Steven Latimer

This morning I attended the July coalition meeting of the Tuesday Morning Group, a project of host John Taylor's Virginia-centric Tertium Quids, a dynamic free-market public interest organization that seeks to enact a variety of meaningful, limited government reforms in Virginia.

Here's a rough synopsis of what took place:

First, John Taylor observed that because of a variety of factors, attendance at this month's coalition meeting would not be as high as usual -- indeed, only about 40 souls crowded into a meeting room in the Bull and Bear Club in downtown Richmond. Taylor took note that blogger Jim Bowden -- who was scheduled to speak to the coalition on why HB 6055 is bad -- was unable to join us due to a family emergency, but has agreed to present to the coalition at a future date. Presumably Morton Blackwell was planning to attend, but he had to go to the memorial service of former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, who died last week. Finally, Taylor took note that some regulars are on vacation. Taylor exclaimed:

We're going to have to cancel all vacations until the revolution's over!

Secondly, Taylor reported that when he spoke with newly minted Republican Party of Virginia chairman Jeff Frederick, Frederick said that he did not anticipate that Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw's bill to increase the gas tax would be supported. Taylor then assailed HB 6055, describing it as "3202 - part deux" -- a reference to last year's unpopular HB 3202, parts of which were unanimously declared unconstitutional by the Virginia Supreme Court. According to Taylor, HB 3202 allowed regional transportation authorities to levy taxes, whereas HB 6055 would allow municipalities to increase taxes. Taylor finished by referring to Republicans who support tax increases as "weak sisters."

Then Taylor turned it over to Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America. Pratt applauded the U.S. Supreme Court in the recent D.C. vs. Heller, which ruled that Washington D.C.'s ban on handguns violated the Second Amendment. Pratt predicts that those living in cities will benefit the most from the court's decision (since this seems to be where gun control is the strictest) and that the goal now is to get rid of licensing requirements -- in many jurisdictions, residents must obtain a license from their local government just to own a gun in their own home and that the local bureaucrats can capriciously deny requests.

Next, Norm Leahy trumpeted TQ's two new podcasts and announced that in a matter of weeks, Tertium Quids will be starting a weekly online radio show and that John Taylor has been selected to screen calls. (!)

Brian Gottstein of Tertium Quids said that the podcasts are frank, and provide useful information that you won't hear anywhere else.

Krystal Slivinksi rounded out the TQ bunch by giving a briefing on budget transparency in Virginia. She said that she has been meeting with legislators and that several Democrats and Republicans alike have expressed interest in pushing for greater budget transparency.

Delegate Sam Nixon predicted that the General Assembly's special session will end on July 9.

Finally, Keith Fimian gave an overview of his candidacy for the congressional seat being vacated by Tom Davis in Northern Virginia and told us what he's all about. I was very impressed by his maturity, public speaking skills, and clarity of thought. Fimian spoke passionately about his business background, economic views, and desire for energy independence. I think he'd make a fantastic Congressman!

The August meeting of the coalition is scheduled for August 12.