Take 5 Minutes & Get Educated Before Tuesday's Election

There’s less than a week until the primary election and if you’re like me you don’t know a whole lot about your local candidates and you don’t have a lot of time to vet each candidate. So here are just a few voter guides, in no particular order, to help you make a quick and educated decision. 

1. PA Family Institute- Covers federal and state contested primaries.
2. League of Women Voters- Covers the Governor’s race and the Lt. Governor’s race.
3. American Family Association- Covers federal and state contested primaries.
4. Heritage Action Scorecard- Ranks members of congress based on major votes.
5. Ballotpedia- Basic information on all candidates appearing on the primary ballot.

And don’t forget this Saturday is a state-wide action day.  Join hundreds of other volunteers across the state who are canvassing their precincts. If you’re interested in walking your neighborhood or just want to find out more contact the Republican committee at 724-652-1372.

Petitions are in! What's next?

We wanted to take some time to THANK YOU everyone who collected petition signatures for Corbett Cawley- they collected over 50,000 signatures!- folks running for state seats and on down the line. 

So what's next? Primary day! The Pennsylvania Primary is on May 20th and the last day to register to vote is April 21st. 

But you can do much more than simply vote. 

• You can become a precinct captain and build meaningful relationships with your neighbors by talking with them about Republicans running for office. Here's more info on the precinct captain program: http://action.pagop.org/
• Share candidates facebook posts. 
• Volunteer for a campaign.
• Contribute to a campaign. $5, $10 any amount helps!
• Follow candidates and retweet their posts on twitter: @CorbettforGov

Finally, you can always contact the YR's for more ways to help our party.  Lawcoyrs@gmail.com  

President's Day- Another Opportunity to Exploit?

Today is President's Day. A holiday that's morphed over the years from a celebration of George Washington (his birthday is on February 22nd) to a three day weekend commemorating all US Presidents.

Heather Long argues in the Guardian today that President's Day is another example what President Obama has termed income inequality:

It's another example of the dividing line between the haves and have nots in America. There are those who get today off – with pay – who have both the time and money to go out and buy new clothes, gadgets and cars. And then there are those who have to work today (and most other holidays), often serving those on vacation.

On the surface it sounds like employers are mean and greedy for not giving their employers more paid-vacation. But what Long and others miss is the great mobility of the American economy and the all the benefits that come from giving employers the freedom to set their own schedules.

Chances are if you are working at Burger King today, you won't be working there in 10 years, at least not for the same low-end wage. And if one really values three-day weekends they should be a bank teller or a school teacher.

Despite the breathtaking pace of government growth, Americans still enjoy many freedoms, including the freedom to decide when they will and will not work.

LCRC Lincoln Day Breakfast

The Lawrence County Republican Committee will be holding a Lincoln Day Pancake and Sausage Breakfast in conjunction with a petition signing for all local and state Republican candidates. Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, Congressman Mike Kelly, and Senator Elder Vogel will be in attendance. The cost is $5.  The event will be held at the New Englander from 7:30 am until 10 am on Saturday, February 22nd.

Reorganization Meeting

Monday, January 27th at 7 pm, the Lawrence County Young Republicans will have their reorganization meeting at the New Castle Public Library.  This meeting is to elect new officers.  Only regular members can vote.  Regular members are over the age of 18 and under 41 who are registered republicans in Lawrence County.  If you cannot attend the meeting, please contact a member who is attending to be your proxy.  We accept proxies via email, written letter, or text message.  Contact me if you need someone to be your proxy at carriemessner73@gmail.com.

Minimum Wage Hurts the Poor

It may be counterintuitive, but the truth is the minimum wage hurts the poor. How can that be? Check out a recent article I co-authored over at the Commonwealth Foundation.

