I went to this meeting as a guest of Grover
Norquist’s organization,
Americans for Tax Reform, based in Washington, DC. ATR covers
basic expenses for a number of conservative activists to attend
conferences like those held by the American Legislative Exchange
Council, which is the conservative counterpart to the National
Conference of State Legislatures.
The first meeting of ALEC activists was held
Tuesday night at the
Palace Café
where ATR treated about thirty of us to dinner. I had catfish for
the first time; it tasted like a spicier version of haddock. Most of
the diners were leaders of their center-right coalition meetings
around the country. In Massachusetts our meeting is called the
Friday Morning Group, which I’ve hosted every second Friday of the
month for almost ten years.
On Wednesday morning ATR held a breakfast and
policy briefing for state center-right chairs. During this meeting
ATR’s Patrick Gleason went around the room asking for updates. For
almost two hours chairs talked about the political situations/races
in their respective states along with the progress of their
meetings. Many of these groups have been energized by the addition
of tea party activists the last two years. They are looking forward
to conservative gains in 2012. Everyone seemed to understand that
the President is going in the wrong direction, especially on fiscal
issues. However I sensed a lot of uncertainty about Republican
ability to take advantage of this without falling into inner-party
squabbling. There was lots of support for Texas Governor Perry, who
at this point in early August, was only rumored to be running for
President.
The high point of the trip was the visit to the
World
War Two museum located about a mile from my hotel. Thank God we
were transported in a bus instead of attempting a stroll over. The
96 degree (very humid) heat was unbearable. It was so hot I saw a
dog chasing a cat and they were both walking – OK old joke. Never
visit New Orleans in the summer – unless, of course someone else is
paying.
The Wednesday luncheon featured Louisiana
Governor Bobby Jindal as the keynote speaker. His speech was laced
with humor, anecdotes about his background and specifics about the
failures of the present Administration. He was also the consummate
cheerleader for his state as expected. I can see why he’s on some
short lists as a vice-presidential pick. Speaking of luncheons, they
invariably have you sitting next to a state legislator from another
part of the country. Over the past 15 years or so when I say “I’m
from Massachusetts” they roll their eyes, grimace, and mumble “Ted
Kennedy” or “Barney Frank.” Now they light up and shout: “The
Scott Brown state!”
Thursday’s ATR session dealt with effective
meeting practices among the 55 center-right coalition meetings
around the nation. ATR asked me to speak specifically to this issue,
since Massachusetts is considered one of the top three or four.
Among the reasons for the success of the Massachusetts coalition
meeting, which we call "The Friday Morning Group," is the fact
they’re always held the second Friday of the month, have a printed
agenda including a guest speaker and always end after two hours at
exactly 11:30 am.
I attended a few workshops including one
entitled: “State successes in corrections policy.” A surprisingly
liberal approach was advocated for minor drug offenses. It was
maintained that throwing people in jail for this offense was a
complete waste of taxpayers’ money. Among other ideas pushed was
immunity to employees who hire ex-cons. Also, place fathers who owe
child support in halfway houses, rather than jail, so they could
make support payments by holding jobs.
Only one session dealt exclusively with taxes. A
task force meeting on “tax and fiscal policy” was only for select
legislators. However I was able to finagle myself into the room near
the end of the session. I caught one intriguing idea to eliminate
any state income tax: Limit the growth in state spending to
population growth and inflation. Take the savings each year and
eliminate 1% of that state’s income tax rate. According to the
speaker almost all the states could eliminate this tax in 11 years
or less using this formula.
Almost 50 organizations and/or associations had
tables in the exhibition hall. The most helpful and informative from
CLT’s viewpoint was the information available at the
Tax
Foundation table. This DC-based group provide data and analysis
on tax policy along with the size of the tax burden at all levels of
government. Their state-by-state comparisons on income, sales, gas,
corporate taxes etc. are invaluable. Poring through the material you
find priceless little nuggets of information. For example,
Massachusetts was the next to last state to enact a gas tax!
The year was 1928 and the tax was two cents per gallon. It has
climbed to 23.5¢ per gallon.
New Orleans, as I happily found out, is one big
four letter word: FOOD! It seemed to surround you everywhere
you went, including the visit to the World War Two museum. Before
entering the museum itself, visitors walked (or rather ate) through
a huge reception area featured prodigious amounts of Cajun shrimp,
oysters and fish along with wine.
Lastly, on Bourbon Street I consumed Linguine
Lafitte at the
Cajun Café while the Marriot Hotel served an awesome seafood
gumbo soup.
New Orleans was one big feast – just don’t go
there in the summer.
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Chip Faulkner
Associate Director |
