Young Republican National Federation

From the land of the original Tea Party comes a new American revolution:  the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have shocked the political establishment by electing Republican Scott Brown to the United States Senate in a special election to finish the term of the late Ted Kennedy.

Bay State voters -- overwhelmingly Democrat in registration -- have chosen a candidate of "change" for "the peoples' seat":  one who has promised to oppose the Obama agenda of government-driven health care reform, cap-and-trade energy taxes, and wasteful government spending.  Instead, Senator-elect Brown has championed an agenda that empowers individuals and families:  limited government and tax cuts for individuals, families, and businesses to promote private enterprise and provide economic growth and jobs.
 
Former Massachusetts YR NCM Rob Eno said " Scott Brown captured the imagination of the peopleof Massachusettes by retail campaigning on the issues that matter to the people.  It proves that we as Republicans, when we stand up for the common man, will always win!" 

Fellow YRs-

 
I hope everyone had a happy and restful holiday season. Despite the unfortunate  steps taken in the Senate on Christmas Eve, moving this country closer to the passage of Obamacare,  the YRs have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming year. In 2010 we have numerous campaigns for national and state offices, where the impact of the YRs can be felt. We must all continue our strong work and focus on these races, to ensure victories across the country.
 
Thank you again for your dedication and service to the Republican Party and Happy New Year!
 
All the Best,
Audra Shay
YRNF Chairman
 
 

MASSACHUSETTS YOUNG REPUBLICANS

 
Richard Wheeler, Chairman of the Massachusetts Young republicans is making a request to YRs around the country to support U.S. Senatorial candidate Scott Brown in the Jan. 19th special election.  The YRNF will be sponsoring a national phone bank effort for this race. If you or your state group is interested in helping in this race, please contact YRNF Campaign Committee Chair Kerry Marsh at:  kerry.marsh@yrnf.com.
 

 
LOUISIANA YOUNG REPUBLICANS
 

YRNF SPRING BOARD MEETING: 
April 9 -11, 2010 ~ NEW ORLEANS, LA

Held in conjunction with the Southern Republican Leadership Conference!
 
Book your hotel room now:  The Whitney-  Wyndham # (504) 581-4222. YR Room Rate: $109/night (under YRNF room block). Any questions please contact LA YR Chair Mike Bayham at: mikebayham@aol.com

This morning, members of the National Committee may have received a release from Andy Stanley who has represented that on Saturday, December 5, 2009, he was duly elected Chairman of the California Young Republicans, Inc. (CYRs) at that organization's annual convention. Jenniffer Rodriguez, who prior to Saturday, was unquestionably the Chairman of the CYRs, represents that no convention, and thus no election, of the CYRs has occurred. She further represents that the duly called convention for the election of CYR officers is not scheduled until next year. Both Mr. Stanley and Ms. Rodriguez represent that different persons now hold various offices within the CYRs. In support of their own legitimacy, and the illegitimacy of the other camp, both sets of individuals maintain they have each followed the rules of the CYRs and, predictably, that the other set has not.
 
The fact that there are now two sets of individuals who purport to be the leaders of the CYR organization is troubling and an unnecessary distraction leading into the critically important 2010 election cycle, particularly since California will elect a Untied States Senator, a Governor, and numerous members of Congress in closely contested districts. It is an unacceptable situation which will also distract from the work of the YRNF and undoubtedly trigger countless blind carbon copy e-mails to the entire membership list of the YRNF and likely well beyond memorializing every minute detail of the dispute. It will further provide opponents of the Republican Party ample fodder to suggest that members of our party are incapable of coming together to achieve victory.   The leadership of the YRNF strongly urges the CYRs to resolve this matter quickly and in accordance with its rules, the rules of the YRNF and with Californa law. 
 
Because the legitimacy of what occurred on December 5, 2009 is in dispute, until there has been a resolution, the leadership of the CYRs as it existed prior to December 5, 2009 will continue to be recognized by the YRNF until or unless there is further action by the National Committee or until such time as the matter is resolved by the CYRs. The YRNF will continue to recognize the Chairman, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman of the CYRs as it did prior to December 5, 2009 and no changes by either alleged leadership team will be accepted. Should any of these individuals resign, their replacement on the National Committee will not be seated until the matter is resolved.  Further, if this matter is not resolved by the spring, it may be impossible for the National Committee to determine whether the CYRs have submitted a full and complete state survey and ultimately compromise their charter as the recognized organization of Young Republicans in California.
 
We are very hopeful that this matter will not further devolve into yet another example of YRs beating each other over the head with bylaws and rules - and also that the spirit of the holiday season will encourage all sides to come together and reach an amicable resolution.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the Senate Democrats' health care "reform" bill has been released, and the picture isn't pretty -- especially for young adults.  As the CBO states, the bill includes provisions that mandate insurance policies that "would have to cover a specified set of services", and that insurance "premiums could not vary to reflect differences in enrollees' health or use of services and could vary on the basis of an enrollee's age only to a limited degree".

Taken together, these government mandates mean that young adults will be forced to purchase more expensive insurance coverage they may not want or need for themselves and their families, or face stiff fines from the government.  Additionally, young adults will be unable to negotiate lower premiums.  It's no surprise that the CBO report concludes that the healthcare proposals "would tend to increase the premiums paid by younger enrollees".  Moreover, the CBO study "does not incorporate potential effects of the proposal on the level or growth rate of spending for health care that might stem from increased demand for services", nor does it include the impact of raising taxes -- during a recession -- on jobs, compensation, and benefits for individual Americans.

