December 23 2013 Omnibit Trivia by William W. Lawrence Sr.
Day: December 23, 2013
Christmas Tea Party Looms
The Independence Hall Tea Party Association will host its 5th Annual Christmas Tea Party, 6-8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27 at The Omni Hotel, 401 Chestnut St., Philadelphia says Teri Adams of the Association. 
WPHT host Dom Giordano will reprise his role as Dr. Benjamin Rush in a re-enactment of the original Philadelphia Tea Party that occurred Dec. 27, 1773.
Also in attendence will be Dr. Alieta Eck and Anna Little.
Dr. Eck is a former president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and the founder of the Zarephath Health Center. She was a Republican primary candidate in 2013 special election to fill the New Jersey U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Frank Lautenberg.
The primary was won by Steve Lonegan who would go on to lose to Democrat Cory Booker in the Oct. 16 general election.
Anna Little is an attorney fluent in three languages and is the former mayor of Highland, N.J.
If attendees are lucky they will get a chance to hear Ms. Little sing.
The Independence Hall Foundation will present its 2013 Patriot of the Year, Legislator of the Year, and Franklin Award for Courageous Journalism at the event, which features a cash bar, plenty of appetizers, and great company!
Guests may park at the Independence Visitors Center Garage, 21 South 5th St. for $5 (after 5 p.m.).
Registration is required and can be done here.
Christmas Tea Party Looms
Bills Give Pa Less Representation
The Pennsylvania House, Dec. 17 passed bills calling for state constitutional amendments that would significantly cut the size of the state legislature, reports state Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)
House Bill 1234 begins the process of cutting the House from 203 to 153 members and passed 148 to 50 with all but five of the nays being Democrats.
House Bill 1716 begins the process of cutting the size of the Senate from 50 to 38 members. The vote was 148 to 48. All but five of the nays were Democrats.
The only Delaware County rep that was a nay on both bills was Democrat Greg Vitali (R-166) albeit Democrat Thaddeus Kirkland of the 159th District was a nay on the bill to cut the size of the House.
Way to be a profile in courage Thaddeus.
The claim is that cutting the number of legislatures will save money. Of course, cutting their salaries, expensive accounts, pensions and health benefits would also save money and their doesn’t seem to be a push in that direction.
What the bills actually do is cut representation and make getting re-elected easier.
These proposed constitutional amendments now go to the state senate.
Article XI, Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states such amendments must pass two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly, and then be placed on the ballot as referendum questions to be approved or disapproved by the voters. If the amendments are approved in total, they would take effect with the first session of the General Assembly that begins after the 2020 census and subsequent reapportionment.
Bills Give Pa Less Representation