The True Cost of Minimum Wage

JANUARY 9, 2014 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE, JOHN BOUDER

Note: This commentary has appeared in the Lancaster New Era, the Bloomsburg Press-Enterprise, and The Patriot News.
Across the country, interest groups are pushing to increase the mandated minimum wage to $10 or $15 per hour, ostensibly to help low-income workers at fast food chains and big box stores. But if a higher minimum wage benefits workers, why not push it to $20 or $30 or even higher? Because experience shows minimum wage increases actually hurt the very workers they aim to help—particularly young minorities.
Joe Olivo can attest to that reality.  As a second generation owner of a small printing business in New Jersey, he employs workers who start at minimum wage. New Jersey voters recently approved a one dollar increase in the minimum wage that went into effect January 1, raising it to $8.25 per hour.
In a recent phone interview, Olivo told the Commonwealth Foundation that many people don’t understand the cumulative effect each small increase has on economic growth and the unemployment rate. Any increase impacts his business—he’s even had to lay off employees because of increasing labor costs. “It’s not just those people getting minimum wage that get a raise,” Olivo said, “it affects my whole wage bracket.”
The sad truth is, the minimum wage is one of the best ways to put low-skilled workers out of a job.
Today, minimum wage workers are mostly teens, and the jobless rate for 16 to 19-year-olds has steadily increased as the minimum wage has risen. Further increases will only continue that trend.
Even more concerning is the impact on young minorities. In states like Pennsylvania, which saw minimum wage hikes from 2007 to 2009, more black young adults lost their jobs as a direct result of minimum wage increases than the recession. The result? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, black youth unemployment sits at an astonishing 36 percent nationwide—double the rate of white youths and nearly 30 points higher than the general unemployment rate.
Raising the minimum wage will price more young people out of entry-level jobs that help them gain experience—effectively sawing off the first rung of the ladder to their prosperity.
As an anti-poverty program, the minimum wage fails miserably, because few breadwinners actually earn it. Only 10.5 percent of an increased minimum wage goes to poor, working families.  In fact, fewer workers overall are making minimum wage. In 1979, 8 percent of workers made the minimum wage; by 2011 it had fallen to just 3 percent.
In essence, the minimum wage feeds the cycle of poverty by forcing low-skilled workers out of jobs. A better approach to combating the major cause of poverty—unemployment—would be reducing the cost of hiring through lowering taxes on employers and enacting health care reform that truly brings costs down.
Olivo’s small business serves as a good example. Asked about a $15 minimum wage, he responded, “I can’t even imagine. I couldn’t make that up in raising prices.  It would lead to layoffs and me looking at using more automation, at least I can control that cost.”
Why layoffs? Businesses don’t turn a profit every year.  Mandated cost increases force them to find places to cut expenses or raise prices for consumers.
So who gains from raising the minimum wage? Politicians and labor unions. Minimum wage increases tip the balance in favor of higher-skilled—and higher-wage—unionized workers by raising the floor from which they negotiate compensation.
Politicians, on the other hand, can act like they did something for the little guy while receiving union support—which is no small matter.  In 2012 alone, government union SEIU Local 668 spent more than $200,000 of its members’ dues on political activity and lobbying.
For Joe Olivo and entrepreneurs everywhere, a higher minimum wage would be one more government-imposed hurdle to overcome. “It’s not just the increase in minimum wage, but health care costs are going up,  taxes are going up—it’s just one more thing that makes it harder to do business.”
Lawmakers should be making it easier for small businesses to hire new workers seeking to climb the ladder of success—not adding another entry to the laundry list of obstacles to growth and prosperity.

# # #

Elizabeth Stelle and John R. Bouder are policy analysts at the Commonwealth Foundation (CommonwealthFoundation.org), Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank.

Young Adults Not Fooled by Obamacare

Young adults aren't fooled- they know Obamacare is a bad deal. See the latest from Generation Opportunity:

