YOUR MOST IMMEDIATE SOURCE OF CANDLEWICK LAKE NEWS, EVENTS, AND OPINION.
THIS SITE IS INDEPENDENT FROM THE CANDLEWICK LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Saturday, January 31, 2015

List of Board of Directors candidates

Since they are now published in our paper I feel free to list them.

Lennard Lund
Steve Lambright
Rich Witt
Jeff Lutzow
Don Parisi
myself

All but the top listed name are incumbents. Please be sure to read the candidate information in the paper to understand the priorities and thoughts of the candidates.

Ken

Finally set to go!

We have worked on the Rules and Regulations update for many months. First the old ones went to the department heads to ferret out any rules they felt made no sense and suggest additions that are necessary. Our G.M. went over these with the department heads to see if the changes were  logical. Next these were presented to the board of directors to go through page by page and make changes where necessary. This took a lot of time and meetings. Finally the document was sent to our attorney to be sure there were no conflicts with other documents as well as for his input. FINALLY we are ready to have the property owners take a look at the finished product and have their input before the final vote to adopt these. There will be some rules some P.O.s will not like and others will love. That is the way these things work. It is impossible to please everyone all the time. Please look at it as a whole for the benefit of all our residents. Click on the link below to peruse the new R&Rs and attend the meeting if possible.
Ken


http://www.candlewick-lake.org/document_category.asp?cat_id=24&name=Rules%20and%20Regulations


Town hall MeetingFebruary 21, 2015, 1:00 PM
Rec Center Lakeview Room
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION:
RULES AND REGULATIONS

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Avoid that citation

Candlewick Lake Public Safety
RESIDENTS OF CANDLEWICK LAKE
Snowmobile / ATV Reminder:
The Public Safety Department would like to remind our residents of the following rules regarding snowmobiles and ATVs:
Every snowmobile and ATV operating within the development must be registered at the Administration Office. A decal will be issued for display on the left side of the vehicle.
Snowmobiles and ATVs may only be operated on the frozen lake, a rider’s own property, and on road shoulders for ingress and egress purposed only (ATVs may not ride on the road shoulders). Snowmobiles must carry an identification flag displaying their current registration number.
The speed limit is 15 mph, 30 mph on the frozen lake.
Snowmobile and ATV operation is strictly at the “owner’s risk”!
Snowmobiles and ATVs are not to be driven closer than 50 feet from ice shelters or fishermen. Operation is not permitted on the dam or the golf course.
Snowmobiles may leave CWL through the gates, the ID flag may be dropped off at the gate and reclaimed when entering.
If you have an emergency or any unforeseen difficulty, please call Public Safety. We will do our best to help and summon any assistance as required.
THANK YOU AND PLEASE ENJOY OUR LAKE.
Chief Roland Wood

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Could be interesting

Obviously I don't agree with him on all positions but he has turned Wisconsin around. The link in the piece only takes you to his Governor site so nothing really new there. He is forming a committee to position him for a possible run for president. It will be interesting to watch. Will he have legs or will he flame out like so many when things really start to roll?
Ken


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Board term lengths

Initially it was believed all terms in the coming election were to be for three years. Our attorney has informed us we can set term lengths to avoid elections where there are too many seats opening at once. The current election will now have three terms of three years, one term of two years, and one term of one year. The highest vote totals will get the longest terms as was done in the past. This is a good thing. Next year there will be three seats up for election and that is manageable. Five is just too many at one time.
Ken

