carolina the nation’s leading reading experts, promote reading through grants to local schools, provide the best professional development for reading teachers, and promote a world-class collaborative reading effort. He also asked that $125 million be devoted to build 21^st century schools, with more classrooms, homework centers or alternative schools.

The governor called for the establishment of the South Carolina First Steps; a program designed to assure that all children start school healthy and ready to learn. This program will bring together state and local agencies, churches, parents, teachers and businesses to identify children’s needs and find ways to address them. This program would promote better child-care, coordinate children’s health services and help parents help their children. The governor proposes to start this year by designating $20 million from state budget funds towards this program but he urges business leaders, foundation directors and community leaders to commit their time, talents and financial resources to make it work.

Law enforcement

The governor proposed to establish drug courts. Instead of costly incarceration, people who are convicted are sentenced to hundreds of hours of community service. They are tested and re-tested for drug use. Any hint of illegal drugs means instant jail time. He modeled his idea after the example of Lexington County. He encouraged the general assembly to establish drug courts statewide to fight the war on drugs.

The governor also stated that he would sign an executive order authorizing SLED Chief Robert Steward to begin immediate criminal background checks on all persons who apply for video poker licenses in South Carolina. He proposed to tax the proceeds of video poker. He believes that this industry should contribute $200 million a year to the state in taxes and fees. This represents roughly one-third of the video gamin industry’s net profits.

Taxes

In a proposal by the governor to lower taxes for senior citizens, he said, A This generation defended us in war, raised families, paid lots of taxes and built our great state. They have given so much and now its time to give back to them. He proposed to wipe out income taxes on retirement income, raise the income tax exemption for seniors to $20,000. This alone would eliminate tax for 58 percent of our seniors over 65 and older.

The budget

The governor proposed to match up to $300 of any state employees’ annual contribution to their 401-K retirement plan. He also recommended a 3% pay raise for state employees.

The environment

The governor believes that South Carolina made an environmental mistake several years ago when it pulled out of the Southeast Compact for Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management. The results were disastrous. Instead of every region in the country handling its own waste, it is dumped in South Carolina.

The governor wants to explore joining the Southeast Compact again. First, it will establish a definite date after which South Carolina will no longer be the national and regional landfill for nuclear waste. Second, the Southeast Compact must make North Carolina and all other states responsible for their waste.
 
 

Thank you. Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Lieutenant Governor Hillard, Chief Justice Miller, Mr. Speaker, you Ladies and Gentlemen of this Legislature, other Constitutional Officers, the Ladies and Gentlemen of South Dakota. Thank you so much for that introduction for all the other elected officials and myself.

I come to you, Ladies and Gentlemen, and report today that with respect to areas where we’re trying to move as a Legislature and as an administration, our work’s not done, but we’ve got good things to report.

In the area of children-and I realize it’s so politically easy and convenient to talk about kids and children, and use them for rhetoric-but the reality of the situation is that we in South Dakota, all of us, really recognize our responsibility to kids who need our help. Thank God, most of them don’t need unique kinds of help that you and I can bring. It’s those few that do where we need to focus our attention and our resources.

We can argue all we want about the criminal law, but I can tell you all, Bill Janklow has always understood the public is fed up with people who steal their property. Fed up with individuals who put you in danger or hurt you. Fed up with individuals who are dopers. Fed up with individuals who cause trouble in our society. But, if you go back to 1972, we had about 250 men in our prison system—today, over 2,000 men in our prison system. You go back to the early ’70s; we had about four women—today, over 150 women in our prison systems.

Something’s changed. Something’s different. Maybe it’s the way people got started in life. I don’t know.

I can tell you that one of the phenomenal statistics that I became aware of yesterday—I had it put on a chart just yesterday to show all of you. In the state institutions this morning, in the state institutions this morning where we have juveniles in our custody at Plankinton in the prison or at Plankinton in the other facilities or the girls LaMont facility in the Custer State Park or in the Boot Camp or in the other Custer facility, the Custer Group Home, 82 percent of all those kids come from a foster- or a single-parent home. Only 18 percent come from a two-parent home. And, I say this, please, not casting any aspersions on any one single-parent home. I’m saying these statistics speak for themselves and tell us the impact that some of the actions sometimes we take as adults can have on little children.

Last year, this Legislature, at our request, made great strides under the leadership of Scott Eccarius and some other legislators, Barb Everist and others. All of you passed legislation that gave us tools that we can use to start to deal with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect. In Todd County, South Dakota, over the past five-year period of time, in five years, 40 percent of all the children born were Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effect. My friends, that will change an entire race of people. That will literally change an entire race of people.

I can report that the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe—both those tribes—provided leadership, actually are ahead of the State of South Dakota in some of the programs they have in trying to address and deal with these types of problems. And the average Fetal Alcohol Syndrome child, over the course of their lifetimes, requires approximately $1.5 million worth of taxpayer subsidized assistance as they live. We’ve got courses that are going under the leadership of Loila Hunking and the folks in Social Services, Pat Monson, and the others. We’ve got programs that have been initiated that are, in a greatly expanding way, utilizing a Bush Foundation Grant and State resources, to teach daycare competence to more and more individuals.

As I said when I gave the Budget Address, in the perfect world that we could all live in, that I grew up in, we had parents at home with children. That’s the way I’d like it to be, but Bill Janklow has to take the world as he finds it and deal with it. And, the world that I find is a world where, by ever-increasing numbers, by huge percentages, parent or parents are in the labor force. They’re not at home. They’re not at home when kids go to school. They’re not at home when kids come home from school. And, parents come home tired from work, as kids come home from school, and that’s not a good mix for being able to do the things that you have to do to further develop the nurturing and the relationships. So whether Bill Janklow likes it or not, increasing numbers of our children are going to daycare. So, it’s in all of our selfish interests to make sure that those daycare providers that are interested, having increasing levels of competence in dealing with this type of stuff.

I talked before, in my State-of-the-State last year, about the impact that music has on children. Still, people don’t know why, but, I can tell you, in ever-increasing amounts of research coming to the forefront everyday now, it’s very, very clear that subjecting children—even before birth, even in utero, but after birth —for the first two years, to classical music, especially Mozart, has a very material impact in terms of the percentage by which they’re improved in their mathematical skills through life. This is a no-brainer for us to do that. This doesn’t cost any money. We’re going to see to it that every person that has a child in South Dakota, just like they get that card from Mary Dean and I, that are willing, will get a CD from the government that plays classical music. As a matter of fact, what they found out is to play Mozart’s music for one hour to adults raises an adult’s IQ anywhere from 10 to 15 points for up to an hour. We’re all going to listen to Mozart every morning during the Legislative Session.

I attended a conference with Lieutenant Governor Hillard and Loila Hunking and Deb Bowman and Bonnie Bjork in Ohio. The noontime speaker, one of the really premier researchers in America on the development of children and their minds—the human mind—talking about how we’re all born with 100 billion brain cells, and every day so many million are being developed or lost to effective development. Every day millions are either developed or lost. Some things you can learn later on, there are some things you can’t learn later on. But, the noontime speaker told us that if you ask me the definition of a neglected child, I’ll tell you that it’s one who’s not being read to 20 minutes a day at the age of six months. This is something, again, that doesn’t cost taxpayers any money. It’s something that we can all do if we understand. And, most people, once they understand, will do it. I’ve never met anybody that wasn’t ill that wanted to injure a child, that wanted to neglect or hurt a child. So many people injure them or neglect them because they don’t know any better. Where they don’t, it shouldn’t be our job, but it’s going to be our job.

I can report to you that we’re up to 70.9 percent in immunizations. This is the fourth year in a row we’ve had a significant increase in the age-appropriate immunizations for children under the age of two, which is the most crucial time that we deal with. With the 70.9 percent, our registry is now in place, we are the first state in the nation to have a registry that keeps track of all of this immunization information in a transient society where one of out of every five South Dakotans move every year. We’re beginning to already see the beneficial impact of the program that we asked that you Legislators fund to increase the Title XIX medical coverage for those children who lived in homes that couldn’t afford medical coverage, meeting certain guidelines. A program that we’re asking to increase again this year, as you know, from the budget. Then again, all of this together is starting to have a very beneficial impact on the children of the state.

I know it was reported in the press, after having visited with the members of the press a couple days ago, that we are, over the course of this next year, going to very seriously put together a quality study to take a look at whether or not we should recommend to you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Legislature, that we provide for pre-school—which is age four, the year before kindergarten—for pre-school for the children of South Dakota. It would be different than our other K-12 education. It would involve about 12,000 children the first year and then 12,000 each year thereafter. What it would really do is expand the K-12 system by about 12,000 statewide. I realize that most school systems could accommodate them now. In 1972 we had 185,000 kids K-12 in this state. Today, we’ve only got 135,000. So, someplace out there we’ve got 50,000 places where we could put people. I know there are some systems that are full, but most aren’t. But, if we were to set up a system where the parents who are paying for care now were to continue to pay, based on their ability to pay, and the taxpayers only picked up the difference for the four-year-olds, and recognizing that people don’t have to have teaching certificates to be good parents and to do basic training and cognitive skills and read to them and play music and games and things like that. We may be able to really find something that would be a fabulous opportunity for the development of children in our state.

I can tell you that we’re really working very hard at instituting parenting courses. I’m cognizant again of, and I understand, that government shouldn’t go around telling people, deciding who is and who isn’t a good parent, but there are some that are such lousy parents we all agree on it. There’s no question.

Imagine that. Even a kid that’s been in trouble, a 15-year-old that’s been in trouble, and a judge has taken them from their home in what’s called an out-of-home placement. Imagine walking away from that child as a parent or a grandparent or a brother or sister, and then in four months for Boot Camp or up to seven months for the girls, you never write your own child. You never call them. Or, you never go see them.

It isn’t hard to figure out what the problem is, is it? It isn’t hard to figure out what’s wrong with the kid. It’s the parents that are the problem. It’s the parenting that’s the problem.

We are teaching, in our state facilities, a parenting course based on the Boys’ Town model, to every person that’s in our juvenile facilities. They must take the course. And, I don’t know the Boys’ Town model, but everyone that I deal with from the CASA (Court Approved Special Advocate) groups to some 4-H groups, to the Extension folks at SDSU that I have visited with, from home economists to our state officials, all tell me, almost unanimously, the Boys’ Town model is a great model for a parenting course. We’re also requiring that some of our TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) recipients, some of our public assistance recipients, as a condition of receiving their welfare check must take a parenting course.

You, Ladies and Gentlemen, passed a law last year that said any human being in this state convicted of domestic violence, beating up other family members, threatening them, or intimidating them, will be required as part of their sentence, to take a parenting course. And, I can tell you that we’re increasing—we actually don’t need laws on this—we’re increasing our vigilance and our efforts and trying to make sure that people who bring babies into the world, provide, to the extent that they can afford it, the fiscal support for those children, so the tax payers just don’t get stuck with babies that somebody doesn’t want. I can’t help it if two parents don’t like each other, but once they’ve done the acts that bring about a child into the world, they have responsibilities as parents, irrespective of whether or not they like each other. And we can’t make them like each other, but we can make them pay, to the extent possible, for the support of their children.

It’s incredibly important, and we’re going to work very hard over the course of the next year to try and get the faith-based institutions, what they call in the modern world, faith-based institutions-I used to call them the churches, but we’re not allowed to use that phrase anymore. It’s not correct, so we need to get all of you, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Native Americans, Moslems, whatever, even you who are nonbelievers in anything would never ever say or think that you don’t believe in helping children. It’s universal. Honestly, folks, this government can’t do it. It doesn’t make any difference how much money Bill Janklow would ask you to tax the citizens for additional funds. It doesn’t make any difference how many new programs we come up with. Government can’t raise kids. We can put a roof over their head and we can give them medical care, we can educate them and we can deal with nutritional things, but you can’t pull them into your bosom. You can’t hug them. You can’t kiss them. Only human beings can do that, and the government’s an abstract thing. So I can tell you, we need your help. Whether you’re a Rotary Club or a Kiwanis Club, whether you’re a Zonta Club, whether you’re a Catholic group, a Presbyterian group, or a Weslyan group, it makes no difference to us. We need your help. So, I guess I’m asking one more time, If you can find it in your hearts, if you can find it in your time, if you can find it in your beliefs, would you please come forth to offer assistance to these human beings from in utero babies to those that are ready to assume adulthood. We need them across the whole broad spectrum. And look, we’re only dealing with a couple thousand kids. Now, that’s a huge burden for us fiscally, but we’re only talking about a couple thousand and between 700,000 of us, we can figure out how to do this. We can do it. So, I guess I’m asking one more time to have people step to the forefront and whatever organization or as individuals to whatever extent you feel comfortable, all I want you to know is one thing. Don’t ever feel we don’t have a place where we can make you useful. I’ll leave it with that. Whether it’s coming to an institution where children are at, whether it’s dealing with those that are on probation, or those that are on parole, or those that are being mentored in aftercare, whether it’s those who come from homes where they have been found, through the school social worker program, or other types of programming that aren’t in trouble with the law, where nobody’s in trouble, where a family’s under stress and needs help, we just plain need help. Folks, we can accomplish this in a year. This isn’t a lifelong program. We can do this in a short period if we really all get together.

I’d like to show you a chart that deals with the public schools of South Dakota. I realize--as I say every year, and I’m not going to quit until I’m out of here, so you’re going to get stuck listening to three more of these speeches after today. But, I’m sick of drugs, and I’m sick of druggers and the people that give drugs to kids. I think I’m about the only one, but I get re-elected so there’s voters out there that agree with me. They’re out there.