WISCONSIN FEDERATION OF YOUNG REPUBLICANS
The Wisconsin Federation of Young Republicans held a meeting on Sunday, November 22, 2009,  where new leadership  was elected.  Nick Lauren was elected Chairman, Katie Geary was elected to the spot of National Committeewoman and Josiah Cantrall was re-elected to serve as National Committeeman.

The Wisconsin Young Republicans are growing at an exciting rate, building their group from the ground-up. The first act of the new administration was to launch a new website, Twitter account and Facebook page- which added 400 plus YRs in 48 hours.  The new cite is:  www.wisconsinyr.com.
 
Adds Chairman Lauren, "I am ecstatic to see what this group can do in Wisconsin, the enthusiasm and level of participation I have seen has been amazing so far.  I am proud to serve with this executive committee and see what we can do to help turn Wisconsin red."

MICHIGAN YOUNG REPUBLICANS

Michigan is proud to announce the new national officers that were elected at their Convention on October 2nd: Scott Czasak was elected Chairman, Troy Rolling to National Committeeman, and Vicki Czapski  was re-elected to National Committeewoman.

"I am grateful to have such a dynamic team assembled in the Young Republicans here in Michigan," newly elected Chairman Czasak said, "We are going to get right to work to make sure that we end the Democratic Depression that has gripped our state and elect Republicans up and down the ticket in 2010!"
 

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
I hope all of you take this time to give thanks for family, friends, and our Country. Many years ago Pilgrims came to this great land, to pursue greater liberty and freedom.  It is these very freedoms that we must give thanks for tomorrow.  
 
We must also give thanks for our brave servicemen and women, who sacrifice so much to preserve our way of life.
 
Finally, I am also extremely thankful for all the hard work and dedication YRs have shown throughout the country. After a successful fall election cycle, we as a group have much to celebrate this holiday season.
 
God Bless and enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday,
 
Audra Shay
YRNF Chairman
 

Saturday in a rare evening session, Democrats passed a devastating vote to move America one step closer to a government-run health care system. As recent studies have indicated, the current proposal will likely decrease the quality of care for the elderly and burden America's youth by creating a massive bureaucratic government run health system. For example, under this Democrat initiative, we will actually create 70 new government agencies. 
 
YRNF Chairman Audra Shay challenges younger Americans to stand up against this legislation: "It is time that the youth speak out against this program which is bad for America, and especially burdensome on our younger citizens. As we have seen in recent elections, Americans do not support this health-care experiment and we hope all the youth who turned out in 2008 will turn out again to hold accountable members of Congress who support these bills." 
 
Shay continues "The Young Republicans National Federation calls on all U.S. Senators to reject President Obama's unprecedented expansion of government control over health care, and instead support free market reforms that would provide choice and competition to American families and ultimately lead to lower costs and broader coverage for all Americans, without raising taxes or limiting individual liberty." 
 
YRNF Policy Chairman Dave Smith (TX) adds, "Regrettably, the Senate has chosen to move forward with debate on a health care 'reform' bill that is based on government mandates, prohibitions, and sanctions rather than choice and competition for American families.  The bill is especially bad for young adults, as it would impose so-called 'community rating', prohibiting insurance companies from providing discounts for coverage of low-risk consumers.  It also enforces an 'individual mandate', forcing young adults to pay for coverage they may not want or need."
 

The YRNF encourages younger voters to educate themselves about this proposed legislation and make their opinions known.   Find your representatives and make your voice heard:
 
 http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Dear Young Republicans,

Last Saturday at our Young Republican National Federation Board Meeting in Kansas City, U.S. Senator Kit Bond discussed the upcoming 100th anniversary of the birth of one of America's greatest Presidents ever, Ronald Reagan. Plans for honoring President Reagan during his Centennial are underway. This is going to be the ultimate of Presidential celebrations, and rightly so. Our 40th President is going to be honored through official events across America and around the world throughout 2011.

As Young Republicans, there will be a lot of ways you can get involved in the celebration. If you want to stay updated on what's going to happen, visit President Reagan's Foundation website at www.reaganfoundation.org and sign up where it says Newsletter Sign-Up to stay informed on how you can get involved.



Thank you,
Audra Shay

Chairman
 Young Republican National Federation

The Kansas City and Missouri Young Republicans  hosted the YRNF National Committee this past weekend in Kansas City, MO for the Fall Board Meeting.

On Friday night, there was a group dinner at the American Jazz Museum. Speakers included former pro-football player Damon Dunn, currently running for California Secretary of State; Congressman Todd Tiahrt, running for U.S. Senate;  Congressional Candidate Jacob Turk; and talk radio host Chris Stigall.
 
The YRNF Committees met for the first time on Saturday morning and the meeting rooms were full of interested members looking to get involved to advance the YR brand!  These members were officially appointed to the committees later that day at the YRNF board meeting. The YRs were also honored to be joined by U.S. Senator Kit Bond for lunch.

Saturday was a full day as the National Committee also approved the YRNF budget, the YRNC bid specifications for the Site Selection committee, an Amendment to the Bylaws, and had reports to review from the officers and committee chairmen.
 
Importantly, the YRNF National Committee also unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming their support for Chairman Audra Shay.