Monday, January 26, 2015

Weekly Public Safety report

Candlewick Lake Public Safety
WEEKLY REPORT
Week Ending 1/26/2015
Rescue Calls
Public Safety responded to five (5) medical calls this past week. All five subjects were transported to the hospital.
Barking Dog/Loose Dog
Public Safety responded to two (2) calls involving dogs running loose. One (1) dog was on the Dam barking. Officers were able to assist the property owner in removing the dog. Please pay attention to your pets and their outdoor activity. The frigid weather affects them also.
Residential Alarm
Public Safety responded to a residential alarm along with the BCSO. This alarm turned out to be false. The residential alarm itself appeared to be working fine.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Public Safety responded to a carbon monoxide alarm along with the Fire Department. The alarm was false. It’s a great idea to have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
Unwanted Subjects
The Public Safety Department assisted a resident in requesting two (2) subjects leave her residence. They promptly departed.
Lake Patrol
The Public Safety Lake Patrol has been on CWL again this past week. They have been picking up a great deal of trash being left on the Lake ice. If you are acquainted with any fishermen, please request they pick up after themselves. Thank you.
One last note: our Patrol Division has been issuing warning notices to residents for “trash cans being visible from the roadway”. Over 30 warnings have been issued. I suspect citations could soon follow. Please do not leave trash cans visible from the road after trash day. Thank you.
Citations Issued: 15Warnings Issued: 49

From Bloomberg... options for the feds to raise more money to pay for programs (excerpt)

What that tells us is that politicians will need to reach further down the income ladder in order to fund new spending -- indeed, to fund the spending we've already done, in the form of entitlement promises. Where will they go for that money?
Once you've hit your fiscal capacity to tax the rich,  a few big sources of tax revenue are left:
1) A value-added tax. Very efficient and generates a lot of money because evasion is very difficult; it is almost self-enforcing. It minimizes economic distortion, and what distortions it does introduce encourage savings over consumption. It is also highly regressive. So it's hard to see where the political support will come from: Progressives hate the regressivity, conservatives, the imposition of a large new tax that will squeeze a lot of money out of people.
2) Raising income taxes on the middle class. Also raises a lot of money -- the middle class mostly have salary income, and they don't have the ability of the wealthy to shift their income between, say, capital gains and ordinary income. This will raise a lot of money (note that the Bush tax cuts on the middle class, which were made permanent in 2010, cost about three times as much as those on the wealthy.) It will also rile many millions of people, who will make angry phone calls to their representatives.
3) Tax the savings of the middle class. This could take many forms: lowering the dollar value of an estate that is exempted from tax, eliminate the basis-step up that such estates currently enjoy, or start to pare back on tax-advantaged savings like Roth IRAs and 529 educational savings accounts.  (Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s already have their withdrawals taxed as ordinary income, which will make it harder for the government to claw back the tax benefit they've already extended without outright seizing the accounts.) This will also cause a mass freakout, but of a smaller number of people, since a surprising number of affluent people save very little of their income. 
The third option is the worst, from an economic point of view -- the last thing we want to do is discourage saving, given how little of it Americans do. On the other hand, it may be the most politically palatable.

One less in the running

 I had posted before we had seven candidates for the open board seats. One of the candidates has chosen to withdraw from the race. This is why I prefer not to publish names prior to them being published in our paper. One never knows when circumstances could change.
Ken

The frustrations of the candidacy

Our "meet the candidates" forum is February eighth. We are each given two minutes for an opening statement before the questions then one minute after the questions for a closing. It has been four years since I have participated in this. I had forgotten how short a time is two minutes.
 I sat in my office and typed out what I wanted to cover. Then I said it aloud. Several minutes later I was finished. I started striking out sentences... then more sentences. It feels like I am down to something like "HI, I am Ken!"
 Time is of course a factor and with all the candidates ninety minutes will fly by quickly so I get it. We can not be allowed to ramble on. Forgive me if I speak as if I am on speed during my scant two minutes and the last minute closing. It is what it is.
Ken

Sunday, January 25, 2015

A Sunday contemplation

(and we all get our share of rain)  Ken

Saturday, January 24, 2015

And the winner is...

First place and big fish winner of this tournament is Chuck Hart. Chris must have shown him some tricks.


Savannah Oaks... why the outsourcing


As I mentioned in an earlier post, Links Management will be handling the course maintenance starting the coming season. Why the switch?
 Your board has been working tirelessly to cut the losses from Savannah Oaks. Links Management is very familiar with our course and were involved in the inception. They have the equipment we do not have that is needed for maintenance. We have actually been renting some of their equipment in the past and the use of it will now be included in the package. Their people can also handle a lot of the repairs we could not do in-house. Their labor cost will be substantially less than ours. To put it simply we are projecting savings of forty to sixty thousand per year by this new contract.
 We were already taking a bite out of the losses and this will add to the gains. It is strictly a financial decision that should help our bottom line. The contract is for one year on the outset but hopefully this will work out well for both parties on a long term basis.
Ken

Friday, January 23, 2015

Too good not to share


Another free movie!



