LPNOVA Bylaws

Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia
We, The Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia (LPNOVA), do here by take up the charge to affect a change, through peaceable measures, in the governing bodies that affect our lives. We commit ourselves to working toward a smaller, less intrusive government. We will promote personal freedom and property rights. Through peaceful assembly, education of the public and politicians, and running candidates for local, state, and federal offices, we will maintain a visible presence in the Northern Virginia area.

“Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.”—Thomas Jefferson


BYLAWS
1. Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia (LPNOVA) Membership
1.1 Members of LPNOVA will be dues paying members of both the national and Virginia libertarian parties.
1.2 Members will complete the LPNOVA membership form.
1.3 Members will reside in the counties of Fairfax, Prince William, or Arlington, or the cities of Falls Church, Fairfax or Alexandria.
2. Board of LPNOVA
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2.1 LPNOVA shall be governed by an elected board. Members of the board will be elected by majority vote at the LPNOVA convention to be held in the last week of November each year.
2.2 Members seeking positions on the governing board will be dues paying members of both the national and Virginia Libertarian Parties. These members should be in good standing with LPNOVA and have attended at least two thirds of monthly board meetings in the year which the wish to run for office.
2.3 The governing board shall consist of five positions; Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and one At Large member.
2.3.1 The Chairman will run the day to day operations of LPNOVA. He will set the agenda for the year to come. At the monthly board meeting he will be granted one votes.
2.3.2 The Vice Chairman will stand in for the Chairman in his absence. He will supervise the advisory committees. He will have one vote at monthly board meeting.
2.3.3 The Treasurer will keep records of fundraising and expenses for all party functions, and file reports as required by local, state, or Federal law. He will receive one vote at the monthly board meeting.
2.3.4 The Secretary will keep minutes of board meetings and file any reports required of LPNOVA by local, state, or Federal law. He will receive one vote at monthly board meetings.
2.3.5 The At Large member will serve as liaison to the members of LPNOVA. He will be given one vote at monthly board meetings.
2.4 In the event that a board member must vacate or is removed from his post, a new officer will be appointed by the remaining board members. If the chairman must vacate his post, the vice chair will become the chairman and the board will appoint a new vice chairman.
2.5 An officer of the governing board may be removed if he is deemed to be no longer affective in his position. A two thirds vote of members at the meeting where a motion for removal is passed will be required to remove an officer.
2.6 The governing board will meet once a month to assess and set goals, vote on issues relevant to LPNOVA and address issues brought forward from advisory committees. Members will be welcome at all board meetings and are encouraged to participate.
3 Advisory Committees
3.1 As membership allows, advisory committees will be created by the governing board. These committees will inform the board on issues pertaining to local, state, and federal governing bodies.
3.2 Committee chairs will be appointed by the governing board.
4 LPNOVA Convention
4.1 The LPNOVA convention will be held in the last week of November every year.
4.2 The convention will elect new board members by majority vote.
4.3 LPNOVA will solicit, from its members, candidates for elected office in the following year.
4.3.1 Those that wish to be considered for office must be dues paying members of both the national and Virginia Libertarian parties.
4.3.2 If more than one person would like to run for the same position, the LPNOVA candidate will be decided by majority vote.
4.4 Amendments to the LPNOVA Bylaws may be proposed at the convention.
4.4.1 Amendments may only be sponsored by LPNOVA members in good standing (those that have attended one half of monthly board meetings and are dues paying members of both the national and Virginia Libertarian parties).
4.4.2 Amendments will be passed when approved by two thirds of the LPNOVA membership.
5 Governing Law
5.1 LPNOVA will be subject to the bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Virginia, the laws of the commonwealth of Virginia, and all federal laws pertaining to the formation of a political party and the governing there forth.



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Virginia Transportation

Transportation Solution
A letter to the Virginia legislature by Matthew D Helm

On the cusp of a recession, Virginians face a crisis that threatens to grind the state to a halt. Runaway inflation, a down housing market, and low consumer confidence affect the incomes of individuals, businesses, and the government. Soon the budget for transportation will dry up and Virginia will be faced with the decision to tighten her belt or raise taxes to provide necessary money for maintenance and to start new projects.

The simple solution is always the same; raise taxes. The only major disagreement between republicans and democrats is where the taxes will be imposed. However, when logic is applied to our current situation, higher taxes are the last thing consumers and businesses need. Raising costs is not the way to stimulate growth. It’s time to think outside the box.

If we cannot afford to maintain existing roads, then we certainly should not be spending money on new projects that will also need maintenance in the future. Adjusting for inflation, the six cent tax increase on already suffocating gas prices will not be enough in a few years. Raising the sales tax in northern Virginia and Hampton Roads will not provide the necessary revenues if consumers continue to spend less money and charging homeowners more money to sell their homes won’t fix the housing market. Tolls on new roads, however, may be a step in the right direction.

The solution as I see it is a simple one: Allow private companies to provide many of the new roads needed. The majority of the current transportation budget can then be used for maintenance on existing roads. Any surplus in the budget can then be used to start new projects. Private corporations should then be allowed to “pick up the slack.”

Northern Virginians have a perfect example in our own back yard; The Dulles Greenway. The owners of the Greenway, TRIP II, bought land from its owners at market price, built the road using conventional financing, and maintain the road at their expense. The state troopers patrolling the Greenway are paid for by TRIP II with no expense to the tax payer, and the moneys provided from their efforts goes to the state. The best news is that it produces revenue for the state (3.1 million in real estate taxes alone in 2007).

Allowing the market to decide whether the roads are needed is another benefit. This will cut down on unnecessary maintenance to justify bloated budgets. It will ease traffic congestion on some roads, and create new job opportunities throughout the state.

I ask the legislature to act responsibly and think outside of the “raise taxes box.” Give corporations the chance to thrive in Virginia. Give consumers a choice in their commute. Allow the people to keep more of the money they work hard to bring home. Governor Kaine has said, "Adult leadership means taking adult responsibility to solve challenges.” Let’s do just that.

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