These are the school systems of South Dakota. These are school district boundaries. If it is in white, we have not been to the school system. If it is in yellow, we’ve been to the school system. And, if it is in red, we have arrested a kid in the school system for having drugs. This is not a big city problem. This isn’t Sioux Falls’ and Rapid City’s problem. Where you see a red school district, we have arrested and removed a student from the school for being a drugger.

But I’ll tell you a bigger statistic. Twenty-two schools in 341 schools searched. Now the reason it is 341, we have 520 public school buildings in the state. We have 176 school systems, but some schools have the dogs coming through and checking every month or two, so each time they do counts as another school searched. But in school districts, we have searched 102 out of the 176, but we found drugs in 18. That’s virtually one in five. That’s 20 percent. That’s one heck of a problem.

We’re going to be presenting legislation to you asking you to strengthen these laws. We’re going to ask you that any person found with drugs will be required by law to do a minimum of 30 days in confinement. I fully realize we have 67 state’s attorneys out there, all exercising their discretion. Then we have three dozen circuit court judges, each exercising their own discretion; but we’re going to be asking that the Legislature pass laws providing that anyone found with drugs will be confined for a minimum of 30 days.

Bill Janklow speeds when he drives—shouldn’t, but he does. When he gets the ticket he pays it, but if someone told me I was going to jail for two days for speeding, my driving habits would change. I can pay the ticket, but I don’t want to go to jail. It is that simple, and we’ve tried everything else.

Those of you who think the system is working, don’t vote to change anything. If you are really happy with the way it is, don’t vote to change anything. But if you think there is something else we can do, let’s try it. And consistent with that, I’m willing, as part of any program, to declare an amnesty for druggers. I always hear from people, Well, we’ve got to treat them. Fine. Let’s set a date certain that we start and finish and tell every single human being in South Dakota that says they have a drug problem to step forth with total immunity, a total amnesty, to get treatment, with no fear of recrimination or criminal prosecution or a besmirched record. Let’s work with them and give them the treatment they need to get it cleaned up. But, if and when they don’t, then let’s lock them up. It’s that simple.

We need to strengthen, we truly need to strengthen the laws dealing with sexual predators on children. Folks, I know we read about this stuff in the newspaper and it is just another news story. We don’t like it. But, I spent part of this morning on the telephone with a mother from Mission, South Dakota. She was a young girl when Mary Dean and I lived in Mission that now is a parent in the community whose 14-year-old girl was brutally raped twice on New Year’s Day. I wish everybody could listen to that parent talk. I wish they could listen to her voice quiver. I wish they could listen to her cry on the telephone, and then you’d understand why I feel like I do, because Bill Janklow isn’t just trying to be ornery when he deals with this stuff. I listen to the real people of South Dakota and the problems they have.

When someone decides that they are going to go out and play with a three-year-old child or a five-year-old child, they’ve made a conscious decision that they don’t want to live in a civilized society anymore. We should put them in a cage like we do a dog that bites people. It’s that simple. A kid will heal faster from a dog bite than they will from a brutal sexual attack and assault, so the least we can do is treat somebody that does that like a dog. They’ve made the decision to act like one. So, we need to strengthen those laws. We really need to strengthen those laws to protect kids who can’t protect themselves. There isn’t one of us that wouldn’t step into a breach like that if we saw something like that happening and try and do something about it. Well, you and I have the opportunity. In the role that the citizens of this state have given to us, we have the opportunity to do something about it. I’m asking that we do something about it.

I can tell you that over the course of the last year, we’ve had two million hours of community service performed by the inmates in the state prison system. Our program of putting inmates to work, when they’ve earned the right, putting them outside the prison walls to work-whether it is wiring schools or working at the State Fairgrounds, or working in the State Capitol grounds and its complex or the Yankton State Hospital or the University of South Dakota or at Farm Island with Game, Fish and Parks or in Custer State Park or wherever-is a model of its kind for anybody. We have very few problems with the structured lives we give these inmates, yet we put them to work, and they are working on meaningful projects.

Our recidivism rate is very low in South Dakota. It’s always been low in South Dakota, but this is paying off in spades, putting these inmates to work and teaching them job responsibilities and getting up and going to work. Very few people in life get into trouble that are working all day, everyday, five or so days a week. Very few people. The more idle we are, the more prone we are as human beings to get ourselves into trouble.

I’d like to ask that the Legislature consider, as you see this next chart, consider passing legislation that says, when two or more school districts choose on their own volition to combine or merge, that we will hold them harmless in terms of State Aid to Education funding for a four-year period of time and then, over the ensuing four years after that, it declines at the rate of 20 percent a year. I honestly believe that this will have a material impact in bringing about a significantly beneficial result in K-12 education in the state in certain areas.

I am personally aware of a couple of school districts in southeast South Dakota that have been working very hard trying to figure out how to go together to provide greater opportunities and expanded opportunities for the kids and their school systems. But, together they would lose about $140,000 to $170,000 a year in State Aid to Education because, as you folks all know, especially you who’ve been here before, our Aid to Education formula, as the school district gets smaller, the amount per child we give goes up. So, the result is the two smaller schools together would become a larger school, and their aid per student would go down. It would cost them from $140,00 to $170,000 a year. So, as a school system phases in with all the things they have to do to bring about a more beneficial opportunity for children, we would ask that you pass legislation allowing a four-year hold harmless program and then a four-year phase-out. The cost would not be very great. The benefit, the benefit could be phenomenal. I think if you’ll check, you’ll see that the ESD schools plus the next three largest, between them, have somewhere between 70 and 75 percent of all the students in the state. So, the remaining 150-some school districts, between them, have the remaining 25 or so percent of the students. So, the cost would not be great, but the opportunity for kids in a particular community and for the taxpayers in a particular community could be very significant.

There’s been a task force established that’s been working under the Co-Chairmanship of Barb Everist and Steve Cutler working on special education over the course of the last many months. Their work is not yet quite completed, but it should be completed over the next week or so. We’ve included individuals from—I tried to really include individuals from across the broad base of education in South Dakota, from the head of special education of the Rapid City School District to one of the past-presidents of the South Dakota School Board Association, trying to get a real cross-section of individuals to really look at this question. We are willing to work with any special education formula that has integrity. That’s the key.

When I came to this governorship four years ago, we had one school system in this state that had classified more than 20 percent of all its students special ed., one out of every five. Now either they had an incredible genetic problem in that community or they were cheating.

For some reason when people cheat on government funds, it’s okay. As I jokingly say, if government was Catholic, they would all be venial things. They wouldn’t be mortal.

In a serious vein, in a serious vein, we’ve got to have a system that can’t be gamed or played or manipulated. We can’t have that. It is terribly important that what goes on in Flandreau is the same as what goes on in Pierre as what goes on in Timber Lake or Rapid City. If we have any other system, then all the other taxpayers suffer if the system can be gamed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is important. The time has truly come—and I realize it is going to take a significant vote of this Legislature on a bipartisan basis. We cannot ignore the growing needs for post-secondary education in the academic sense for people who live in the Sioux Falls community. Too large, it is actually too large a group, not 18-year-olds coming out of high school, but folks, men and women who are mothers and fathers, and folks in the labor force that can’t afford to quit and go to school, that can’t afford to pay private school tuition, and need the assistance of public assisted education that has to be accommodated. And for years, this has been accommodated, but it has now grown to the point where the next step has to be taken, and we have to get them into a building.

I think it is terribly important that we not create a new U. We don’t need a seventh university. Bill Janklow fully understands what it means to close a school, because he provided the leadership that did it, and I’ve paid the price politically over the years. I turned a whole area that was Republican into a Democrat area. I understand that, but what I did was the right thing for the people of South Dakota. I went from approximately 80 percent of the vote to 30 percent of the vote in that area, but what I did was the right thing for South Dakota, and I will always believe that. So, we can’t allow this to become a new university. It has to be a part of the public university system of South Dakota, utilizing the unique resources that the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University and Dakota State University-and maybe others, but clearly those three-working together as a consortium to provide additional education in that community.

At the same time, we desperately need, we desperately need more facilities for Southeast Vo-Technical Institute in Sioux Falls. It’s plumb full. It’s a phenomenal factor in the growth of economic development in the community and in the state. So, this is a no-brainer to put together a facility that accommodates what Southeast Vo-Tech needs at the same time it accommodates what the Board of Regents needs.

I’m going to authorize a tax amnesty, a prosecution amnesty beginning April 1 and extending through May 15. For a period of approximately 45 days, but it will be from April 1 through May 15, any person or business that comes forth to the Revenue Department, admits that they’ve one, been cheating, or two, have not been paying their taxes, that will fill out the forms and get their taxes paid, paying their penalty and interest, will not be prosecuted. This will not apply to anyone who has been audited already, anyone who is being audited as of today, or anyone who has received notice from the Revenue Department as of today. It will apply to everyone else, so all of the moneys that you owe the people of South Dakota, you will have to pay, penalty and interest included. But, there will be an amnesty from prosecution because what we have is an increasing number of people who are cheating on their taxes or are not reporting.

We can do it the other way. It’s not hard to ultimately find you. It just takes awhile, and then we go out and we arrest people, and we take them down to the jail, and we fingerprint them, and we book them, and now they go to court, and they have to hire lawyers, and then they have criminal records. And even when they get suspended imposition of sentence, it all never really goes away, because it is reported in the newspapers and its carried on web sites and all kinds of things forever. Let’s just try and get everybody on track. There are some people that have contacted me, I’ve had attorneys contact me, three of them in the last month, that say they have clients who want to come clean, but they are afraid of the prosecution. So, rather than making a special deal for them, I'm going to make it for everybody, that beginning April 1 to May 15, there will be a tax amnesty under those conditions.

With respect to the Missouri River, I can just briefly tell you that over the course of this year we will be negotiating—with the assistance of Senator Daschle’s office and John Cooper and the folks at Game, Fish and Parks and me and the folks in our office— with the Army Corps of Engineers to implement this Missouri River Bill that Senator Daschle got passed in the budget amendment. I can tell you, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is one of the most significant things that’s happened to South Dakota in 50 years. And as it unfolds you’ll all see that.

Never again will we have to say, "Captain, may I" to the Corps of Engineers to build a marina in this state. Never again will it take five years to get approval to build a marina. We will be able to decide outside the boundaries of the Indian reservations and within the boundaries of the Indian reservations, the Cheyenne Sioux Tribe and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, because they’re the only two tribes that went along with this legislation. They will be able to decide how the land is put to use. We will have statutory control of the hunting, the fishing, the boating, and the recreation on the Missouri River, which, prior to this, was a grant given to us administratively by the Army Corps of Engineers. We will have returned to the state and the tribes approximately 177,000 acres of land up and down the river to be dealt with under our direction and our control. There are some exceptions to this on areas where the Army Corps needs it for the day-to-day functioning of their projects. This is written into the law. It does not affect Indian water rights. It doesn’t affect anybody’s easement for irrigation or anything like that, or water permits. But it is a phenomenal thing that we’re going to be implementing, and I can just tell you, we owe a serious debt of gratitude to the leadership of Senator Daschle that he provided in really getting this done. Forget the partisanship of it. I’m just telling you that it would not have been able to be done had he not been in that position and exerted the influence that he exerted.

We’re going to commission a study on wages. It’s not going to be all encompassing. Over a period, we are going to look at all aspects, but this first study, which I’m going to ask a bipartisan group of citizens to be involved in, will look at—not occupations because we all know that the lawyers make more then taxicab drivers even though they are both honorable professions. I’m not going to do that kind of comparison. What we’re going to look at is comparisons within the framework of the geography of South Dakota. We know that for those welfare recipients that are going to work, we know that the average wage is approximately $7 an hour in Sioux Falls. And statewide, the rest of the state, it’s about $6.25. So there is a disparity between our largest community and the rest of them. But what we need to do is look at, If we are low wage, why and where? Now I personally believe what it’s going to show is the smaller the business the lower the wage, and the more rural the business the smaller the wage. I believe that’s what it is going to show. But we need to get that information and lay it out to the public so we all understand it. So as we do the rhetoric of the future in economic development, we all at least know the underlying facts of what we are talking about. So by the time the fall comes, we will have had that study completed.

Let me, if I can, say one thing, and I’m not trying to be preachy with it, but I think it’s terribly important. For whatever reason, increasingly in South Dakota, we’ve got rhetoric arising that we don’t like corporations. That’s terribly dangerous to paint with a broad brush. By far, most of the new jobs created of consequence in South Dakota are brought by corporations from out-of-state. I can flat tell you, and I’m not arguing the results of the elections. I’ve always said, my whole adult life, Let me in the debate, and when the votes are counted, my side either wins or loses, and I’ll live with the results. Honestly folks I believe that, as you all do. But let me tell you. At the present time, we have one value-added agriculture company that is talking seriously to South Dakota. And, that’s all! None of the rest of them that we’ve been talking to are interested. They have told us, No, thank you. We’re afraid of where you’re headed. We’re afraid of you.

I tell them it is just political rhetoric. Don’t listen to that stuff. It won’t win. We’re afraid, Janklow. Someday they’re going to, and we’re going to have an investment in your state. No, thank you. We don’t want to be there. I can tell you that more then half of the nonvalue-added agriculture companies that we were in serious discussions with six months ago, we are not in serious discussions with today. It behooves us all—I realize there’s great political advantage in this. We all understand that. I fully understand what role rhetoric can play in political advantage. I also would like you to understand that we do this at our peril sometimes. It’s terribly dangerous. Twelve percent of the people employed in this state are employed in the financial services industry. Imagine an employment picture in South Dakota without Norwest Processing Centers, Dial Bank’s Processing Centers, First National Bank of Omaha’s Processing Center in Yankton, Citibank in Sioux Falls, Spiegel’s and Greentree and General Electric in Rapid City. Imagine what the employment picture would be like.