Ice fishing tournament tomorrow (Sat.)



 The next in the series of ice fishing tournaments will be held Saturday, January 24th. Meet at the marina to check in. Tournament hours 7 a.m. to noon.  Good luck!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

A smile sent from Larry Ohlendorf

Really funny to watch. Click the link below.   Ken

http://safeshare.tv/w/LxQvcdsoYs

Help our "buddies" find a new home!


Yeah, that will cure it... less fencing


 I am a Republican but I have to tell you I am an equal opportunity basher when these ridiculous ideas come to light. Spend the money and secure the border, IDIOTS!!!

The new border bills drafted by Republican leaders require the actual removal of at least 66 miles of weak border fencing between laborers in Mexico and employers in the United States.
The border bills also only require for the construction of 27 miles of effective double-layer fencing along the 2,000-mile border.
“It is a remarkable that the direction of our progress is going backwards, from a goal of building 700 miles of double-layer border fencing [in 2006] to only 27 miles [in 2015],” said a Hill staffer who opposes the leaders’ bills.
“Where the double-layer fence has been put in, it has worked spectacularly. The public is with us 80, 90 percent on this issue,” he added.
Extra fencing would be a waste of money, according to Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Please be careful

It is just a matter of time

A couple days ago I watched through our front windows as three people walked over right next to the spillway. I was just waiting for them to go through. If there is one weak spot in the ice it is there. They made it away safely but they were very lucky. It is probably twenty feet deep there. Imagine falling through then coming up a few feet away with solid ice above your head. That would be the end. It is a nightmare!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Personal notes from the board meeting of January 20, 2015



Attendance was light again, numbering 16.

Public forum consisted of statements requesting snow shoeing in Savannah Oaks, Vehicle parking, Rental caps & eliminating problem renters, Golf course losses and why can a restaurant not make it here.

AQUA reports they anticipate another main replacement project in 2015 as well as more meter replacements. Approximately 250 meters are expected to be replaced this year. Manhole replacement and lids will be a priority and they will attempt to work in conjunction with our roads program. Lift station one is expected to be upgraded also this year.

Lake management requests permission to install more lake structure for fish as has been done in the past using hardwoods and cinder blocks. They also offered to forgo fish stocking for a year if the board will keep the harvester in the budget. The board did keep the harvester in the budget and removed another smaller item to facilitate an abbreviated fish stocking in order not to skip a year of stocking. Permission was granted for mor fish structure placement as in the past.

Events reports Breakfast with Santa had 132 people and 57 children. I was a little surprised children are not people! Forty two tickets were purchased for the New Year's Eve celebration at the Rec Center.

Your Finance Commission reports the standing at the end of December is Operating cash of $150,350.94, Operating investments of $584,598.40, Road investments of $314,879.38, Reserve investments $3,429,493.97. Total investments $4,328,971.75 and Total cash of $4,479,322.69.
We are currently under budgeted expense by $171,353.44 and over revenue budget $100,482.07, meaning we are “to the good” by $271,835.51 to date.
Our monthly write-offs totaled $6,891.68. Mostly due to banks not being legally forced to pay more than six month's dues when a foreclosure takes place. Accounting adjustments are $375.00.

A resolution was passed to replace the office carpeting that is worn enough to become a tripping hazard. The carpet will be from Lonnie's Carpet Max with a cost of $10,161.00. This will come from replacement reserves so no affect on operating. It will be carpet tiles this time for easy repairs if an area is damaged in the future.

A resolution was passed outsourcing the maintenance of Savannah Oaks Golf Course to Links Management. This move was made strictly due to the board's ongoing effort to cut our operating losses at Savannah Oaks. This will initially be a one year agreement until we see how this works out for both parties.

There was a first reading of a policy establishing levying a fine to those who ask for a hearing on a citation then fail to show up for the hearing. We have costs involved bringing in the citation officer to testify and the rest of the P.O.'s should not have to bear the cost. This will be published then finalized at our next board meeting.

