Central MS TEA Party may join in lawsuit against IRS.

Central Mississippi TEA Party (CMTP) President Janis Lane says her group is considering joining a potential American Center for Law and Justice lawsuit against the IRS in response to being unfairly targeted by the federal agency. The CMTP filed for tax exempt status with the IRS in 2010.

“We began doing some investigation and found that other Tea Party groups had received the same kinds of letters with the same type of questions,” said Lane. “We are thankful this information has come to light and hope that no other organization, no matter the cause or political bent, will ever have to go through this kind treatment by our government again.”

Lane says the group is presently watching developments closely and will decide when the time is right what their next steps will be.

“We will follow this very closely and determine our next moves based on the responses the Center for Law and Justice receives from the IRS,” she said. “But, we are prepared to push back against this type of bullying through legal means if necessary.”

“Our government is supposed to serve citizens equally, impartially,  and with respect. The IRS is supposed to be non-partisan but this incident shows some of the IRS employees cannot be trusted to uphold their mission.”

The CMTP is a grass roots group which maintains a presence in the Capitol during the legislative session encouraging elected officials to enact bills that will make Mississippi a more business friendly state, limit government intrusion, and to keep the state and country aligned with the Constitution.

Lane says that even with the threat of harassment, the group maintained it’s core mission and accomplished great things for the state.

“Even with the threat of IRS harassment, the CMTP has stayed focused on our grass roots efforts to bring our state and country back to the principles on which we have stood for over 200 years,” says Lane. “When we are a principled state and nation, we prosper; when we are not, we do not prosper.  The CMTP wants to see Mississippi and its citizens prosper, and we will not be intimidated from performing that very important task.”

CMTP Press Release

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McDaniel: Taxpayers have good reason to mistrust central government

BY: Charles Herington

State Senator Chris McDaniel, who’s been an outspoken critic of Obamacare, is reacting to the ongoing IRS scandal. He says an IRS official who once oversaw a unit which targeted Tea Party groups has no business now heading up the IRS office which will be responsible for Obamacare.

Sarah Hall Ingram, who served as commissioner of the office responsible for tax-exempt groups from 2009 to 2012 is now the director of the IRS’ Affordable Care Act office.

“We should understand that the people already don’t trust their central government and they have good reason not to trust the central government,” McDaniel said. “So, to take that same lady and place her in a position of authority that’s going to affect every single individual in this country frankly shows their distrust for us and their disrespect for us. So, at the end of the day, something has to change and I hope it begins right there at the IRS,” he said.

McDaniel was keynote speaker for a spring commencement ceremony at William Carey University Saturday afternoon.

WDAM

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Gates: Odd coalition kills loan fee bill.

During the last week of the Mississippi legislative session, an odd coalition came together to help kill a controversial bill that would have allowed small loan companies to charge fees amounting to an annual percentage rate of up to 99 percent on loans from $500 to $4,000 that are mostly taken out by low-income, working people.

The Christian Action Commission of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, the Central Mississippi Tea Party, a conservative Republican lawmaker and some Democratic lawmakers all voiced opposition to Senate Bill 2571, the Mississippi Consumer Alternative Installment Act.

When the dust settled, the House recommitted the bill to committee, killing it for this legislative session.

It was refreshing to see diverse groups come together to try to stop a bad bill from becoming law.

Read More

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Central Mississippi TEA Party releases statement on rejection of state-run Health Care Exchange.

Central Mississippi TEA Party President Janis Lane released the following statement regarding the rejection of the Mississippi Insurance Exchange by the Department of Health and Human Services:

“The CMTP is very pleased with the HHS decision concerning a state-run insurance exchange in Mississippi. By rejecting the work done by Commissioner Mike Chaney and his team with much anticipation of ‘approval’ by the Feds, Kathleen Sebelius has revealed what many of us have known from the beginning – we cannot trust this Federal Government.

Mike Chaney led our state on a wild goose chase which will cost our taxpayers. We hope Commissioner Chaney will now realize that this huge unaffordable plan to tax job creators in our state is not wise. A government exchange, whether implemented by the state or the Federal Government is not a market solution, it is a bureaucratic program. History has proven that bureaucratic programs only make matters worse.

