Our current energy crisis is the result of a failed energy policy for the past 3 decades. Prices have risen by roughly 75 percent during Nancy Pelosi’s Speakership. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.07 and increasing daily.

There is no instant fix, but we must develop a comprehensive energy policy that is pro production, pro incentive and pro nuclear. Energy is a security issue as well as an economic issue. We must become independent from foreign dictators.

Pro Production: Increase production through increased exploration and investment in finding new oil fields. There are an estimated 75 billion barrels of oil in areas of the U.S., including offshore reserves and oil shale fields, where drilling is prohibited. Open new oil fields in areas where resources have already been identified; as Anwar, western North and South Dakota and eastern Montana and off the coast of Florida. Change federal law to give all states with offshore oil and gas, including Florida, the same share of federal royalties Wyoming gets for land-based resources (48%). Use closed military facilities as location for construction of oil refineries.

Pro Incentive: Use national tax policy and incentives to unleash the creative genius of America to find new solutions to the energy problem. Promote innovation in developing new technologies to promote conservation, the use of coal, (our most abundant energy source), and alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and bio-fuel. Make the solar power and wind power tax credits permanent to create a large scale industry dedicated to domestically produced renewable fuel. Use technology and innovation to develop new methods of energy conservation. Develop a tax credit for refitting existing coal plants. Use tax policy to promote the development of cars and trucks that get over a100 miles to the galleon.

Pro nuclear: I have lived less than 10 miles from the St. Lucie Nuclear power plant for almost 30 years. We must invest in 21^st century nuclear technology, just as France has done. Since 48 % of our national energy being consumed is used in homes and other buildings, we can reduce our need for foreign fuel significantly through the use of nuclear power.

I have signed Newt Gingrich’s Drill Now petition and would challenge Mr. Mahoney to sign Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s petition to begin drilling now.

Congressman Westmoreland’s petition can be located here.

Last night Representative Gayle Harrell’s experience and conservative principles shined as she won the Palms West Republican Club debate and defended her status as frontrunner and the clear choice for conservatives in August.

“Rep. Gayle Harrell emerged as a leader in last night’s debate. Gayle demonstrated her depth of knowledge on the issues, ability to articulate a positive message, and readiness to serve us on day one. I am proud to be among her strong supporters and there is no doubt that she can take the fight to Tim Mahoney in November,” said Maureen Whelihan, MD, the Secretary of the Palms West Republican Club.

Representative Harrell discussed her detailed plans to lower gas prices, reduce taxes, secure our borders and reform our health care system.

“One clear difference is on health care. Gayle has consistently supported patients and doctors in the state of Florida which is evident in her voting record and plans to take that knowledge to Washington to tackle what is one of our nation’s top domestic issues,” continued Dr. Whelihan, who is also the President-Elect of the Palm Beach County Medical Society.

Gayle Harrell, who is a candidate for Congress, received the highest marks of any area legislator for her strong support of Florida businesses.
“Gayle has and will continue to be a voice for all business, which is important in today’s economy.  I think she’s the one that will help get us back on track and get our economy creating good jobs again,” stated Whit Ward, President of Charlotte based Bonded Builders Home Warranty.

Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) this week released its annual Voting Records Report, a detailed analysis of member votes on issues and legislation impacting Florida’s economic climate, businesses and employers as compared to the 2008 AIF   Session Priorities.  AIF has been tracking legislative voting records on business issues longer than any other group in the state.

Be sure to check out Gayle on the campaign trail:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Highlands County Meet and Greet at Golf Hammock @ 3 PM

Enjoy coffee, desserts, and the opportunity to meet our next Congresswoman!

Martin County Federated Women’s Forum at the Finz Restaurant in Port Salerno @ 6 PM

Hear all three Republican candidates talk about the issues.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Florida Association of Physician Assistants @ 6:30 PM

Gayle gives a speech on health care policy.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Saint Lucie County Republican Club Meeting/Forum @ 7:00 PM

Hear all three Republican candidates talk about the issues.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_RVqC9ohGA 400 400]

In Case you Missed It…

Harrell calls Planned Parenthood ads against her a  badge of honor

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/19/rep-harrell-focus-ads-planned-parenthood/
By Jim Turner (Contact)
Originally published 07:30 a.m., May 19, 2008
Updated 07:30 a.m., May 19, 2008

State Rep. Gayle Harrell is proud to be the target of the Planned Parenthood Action Network.

The Stuart representative, who is running for Florida’s 16th District in Congress, is one of six state legislators who Planned Parenthood is campaigning against because of her vote in favor of a bill that would have required pregnant women to be shown ultrasounds of their fetus before undergoing an abortion.

Calling it a “badge of honor,” Anthony Bonna, Harrell’s interim campaign manager, said the ads only highlight the conservative and pro-life stances Harrell has taken in the state legislature and would continue in Congress.

“They know she is the biggest threat that the pro-abortion movement has faced in Florida’s 16th District,” Bonna said.

Harrell is going up against two other declared pro-life conservatives, Tom Rooney, an attorney from Tequesta, and Hal Valeche, a former Palm Beach Gardens councilor, in the Republican primary. The winner will take on incumbent Congressman Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens.

The bill (HB257) was approved by the House in the recent session, but died in the Senate.

Along with Harrell, Planned Parenthood is focused on Senators. Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach Gardens, and Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and Reps. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, Matt Hudson, R-Naples, and Darren Soto, D-Orlando.

All six are in campaigns this fall.