Young People Just Aren’t Signing Up

The numbers are in, and they don’t look good. Last week, we learned that only about 106,000 people signed up for coverage under the Obamacare exchanges. That’s pretty bad, particularly when the White House’s goal was to have 500,000 people signed up by now. To make matters worse, less than 27,000 Americans bought insurance through the actual healthcare website – meaning many people were forced to get covered over the phone or had to rely on state based exchanges.
There is no doubt that HealthCare.gov has been absolutely disastrous. Even President Obama himself apologized to the American people and took blame for how poor the rollout has been. But truth be told, the problems run deeper than all of the technological “glitches” surrounding the website.
Young people just aren’t signing up.
Without young people buying insurance under Obamacare, it could undermine the financial viability of the entire law. Simply put, premiums paid by younger and healthier individuals are needed to offset the costs of those older and sicker who typically have higher medical bills.
So far, it appears most of the sign-ups have been older individuals. Take California, for example. California has the largest uninsured population in the country, and according to a state health official, most of the roughly 35,000 sign-ups were older Americans. In Kentucky, nearly 3 out of 4 enrollees were over 35. Likewise, in Ohio, groups that helped with enrollment were reporting that many coming to them were older residents.
This also matches young people’s attitudes in a recent poll. According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, opposition to the healthcare law among 18-29 year olds has increased by 16 points within the last month, with strong opposition to Obamacare up 21 points. Furthermore, the fallout from the Obamacare website debacle has caused the President’s overall approval rating to go down 23 points among those under 30 since January – the biggest drop for any demographic.
Young people are seeing through the provocative advertisements and tactics and all the broken promises that you would be able to keep your healthcare plan. Why is that? Because we are experiencing just how expensive Obamacare is. An analysis by The Wall Street Journal of the lowest-cost “bronze” plans for a single 27 year old man compared to the pre-Obamacare lowest-cost options is startling. Even in a state like New Jersey, which already has a heavily regulated insurance market, plans for young people are set to increase to $219 from $162. But right next door, Pennsylvania will go from a low $73 to $195 for a bare-bones plan. This is the narrative in states all across the country. No wonder young people aren’t signing up!
If young people continue to forgo signing up under Obamacare, and insurance companies end up with too many that are sick, they may have to increase premiums even more to stay afloat. From the “fumbled” rollout to outrageous price increases, not to mention concerns over privacy and security breaches, more and more young people are realizing just how bad a deal Obamacare is for our generation.

Terence Grado
Legislative and Coalitions
Generation Opportunity

Have you tried to use the exchange website? Going without insurance next year? Tell us your story! lawcoyrs@gmail.com 

November Business Meeting

LCYR Vice-chairman, Geoff Measel at the podium with Rep. Keith Rothfus, LCYR Chairwoman Carrie Messner, and Rep. Mike Kelly.



Join the Lawrence County Young Republicans for our November business meeting on November 21st at 7 pm at the New Castle Public Library.  This meeting is open to the public.  We welcome anyone interested in being a candidate for office next year.

Law. Co. Republican Committee Fall Dinner This Friday!

Join the Lawrence County Young Republicans, the Westminster College Republicans, the Grove City College Republicans, and local high school students at the Lawrence County Republican Committee Fall Dinner on Friday, November 1st.  If you would like tickets, contact me.

September Meeting Planned for Westminster College

The Lawrence County Young Republicans will have their September meeting at Westminster College on Thursday, September 19th at 7 pm with the Westminster College Republicans.  The meeting will be held in Patterson Hall room 208.  The meeting is open to the public.  We encourage college students to attend our meeting.  The main topics of the meeting will be:  how to get more young people involved in politics and what issues mean the most to them.

Facebook event

If you attend a local college, and would like the YR's to meet on your campus, email us at carriemessner73@gmail.com.

Obamacare's Employer Mandate a Loser for Workers

Our secretary, Elizabeth Stelle has written an op-ed for The Patriot News about the employer mandate for Obamacare.  You can read her op-ed here.

Losing the War on Poverty

Our secretary for the Lawrence County Young Republicans, Elizabeth Stelle, wrote this article for the Commonwealth Foundation about how a single mom on welfare makes more money than single mom working for minimum wage. 

August Business Meeting

Our August business meeting with be on August 29th at 6:45 pm at the New Englander on 3009 Wilmington Road in New Castle.

Lawrence County Republican Committee Picnic!

We'll be there!

July Business Meeting

The Lawrence County Young Republicans will be holding their July business meeting this Thursday, July 18th at 7 pm at the New Castle Public Library.  Our meetings are open to the public.  Please come and join us!

What is the Debt Ceiling?

It's summer time, that means Washington DC has maxed its credit card and politicians will be looking to raise the debt ceiling. . . again. What is the debt ceiling? Bankrupting America explains:

How Politicans Are Taxing Our Future

Have you ever thought about what our government will look like in future? What your taxes will be in 10, 20, 40 years? At current rates of spending, we're looking at huge tax hikes for us, our kids, grand kids, great grand kids. . . you get the picture.