The CMTP applauds our Governor for his stand to protect the citizens and taxpayers of Mississippi against a Federal Government that is trying to usurp the rights of the citizens of this state. Governor Bryant understand this federal scheme will cost Mississippi jobs, and the tax schemes that fund it will shut down small businesses in our state. We need all our elected officials to follow our Governors lead in protecting the rights of all Mississippi citizens and taxpayers. This is a huge win for our business environment and individual taxpayers. We must do all we can to keep and grow jobs in Mississippi for Mississippians!”

Related Articles:
Plunkett: State Exchange is a jobs-killer and Conservatives know it.

Plunkett: State Exchange is a job-killer and Conservatives know it.

BY: B. Keith Plunkett @Keithplunkett

The Central Mississippi TEA Party announced this morning that they would ask members to call the Legislature to pressure for passage of four healthcare related bills. All four are currently in the Insurance Committees, two in the House and two in the Senate.

Of the four, CMTP officials say SB 2773 and HB 915 are likely to have the most impact. Both would affectively take away the power now claimed by Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney to set up a state based insurance exchange that is set to bring ObamaCare to Mississippi.

I have written extensively on this and even had occasion to briefly debate Commissioner Chaney on state-wide radio. The format didn’t allow for a full debate, and with the feds still developing regulations there will be more debate needed.

Until then, it is the position of the authors and co-authors of these two bills that Mississippi should take a step back. Whether the bills make it out of committee or not, the debate will continue, and it should.

The Central Mississippi TEA Party President Janis Lane refers to the exchange as a “job killer”. She is absolutely correct.

First of all, let’s get something clear. This isn’t really an exchange. It’s a bureaucracy.

There are a few things that are only triggered by a state run “exchange” under ObamaCare that make it a “jobs-killer.”

States that set up “exchanges” are directly responsible for enforcing the individual mandate. Chaney’s Insurance Department will be tasked by the federal government to notify the IRS which residents are complying and which are not. The Commissioner will also have the responsibility of notifying employers when one of their employees accepts ObamaCare tax credits through the “exchange”in order to purchase insurance.

And here is the kicker: even if only one employee gets insurance on the “exchange”, that company can then be fined $2000 PER EMPLOYEE. This is a potentially astronomical cost to small businesses in Mississippi, and it only happens if there is a state-run “exchange”.

If the state “exchange” goes into affect, Chaney will be putting Mississippi taxpayers on the line to fund enforcement of federal mandates, and will be triggering penalties against Mississippi businesses, and putting Mississippi officials in charge of enforcing the individual mandate.

Mississippi PEP’s recent 2013 Conservative State of the State Survey shows that conservative Mississippians seem to understand this, as the following graphic indicates.

66 percent believe the “exchange” should be stopped immediately. 15 percent think that the state “exchange” may be a good idea in general, but not if it implements and enforces the federal law and the taxes that accompany it. With 81 percent of conservatives against the exchange it is easy to see why Commissioner Chaney’s approval ratings on our survey were next to last of all the state officials, and only slightly above Attorney General Jim Hood. Chaney’s overall disapproval rating is at 57 percent.

Regardless of what happens with the bills being focused on by the CMTP, and regardless of what the federal government decides on whether Chaney or Governor Bryant have the authority, the fight to protect jobs in Mississippi will–and should–continue.

About Keith: Keith Plunkett has worked on communications issues with a range of public officials from aldermen to Congressmen, and a variety of businesses, governmental agencies and non-profits. He serves or has served as a board member of several non-profit, civic and political organizations. Contact him by going to HorizonMediaMarketing.com or follow him on Twitter @Keithplunkett

Central Mississippi TEA Party focusing on 4 health care bills for passage in Legislature.

The following is a Press Release from the Central Mississippi TEA Party:

The Central Mississippi TEA Party is pushing for passage of 4 bills in the Mississippi Legislature to help fight against the job killing affects of ObamaCare. All four are currently in the Insurance Committee’s of the House and the Senate, and must be released by Tuesday, February 5 for a chance at becoming law.