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This week, the Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates mailed flyers attacking Gayle Harrell for her strong pro-life stands in the legislature. The flyers are located below.

Planned Parenthood is doing this even though Rep. Harrell will NEVER cast another vote in the Florida legislature.

The reason they are attacking Gayle is because they know that she is running for congress and is the biggest threat that the pro-abortion movement has faced in this FL-16 since Roe V. Wade.

Your support is critical to winning this race and finally bringing the 16th district the pro-life representation it deserves.

Based on Rep. Harrell’s electability, her conservative record, and her strong pro-life stand, I hope you will help us defeat Tim Mahoney, one of the most beatable pro-choice incumbents in the country.

Please contribute here today.

The Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed House Memorial 1131, sponsored by Rep. Gayle Harrell, (R) Port St. Lucie.   By doing so, the House sent a strong message to the Congress of the United States, urging Congress to fully fund the implementation of the Indian River Lagoon South Restoration Project, the first phase of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), as authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.
The Indian River Lagoon is the most biologically diverse and unique estuary in the world as stated by the Smithsonian Institute.  The southern lagoon and its watershed have been negatively affected over the past 100 years by the construction of canals discharging directly into the lagoon, changed water flow patterns, and storm water runoff.

The Memorial urges Congress to provide its share of the funds to restore the southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary. Since the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 which established the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the State of Florida and South Florida Water Management District have invested over $2.3 billion dollars.  The federal government has provided only $365 million.  The Federal government needs to be a full partner in the restoration.

Martin County has also demonstrated its support, when local voters approved a special sales tax referendum which raised more than $50 million to assist in the purchase of the land necessary to implement the Indian River Lagoon Restoration Project.
“It is time that our Federal partners step up to the plate and fund their share of cleaning up the Indian River Lagoon and the Everglades.  The State of Florida continues to do its share,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell,  “we must have funding for this important project.”

 From the NRCC…     

Democrats Won’t Reveal Their Secret “Commonsense Plan” to Combat Rising Gas Prices
Two Years Later, Time Has Run Out for the Democrat-led Congress’ Endless Stream of Broken Promises

Gas price on January 4, 2007: $2.33
RECORD Gas price on April 23, 2008:  $3.53 

The “Pelosi Premium”: $1.20/gallon

Washington– Rep. Tim Mahoney and his Democrat leaders have failed to reveal their secret “commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices.”  In the face of a slowing economy and soaring cost of living, Mahoney and his fellow Democrats rejected a call to force Speaker Pelosi to tell the American people how she plans to relieve their pain at the pump.

Two years ago on the campaign trail, Democrat leaders made insistent promises to lower the cost of gas:

• Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Democrats have a plan to lower gas prices…” (Release, 4/18/06)

• Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices….”(Release, 4/24/06)

• Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD): “Democrats believe that we can do more for the American people who are struggling to deal with high gas prices….” (Release, 10/4/05)

• Democrat Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC): “House Democrats have a plan to help curb rising gas prices.” (Online Town Hall Meeting, 7/26/06)

Tim Mahoney voted in lock-step with his Democrat leadership to block a bill to force Speaker Pelosi to “reveal the ‘commonsense plan’ to lower gas prices [she] promised two years ago.” (House Roll Call 211)

“Contrary to their campaign promises, Democrats have done virtually everything they can do to raise the price of gasoline for U.S. drivers… and their plan has worked to perfection. The only question is why they aren’t doing more to take credit for the success of their plan?”  (Nashville City Paper, op-ed, 4/17/08)

“Americans are facing new record high gas prices every day, and Tim Mahoney and the Democrat-led Congress have done nothing to relieve the unbearable strain on Americans’ wallets,” said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain.  “While inaction might be the hallmark of this Democrat-led Congress, Tim Mahoney owes Florida voters an explanation as to why he has gone to such a great extent to ensure nothing gets done on this issue.”

Since January 4, 2007, when Nancy Pelosi became Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats took control of Congress, gas prices have risen by $1.20 per gallon.  In Florida alone, the “Pelosi Premium” has resulted in an additional $1.22 at the pump.     

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From the Palm Beach Post…
State Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Port St. Lucie, assured herself a spot on the ballot for Congress - and gained grass-roots bragging rights in her competitive primary - by collecting at least 4,794 signatures from voters in the district represented by freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney.

Harrell appears to be the only local congressional candidate to get on the ballot via the signature method. Other partisan candidates will have to pay a $9,912 filing fee next week.

…

“We truly feel that we’re the hardest-working grass-roots campaign in this race,” Harrell deputy campaign manager Anthony Bonna said. “We’re the only Republican campaign in this race ready to take on Tim Mahoney.”

Harrell used an 11,000-piece mailing and circulated petitions at events and in door-to-door canvassing to gather the signatures. The 4,794-signature figure derives from a state law requiring petitions from 1 percent of the voters who were registered in the district in the last general election.

Both of Harrell’s Republican primary rivals, attorney Rooney and former Palm Beach Gardens councilman Hal Valeche, collected signatures but fell short of the state requirement.

More here.

From TCPALM

State Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, has became the first to qualify in her race by collecting the required 4,794 signatures of registered voters from the eight counties in the 16th Congressional District.

“This was really the first test of grassroots campaigning,” said Anthony Bonna, Harrell’s deputy campaign manager. “It’s obviously going to take a lot of work to win this seat: mailing efforts, door-to-door efforts, going around to events, appealing to friends and neighbors. And this is the kind of grassroots operation that will bring us victory in November.”

More here.