I want you all to know that I’m going to embark on discussions over the next couple of weeks. I have not done it yet. But I’m going to embark on discussions to try and settle the litigation that’s going on with Citibank. I have not been asked by them to do it. I’m doing it on my own volition. A company that has paid over $300 million into the treasury of the State of South Dakota; a company that has paid over $1.2 billion in wages to the people of this state; a company that employs over 3,000 people, over 96 percent of whom, when they applied for the job, gave a South Dakota address; a company that’s paid over $10 million in property taxes and has given over $6 million away, including, in addition, $500,000 to Sinte Gleska University on the Rosebud Reservation, is not here to rip anybody off. And we all ought to understand that. Yes, it is easy to beat up on somebody like that, but we’re nuts.

I was Governor in the days when we begged that company to come here. We begged for jobs. And now we’ve become so successful with this that we’ve become cavalier. I know I’m sounding harsh and lecturing when I say this, but please let me tell you how much of my life I’ve dedicated to trying to bring more and better jobs, and we can’t ruin it by being stupid. They pay at the 75th percentile. You want to know why they don’t pay more? Because the South Dakota Farmers Union demanded that they not pay more then that. I was at the meeting in the discussions years ago. The Farmers Union said, You’ll come in here with your high wages and steal the workers from the other people. Listen to that for a lecture. You’ll steal the other people with high wages. So Citibank agreed to pay at the 75th percentile.

I realize the State of the State isn’t necessarily the place to talk about a single company, but I want you to know they’re systematic of a bigger problem. I can tell you there’s another major financial services company in this state that employs 1,000 people that is now in the process of getting a bank franchise in the State of Nevada. Folks, if you want to continue the rhetoric, fine. But lets think about what we are saying and the impact it means to a state that needs all the development that it can get. It needs all the good jobs that it can get. And if we’re going to drive somebody out of here and force them to leave, then have the guts to stand up and say you want them to leave—have the courage to face the consequences.

With respect to agriculture, I’m going to have a group, over the course of about the next 100 days, take a look at the pricing of meat. Now I’m doing this because of what Agriculture Secretary Glickman said last summer at the Governors’ convention. Because, when he was on a panel and I was one of the Governors questioning him, I questioned him about the price of meat and he said the US Department of Agriculture monitors meat wholesale to retail. That the margins, the spread, the gross profit, the markup, whatever you want to call it, the markup was the highest that’s it been in the 40 years they’ve been keeping records. This is true for beef and pork. Now he was speaking nationwide. I asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture again about a month ago if that was true. They said it’s still true.

If I could, let me cover for a second the tobacco settlement. This continues to come up. We’ve received nothing. But, the negotiation that the Attorney General was engaged in that culminated in an agreement to pay money to our Treasury is not to reimburse a single citizen or organization in the State of South Dakota. It’s to pay back the State Treasury, which are the people of South Dakota, for the state providing for the medical care for prisoners, and that portion of that medical budget that’s attributable to tobacco in the past and in the future. This settles future claims. For Title XIX—we have 60,000 people in South Dakota where you and I as taxpayers and the federal people, the rest of the nation through their matching funds, provide the medical services for over 60,000 people in this state—for the patients that have historically been and in the future will be in the Yankton State Hospital and Redfield, and state employees, because you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Legislature, fund the moneys that are necessary to provide the medical insurance or a significant portion of it for state employees and their benefits and their dependents. That is what that money is for. The federal government still claims that they’re entitled to their money back. For our purposes, it would be the Title XIX, because as I think all of you know, for every dollar, basically, we put up in Title XIX, the Feds put up two. So we’re spending about $330 million this year in Title XIX, and about $110 million of that is state general funds. The remaining $220 million are federal funds.

I don’t know what the outcome is going to be of the federal action. We don’t know when we are going to get the first check. It’s only after all 50 states, or those that were involved in litigation, have had it through their court systems to get approval for their various actions. Now in South Dakota, that won’t be difficult, because the Attorney General had filed a lawsuit, and with the agreement of the other parties, the other side, and the judge they put it on a shelf. It just sat there at the courthouse ready to be activated if the negotiations failed. But it protected us, under the statute of limitations, from having a statute of limitations run. Once the settlement is reached, it has to be run through a court system. In some states you can just move to dismiss it, and dismiss it. In other states, it takes the court’s permission, depending on what one state’s laws provide. In our state, the Attorney General has this power to do it. But in some states, it takes other powers. So my point is we don’t know when we’re going to get the first $8.3 million—maybe this year or not. We will get the second year nothing. Then the third year, we’re supposed to get $22.4. I put a question mark after them, because I personally believe that once all the deals are cut in America, they’re going to go into bankruptcy and wipe their debts off. That’s what I think, but I’m a minority of one.

But all I’m saying is I’m getting letters from the Cancer Society and the March of Dimes and every organization you can imagine wanting a cut of this. This money belongs to state government. And, you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Legislature, are the ones that will be appropriating it out. And at the appropriate time, we will probably be recommending that we deal with providing health care to people. For those that want smoking education, this agreement also provided nationally over $2 billion to be spent by the tobacco companies in anti-smoking campaigns aimed at young people—aimed at you.

I know that this is taking me some time today, but we talk a lot about bipartisanship. Bipartisanship really isn’t complaining. It’s working together. Let me say this as I close. There isn’t a single one of you that ran for office saying elect me and I’ll never talk to the Republicans. There isn’t a single one of you that didn’t ask for Republican votes. There isn’t a single one of us Republicans that ever said elect me and I’ll never deal with the Democrats. And we all sought Democratic votes and Independent votes.

I fully realize there are fundamental differences between our parties and within our parties, there are philosophical differences. But I also realize we will get nothing done if it’s partisan in every sense. Now, frankly, one party has enough power to get done whatever it basically wants except raise taxes. It’s got that power. I can also tell you I’ve never seen them use it in all my years in government. And I’ve never served as Governor when my party didn’t have a majority or two-thirds in both houses. It’s always been bipartisan, sometimes more sometimes less. Bipartisanship is not all of one party voting to seat their people and the other party giving 18 votes in the other direction. That’s not bipartisanship. That’s not a way to start it. But it’s done. It’s behind us.

Nothing in Democracy is more important than citizens who pick other men and women to come to the seat of government and make laws for them that affect their life, their liberty, or their property. That’s a powerful lot of trust folks. It’s not just that you were not challenged in the election and you got a walk. It’s not that you had a cakewalk or you had a lousy opponent. Folks have put an awesome amount of trust in you. They’re out there retired today or they are in a nursing home today or they’re in a developmental disability center someplace or they’re working today or they’re whatever. But, we’re here because they sent you here to do their work. And as long as we keep that in mind, we’re going to bring out favorable, beneficial results for the people of South Dakota. There’s no greater challenge. There’s no more awesome responsibility. And, frankly, there’s nothing more enjoyable.

Godspeed to each and every one of you, and God Bless South Dakota! Thank you.

Tennessee, also known as the Volunteer State, was the 16^th state to enter the Union in June 1796. It has a population of 5,320,000 (estimate as of 1996), and a median household income of $24,807. Nashville, the capital, is the religious publishing center of the United States and is the home of country music. Its largest city, Memphis, also has a musical tradition – jazz. It was also home to Elvis Presley, and the Civil Rights Museum is built on what was once the site of the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. Because of its location in southeastern USA, it is linked culturally with the South and its 926 square miles of river systems tie it closely to the North. In 1933 the Federal Government established the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) which, besides improving navigation and flood control, gave the state its primary export – electrical energy. However, the TVA sparked a controversy regarding Federal intervention in State Affairs, which has not yet been resolved. Besides electrical energy, the state produces chemicals, food products, machinery, textiles as well as crops such as tobacco, cotton and soybeans.

The North-South division in Tennessee originated during the Civil War and this division is reflected in its political and cultural life. Counties situated in the Eastern part of Tennessee were allied with the Union and are still loyal to the Republican Party, while the counties in central and west Tennessee had large plantations with southern orientation and therefore were, and still are, mainly Democrats. The Democrats have always been the dominant party in Tennessee, however, comparisons of the two recent presidential elections (1992, 1996) show the Republicans gaining ground. The change towards the Republicans began in the early 1970’s in west Tennessee and has extended to central Tennessee. This is due in part to heavy industrialization in what was once mainly agricultural. In 1996, the Clinton-Gore ticket won Tennessee by a 48% - 46% margin but the Republicans retained a 5-4 majority in Congress (there are 9 congressional districts in Tennessee).

The leader of the Tennessee Republican Party is John B "Chip" Saltsman Jr. and the vice-chairman is Nancy Strawn. There are also several organizations such as the Tennessee College Republicans and the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women that are affiliated with the Republican Party. Tennessee’s Governor Don Sundquist is republican, and of the 99 members in the Tennessee General Assembly, 40 are republicans. The Tennessee House Republicans, like their party, have pledged to represent Tennesseans in an efficient manner and hold themselves to the Republican principles of personal responsibility, limited representational government and citizen’s involvement in government. The Republican Party of Tennessee’s motto is "Government of the People." They also believe that economic growth and prosperity are vital to the success of Tennesseans, that the free marketplace leads to economic growth and state regulation of commercial business, while essential to prevent abuses, should be fair.

The Tennessee Republican Party has more or less the same platform as the Republican National Party (RNP). They are committed to limited taxation for its citizens. To this end its Governor has proposed, in his State of the State address, a Tax Relief and Fairness Act. This act would remove sales tax on grocery food and create a Fair Business Tax. This would exempt the first $50,000 made by businesses from taxes. This exemption would affect small business, sole proprietorships and family farms all of whom would not owe taxes or have to file a return. This will also create more jobs and Tennessee would have one of the lowest business tax rates in America. People would be able to keep more of the money they earn. The Republicans feel that taxes are a major reason that families are stressed. By giving Americans a tax relief, they can keep more of what they earn and in turn work fewer hours and spend more time with their families.

Education is of vital importance to the Republicans along with a safe environment for learning. They believe that states and not the Federal Government should be making decisions regarding the schools. They have proposed the Education Flexibility Act – EdFlex, which eliminates Federal red tape and bureaucracy. Tennessee Republicans like their national counterpart feel that teachers and parents should work together in the educational process. They are also committed to improving higher education and to student/teacher safety in the classroom.

The Governor and the House Republican caucus believe in promoting the wellness of the Tennessee citizens. They believe that the citizens are their greatest and most productive resource and that they should be protected. With this in mind, they have created affordable health care – TennCare. TennCare has provided 400,000 Tennesseans, whom otherwise had no health insurance either due to ineligibility or unaffordability with coverage. In his State address, Gov. Sundquist reported that child immunization had risen while teen pregnancy and infant mortality had fallen. Affordable health care is one of the goals of the Republican National Party, and they have among other things recommended that legislation be passed to protect patients from HMO abuses and to ensure their access to timely medical care. The Governor also considers the environment to be important to the welfare of his citizens and has pursued policies that would improve the quality of air and provide clean public drinking water systems.

The domestic issues discussed above are pertinent to Tennessee Republicans and reflect the RNP’s ideology. However, on the issue of foreign policy, their stance is the same as the RNP. Foreign policy has always been the domain of the President and he alone is the representative of the United States in these affairs. However, Congress can and does have a voice in how funds such as foreign aid is spent. According to Rep. S. Callahan R-Ala., chairman of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee has said "foreign aid programs are not entitlements and must be subject to the same scrutiny as domestic programs" (CQ weekly 1627). Since the Republicans took control of both the House and the Senate, there has been a gradual cutback in the budget for US foreign aid program. They are in favor of military assistance and anti-narcotics programs rather than funding for development. For them, this type of aid would be a part of the defense budget. Loans made to Russia by the International Monetary funds were, according to the Clinton Administration, to assist in promoting a peaceful and productive free market economy instead the Russian economy has become corrupt. This has caused Republican leaders to advocate close monitoring of future loans (CQ weekly. 2174).

One of the Republican philosophies is that Government should be held accountable for maintaining a responsible economy and that excessive taxation, inflation and Government waste oppresses citizens. They also encroach on the individual rights, liberties and properties of citizens. The Governor of Tennessee, the House Republican Caucus and the Tennessee Republican Party have pledged themselves to ensure that the Tennesseans are not affected by such encroachments. The policy such as the Tax relief and Fairness Act, which reduces the tax burden of Tennesseans, reflects their commitment to this philosophy.
 
 

Texas is the second largest state in the nation, after Alaska, with an area of over 280,000 square miles. It borders Mexico on the southwest and the Gulf of Mexico on the Southeast. To the north and east, Texas shares borders with Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana and to the west, New Mexico. The vast area Texas encompasses includes forests, mountains, deserts and a long, subtropical coastal lowland. Its wealth of mineral resources is almost unequaled by any other state.

With a population of 19,128,261, Texas is currently the second largest state in population, surpassing New York in 1994. In 1990, whites constituted 75.2 % of the population, blacks 11.9 %, Asians 1.9 %, Native Americans 0.4 % and those of mixed heritage or not reporting ethnicity, 10.6 %. Hispanics, who may be of any race, were 25.5 % of the people. Texas’ large Hispanic population is a reflection of its positive relationship with its neighbor, Mexico, with whom it shares an especially beneficial trade relationship.

Nearly 85 % of Texas’ population resides in its surging metropolitan areas, a number which is expected to continue rising, while rural areas in the state continue to lose population. Texas is a state with vast income disparities, as evidenced by the affluent suburbs surrounding its major cities to its many poor crime-ridden neighborhoods. Approximately 18 % of the state’s population live below the national poverty level, yet Texas has some of the nation’s lowest income taxes and welfare levels. The large number of citizens living in poverty also affects the crime level in the state, as Texas is a violent state and leads the nation in number of executions.

