Statement concerning floor fees for LP National Conventions
Posted in Sound Off Soapbox by R Lee Wrights on February 4th, 2010 by Friends of the membership
We strongly oppose the imposition of a floor fee by the LNC for credentialing of national delegates. The By-laws and Convention Rules are quite clear in saying that delegates are chosen by the states and do not allow additional requirements to be added by the national party.
A floor fee will restrict the delegates’ participation in party business, hindering their ability to carry out their responsibilities to the state parties.
Given that the anticipated revenue from the floor fee amounts to only one percent of the LNC’s 2-year budget, it seems unreasonable that the LNC should be unable to earmark 1% of its annual budget to cover expenses for a required event.
If we allow the LNC to circumvent the By-laws and Convention Rules in this seemingly small regard, we may find it difficult to keep it from running roughshod over the By-laws in more controversial matters in the future.
The statement above has been endorsed by the following individuals:
George Phillies — candidate, LNC Chair
Carolyn Marbry — candidate, LNC Vice Chair
Rob Power — candidate, LNC Secretary
James Oaksun — candidate, LNC Treasurer
Mary Ruwart — candidate, At-Large
R. Lee Wrights — candidate, At-Large
Rachel Hawkridge — candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Michael Seebeck — candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Jake Porter — candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Scott Williamson — candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Charles Wilhoit — candidate, LNC Regional Alternate
Eva Kosinski — 2008 National Convention Team
D. Frank Robinson said,
February 4, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
A similar situation can occur at the State party level as well. The current officers of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party have chosen to bundle floor access or voting fees with food and speakers’ fees (with discounts for certain persons) for the April State Convention despite the Bylaws requiring that all fees be equal for all delegates. This type of exclusionary action must not stand at any level.
As Founding Chair of the Oklahoma Party I seeking election to the Chair once again to correct these practices.
Tony Wall said,
February 4, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
The Libertarian Party of Tennessee has never required a fee for participation in business. Over the past several years we have had a registration to cover lunch and snacks (never more than $30 which includes a nice lunch). We have exchanged volunteer services for those who couldn’t pay and offered reduced prices for students. Our state budget has a convention allowance which we try not to use so those funds can be be used for activist activities instead. No one has ever been turned away for an inability to pay nor has it ever been a mandate as it appears now at National.
In my opinion this is yet another tactic to mold the LP into an elitist Republican Lite Country Club who will never achieve substantial growth or electoral success. We’re not large enough to exclude anyone who shares our philosophy. Even if we were it would be un-libertarian.
Chuck Moulton said,
February 5, 2010 @ 1:13 am
I endorse the statement too — though I’m not a candidate for anything at this point.
LNC reps, candidates issue statement against convention floor fee | Independent Political Report said,
February 5, 2010 @ 3:07 am
[...] The entire statement is posted at Liberty For All. [...]
Darryl W. Perry said,
February 5, 2010 @ 6:21 am
I endorse this statement, too!
Bruce Cohen said,
February 5, 2010 @ 8:17 am
The same bunch of folks have been involved in organizing conventions that charged ‘floor fees’, no? Aren’t the ‘radicals’ running the LP of CA Convention, where they are charging $100? I’m so confused…
Rob Latham said,
February 5, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
I endorse the statement too, although I hasten to add that the LNC could impose a floor fee for members to participate in (non-presidential and -vice-presidential nominating) convention business, but the LNC currently lacks a bylaw authorizing the imposition of such a fee.