NTLC Protects Citizen Interests at State and Local Government Levels “All politics are local,” professed long-time Reagan era Speaker of the House the late Tip O’Neill (D-MA). And he was right—what happens at the local level influences the states and, ultimately, Washington, DC. NTLC has long been involved in local government battles and lawsuits that influence state capitals and Washington, DC. Issues in California include: Enforcing the property rights “promises” of the Southern California City of Escondido. A failed golf course with existing residential zoning was purchased by a developer. Some citizens petitioned to stop development, and the City Council concurred. In the face of the developer’s lawsuit, NTLC sided with citizens who put Measure “H” on the ballot to protect private property rights (per zoning) and to build homes generating property tax revenues for the City instead of costing the City and its taxpayers $100 million to compensate for lost property value.
A “bag tax” (they call it a “fee”) on grocery bags provided by local markets. NTLC has opposed this tax and is involved in a referendum to kill it.
Dennis Hollingsworth, former Republican leader in the California State Senate, is NTLC’s Executive Vice President and focuses on California state and local government issues and state projects.
Stopping the “bullet train” to nowhere in California, for which the funding and local support are entirely lacking.
Opposition to a “rent-seeking” bill by California pharmacists who are trying to prevent purchase of prescriptions out of state at lower cost.
Water legislation to “take” and subject to regulation, the subsurface waters which have always “run with the land” of California.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) imposition of “fees” on all alleged producers of “air pollution” under California’s AB-32 (global warming claims). NTLC is one of several parties plaintiff in Pacific Legal Foundation’s lawsuit declaring that the cap-and-trade (CARB) fees are taxes and are illegal because they were not passed by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature, as required by Proposition 13. We think we will prevail and protect all working Californians from huge – and totally unnecessary and preventable – increases in gasoline prices and home heating/air conditioning costs.
NTLC continues to fight for individuals, families, small businesses and all others who believe in our Founders’ concept of freedom.
Domestic Fossil Fuel Exploitation will Seed Rapid Economic Growth America sits atop the world’s most abundant supply of fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal—and the investment and jobs they will bring – if only we can restore common-sense policies that will allow us to exploit this opportunity for an economic renaissance in America. Recent declines in the price of oil per barrel have underscored that America can continue to produce oil profitably at or below the price that undermines our enemies around the world, including Russia and enemy Arab states.
Develop Natural Resources on Federal Lands to Pay Off National Debt Equally important is opening up federal lands and resources to development, as we have for past generations through homesteading, land grant colleges, railroad rights-of-way, etc. The proceeds of leases and royalties should be placed in a special fund dedicated exclusively to paying off the national debt and seeding private Social Security accounts for our grandchildren, leaving them wealthy, not debt-ridden. (See NTLC’s strategic plan for the US on page 18.) 4