Few states possess as wide a variety of resources as Texas, and few support economic activities of comparable variety. In its early history, Texas’ economy was based on oil, cotton and cattle, but as oil prices began to fall worldwide, a need for diversification of the economy arose. Today its economy has become much more complex, as the former have now been joined by hundreds of other businesses and industrial activities. Texas’ low taxes and lack of income tax have helped attract many of the nation’s leading companies to the state while creating more jobs in the 1990’s than any other state. Today Texas is one of the leading centers of high-tech industries including the aerospace, telecommunications, and computer industries in addition to a large number of defense contractors. The service industry contributes the largest share of the state’s gross product and employs the most workers followed by wholesale and retail trade. Texas’ right-to-work law, which prohibits union membership as a condition of employment, prevents the majority of workers in its industries from becoming unionized. Its industries are also leading exporters to Mexico, exporting nearly 50% of total U.S. exports to Mexico.

Until recently, Texas has been a stronghold of the Democratic Party in both state and national elections. Only since the 1970’s has the state witnessed the rise of the Republican Party. In presidential elections, Republicans have won Texas’ electoral votes only eight times, but five of the eight were after 1970. Today, the state of Texas is an indisputably Republican State, with the majority of its citizens supporting the issues of cultural conservatism, minimalist government, and individual self-government through God-given abilities, all championed by the Republican Party of Texas.

The Republican Party’s positions concerning foreign policy are based on the ideal of a strong, individual nation able to defend itself. The party fully supports increased spending to provide a strong national defense, however, troops which contribute toward providing this defense must exclude from service homosexuals and HIV positive individuals. Women must also be barred from combat roles. It supports assistance to emerging republics throughout the world, which are trying to institute a republican form of government. The party feels the decision to assist other countries though should rest solely with the United States itself. Therefore it believes the U.S. should immediately terminate all financial and military obligations to the UN, as well as membership in the organization. All military troops should be immediately recalled from under UN control and resume their duties of defending the people of the United States of America. The U.S. should also disengage from all countries in which there is no clear national defense interest. In addition to the UN, the party also opposes multinational military alliances such as NATO, SEATO, and the Warsaw Pact along with the creation of an International Criminal Court. Lastly, funding of the IMF should cease, as the IMF supports foreign tyrants and provides international bankers with American taxpayer’s money.

On the issue of health care, the party believes it to be a matter of personal responsibility. While the party desires adequate healthcare for all, this should not be a concern of the federal government. No individual should be denied care solely because of age, race, physical or mental disability. The party also opposes legislation that restricts a patient’s right to choose a provider or prevents providers from servicing the public and private sector. Appropriate research to find a cure for AIDS, a serious threat to human health, is also needed. While the party views with compassion individuals infected with the disease, the epidemic must be de-politicized. It must be made known to victims of this disease that behavior has personal and social consequences.

The party supports the termination of the Social Security tax and the transition to a system of private pensions similar to individual retirement accounts. It recommends removing earning limits and making benefits non-taxable. Social Security funds should not be allocated to general revenues for spending nor should they be used to purchase public or private stock.

Human life, from conception to death, should be respected. The party strongly urges the reversal of Roe v. Wade and supports a human life amendment to the constitution. Public revenues and or facilities should not be provided for abortion services. Judges should be appointed at all levels who also hold the same value for life and who extend the protection granted by the Fourteenth Amendment to unborn children. Until such a time that the rights of unborn children are constitutionally protected, the party supports the passage of such measures as parental consent for minors and criminalization of partial birth abortions to restrict and regulate abortions.

The welfare system of the U.S. has created in individuals a dependency on government and the inability and lack of motivation to be self-sufficient. It is for this reason that the party calls for continual reduction of welfare rolls. This reduction will allow recipients to work, learn, or train for benefits and start them on the road to self-sufficiency. Current welfare recipients should be limited to a benefit term of two years and mothers who have additional children while receiving benefits should not receive a benefit increase.

A quality education, the vehicle to opportunity and success, is the right of al children of this nation, regardless of race, wealth, or religion. The party believes that quality education is best achieved by increasing state and local control of schools and empowering parents with the choice to select the best schools for their children. In an effort to grant parents this freedom, the party supports a tax deduction/credit or voucher system to be used in the parents’ school of choice. The party also recognizes that in order to maximize local control over schools, several steps must be taken. First, tax revenues collected within a school district should remain in that district. Second, and most important, the immediate dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education. The regulations imposed upon local school districts by this agency should also be terminated. Several of the U.S. Department of Education programs the party opposes are the emphasis on global political interdependence in the current curriculum, and the re-writing of American history to portray its heroes negatively. The party also strongly opposes the value-less instruction of students, which denies the existence of morals and the Creator. Instead, the party supports a safe, learning environment for children, where corporal punishment is used when necessary, and an educational curriculum based upon biblical principles and traditional moral, political and economic values is taught. Finally, sex education is viewed as a parental responsibility and if taught in schools, must teach abstinence until heterosexual marriage as the only responsible way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted teen pregnancies.

The party recognizes and supports the constitutional right of all citizens to keep and bear arms and opposes any measures aimed at restricting this right. Contrary to public opinion, the responsibility for criminal actions should be placed on individuals and not guns. The party directly opposes any legislation creating a system to register and monitor the ownership of firearms and calls for the repeal of "the Brady Law". Individuals should also be responsible for the storage and operation of their firearms.

The party detests all forms of discrimination based on creed, race, color, age and disability. Equal opportunity is the right of every citizen in this nation, equal outcome is not. The party thereby opposes all forms of racial and gender preferences in areas including, but not limited to, education, employment and contracting. Instead, the party supports private efforts to assist in minority business development in addition to gender and race-neutral methods such as tax deductions and public housing tenant ownership programs. The party also opposes mandatory multiculturalism courses require in educational institutions.

Marriage is a God-ordained union between a man and a woman, and serves as the foundation of our society. Homosexual relationships and the practice of sodomy, which is illegal in the state of Texas, are not only a major contributing factor in the breakdown of the family unit, but also contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Homosexuality is a violation of the God-ordained truths in this world and should not be taught as an acceptable alternative lifestyle. The party opposes any legislation granting privileges to individuals who engage in such conduct including custody of adopted children, granting of insurance benefits through a partner and same sex marriage.

The party believes in the concept of equal pay for equal work but opposes legislation enforcing "comparable worth" or the creation of any agency whose purpose is wage adjusting. The party also opposes the minimum wage law and believes it should be repealed.

Concerning the issue of the budget and taxes, the party calls for a reduction in spending and a decrease in taxes. To minimize government spending, many government agencies should be privatized and public money should never be used to fund private projects. Legislators in Washington must only vote for balanced budgets and if ever a budget surplus exists, it should never be used to increase spending.

The Republican Party of Texas is confident its principles can successfully lead the country into the next century. Through limited government, fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense, and equality for all, a prosperous United States of America will emerge for all.
 
 

Utah is located in the Northwest region of the United States. It is 82,168 sq. miles, most of which is very mountainous and owned by the federal government. The population of Utah is 1,722,850 (yr. 1990). Eighty-five percent of the population of Utah reside in three major urban areas: Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden. The largest of the three, Salt Lake City, was founded in 1841 by Mormon pioneer Brigham Young. The Mormons, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, constitutes for over 2/3 of the population. The Mormons own two newspapers, a major TV station, a chain of the largest department store, several banks, real estate and insurance companies. The large Mormon community has great influence in its state’s political affairs.

Utah is largely a conservative Republican state. The Governor is a Mormon Republican Michael O_ Leavitt and has been in office since 1993. Utah has two Senators, three Representatives and five electoral votes. Utah has 75 members in the State House of Representatives, 54 of which are Republicans. Of the 30 members in Senate 18 are Republicans.

The Republican Party of Utah firmly believes in the idea that government is based upon a moral and spiritual foundation. In keeping with the Republican tradition, the Republican party of Utah also believes in the citizen's rights to free enterprise, private initiative and volunteerism. The party believes that a strong economy based on a positive work ethic, a well-trained, well educated work force, business-friendly environment and safe work place will help Utah compete in a world market place. The party also feels that government regulation can be a major impediment to productivity and competition. Based on Adam Smith's view of economics, the party feels that there should be less government regulation and an free open economy. Regulatory power now exercised by the federal government should be eliminated or returned to the state or local governments. Republicans believe that the government should not perform tasks that the people can perform simply because the government is incapable of performing these duties as well as the private citizen. The party does not advocate the abolition of government but rather, much like the original Democratic Republican Party, contends that government should be decentralized and the federal government must not get in the way of state and local officials. The forerunner for today’s Democratic Party, the Democratic Republican Party was first led by Thomas Jefferson in the 18th century which supported states_ rights first and limited national power. Republicans feel that local governments are much more capable of promoting the best interests of their constituents than a far-removed government.

The party acknowledges the government’s need for taxes to be able to perform and administer the services essential to the public’s needs. Yet the party also feels that government should not have total control over taxation. It gives government added powers. The powers of government to tax should be limited. The best way to control government is to strictly control the amount of taxes imposed on the people declaring the need to have a fiscal austerity and to limit both the amount of money citizens pay to government through taxes and the amount of money that government will spend. Its calls for further simplification of tax systems and broad- based rate reduction.

The Republican party of Utah supports military force in matters of national security and public protection. It supports military tactics to defend America’s sovereignty or to protect the freedom and safety of the people. Yet the party does oppose putting US troops under any foreign command.

The party believes that the individual has constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. The party believes that the individual may own firearm for protection of self, family, property, or state. Yet it should also be noted the party believes in capital punishment when appropriate. The party also calls for a reform of the legal system to accomplish a swift and balanced administration of justice. A call for reform to enforce laws aggressively and prosecute criminals quickly. During Governor Michael O_ Leavitt's administration, tough laws have been enacted to punish offenders and take guns out of the hands of minors. Other measures include the Serious Youth Offender Act, which ensures kids who commit adult crimes serve adult time and the Habitual Violent Offender act, which gets tough on chronic criminals.

The party has very strong opinions about the issue of abortion. The party believes in the right to life for both the born and unborn. The party strongly opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is threatened. The party believes that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life. The state of Utah is one of the very few states with the strictest laws against abortion. The party also opposes euthanasia, assisted suicide and the public funding of any of these practices. In line with the belief that life is precious, the Utah Republican party feels very strongly about caring for the elderly. The party seeks to preserve the services of medicine and social security so that all senior citizens may have the peace of mind that they will be well taken care of. The party believes that the Utah Healthprint program issued by the Utah Health Care Policy Option Commission is fulfilling its goal in giving more senior citizens access to affordable health insurance. The Commission was set up by the Governor to find a way to make health care more accessible and affordable to every Utah resident. The outcome of the Commission was Utah Healthprint. Utah Healthprint is a market-oriented health care plan. It fosters market place competition and individual recipient financial responsibility.

The Republican Party of Utah recognizes that the strength and stability of a traditional family is the foundation for a well working society. It sees parents responsible for being the primary provider. The party considers the responsibility for meeting basic human needs rests on the individual, family, and voluntary charity organizations. Yet, it also knows that there are special social need which can only be met state human service programs. Governor Michael O_ Leavitt seeks reform for child welfare services. The Governor feels that there should be an increase in hiring more case workers who should receive better training. The Governor also feels that foster parents should go through careful screening and only then should be placed with those qualified parents. On the issue of welfare, the party advocates recipients to work toward self-sufficiency. The party also feels that the state and local elected officials should have control over those programs. The Governor’s office has worked hard to simplify the complicated welfare and job training system, and Utah is leading the nation in reforms. The new Department of Work force Services has shifted from a one-size fits all approach, to a custom-fit individualized employment plan for every client. Twenty-five programs from five different state departments are being organized into one department. Job development, job training, and welfare will are merge into one efficient system, so people can get training and jobs without being shuffled all over state government.

The party feels that only through free and equal education can it ensure a decrease in crime and those who need government assistance. The party believes that all children should have free access to quality public education. It believes that a better education system can be set up without raising taxes. That funding can be arranged within the budget by reallocation of moneys and new programs. New programs which include longer school years, associate degrees obtained while in high school to lower costs in college, smaller classes, utilization of modern technological facilities and support nets to help at risk students. Parents have the primary right and responsibility to choose public, private or home education yet the party supports the start of charter schools. The party supports incentives to promote competitive excellence and encourage cooperative initiatives to help all Utah residents become literate in English.

The sole source of equal opportunity for all is equality before the law. Therefore, the party opposes discrimination based on sex, race, age, creed or national origin and seeks to vigorously enforce anti- discrimination statutes. Because the party believes rights inhere in individuals, not in groups, it feels that equal rights without quotas or other form of preferential treatment should be adopted. The party is also committed to equal opportunity for women and the disabled.

The party appreciates the quality of the environment and must protect it through balances management. The party favors reasonable laws and volunteer efforts to improve water and air quality. It continues to seek responsible solutions to controversies surrounding uses of Utah’s natural resources. The party seeks to preserve the environment while serving the best interest of the citizens of Utah.

The Republican Party feels that is a party by the people for the people. The party seeks to provide the best quality of life for all the citizens of Utah and strives to support issues which will serve the state’s interest first.
 
 

The Vermont Republican Party was organized on July 13, 1854, in Montpelier, before the national Republican Party was created. One of the main goals at the time was to oppose slavery, to stop the spread of slavery in the United States and its territories. They had a lot of success at the beginning, their candidate for Governor was elected in the fall if 1854, and the national Republican Party nominated its first Presidential Candidate in 1856-John Fremont. In 1860, Republicans were in the White House as Abraham Lincoln was elected and stayed there until the election of 1888.