The Boone County Arts Council is requesting a donation of $5,00.00 to be part of the Concerts in the Park series as we have in the past. One of the concerts will be held here as always. It was passed.

Your board agreed to rent the closed Savannah Oaks club house for a bridal shower March 14, 2015.

Dandy Donuts submitted a basic proposal to operate the old Eagle's Nest as Dandy Donuts Lakeside Cafe. Obviously the board will need to have in depth discussions regarding this proposal before moving on it. These are fine people that already operate a very successful business so it could be another opportunity to try a different approach to the restaurant with abbreviated hours and a different style menu. As I said, this will take some legwork to see if it will be a go. Stay tuned! There will also be an article in the Candlewick Paper asking for other proposals even for different uses for the facility before a final decision is reached.

A Rules & Regulations meeting will be held in the Lakeside Room at the Rec Center February 21 at 1 p.m. to consider input from the P.O.s before the possible passages of the new R&Rs.


My personal notes with my comments in italics. Ken

Your weekly Public Safety report

Candlewick Lake Public Safety
WEEKLY REPORT
Week Ending 1/19/2015
Rescue CallsPublic Safety responded to six (6) medical calls this past week. Five subjects were transported to the hospital.
Barking Dog/Loose DogPublic Safety responded to two (2) calls involving dogs barking or dogs running loose. Please pay attention to your pets and their outdoor activity. The frigid weather affects them also.
Cars in DitchesPublic Safety responded to three (3) calls of a car in a ditch earlier this past week. There were no injuries. Please remember to slow down when driving on snow and ice.In two cases, landscaping needed to be repaired.
Welfare CheckPublic Safety responded to two (2) welfare check calls this past week. In both cases, a neighbor was concerned about a fellow neighbor. In both cases, the residents were fine. This is Community Policing at its best. People helping people!
Lake PatrolThe Public Safety Lake Patrol has been out on CWL a great deal this past week. A number of fishermen have been asked to leave the Lake and acquire CWL ID cards, fishing licenses and guest passes. All fishermen have been cooperative. Please remember to carry the aforementioned documents with you while enjoying CWL.
One last note: our Lake Patrol has been picking up trash and litter while on the Lake. We have been surprised at how much garbage has been left on the ice. Please do not leave trash on the ice, pick up after yourself. Citations will be issued for litter if we locate offenders.
Citations Issued: 8Warnings Issued: 3

WHAT!!!!!!!!! At the State of the Union?

From the Washington Times.....

President Obama’s list this year includes a doctor working to stop the spread of Ebola, union workers benefiting from a stronger economy, a victim of gun violence, a government worker freed in a prisoner exchange as part of the outreach to Cuba, and an illegal immigrant who has remained in the country under Mr. Obama’s temporary deportation amnesty.

(They will be special seating with Mrs. O'Bama.  Ken)

Monday, January 19, 2015

Monday levity from Dale Mediema

An Obituary printed in the London Times.....Absolutely Dead Brilliant!!

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;  
- Why the early bird gets the worm;  
- Life isn't always fair;  
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.  
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death,  
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,  
-by his wife, Discretion,  
-by his daughter, Responsibility,  
-and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;  
- I Know My Rights  
- I Want It Now  
- Someone Else Is To Blame  
- I'm A Victim  
- Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on.

Hottest meeting topics

 Again not a meeting with a lot of hot spots. Probably the items of most interest will be the decision to outsource the golf course maintenance and the letter of interest from Dandy Donuts regarding the now vacant restaurant space. No final decision will be made at the meeting about the restaurant. It is simply a discussion item.
Ken

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Your Sunday smile

The Atheist and the Bear

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. 'What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!', he said to himself. 
As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him. 
He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster. 
He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him.
At that instant the atheist cried out: 'Oh my God!...'
Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying:
'You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident.  Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?'
The atheist looked directly into the light.
'It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?'
'Very well, 'said the voice. The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed.could you make the BEAR a Christian?
And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke: 'Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful, Amen.'

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Board of Directors candidates



We now have seven candidates who have turned in their papers to run in the upcoming board election. I will not name them until they are published in the Candlewick Paper but rest assured there are enough candidates for the election with five seats available.
Ken

Friday, January 16, 2015

Next Tuesday's board meeting agenda



Did I tell you the one about two guys and a Gator?


