February 2018 Issue

HENRICO REVIEW O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E H E N R I C O G O P F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views. – William F. Buckley, Jr. REAGAN DINNER 2018 IN THIS ISSUE Fed/State Update The above are just a few of the photos from our 2018 Reagan Dinner last week. We had a Future of GOP great turnout. Thank you so much to our many sponsors, to our attendees and to our Arts in Henrico speakers. We exceeded our fundraising goals and made a lot of new friends. The full list Local & State of our sponsors appears later in this issue. Strategies for 2018 We would also like to thank Ashley Cogbill of Le Vigne Photography for her splendid Reagan Dinner Success photographic work. We take pride in supporting local businesses like Ashley's. Upcoming Events fed/state update For too long, we have seen rogue district court judges -- recently, all Obama appointees, trying to preserve Obama-era policies by issuing country-wide injunctions to halt the implementation of laws and policies from the executive and legislative branches of government. In February, Congressman Dave Brat introduced H.R. 4927 to prevent these federal district judges from issuing country-wide injunctions. This legislation is essential to restore the federal separation of powers laid out in the Constitution. This blatant abuse of judicial power usurps the authority of the Supreme Court to make nationwide judicial decisions. More Americans need to be made aware that Congress has the power, under the Constitution, to restrain out-of-control judges and courts, and we need to start using that power. It is time we refreshed how we approach enrollment in Virginia’s two-year and four- year colleges so that we are better serving students to reduce the cost of higher education for families, help better prepare high school students for higher education, and reduce the time it takes to get a degree. To accomplish this, Sen. Dunnavant has proposed legislation that will (i) standardize core curriculum classes between all of Virginia’s community colleges so that classes and quality are uniform, and ensure that these core curriculum classes will be accepted by Virginia’s four-year universities, (ii) create a transfer portal that will make it easy for students to find the most efficient path to the degree or certification that they want, and (iii) develop a strategic financial plan for higher education to improve affordability, which will look at the total student cost for a degree including tuition, fees and debt, the total cost to the state in funding, capital improvements and financial aid, and degree success including successful employment and underemployment. Delegate Riley Ingram introduced HB 864, which does many things, including establishing notice provisions and required procedures to be followed in the case of escrow funds held by a real estate broker in the event of termination of a real estate purchase contract and new post-licensure curriculum requirements for new licensees of the Real Estate Board. The bill passed both houses of the General Assembly and awaits action by the Governor. We have had an incredibly successful first session in the General Assembly and are excited about some of the things we have gotten accomplished. Some of the highlights include (1) Passed a bill to create a veteran Indicator (ID) on Virginia Driver’s Licenses at no extra cost to our Virginia veterans. Instead of having to carry around their DD- 214 or a separate ID, our almost one million Virginia veterans will be able to prove their status easily with just their driver’s license (Note - The General Assembly has been trying to get this done for 10 years, and through teamwork we got this done in our first session); and (2) Passed out of the House a resolution to designate January 14th as Makar Sankranti in Virginia. It is the celebration that marks the beginning of the harvest season (similar to our Thanksgiving). Celebrations include a variety of spiritual and cultural programs, kite flying festivals, and feasts. We were honored to work with Henrico GOP’s own Bryan Horn and Dishant Shah to honor the culture of the growing Indian-American Community in Virginia. The Future of the Republican Party and the Rising Generation By Adam MacQueen, Contributor As young Millennials have aged, with growing responsibilities for home Without question, the demographics of ownership, families, health insurance America are changing, and the implications and paying higher taxes, economic of these changes to the future of the issues have become more important, Republican Party demand our attention. As along with a tendency toward fiscal the voting demographic in America becomes conservatism in their politics younger and more diverse, many are (Millennials: The Politically Unclaimed evaluating how the major political parties Generation, Reason-Rupe Spring 2014 will react to these changes. As younger Millennial Survey, The Reason Millennials mature and the rising Generation Foundation). Z reaches voting age, these groups are becoming an increasingly dominant political force we need to understand if we’re to maintain and grow the Republican brand. As conservatives who have traditionally struggled to appeal to younger generations, how can we adapt to these changes and grow our share of the electorate? Younger Millennials and Generation Z can provide the Republican Party fresh opportunities to capitalize on the values, interests and priorities of these maturing and new young voters. According to the Pew Research Center, The younger Generation Z is also Millennials (born between 1981 and 1997) are expressing a preference for fiscal now surpassing Baby Boomers as the largest conservatism, but for different reasons. generation in the electorate. Generation Z Author Selena Zito argues in a July (born after 1998) is already 22 percent of the 2017 New York Post piece, “Why the population and growing; the oldest are just Generation After Millennials Will Vote now turning voting age. Republican,” …that, having grown up in an era of rising global terrorism, school A review of recent research, polling and shootings, perpetual wars and the Great analysis reveals some important trends that Recession, this generation is security create opportunities for Republicans: and safety conscious and becoming “Millennials are more likely to identify as more fiscally cautious.” conservative than either Gen Xers or Baby Boomers were at the same age,” according to Zito points to the ethnic diversity of Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Generation Z as the reason for Diego State University, lead author on a moderating views on social issues. Gen paper in the journal Personality and Social Z (55% white) is the last majority white Psychology Bulletin (CNN.com, Sept. 7, 2016). generation in America. They are more The Future of the Republican Party and the Rising Generation (cont'd) characteristics of the rising generation of young voters, Republican leaders must likely than older generations “…to have social lend an attentive ear to the values, circles that include different ethnic groups, interests and beliefs of young voters and races and religions.” Author Ashley Stahl voters-to-be who are not only growing in (Forbes, August 2017, “Why Democrats political clout, but also will have an Should be Losing Sleep Over Generation Z”) increasing effect on the outcome of future cites a Center for Generational Kinetics study elections. Because younger Millennials and that demonstrates this generation’s Generation Z are less attracted to either propensity for fiscal responsibility. major political party, they represent a voting demographic that is reachable by Many in Generation Z plan “…to work during both. college, keep clear of any personal debt, and start saving for retirement,” with 12 percent The future of the Republican Party looks already beginning to save for retirement, 21 promising, provided we have the percent having had a savings account since wherewithal to adapt to America’s the age of ten, and 77 percent earning their changing demographics. How we choose to own spending money. define Republican and conservative will determine our share of this new electorate The Huffington Post’s Anne Loehr found and make inroads with, rather than turn that 75 percent of Gen Z supports marriage away, younger voters. The momentum, in equality; 76 percent are concerned about many respects, is in our favor. global warming. Regarding the political independence of members of Gen Z, the Reason-Rupe Survey found that “…34 percent of Millennials call themselves independent, over triple the rate About the Author among Americans over 30.” Adam MacQueen is a commercial real Author Jacqueline Howard (“Millennials estate analyst with a local commercial real More Conservative Than You May Think,” estate valuation and counseling firm. He CNN.com, September 7, 2016) cites David holds a degree in history from Bridgewater Hopkins, Assistant Professor of Political College, class of 2011. Science at Boston College, who suggests the reason behind the rejection of traditional political parties by younger voters may be due to the “…ideological polarization of elites…” having a “…measurable effect on the attitudes of young voters.” Although the Republican Party took control of both houses of Congress and the Presidency in the 2016 election, given the Arts in Henrico By Cindy Kinney, Contributor The artist members of the James River Art League dedicate this collection to the The Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen is men and women of The Greatest more than a venue for the Henrico GOP Generation: Everyday people who Reagan Dinner.

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