Vermont is historically a Republican state. In two elections - 1912 and 1936 - Vermont was one of only two states to vote republican. Republicans held every major office in Vermont until the election of William Meyer as United States Representative in 1958, Phillip Hoff as Governor in 1962, and Patrick Leahy as Senator in 1974. Lately Vermont has become a state of many independent voters.

Now the Republican Party wants to address issues of freedom, independence, and self-reliance to the Vermonters. Republicans gained 10 seats in the Vermont House of Representatives, reducing the Democrats total from 87 to77 out of 150 members.

Republicans search for alliances with some Democrats to achieve tax cuts, and generally less liberal policies. In the state of Vermont, there are 13 Republicans and 17 Democrats.

Therefore, Republicans no longer hold majority. In the year 2000 Presidential Election Poll George W. Bush won with Al Gore.

According to the most recent platform: Republicans want the Government’s role to be limited, to promote freedom, be accountable and predictable. It should be a Government that is close to the people. Party’s view on the following issues had been provided.

1. Education: Republicans will promote citizenship and opportunities of lifetime learning. The Party will support choosing a school, charter schools, and educational savings account. The state regulations should be limited so that locally elected school board can ensure highest academic standards. School Board should be able to revise labor regulation laws.
2. Economy: The Party would like to prevent anti-business climate, support "Regulatory Accountability Act" which will scrutinize departmental rule making and make it more accountable. They want to repeal Act 60 statewide property tax, want to make it more fair and effective. A tax cut is necessary to promote economic growth and investments in Vermont.
3. Environment: Republicans want to do the most to preserve natural resources, forest and mountains, good water and air through supporting research and incentives to landowners that use environmental friendly technologies.
4. Personal freedom and property rights: They believe that wherever a value of land decreases because of government dictates, a just compensation should be provided.
5. Gun Control: Vermont Republican Party continues to support the constitutional right to bear arms.
6. Family Matters: The party believes that families and communities should decide on their own affairs, and the government ought to respect it. Tax policies should support and benefit families, make childcare more accessible.
7. Sexuality: The party will enact to clearly define the marriage institution as the union of one woman and one man.
8. Gender issues: The Vermont Republican Party talks a lot on the women’s role in the Vermont’s task force environment. There are many women entrepreneurs in Vermont, the largest percentage of women with children have regular jobs in the state. The Republican Party seeks to explore issues of independent women, find ways to address them and encourage participation in the party. They also would like more women in the offices of Vermont. Republicans oppose partial-birth abortion.
9. Health care: Rep. Frank Mazur talks about health care and its enormous costs for people of Vermont. A monthly coverage for the family of four in this state costs $543, whereas in Pennsylvania it costs only $190. What happens now is that only very sick people buy insurance. Another problem is that when calculating the premium charges, the insurance companies do not take into the consideration the lifestyle a person leads. It does not matter whether you smoke or if you exercise even if it always has an impact on your health, and therefore on the money the insurance company would have to earn/spend on you People with different risks have the same premium, which hurts those who try to have a good diet, etc. They support medical savings accounts, private and competitive market to ensure lower costs, oppose government monopoly in health care. The party supports plain language and full disclosure in HMO contracts.
10. Welfare: The Party will oppose welfare in general as one class living at the expense on the other. They will support welfare-to-work programs and curb abuses.

Virginia, also known as the Old Dominion, was one of the original thirteen states of the American Union. The earliest attempts to settle in the area were made in 1584 when Sir Walter Raleigh set out several expeditions resulting in failure. It was at this time that Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. Virginia is also home to Jamestown, which in 1607 became the first permanent English colony in North America, founded by Christopher Newport under the London Company. Then in 1619, the first representative assembly in America, the House of Burgesses was established. That same year slavery was introduced into the colony by Dutch traders. By the beginning of the eighteenth century, Virginia had become one of the most prosperous of the English colonies due to its large crops of tobacco, which is still its chief crop, and cotton. Virginia later went on to contribute such leaders as Washington, Lee and Jefferson and its influence in the affairs of the post revolutionary nation is seen in the fact that seven of the first twelve Presidents were Virginians. Nonetheless, Virginia seceded from the Union and because its entire economic system was built on the institution of slavery, joined the Confederacy during the Civil War. At this time it lost its western counties who broke away to form the state of West Virginia. In 1865, the Civil War ended on Virginian soil with Lee's surrender but Virginia was not remitted into the Union until 1870. Today Virginia ranks twelfth in most populous states in the US with a population of 6,187,358 in 1990 and a projected 6,580,000 by 1995. The population density in Virginia is 156.3 per square mile and in 1994 had a per capita income of 21,092.

Of the Virginia Republican party, its highest representative is Virginia's current governor, Mr. Jim Gilmore. In an attempt to bring prosperity and promise to Virginia, governor Gilmore seeks to do so by focusing on the issues of education, the economy, transportation, technology, public safety and tax relief, in no particular order.

The No Car Tax is a promise that will come as a tax break for those citizens that rely on their cars to make a living or raise a family. It will provide the largest tax relief in Virginia's history, eventually providing an annual billion dollar tax break. In the 1998-2000 period alone taxpayers will receive a refund of $435 million. Along the same lines of the Ano car tax, the governor means to cut the food tax in half over the next four years because of his belief that the government should not tax the basic essential necessities of working families. Military personnel living in Virginia can also expect not to be taxed on the first fifteen thousand dollars of their pay.

In bettering the economy, the governor had promised to create 250,000 new jobs. In just the first year, 90,000 have already been created through investments along with the help of companies like MCI who have selected northern Virginia as its new office location or Volvo who is expanding their facilities in the southwestern region. Along with increasing job opportunities, it is hoped that an economic boost can be added by raising Virginia's status as a tourism destination and instituting the Virginia Tourism Corporation as its own separate entity. A Secretary of Technology has also been appointed, not only to keep the economy on the cutting edge but also to see that the citizens are protected from such things as the Y2K problem.

Furthering Virginia's progress, the governor seeks to improve the daily commutes of many of its hard working residents by almost doubling its road construction in the past year to $2.1 billion without raising taxes. The long term goals here are less congestion and a more efficient means of traveling and transporting goods. Motorists should also be pleased to know that Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles will potentially cut its transaction time by 25 percent through a 24 million dollar investment and electronic upgrade.

The governor has many plans to improve the quality of public education as well as some ideas that would be beneficial to college students. He has made it public that the school children are his administration's top priority and hopes to establish higher academic standards. Included in this plan are Performance Report Cards that provide information such as attendance rates, school safety and accreditation ratings. The governor insists four thousand new teachers will be hired to reduce class size along with approving $110 million to go toward school construction. At the center of the proposal to improve education is his picking up the abandoned promise to allocate lottery earnings to grades K thru 12. This will provide $245 million in funding over the next two years. As for higher education, governor Gilmore is proposing a twenty percent tuition decrease and has increased the amount of tuition assistance grants by six hundred dollars per student. He has also budgeted $10.4 million to go towards those universities that have been historically black.

To increase the public's safety, the governor has helped to abolish parole and signed a law to add a few hundred new sheriff's deputies to help prevent crime. He has also helped to reform the juvenile justice system and earn the right to prosecute gangs as a group. He has expanded the death penalty to include the pre-meditated murder of children by adults and strongly supported Megan's Law which allows residents to find out if a convicted sex offender lives in their neighborhood. His New Partnership for Community Safety has also worked to provide A hands-on, community policing around school areas. Deputy sheriffs will be in line for a nine percent increase, as well as $100 million will go to fund local law enforcement.

The governor would also like to keep Virginia clean by regulating the amount of waste Entering into the state instead of merely adding new fees, put caps on the amount deposited in landfills, in addition to increasing the inspections, monitoring and investigations that go on in over 200 waste facilities. On a totally unrelated issue, the governor also seeks to help the working poor to get health care without becoming part of the welfare system. The Virginia Children's Medical Security Insurance Plan helps those children whose parents make too much to be covered by Medicaid but who can not afford health insurance on their own. Again, unrelated to the previous issue, governor Gilmore believes women should be informed on the medical implications of abortion. He wishes to pass a legislation that would require informed consent along with a 24 hour waiting period.
 
 

When researching the Washington State Republican Party platform I was given the information from 1998. Considering the geographic location of Washington as well as the populace I doubt that the change has been so great and dramatic that the accuracy of this report will be affected greatly or at all.

As can be expected, the state party platform did not vary or differentiate from the national party platform in the key issues of debate and interest; foreign policy, equal rights, social policy , economics and campaign finance. Racially the state is overwhelmingly white. The census of 1996 estimated the population to be comprised of close to 5 million white people, followed by Hispanics and blacks who make up roughly 215,000 and 150,000 respectively. The state is powered mostly by a manufacturing, service and retail trade industry.

Beginning with equal rights the party promotes the standard; "equal rights, equal justice, equal opportunity for all regardless of race, creed, sex, age, or disability." They support these equalities through the elimination of affirmative action. The rights to purchase and possess firearms should be unabridged, according to the Washington Republicans. The quest for autonomy from the government on these issues is also inclusive of voting against background checks.

In typical Republican belief the economic policy in Washington State calls for smaller government. This is to be done by the reduction in spending by the government, privatization of certain services(garbage/waste disposal, child/ pre-natal care) and inclusive of balancing the budget. On a national level they support the use of any and all surpluses being accredited to the deficit and reducing taxes. On a state level, the party recognizes the need to reduce the taxes of small local business, repealing constricting labor laws including " labor rules and regulations which deny youth the opportunity to work and learn to be responsible, productive citizens."

The social policy consists of health care and welfare reform. The change from welfare to workfare is a theme and trend that the state Republicans support. The emphasis will be on reducing welfare costs through this program as well as audits to eliminate fraud and abuse.

Health insurance should be transferable from and to jobs. Currently, if a person switches or loses his/her job they lose their insurance. Republicans want to insure that the new place of employment provides comparable insurance to people with families. Limits on malpractice awards by the court are favored. The court system is backlogged with all types of lawsuits, some legitimate while others are not. Republicans want to insure that any compensation is just and not used as a punishment against individuals and companies. A ban on all abortions is wanted, as is the elimination of free federal health care programs in schools.

Foreign policy includes national defense , and the increase in the size and power of the military is advocated by Washington Republicans. Government aid to foreign countries must be insured by the receiver, sending "peace keeping" troops abroad must be with the permission of Congress, the sharing of military technological advances must cease with other countries, and using American power only when the interests of America are in danger. This would include limited involvement in NATO and the United Nations.

Lastly, the campaign finance reform issue includes a few key, basic points: the ethical use of soft money by political parties, full disclosure of funding sources and amounts, and finally enforcement of laws already in existence. The Republicans believe that limits on contributions and spending will not be necessary once the existing laws are fully enforced. They further believe that the contributions that are made should come from domestic sources only, U.S. citizens, U.S. Political Parties and U.S. organizations.

In all the Washington State Republican platform is identical to that of the National Republican platform. The key political issues that are of importance nationally seem to have trickled down to the local level.
 
 

Welcome to West Virginia, the Appalachian home of mountainous parks and hard-working laborers. With Charleston as its capital, West Virginia in 1863 became the 35^th state admitted to the United States, after remaining loyal to the Union while the rest of Virginia seceded on the brink of the Civil War. The mountains, forests and rivers of West Virginia have historically been better suited to mining and manufacture than to plantation-style agriculture. The lodes of coal and timber provided ample resources for West Virginians during westward expansion and the industrial revolution, but as the peak of the steel industry passed, so did much of West Virginia’s prominence in the national economy. West Virginia has seen the closing of mines and factories force many of her citizens into unemployment and out of the state in search of a better life. West Virginia’s population in the 1990 census was 1.79 million, down eight percent from just ten years before. The drop in population symbolizes more than just a statistic – with fewer people, West Virginia lost a seat in the House of Representatives, and her number of electoral votes was reduced from six to five. West Virginia remains one of the poorest states in the nation, but is making a comeback: jobs based on the technology of yesterday are being replaced by the technology of tomorrow, in electronics and transportation.

West Virginia has been encumbered by new times replacing old industrial times, such as federal legislation impeding on West Virginia’s coal industry. The Clean Air Act of 1990 has significantly reduced the demand for West Virginia’s high sulfur coal. Furthermore, the nation's unwillingness to regulate illegal foreign steel dumping has hampered West Virginia’s steel industry.

What’s a state to do? Mark Hannan, Republican Governor Cecil Underwood’s campaign manager, says he understands the reasons for the policy; nonetheless West Virginia continues to struggle. Many West Virginians already have packed their bags and West Virginia wants to stop the mass exodus now! Governor Underwood has somewhat reduced this trend, according to Hannan, by implementing technological opportunities for West Virginians.

West Virginia has whole-heartedly accepted federal offices such as NASA, National Institute of Occupational Safety, and the FBI, which have provided $1.5 billion to West Virginia. In 1994, the government sector produced $4.7 billion compared to the mining industry, which produced $3.4 billion (Hornor 393). Many West Virginia workers are trading in their hard hat for a work tie.

Underwood has also encouraged tax breaks to corporations as an incentive to move jobs to West Virginia. Corporations such as NGK Spark Plugs, Toyota, and Georgia Pacific, along with federal offices, replenish jobs lost in the mining industry. Federal jobs are not the only benefit that West Virginia has received from the federal government. In terms of infrastructure, one of the most beneficial disbursements the federal government has given to West Virginia has been highway money. For such an extremely mountainous state this chartered a costly expenditure.

On other issues, the West Virginia Republican Party’s platform is in favor of facilitating lower taxes by reducing government spending. The West Virginia GOP believes that reducing unnecessary spending would do away with excess "red tape" and bureaucratic nonsense, while putting money back in the pockets of the people. They want to eliminate administrative positions, like Super Secretaries for West Virginia’s Department of Corrections, to allow state and federal offices to operate more efficiently. Diminishing red tape on one end would allow for the funding of more worthwhile expenditures, such as more police officers and equipment on the other end.