House Bill 843 and Senate Bill 2512, both referred to as The Mississippi Health Care Freedom of Choice Act, would allow citizens the freedom to choose or decline health insurance. Senate Bill 2773 and House Bill 915 would amend sections of Mississippi Code to revise the powers and duties of the Mississippi Health Insurance Risk Pool and forbid agents of the state from promoting or participating in ObamaCare or any health care system.

“Any of the these bills would protect the citizens and taxpayers of Mississippi from the bankrupting costs of ObamaCare,” said CMTP President Janis Lane. “President Obama said his healthcare plan would lower the cost of health insurance, but we see now that it is doing just the opposite. These lawmakers are to be commended for their efforts to protect taxpayers and job creators in Mississippi.”

CMTP officials say SB 2773 and HB 915 is likely to have the most impact. The two bills are companion legislation. If either passes committee then the legislation would remain alive with the possibility of a future vote by the full legislature.

The bills would affectively take away the power now claimed by Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney to set up a state based insurance exchange that is set to bring ObamaCare to Mississippi. ObamaCare and the Mississippi Exchange will cost job creators and taxpayers thousands of dollars.

“This is a job killer, plain and simple,” says Lane. “Chaney’s state exchange triggers thousands of dollars in taxes and fines directly to Mississippi’s small businesses. Obama needs Chaney to get this done in Mississippi, and our Insurance Commissioner is going right along.”

House bill filed to reassert 10th Amendment.

Republican state Reps. Gary Chism and Jeff Smith, both of Columbus, filed a bill this month to form the Joint Legislative Committee on the Neutralization of Federal Laws.

Chism said Thursday that the tea party-backed measure is a response to President Barack Obama’s federal health care overhaul and proposals to curb gun violence.

“Certainly, the Obamacare started this,” Chism told The Associated Press, referring to the health care plan, “but then gun show loopholes that the president wanted after Newtown really put an exclamation on that — that we need to do something to stand up for the Tenth Amendment.”

The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says powers not specifically reserved for the federal government are reserved for the states.

House Constitution Committee Chairman Scott DeLano, R-Biloxi, said the bill has a good chance of being debated and that he has heard from other lawmakers who support it.

Read More

Central Mississippi TEA Party not backing down, gearing up for legislative action in 2013.

CMTP legislative agenda for 2013 to remain focused on fighting the Chaney/ObamaCare Health Insurance Exchange among other issues.

The Central Mississippi TEA Party (CMTP) is preparing to do battle in Mississippi’s 2013 Legislative Session and recruiting new members to broaden it’s base of membership. CMTP, which includes members from Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Scott and Simpson Counties, announced it’s 2013 focus on Tuesday, December 4th. CMTP leaders say the organization will continue to fight implementation of ObamaCare by Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney.

CMTP President Janis Lane says fighting the implementation of the exchange is a matter of protection for small businesses and job creators in Mississippi.

“Commissioner Chaney’s implementation of the ObamaCare Exchange in Mississippi is directly opposite of what he has said he supports in terms of federal policy,” said Lane. “He promotes his move as one that keeps Mississippian’s in control of the health exchange, but refuses to discuss how such a move actually protects Mississippians and what authority this provides us. When pressured, he characterizes the exchange as nothing more than a website, and refuses to address the millions in taxes that will be taken away from Mississippi businesses. How many websites cost $20 million to build, and several additional millions each year to maintain?”

“This is more than a website,” she added. “It’s a vehicle to implement ObamaCare, and it will put an additional burden on Mississippi taxpayers and job creators. Mr. Chaney’s actions will cost jobs and small business in our state. But even more critically, is the amount of freedoms it will cost our citizens!”

The list of legislative items also include:

Jobs–Working to help jobless citizens gain a level playing field in the job market by working to limit the availability of jobs to non-citizens.
Education–Working with parents to implement School Choice for all parents of schoolchildren.
Tenth Amendment–Working to re-establish limited Federal involvement in Mississippi and the sovereignty of the Mississippi Constitution in governing the state.
Taxes–Establishing guidelines for equitable property taxation for all Mississippi citizens.
Welfare–Working to improve the taxpayer funded assistance programs for qualified citizens in need.
Budgeting–Working to codify zero-based budgeting in fiscal rules and guidelines.