Here's a great piece from Roll Call on the massive generational theft that's occurring at all levels of government.

Truth is, the trajectory of our federal budget represents a massive intergenerational redistribution of wealth. On the whole, older Americans and current retirees are set to receive a significant net financial benefit from public resources over the course of their lifetimes, with a massive bill for this spending to be passed on to the young and future generations. This policy path is both fiscally irresponsible and morally reprehensible. Pressure to change course might increase, however, if there were a clearer understanding of this reality among the public, media and elected leaders alike.

So true. Next time you hear a politician talk about borrowing, remember borrowing is just another term for future taxes.

June Business Meeting

The Lawrence County Young Republicans June business meeting is scheduled for June 17th, Monday, at 7 pm at the New Castle Public Library.  Meeting is open to the public.

Facebook event

Rosemary Henderson for New Castle City Council

Rosemary Henderson is on the Republican ballot for New Castle City Council for the 4 year and the 2 year term.  Primary election day is Tuesday, May 21st.  Below is Rosemary's answers to our questionnaire.

Name as it appears on the ballot:   Rosemary Henderson

                                                                              

Spouse/children:   David B. Henderson                                    

 

Education:   High School & Lindsy Hopkins Business course

 

Occupation:  self employed  

 

Charitable organizations/volunteer work:

 Served with Contact Ears for 26 years [24 hour help line.]   Mt Hermon Church.

 

Reasons for running for city council:

To make the City a better place for every citizen in our City., Also make sure that all the ordinances are followed.

 

Why do you feel you are qualified to be on city council?

I've been attending council meetings for the last 14 years and have study most of the ordinances.

 

What skill sets/knowledge will you bring to city council?   

My knowledge attending council meeting for the last 14 years knowing the workings of the council. I will be able to move legalisation through.

 

If you get elected to city council, what would do as a member?  

 I will work with the administration in moving the city.ahead, But not agreeing with the Administration all the time.

 

What ideas do you have to make New Castle a better place to live?

 Make the ordinance for Historical District have more teeth, in doing this we can stop some of the out of town land lords that turn our town into slum areas. Will work with code on enforcing our ordinances.

Lawrence Williams, New Castle City Council candidate

Lawrence Williams is running as a write-in Republican candidate for New Castle City Council, the 4 year term.  Lawrence only needs 100 write in votes to make it to the general election in November.  Rosemary Henderson is already on the ballot.  Republicans can have two candidates proceed to the November election. 

We asked Lawrence some questions in regards to his run for city council:

Name as it appears on the ballot or how you want it written in: Lawrence Williams

Spouse/children: April Whetzel   (fiancé)

Education: Farrell High School

                   US Army Veteran

                  Penn State Shenango

 

Occupation: Transportation

Reasons for running for city council:

 Improving the life and  quality of New Castle Residents and Businesses .

Why do you feel you are qualified to be on city council?

 Experience in Business, Life, and Military.

What skill sets/knowledge will you bring to city council?

Previous work experience in Business , Transportation and Management.

If you get elected to city council, what would do as a member?

1. Monitor forecasted and current spending in all departments .

2. Efficient and effective city government .

3. Reach out to local business ,promoting growth.

4. Communicate with Downtown landlords promoting occupancy.

5.Address home ownership and rental property issues.

6. Establish city ordinance for fine of $5,000 for recklessly firing of firearm.

What ideas do you have to make New Castle a better place to live?

Expand Cascade Park to include several rides.

Promote business thru our residents.

Work with state, county to obtain YDC for housing of low level non violent drug offenders . This will reduce jail space so we can hold the violent offenders to term. Also seek private company to operate facility to pay taxes and employment. Thus crating a safer city .

Make sure we have a well paid professional full time public safety department that use technology to reduce fuel and expensive overtime cost.

Provide a vision for New Castle that will require community participation  family values, great schools, clean city.

Anything else you would like the voters to know about you?

I joined the army at seventeen , traveled the world met lots of people and it hit me one day coming back to the states.

America is the greatest country in the entire world and you can have or be whatever you want if your willing to work hard to achieve it !