Other such schemes include cutting a regressive food tax to give large businesses a competitive advantage with out-of-state firms. While this action may hinder the development of small businesses in West Virginia, at the same time, the West Virginia GOP plans to implement policies to benefit small businesses. The Small Business Work Force Program, for instance, would absorb the cost of training small business employees which would alleviate the financial burden for the employer. Two Small Business Development Centers have also been established to cater to various small business needs for ten surrounding counties. The Minority Business Task Force has focused efforts for increasing more minority and women owned businesses.

Programs such as the Minority Business Task Force and other, non-related federal programs were enacted to encourage business incentives for minorities. The West Virginia GOP feels these programs have made more headway in promoting minority business development than Affirmative Action legislation. Affirmative Action is not an economic topic of interest for this party. However, social policy enveloping equal rights is, with "hate crime" legislation in the books.

Universities are addressing equal rights with slogans like "Building Equality Through Education;" However, no major policies are seen to have enacted towards this goal, either by the state or by school institutions. Broader education issues involve raising teacher standards with incentives for teacher certification, and to provide technology training for teachers, paid for by federal innovation grants. Fully equipping students with the tools of the Internet, virtual classes, and various multi-media software, West Virginia’s Republican leadership has redefined the state’s educational expectations. Programs like SUCCESS plan to have trained students in computers for thirteen years before high school graduation. Headstart contributed some federal money, but most of the funding for schools’ improving technology has come from computer companies.

The fact that corporations like Cysco and Bell Atlantic have affiliated themselves very tightly with the SUCCESS program fully supports the West Virginia Republican theory that public programs are more efficient and more effective when run by private interests rather than by costly bureaucracies. It makes sense that corporations have an interest in investing in the education of their future employees. Other social policies do not see such corporate investment; however, the West Virginia GOP does not seek it. What they do seek is independence in social policy decision-making, free of federal mandates.

Welfare and health care are important social issues to the Republican Party; Republicans want to continue with the federally funded programs, but eliminate federal mandates that direct the disbursement of funds. The elimination of federal mandates would give flexibility to the state to run federally funded programs to the best efficiency in accordance with the demands of specific state needs.

There exists a bit of irony in the Republican platform’s wanting state initiatives to replace federal mandates, because their stance on the environment rejects state regulations that exceed those set by the federal government. The explanation for this irony maintains a logical quest to represent the industry of West Virginia. The interests of West Virginians on certain National and foreign policies are rooted in their professions; the West Virginia GOP represents the interests of the industry and so too the work force.

As Hannan points out there resides a considerably large population of veterans and active military in West Virginia. Hannan’s position on America maintaining her defense needs fosters the logic of wanting to maintain West Virginian jobs. In international commerce the same can also be said. West Virginia does not have to agree with certain international legislation. At the same time, West Virginia would not oppose America’s roll in the world economy, when West Virginian workers heavily occupy themselves in the international trade arena. The West Virginia GOP continues to form relationships and investments abroad. Underwood in particular has meet with Japanese, Swedish and Chinese officials to expand West Virginia’s opportunities in the future. The West Virginia GOP regards national issues and international issues as they pertain to West Virginia.

As for constitutional issues of campaign finance, for twenty-six years West Virginia has had some of the toughest campaign finance laws in the United States. Statewide, candidates in West Virginia can receive from each supporter only $1000 in the primary election and $1000 in the general election, with all corporate giving restricted. Hannan remarked that campaign spending limits are a big issue, but for West Virginia both the parties have had to come to terms with the campaign spending limits enacted so long ago.

The West Virginia Republican Party maintains a focus on providing for the hard-working citizens of a state that has seen some bad times, but has a bright future. The best interest of West Virginians are served by a government that follows the lead of Governor Underwood by helping spawn business and jobs. The West Virginia GOP envisions a government that is not overly bureaucratic but is tightly run, that conducts sensible spending while reducing the tax burden on West Virginia corporations and citizens. The state has always been wild, but with the help of its Republican Party, it can become "Wild Wonderful West Virginia."
 
 

Wisconsin, or Badger State as its as referred to by its nickname, of the Unites States of America is one of north central states, it is situated between Lake Michigan to the east and the upper Mississippi River on the west. On the north it touches the western portion of Lake Superior and the upper Peninsula of Michigan. Minnesota and Iowa lie to the west and southwest , respectively, and on the south is Illinois. The area is 56,153 sq. miles. The name Wisconsin is an anglicized version of a French rendering of an Indian name said to mean "the place where we live." The state became the 30^th member of the Union on May 29,1848. That same year Madison the territorial capital from 1836, became the state capitol and home of the University of Wisconsin, its 4,906,745 population ranked 16^th in 1990 census.

The economy of Wisconsin is diversified, with individual elements spread generally throughout the state, though is three major facets have specific regions of concentration. Its southeastern industrial belt extending across the state line along Lake Michigan from the Chicago area to and beyond Milwaukee, the states largest city, is the primary factor in making Wisconsin one of the largest manufacturing states in the nation. A combination of favorable physical factors of climate soil, and topography makes possible a dairy agriculture that allows Wisconsin to be the first in the nation in the production of milk, cheese, and butter. The sparsely settled, north evergreen hardwood forest and lake county hosts tourist and recreational activity.

The platform of the Republican Party of Wisconsin is a positive action plan, an empowerment agenda for all Wisconsin citizens. Proud to serve, ready to lead, they offer a platform rooted in reform, committed to caring, and alive with ideas. Under Republican leadership, Wisconsin has been a leader in cutting taxes, creating jobs, replacing welfare with a work check, improving education, getting tough on crime and working to improve the quality of life of all Wisconsin residents, their unemployment rate of 3% is the lowest in the nation. Wisconsin Republicans share the central belief that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are alienable rights of all people, and that the powers of government flow from the people of Wisconsin. The party advocates eliminating the Federal Department of Education and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction through an amendment. They encourage policies that foster strong families and condemn policies that destroy families. They maintain that fathers and mothers have leading responsibilities of the care, education, and discipline of their children. They also urge government to recognize traditional marriage as an essential element in the foundation of a healthy society, considering that if same sex marriage is legalized, marriage between men and women will be undermined and support the immediate elimination of a "Marriage Penalty" tax at a federal level.

Parents, they feel should be given absolute rights to choose where their children go to school through comprehensive School Choice Plan, in order to provide the parents with school options and met children’s educational needs. To help parents make their choice and improve school accountability, they advocate performance testing for teachers and students of public schools. They urge Wisconsin’s education system to teach traditional values and oppose school based clinics that give abortion and sex counseling and use tax dollars for contraceptives. They call upon the government for support and freedom of religion and an end towards hostility of the faithful and applaud recent Supreme Court decisions in allowing students-initiated voluntary school prayer and religious, spiritual, and moral development.

For the first time in the modern history of Wisconsin, property taxes are being cut without raising other taxes, cuts in income tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, capital gains tax, and farm tax. An average of 11.5% cut in property tax alone. Led by Governor Tommy G. Thompson, "The Thompson Revolution", stands ready to lead a progressive movement, going "forward" as implied by the State motto, is dedicated to limited government, free enterprise, equal opportunity, and the primacy of the families in Wisconsin, into the 21^st Century. The party calls for 50% reduction of the IRS budget by the year 2001.

Wisconsin Republicans also call for universal access to heath care, and oppose efforts to establish a government-mandated, nationalized health care policy. They oppose the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare programs. A government-run monopoly, they feel would hinder innovation, decrease quality and cost private sector economy thousands of jobs. The state and federal government should provide self-employed workers and farmers the same tax treatment as corporations by allowing 100% deduction of health care costs from their taxes. They strongly protect worthy tax exempt property such as schools and places of worship from any user-fee assessments. The party considers that the Social Security participants should be permitted to decide how their funds are to be invested, as is done with IRA’s.

The party also seeks protection for all human beings, from conception until natural death, making adoption a positive viable option for birth parents; a constitutional right for the life of the unborn. The Wisconsin Republicans call for controlled punishment for criminals in order to protect families and businesses. They support the right of Wisconsin to determine its own prison capacity, truth-in-sentencing, reinstatement of the death penalty for major offenses, and the abolition of parole and call for mandatory education standards in order to be released from prison. They support defraying the private operation of prisons and encourage public contributions for the cause, urging community leaders and elected officials to continue the "war on drugs" and to take the necessary steps to imprison dealers and treat users.

The party also urges that men and women complete basic military service separately and live in separate quarters, and that homosexuals be prohibited from service. They support a strong national defense and increases in personnel and weaponry to bolster the ability to defend our country and its allies.

Wisconsin Republicans support viable recycling programs and urge full participation by the citizens of our state. They encourage conservation as the vest way to reduce energy consumption, increase economic efficiency and promote environmental protection, and tax incentives for preservation of wetlands, particularly farmers and landowners.

The party believes that political resolutions of the people of Wisconsin, from the people, be treated as what they are -grassroots involvement. They demand that resolutions be given high priority and value, and that they be followed through and reported to the membership. They stand in opposition of tax money for political campaigns, request an internet disclosure of all campaign finances of each candidate for state and federal offices, and object that political fundraising monies of unions be solicited separately from union fees.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF WISCONSIN CONSTITUTION:

ARTICLE I- The organization of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

ARTICLE IX- Congressional District Organizations.

ARTICLE X- Selection of National Convention Delegates and Alternates.

ARTICLE XI- Amendments.
 
 

INTRODUCTION

The Wyoming Democratic Party is the party of the people--the party of inclusion, not exclusion. In the words of Andrew Jackson our commitment has been, "to those who are the humble members of society--The Farmers, Mechanics and Laborers."

As the oldest political party in America, now celebrating our 150th anniversary, we are sustained by the efforts and contributions of Thomas Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy who nurtured our political past. We have a bright future. We are the party of freedom, progress and change. We ask only that change be for the good of all people and be within the framework of the Constitution of this State, the Constitution of the United States, change that includes our Bill of Rights and our American way of life.

With these abiding values, we proclaim it is time to redraw Wyoming’s political landscape. It is time to elect additional Democrats who will work to create a vision centered on our people. And, Democrats who have the courage to act on that vision.

We believe with Hubert Humphrey that the moral test of our government is how it treats:

-Those in the dawn of life, our children;

-Those in the twilight of life, our elderly; and

-Those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, the handicapped.

THEREFORE, in order to carry out these goals, we hereby adopt this platform.

Support For Our President:

We support the efforts of the current national administration to continue to improve the economy, to address children’s issues and to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

We support the President’s peace efforts throughout the world and in particular efforts in the Middle East, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

Economic Growth:

We call for the Wyoming Legislature to show fiscal responsibility by adopting policies that stimulate and promote balanced and sustainable economic growth. The Wyoming Democratic Party believes the development of coalitions among business, labor, education and the environmental community is essential to secure a strong economy. Our Party also believes this diversity is necessary to ensure the success of the Wyoming Business Council.

We hold the Council and Governor accountable to efforts to create quality jobs with quality employers, who will share their economic good fortune.

We hold the Republican Legislature and Governor Geringer responsible for the exclusion of labor, Democrats, educational and environmental interests from the Business Council. Such exclusions destroy the spirit, the intent and the effectiveness of the Council.

Education:

We strongly believe the failure of the Republican Legislature to fully embrace the Wyoming Supreme Court’s mandate to reform education in all of its key aspects, from curriculum to funding, is a failure of will by the leadership of the Legislature, by the Governor and by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Environmental Protection:

The Democrats of Wyoming request the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality severely prosecute illegal disposal of hazardous, toxic wastes, including agricultural waste.

Nuclear Waste Facility:

The Wyoming Democratic Party believes the building of a nuclear waste storage facility directly infringes on the rights of citizens of Fremont county and the State of Wyoming to live in an environment free of toxic waste and free from the fear of nuclear leakage into the environment.

The citizens of Wyoming have historically and emphatically resisted threats to our culture and habitat. The building of a facility that is temporary and not permanent is dependent upon trust in the federal government, upon trust among the multiple state governments and private enterprises in order to ensure that the facility is temporary.

The Wyoming State Democratic Party STRONGLY believes it is the duty and the responsibility of the residents of Fremont county and the State of Wyoming:

• To protect our environment from hazards created by man;
• To preserve the one element that sets Wyoming aside from all others, its natural resources and clean environment;
• To provide a safe and secure environment for our children and our children’s children; and
• Be allowed to voice their opposition to the proposal of nuclear storage in the of a statewide vote.

We call for the repeal of the so called "Paycheck Protection" amendment, W.S. 22-25-102(h), to the Election Code which limits a person’s right to full participation in the political process, and we oppose all other attempts to interfere with an agreement between an employer and an employee concerning payroll deductions.

Separation of Church and State:

We reaffirm continuation of our commitment to the separation of church and state and the imposition of any religious belief on our citizens whether on the state or national levels.

We believe in creating balanced and sustainable economic growth that promotes and expands business and job opportunities, while maintaining and enhancing our citizens’ quality of life. We encourage and support an economic partnership among agriculture, businesses of all sizes, education, the environment, industry, labor and state and local governments. Therefore, we resolve to:

Economy

Actively recruit industries and businesses that will employ residents in jobs that pay salaries and provide benefits that will raise Wyoming’s per capital income to the national average or higher;

Promote businesses and industries to grow our economy by adding value to products that incorporate Wyoming resources, yet retain the rural nature of our state;

Encourage state officials to enforce Wyoming’s constitutional provisions prohibiting monopolies and to investigate price-fixing and market manipulation;

Infrastructure

Upgrade our telecommunication system to globally competitive;

Transportation

Develop a safe, affordable, adequately funded air and ground transportation system; adequate funding for training and equipping of all emergency response personnel along all transportation routes in Wyoming; and Bring Amtrak passenger service back to Southern Wyoming.