Lane says the group will also continue to work towards a change in the culture of dependency that now exists in Mississippi, and to show young adults how they are the most negatively affected by a continued march towards socialism.

“The younger generation needs to review the ObamaCare Health Mandate to see just what they will be paying for,” she said. “It is obvious the ramifications have not been fully explained to them. This law negatively changes their lives, and their futures forever. They will end up footing the bill for this disastrous takeover.”

TEA Party calls for voluntary presentation of ID at polls, Governor agrees, Democrats want retraction.

Gov. Phil Bryant is in the midst of a heated political debate after he said he likes the tea party idea of showing an identification card at the elections Tuesday, even though the state law isn’t in effect.

“I think that would be a great idea,” Bryant said. “I don’t think it hurts anything at all. What we like to say is if we believe that if you have to show an ID to buy a pack of cigarettes or to buy alcohol, you should then certainly ought to have to present an ID to vote.”

“We should not be constrained in our election laws by a national government. We should be able to voice our opinion, and I want to be firmly identified when I go to the polls and vote,” said Laura Van Overschelde, of Mississippi Tea Party.

Meanwhile, one group has already gathered more than 1,000 on an online petition, calling for Bryant to retract his statements and make clear that no voter ID is required on Election Day.

“I was pretty shocked and appalled by his statement,” said David Denney, of Voting Rights for All Mississippi.

Denney started the petition in response to the governor’s comments.

“I think it’s a misinformation campaign to mislead and misguide voters into thinking that they need a voter ID, when in fact, they don’t. It also is voter suppression,” Denney said.

Read More

Central Mississippi TEA Party President Janis Lane responds to Jackson Free Press smear campaign.

Janis Lane, President of the Central Mississippi TEA Party (CMTP) released today the following response to a recent smear campaign by the liberal publication the Jackson Free Press (JFP).

Earlier this year, Lane and two other CMTP officials agreed to participate in an interview with the left leaning publication. However, the reporter and the JFP photographer hid from the interviewees that they were video taping the interview. JFP editors have now conspired to discredit the TEA Party by crafty editing of the secretly recorded video to take out all context. It is also suspect that the editor’s of the publication would begin promoting the video 4 months later just prior to November elections.

Lane had this to say:

“While I attempt not to respond to ridiculous charges, I feel that I must address these despicable acts of the liberal publication Jackson Free Press to smear the Central Mississippi TEA Party and our efforts. The editors of this publication have stepped beyond simple political leanings into the realm of “attack dog” journalism. This is proof the liberal media in Mississippi will stoop to new levels of low to ‘create’ news, and to try anything to fight the conservative landslide that is taking place in Mississippi.

We were not told the interview was being recorded by video, and the angle of the shot clearly shows that it was being hidden from us.

The video version of the interview is an heavily edited portion that shows me making a statement in jest to badgering by the reporter about gender and whether women should be in politics. My response was ‘tongue in cheek’ and I gave a ridiculous answer, both in words and tone, to what I found to be a ridiculous premise.

I attempted to challenge his ridiculous line of questioning about men controlling women with an equally ridiculous statement about a women’s right to vote. It was my mistake to respond to his attempts to bait me, and to try to use sarcasm to prove my point of how outrageous his questions really were.

This only further proves that JFP has no commitment to journalistic standards, and they only serve to play “gotcha” politics for cheap publicity. After all, it is obvious that I believe women have a place in politics, or I wouldn’t be doing what I do every day to participate in the political process.

It is unfortunate that an opportunity for better understanding is manipulated by the writers and editors of JFP in order to further advance their liberal agenda in Mississippi. It is because of cheap stunts like this that everyday hard working Mississippians stay away from the political process. We at CMTP are a group of hard working and involved citizens trying to make a difference for our state and country. It is shameful that there are people like those at JFP that work against people who want to be involved in solving the problems that we all face.

I am committed to the TEA Party’s cause of Limited Government, Fiscal Responsibility, and Free Markets. I remain committed to lead our Tea Party to be active in local issues, statewide issues and national issues. I hope people will not allow this to damper their willingness to participate in the political process. I hope they will join us to help fight against this type of blatant manipulation and misinformation.”