We join together as Democrats to support collectively what we cannot do individually. Together, our efforts will build a society that supports;

Revenue

• Efforts to develop an equitable taxation system for Wyoming that includes the extractive industries, non-extractive industries, businesses and private property owners;
• An end to severance tax breaks for mineral companies which do not result in sufficient demonstrated levels of increased production and employment to offset losses in the tax revenue;
• An open discussion of ALL revenue options;
• Less regressive tax options;
• Access of county officials to all pertinent natural resources production data for assessment, taxation and auditing purposes;
• An increase in the number of state auditors of the mineral extraction industries;
• State land rentals/purchases to produce maximum dollars as required by the Wyoming Constitution;
• An end to tax exemptions unless the exemptions serve the vital social and health needs of the state; and
• Federal tax relief, the closing of tax loopholes to ensure all Americans pay their fair share.

We believe in and support:

• Quality education as a fundamental right;
• Opportunities for lifelong learning;
• Permanent, stable and equitable sources of funding for all children from the earliest grades through higher education;
• An equal basket of educational opportunities that encourages all children to develop to their fullest potential;
• Ample, appropriate resources for at-risk, special problem and talented students as well as early intervention programs;
• Academic freedom at all levels;
• Maintenance of public funds solely for public schools and not the use of public funds for tuition or support of private or parochial schools;
• Small schools and small class sizes with every child in Wyoming guaranteed equality in educational opportunities no matter the size of the district, its location or its economic base;
• Increased funding for innovative and productive technology with low student/computer ratios in all public schools;
• Vocational education and school-to-work programs;
• All employees in public education to be compensated for their experience, knowledge and professionalism in recognition of their value as public school educators whose salaries to be competitive with participation in career and professional advancement including statewide opportunities for continuing education;
• The right of all educators to negotiate collectively and the right to due process;
• The certification process to ensure maintenance of high quality standards in teaching and for administrative personnel;
• Ongoing cooperation between the University of Wyoming, our Community Colleges and our secondary schools;
• An education funding bill that meets the fairness and equality criteria dictated by the Courts yet does not penalize any school district, regardless of size;
• Our participation in nationwide programs to promote safe schools to prevent teen pregnancy, AIDS, substance abuse and the rehabilitation of substance abusers;
• Congress to continue to fund the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Science Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the national Department of Education and Goals.

Wyoming citizens have the right to clean air and clean water, the right to live in the absence of exposure to toxic, hazardous or nuclear contaminants.

Environment

We support:

• Compliance with and enforcement of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, the Clean Water Act and the Federal Clean Air Acts;
• Repeal of Wyoming’s Environmental Self-Audit law;
• Recycling and using biodegradable materials and mandatory deposits for all beverage containers;
• Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act with no substantial weakening of the Act;
• Protection and improvement of wetlands and wildlife habitat areas as part of our commitment to nature;
• Comprehensive land use planning and associated zoning designed to protect environmental quality;
• Establishment of International environmental standards with compliance by the United States;
• Continued designation of Yellowstone National Park as a World Heritage Site;
• The American Heritage River Initiative.

Further oil and gas leasing in the Bridger-Teton National Forest; and Republican Congressional attempts to weaken an already fragile environment through legislation to dismantle or cripple the Environmental Protection Agency, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and our nation’s support of developing nation’s environmental protection efforts.

Hazardous Waste

We oppose:

The disposal and storage of out-of-state nuclear or other wastes in Wyoming; The targeting of minority and low-income communities as potential sites for polluting industries and we demand immediate attention to cleanup activities of such areas.

State Campaign and Political Reform

Recorded roll call votes in the Wyoming Legislature on any motion to any bill or amendment, whether in an interim or standing committee, or during consideration in Committee of the Whole, Second and Third Readings in the House and the Senate;

An ethics initiative to clearly define and to prohibit conflicts of interest, to require full financial disclosure, to establish effective investigative and enforcement procedures and to cover all elected and appointed officials as well as public employees;

Legislation:

• To include penalties for noncompliance with Wyoming’s Open Meeting Laws;
• To prohibit a legislator from switching party affiliation during his/her term;
• To require financial disclosure by all lobbyists of the interests they represent;
• To require reporting by lobbyists of all direct and indirect expenditures made by them on behalf of the interests they represent;
• To limit campaign contributions;
• To establish reasonable ceilings on campaign spending
• To provide for appropriate disposal of unspent campaign contributions; and
• Reform the electoral process to facilitate initiatives and referendums and to enact recall procedures.
• National Campaign and Political Reform
• Full financial disclosure by all lobbyists with identification of the interests they represent;
• A national ethics law that includes full disclosure for all elected officials;
• An anti-nepotism law;
• A law to require all moneys remaining in a campaign after an election be sent to the federal government to help with reduction of the national debt;
• A law to require the campaign money of one candidate shall not be spent on behalf of another candidate;

• Establish a national primary on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in September; and
• Repeal of the federal Hatch Act.
• Line-Item Veto
• Prior to Governor Geringer, the line-item veto was used only on Appropriations or Budget bills. Governor Geringer used this veto in the 1997 Education Reform Law, which was not a Budget or Appropriations Bill. We do not support this use of his veto power. We call for limitation of the Governor’s line-item veto power.

The Wyoming Democratic Party recognizes the invaluable contributions of organized labor to our economy. Organized labor makes a positive contribution to economic development. Repressive laws and attitudes that inhibit collective bargaining and the right of workers to fully participate in the economic structure of the state contributes to Wyoming’s poor economy. Therefore, we support:

• Industrial democracy for all workers by repealing Wyoming’s so-called "right to Work" law;
• The extension of collective bargaining for all employees in both the public and private sectors;
• Condemnation of Wyoming’s "Employment At Will Doctrine" and the passage of a law requiring ‘just cause’ for job termination of any worker;
• Increasing Wyoming’s embarrassing minimum wage of $1.60 per hour;
• Increasing the federal minimum wage to a level that assures working people a decent standard of living above the poverty line;
• The proposed constitutional amendment to prevent the use of the Worker’s Compensation Fund for any purpose other than protecting injured workers;
• Restoration of Worker’s Compensation benefits so the system ensures that injured
• workers have full and complete treatment, rehabilitation and financial
• support enabling them to maintain a decent standard of living for
• their families until they are able to return to work;
• Adequate unemployment benefits for Wyoming’s displaced or laid off workers;
• Efforts to reduce Wyoming’s dismal on-the-job death rate, currently at more than twice the national average, by insisting on adequate funding for agencies charged with the effective enforcement of health and safety laws, regulations and appropriate training;
• Requirements to license or certify workers whose jobs affect public health and safety; Fair trade agreements which include comparable wages, humane and healthy working conditions, human rights, collective bargaining rights and environmental protection;
• Keeping public services in the public sector and public control of public programs;
• Better laws to provide our state with the ability to enforce standards of equal employment opportunity, including equal pay for equal work.

Rights

The Wyoming Constitution states in Article 1, Section 2 "In their (the people’s) right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal".

Therefore, we support:

• Full preservation and enhancement of the Constitutional rights of all citizens;
• Maintenance of the constitutional right to privacy;
• The constitutional rights for women to reproductive choice with no restrictions on her choice;
• The right of our citizens to keep and bear arms; and
• The protection of and honoring of full Tribal sovereignty.

Former Reagan Administration official Alan L. Keyes was born in New York, NY on August 7, 1950, son of a U.S. Army Sergeant. He and Jocelyn, his wife, have three children and reside in Maryland. He is recognized as a leader in the Conservative movement.

Diplomat

• U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Social and Economic Council
• Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations

• Republican candidate for President 1996
• Twice Republican nominee to the US Senate for the state of Maryland
• Former Vice President of Ronald Reagan Alumni Association
• 1992 featured speaker at Republican National Convention, Houston, TX
• Newly-elected President of the Ronald Reagan Alumni Association

• Former President of Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW)
• Founder of National Taxpayer Action Day
• Founder and Chairman of the Declaration Foundation.

• Our Character, Our Future, 1996, Zondervan
• Masters of the Dream, 1995, William Morrow Co.

• Interim President of Alabama A&M University
• Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University

Abortion and Euthanasia

If the Declaration of Independence states our creed, there can be no right to abortion, since it means denying the most fundamental right of all, to human offspring in the womb. The Declaration states plainly that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with our human rights.

But if human beings can decide who is human and who is not, the doctrine of God-given rights is utterly corrupted. Abortion is the unjust taking of a human life and a breach of the fundamental principles of our public moral creed.

Some people talk about "viability" as a test to determine which offspring have rights that we must respect, and which do not. But might does not make right. And so the mere fact that the individual in the womb is wholly in its mother's physical power and completely dependent upon her for sustenance gives her no right whatsoever with respect to its life, since the mere possession of physical power can never confer such a right. Medical procedures resulting in the death of an unborn child, except as a collateral and unintended consequence of efforts to save the mother's physical life, are therefore impermissible.

As for the 'so-called right to suicide' and related practices, such as euthanasia, whatever emotional arguments we make on their behalf, they represent a violation of the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Our rights, including the right to life, are unalienable. If we kill ourselves or consent to allow another to do so, we both destroy and surrender our life. We act unjustly. We usurp the authority that belongs solely to the Creator, and deny the basis of our claim to human rights.

Affirmative Action

In the 1960's, the civil rights movement sought the assistance of government to enforce the fundamental principle that all men are created equal. But today's civil rights groups have abandoned that principle in favor of preferential treatment for groups defined by race or sex. This is simply wrong. We cannot cure injustice with another injustice.

Moreover, preferential affirmative action patronizes American blacks, women, and others by presuming that they cannot succeed on their own. Preferential affirmative action does not advance civil rights in this country. It is merely another government patronage program that secures money and jobs for the few people who benefit from it, and breeds resentment in the many who do not. It divides us as a people, and draws attention away from the moral and family breakdown that is the chief cause of the despair and misery in which too many of our fellow citizens struggle to live decently.

In 1996, the voters of California adopted a simple and fair prohibition of preferences and repeated the principle of non-discrimination. The Federal government should follow California's lead immediately.

Homosexual Rights

In terms of civil rights discrimination, it is wrong to treat sexual orientation like race. Race is a condition beyond the individual's control. Sexual orientation involves behavior, especially in response to passion.

If we equate sexual orientation and race, we are saying that sexual behavior is beyond the individual's control and moral will.

We cannot embrace such an understanding of civil rights without denying the human moral capacity, and with it the fitness of human beings for life in a free society.

The effort to equate homosexual and lesbian relations with legal marriage represents a destructive assault on the heterosexual, marriage-based family.

Religion / School Prayer

The doctrine of "separation of church and state" is a misinterpretation of the Constitution. The First Amendment prohibition of established religion aims at forbidding all government sponsored coercion of religious conscience. It does not forbid all religious influence upon politics or society. The free exercise of religion means nothing if, in connection with the ordinary events and circumstances of life, individuals are forbidden to act upon their religious faith.

As President, I would do everything in my power, through public speeches and persuasion, by proposing legislation, and by careful scrutiny of the candidates for judicial appointments, to turn the tide against constitutional interpretations that undermine religious freedom.

I oppose any efforts to use government power to impose views that contravene religious conscience on matters such as homosexuality and abortion.

School Choice

The court-initiated prohibition of school prayer is only the symptom of a deeper problem, the neglect of moral education and character formation. The value-free education offered by the government run schools has all too often proven to be education without value. This is especially true now that Outcome Based Education has been used as an excuse to establish curricular elements that amount to the politically correct brainwashing of our children.

Government money is increasingly used to enforce a low quality, crass form of vocationalism in the School-to-Work scheme, while the same educrats debase traditional academic work with such fads as Whole Language Learning and Fuzzy Math. Parents and local citizens often know better than their educrat masters, but find themselves unable to resist the power of an entrenched and costly monopoly. Education reform is thus a question of liberty and self-government.

I strongly favor school choice approaches that empower parents to send their children to schools that reflect the parents' faith and values. This should include choices in both the public and the independent schools.

We not only need prayer in schools, we need schools that are in the hands of people who pray. Above all, we must break the government monopoly on public education.

Second Amendment Rights

I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment is still in the Constitution of the United States, contrary to what some elites would like us to believe.

And the 2nd Amendment was not put into the Constitution by the Founders merely to allow us to intimidate burglars, or hunt rabbits to our hearts' content. This is not to say that hunting rabbits and turkeys for the family dinner, or defending against dangers, were not anticipated uses for firearms, particularly on the frontier -this is true.

But above all, the Founders added the 2nd Amendment so that when, after a long train of abuses, a government evinces a methodical design upon our natural rights, we will have the means to protect and recover our rights. That is why the right to keep and bear arms was included in the Bill of Rights.

In fact, if we make the judgment that our rights are being systematically violated, we have not merely the right, but the duty, to resist and overthrow the power responsible. That duty requires that we maintain the material capacity to resist tyranny, if necessary, something that it is very hard to do if the government has all the weapons. A strong case can be made, therefore, that it is a fundamental DUTY of the free citizen to keep and bear arms.

It would make no sense whatsoever to restrict the right to keep and bear arms to state governments, since the principle on which our polity is based, as stated in the Declaration, recognizes that any government, at any level, can become oppressive of our rights. And we must be prepared to defend ourselves against its abuses.

But the movement against 2nd Amendment rights is not just a threat to our capacity to defend ourselves physically against tyranny. It is also part of the much more general assault on the very notion that human beings are capable of moral responsibility. Consider, for example, the phony assertion that certain weapons should be banned because 'they have no purpose except to kill people.' This debate is not about certain kinds of weapons that kill people; all kinds of weapons can kill. It is people that kill people, and they can use countless kinds of weapons to do so, if killing is in their hearts.

So let's get down to the real issue: are we grownups, or are we children? If we are grownups, then we have the capacity to control our will even in the face of passion, and to be responsible for the exercise of our natural rights. If we are only children, then all the dangerous toys must be controlled by the government. But this 'solution' implies that we can trust government with a monopoly on guns, even though we cannot trust ourselves with them. This is not a 'solution' I trust.

Advocates of banning guns substitute things for people, but this approach won't wash. It is the human moral will that saves us from violence, not the presence or absence of weapons. We should reject utterly the absurd theory that weapons are the cause of violence.

Anyone who is serious about controlling violence must recognize that it can only be done by rooting violence out of the human heart. That's why I don't understand those who say 'save us from guns,' even while they cling to the coldly violent doctrine that human life has no worth except what they 'choose' to assign to it.

If we want to end violence in our land, we must warm the hearts of this people with a renewed dedication to the God-given equality of all human beings. We must recapture the noble view of man as capable of moral responsibility, and self-restraint. Purify the heart and we will not have to worry about the misuse of weapons.

It is the business of the citizen to preserve justice in his heart, and the material capacity, including arms, to resist tyranny. These things constitute our character as a free people, which it is our duty to maintain. If we want to hold on to our heritage of liberty, we must first and foremost strengthen our confidence in our own moral capacity, and encourage such confidence in our fellow citizens. Only a people confident that it can behave like grown-ups will be justified in asserting its right to keep and bear arms, because it will be a people responsible to use them only in defense of ourselves and our liberty.

But if we want that to be true, then we shall have to return, as a people, to that same humble subjection to the authority of true moral principle that characterized our Founders, and that characterized every generation of Americans, until now. We must regain control of ourselves.

Most deeply, then, the assertion of 2nd Amendment rights is the assertion that we intend to control ourselves, and submit to the moral order that God has decreed must govern our lives. And just as we have no right to shirk our duty to submit to that moral order, so we have no right to shirk our duty to preserve unto ourselves the material means to discipline our government, if necessary, so that it remains a fit instrument for the self-government of a free people.

Sex Education

Human sexuality is primarily a matter of moral and not physical health. So-called 'health-based' sex education programs have done more harm than good. They too often encourage adolescents to consider sexual activity apart from marriage and family life. Especially in government schools, where teachers feel they must deal with sexual matters without reference to moral authority, they result in a vapid, context-free presentation of sexual mechanics which degrades the meaning of relations between the sexes.

Sex education is, as a rule, the private responsibility of the parents. The government should not usurp this role. Where parents choose to encourage school-based instruction, I strongly support abstinence-based approaches for young adults.

Taxes & Government Spending

Tyrannical taxation, and excessive government spending and borrowing, are not only threats to our economy - they erode the resource base of our freedom and our moral responsibility.

The income tax is a twentieth-century socialist experiment and it has failed. Before the income tax was imposed on us just 80 years ago, government had no claim to our income; only sales, excise and tariff taxes were allowed. We need to return to the Constitution of economic liberty that our Founders intended to be a permanent bulwark of our political liberty.

The income tax in effect makes us vassals to the government - the politicians decide how much income we can keep. No mere "reform" of this slave tax, such as flattening the rate, can correct its fundamental denial of control over our own money. Only the abolition of the income tax itself will restore the basic American principle that our income is both our own money and our own private business - not the government's.

Replacing the income tax with a national sales tax would rejuvenate independence and responsibility in our citizens. True economic liberty and moral revival go hand in hand.

A national sales tax would also put the American citizen back in control of national fiscal policy. The best way to curtail government spending is to cut taxes, because they can't spend what they don't get. But with a sales tax, we could deny funds to a spendthrift government - and give ourselves a tax cut - whenever we make the private choice to alter our spending and saving habits.

But we must also take away the government's credit card. With limits on both tax revenue and borrowing, the Federal government would finally be forced to get serious about spending cuts. That's why a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, with barriers to both borrowing and spending, is the best way to secure budget discipline.

United Nations

The fundamental goal of the American statesman must be to maintain an independent sense of sovereign American interests and principles, and to pursue those interests and principles in the world with prudence and courage, always with the knowledge that, in the end, the United States is responsible for its own destiny - not the United Nations or anybody else.

Whatever benefits of international cooperation and consultation the United Nations has made possible, it has from its flawed founding been a source of pernicious and dangerously naïve globalist dreams. It is now clear that some American politicians have been so corrupted by internationalism that they will not resist the temptation to erect the United Nations into a supra-national entity that undermines our sovereignty.

Should it prove impossible to fight this tendency by other means, the United States would have to withdraw from the United Nations, while clearly maintaining our ongoing commitment to our international responsibilities as a sovereign nation and world leader. Because it is more important that the United States of America should survive in freedom than that the United Nations should survive at all.

Welfare / Family Disintegration

Most of our expensive government welfare programs aim to deal with problems that are related to the breakdown of moral standards and self-discipline. We will go bankrupt as a nation if we continue trying to pay the ever-increasing costs of our society's moral disintegration.

We must end government programs like the family-destroying welfare system and sex-education courses that encourage promiscuity. These programs actually hasten the moral breakdown.

Our first priority should be restoring the moral and material support for the marriage-based two-parent family. The disintegration of the family is the major contributing factor in poverty, crime, violence, the decline in educational performance, and a host of other expensive social problems.
 
 

Professional Biography

George W. Bush is the 46th Governor of the State of Texas. Now in his second term, Governor Bush has earned a reputation as a compassionate conservative who shapes policy based on the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families and local control.

Governor Bush has worked over the past three Texas Legislative sessions in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation with Lt. Governor Rick Perry, his predecessor Lt. Governor Bob Bullock, House Speaker Pete Laney, and members of the Texas Legislature to enact historic reforms to improve public schools, cut taxes, put welfare recipients to work, curb frivolous lawsuits, encourage new business and job growth, and strengthen criminal justice laws. Governor Bush’s first priority is the education of Texas children. He has worked with the Legislature to increase the state’s share of funding for schools, to restore local control, to strengthen the state’s accountability system, to give parents greater choice of schools and to foster competition and creativity through charter schools and an expanded menu of educational opportunity.

His most profound goal for Texas is that every child will learn to read by third grade and will continue to read at grade level or better throughout public school.

Legislation signed by the Governor during the 1999 Texas Legislative session included a sweeping proposal to end social promotion in Texas schools, the largest funding increase for public education in the state’s history and $2.1 billion in tax cuts and relief, the largest tax-cut in Texas history. These cuts are in addition to $1 billion in school property tax cuts enacted in 1998.

George W. Bush was born July 6, 1946 and grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He served as an F-102 pilot for the Texas Air National Guard. He began his career in the oil and gas business in Midland in 1975 and worked in the energy industry until 1986. After working on his father’s 1988 presidential campaign he assembled the group of partners that purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989 and which later built the Ranger’s new home, the Ballpark at Arlington. He served as managing general partner of the Texas Rangers until he was elected Governor on November 8, 1994, with 53.5 percent of the vote.

In a historic re-election victory, he became the first Texas Governor to be elected to consecutive four-year terms on November 3, 1998 winning 68.6 percent of the vote. Governor Bush won 49 percent of the Hispanic vote, 27 percent of the African-American vote, 27 percent of Democrats and 65 percent of women. He won more Texas counties, 240 of 254, than any modern Republican other than Richard Nixon in 1972 and is the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to win the heavily Hispanic and Democratic border counties of El Paso, Cameron and Hidalgo.

Governor Bush and his wife, Laura, a former teacher and librarian who grew up in Midland, reside in the historic Governor’s Mansion in Austin with their 17-year-old twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, their dog, Spot, and their three cats, India, Cowboy and Ernie.

Governor Bush is a Methodist and has served on the boards of various charitable, business and civic organizations.

Education:

• Outlined a plan to give states, local districts and parents more authority to set priorities and chart the path to greater student achievement
• Supports making federal funds to states and local districts more flexible in return for greater accountability and improved student achievement
• Called for the creation of "charter states" – states that would receive maximum flexibility with federal funds in return for meeting high performance measures in increasing student achievement
• Supports implementation of state accountability systems in which students are tested every year in grades 3-8 in reading and math. States will be free to choose their own tests, and the federal government will equally share the cost
• Supports paying for states to participate in an annual National Assessment in Education Progress sample exam in reading and math to gauge progress
• Supports establishing a $500 million incentive fund to reward states for improving student performance
• Supports establishing a reward fund that will reward schools that show the greatest improvements in student achievement
• Supports empowering parents with information by requiring states to publish school-by-school report cards with annual test results
• Supports increasing choices for parents in the education of their children by allowing federal funds to be used for public and private school choice and innovative education programs
• Supports expanding education savings accounts for parents to increase their annual contributions from $500 per student to $5,000 and withdraw funds tax free to pay for education expenses from kindergarten to college
• Supports establishing a Charter School Homestead Fund to provide $3 billion of loan guarantees to help establish or improve 2,000 charter schools nationwide in two years.
• Supports giving parents of Title I students trapped in persistently failing schools federal education dollars in a portable account to use in a school or program of their choice
• Called for the reform of Head Start to ensure children are ready for school by teaching pre-reading and numeracy skills that will put them on the path to literacy
• Supports moving Head Start from the Department of Education to emphasize a renewed focus on education preparedness
• Supports increased and focused research in education to determine what works in educating children

• Supports cuts in marginal tax rates and a fairer system
• Called for reducing and eventually eliminating the death tax
• Supports reducing the marriage penalty
• Supports tax incentives to encourage charitable giving
• Believes any tax plan should include relief for "working families on the outskirts of poverty"
• Would veto any increase in corporate or personal income tax rates
• Supports the goal of wiring schools and libraries to the Internet but opposes the federal "Gore" tax
• Supports expanding Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) by allowing parents to increase the annual contributions from $500 per student to $5,000 and to withdrawal funds tax-free to pay for education expenses from kindergarten to college and beyond.

• Pledged to fulfill the solemn commitment of Social Security; no reduction in benefits for retirees or near retirees
• Called for dedicating all Social Security money to Social Security ("lock box")
• Opposes any tax increase for Social Security
• Supports making personal retirement accounts part of Social Security reform
• Opposes government investment in private stocks or bonds

• Wants to strengthen Medicare by providing more choice and more private sector alternatives for the elderly (as embodied in principles of Breaux/Thomas plan)
• Supports offering prescription drug benefit to Medicare recipients through more options and greater choice of plans
• Supports medical savings accounts as a health insurance option for all Americans
• Supports giving patients in federally governed health care plans protections similar to those already enacted in Texas; opposes legislation that would supersede reforms already enacted by states

• Supports rebuilding America’s military strength to keep the peace
• Would increase by $1 billion the currently planned military pay raise to encourage the best and brightest to enlist – and reenlist – in the armed forces
• Would renovate substandard military housing and improve military training
• Would maintain longstanding U.S. commitments, but order an immediate review of overseas deployments in dozens of countries, with the aim of replacing uncertain missions with well-defined objectives
• Would deter terrorist attacks by ensuring that every group or nation understands that if they sponsor such attacks, the U.S. response will be devastating
• Supports accelerated research for and deployment of both theater missile defenses and national missile defense, as soon as possible
• Prepared to cancel ABM treaty with Russia if unable to convince Russia to amend the treaty to allow deployment of missile defense systems within a short period of time
• Would strengthen our intelligence community’s ability to detect terrorist threats, and develop long-range strike capabilities to eliminate such threats before they arise
• Would promote cooperation with our allies, who should share the burden of defense
• Would order a comprehensive military review to develop a new architecture for American defense designed to meet the challenges of the next century
• Would seize the opportunity to skip a generation of weapons, not merely improving existing systems, but replacing them with a new generation of technology
• Would encourage a spirit of innovation and experimentation within the military
• Would earmark at least 20 percent of the procurement budget for acquisition programs that propel America generations ahead in military technology
• Would increase defense R&D spending by at least $20 billion from FY2002 to FY2006
• Supports a continued moratorium on nuclear testing, and opposed ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

• Would redefine relationship between China and U.S. as one of "competitors," not strategic partners
• Would refocus America’s policy in Asia on friends and allies
• Supports "one-China" policy
• Supports the Taiwan Relations Act
• Supports the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
• Opposes any further IMF loans to Russia
• Would work with Russia to achieve verifiable strategic arms reduction and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons
• Supports moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and said if elected President, he would set the process of moving the Embassy in motion immediately upon taking office
• Would work to reestablish weapons inspections in Iraq
• Supports keeping the current sanctions on Cuba until there are free elections, free speech and freedom for political prisoners
• Supports helping America’s friend and longstanding ally Australia with logistical support in East Timor
• Supported U.S. intervention in Kosovo because it was in our strategic interests
• Said option of ground troops should not have been taken off the table in Kosovo intervention

• Lift federal regulations that hamper faith-based institutions from involvement in the delivery of services to the needy
• Expand the federal charitable deduction to taxpayers who do not itemize
• Permit a credit against state taxes for contributions to charities addressing poverty
• Permit individuals over 59 to contribute IRA funds to charities, without having to pay income tax on the amount withdrawn
• Raise the cap on corporate charitable deductions from 10% to 15% of a company’s taxable income
• Provide civil liability protection for corporate in-kind donations of equipment or facilities to charities
• Expand "Charitable Choice" to all federal social service programs, allowing religious organizations to be eligible for funding on the same basis as any other provider, without impairing their religious character
• Establish an "Office of Faith-Based Action" in the Executive Office of the President
• Provide federal matching funds for the establishment of state offices of faith-based action
• Promote alternative licensing regimes that recognize religious training as an alternative form of qualification for delivery of non-medical social services
• Launch a