Watch out for the green machine!
Lake Patrol wanted to use the Gator from Savannah Oaks to patrol the lake in the winter checking to be sure regulations are being followed and no trespassers are on the lake. Part of our budget this year is a small new winter shed for the Gator if the unit works well on the ice. In speaking with a couple of the officers using it Thursday they are very happy with it except for the steering and they believe it simply needs chains on the front to cure that. So far so good. Better coverage and a heck of a lot less walking for the officers. Good idea!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Tuesday's budget meeting

 
(Not our specific model)
We once again kicked around the budget for about an hour and a half. Most of it was set prior other than some smaller entries. The one big item was the weed harvester for the lake. As all of you know we are doing all in our power to keep our lake as clean as possible. The harvester is like a lawn mower for the lake. It can be set to a certain depth and it will mow the weeds then remove them from the lake so they do not fall to the bottom and turn into what is basically fertilizer for more weeds. I am not totally sold on this for a few reasons but our Lake Management Commission and Lake Biologist feel this will be a good move so we budgeted for it. More information will be obtained before making the purchase. 

 It appears there will need to be a small dues increase this year. There was only one small one during the last four years so we are doing all right. Your association's expenses go up just as your home costs rise so not much can be done.
Ken

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Possibly you already knew this

 It was news to me when I found out yesterday we are allowed to put the recyclables into plastic bags before putting them into the container for pick-up. I thought it all had to be loose but they will tear open the bags at the recycler. Using bags, even plastic store bags, will possibly help with the loose trash that seems to pop up by the roads after garbage day. Just a thought.
Ken

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Iowa Republican poll... and it begins for 2016


From the Washington Times


Ain't afraid of no ghosts!!! FREE!!


Your weekly Public Safety report

Candlewick Lake Public Safety
WEEKLY REPORT - Week ending 1/12/15

Rescue CallsPublic Safety responded to three (3) medical calls this past week. All subjects were transported to the hospital.
Barking Dog/Loose DogPublic Safety responded to six (6) calls involving dogs barking or dogs running loose. Please pay attention to your pets and their outdoor activity. The frigid weather affects them also.
SnowmobilingPublic Safety responded to two (2) snowmobiling complaints this past week. Please remember: snowmobiles are not allowed on the roads, parks or on common ground.
Cars in DitchesPublic Safety responded to ten (10) calls of a car in a ditch this past week. To the best of our knowledge, there were no injuries. Please remember to slow down when driving on snow and ice. I suspect it is possible; none of these vehicles were exceeding our posted 25 mph speed limit. It does not take much speed to lose control of your car in these conditions. Once your 4K lb. car goes into a ditch, it takes quite a bit to get it out.
Please slow down while driving through CWL this winter. Check your tire tread depth and tire pressure. Poor tire quality and low pressure contribute greatly to loss of control while driving on snow and ice.
Sledding on the DamPublic Safety asked several youths to leave the dam after they were found sledding from the top of the dam. Please remember: it is against the rules to sled from the dam.
Traffic AccidentPublic Safety responded to a traffic accident on Caledonia Road north of the Maintenance garage for a vehicle which had lost control and departed the roadway. The vehicle went through the fence and over two trees. Fortunately there were no injuries. I strongly suspect the occupants were wearing seatbelts. BCSO investigated this incident.
VandalismPublic Safety responded to a vandalism call in the 100 block of Queensbury Place. The house was unoccupied at the time. Please call Public Safety if you see anything suspicious
TrafficPublic Safety responded to a call of a vehicle leaving the roadway, entering a driveway, striking a boat trailer and landing in the front yard. Due to the snow, they could not get out. BCSO was summoned. Subsequent to an investigation, a DUI arrest was made. The arrestee was fortunate to have not been injured.
Citations Issued: 1

Warnings Issued: 3

Monday, January 12, 2015

Wednesday the 14th at 6 p.m.

 There will be a board workshop to discuss the proposed budget for the 2015/2016 fiscal year. The budget is pretty well set at this point so not many fireworks expected. If you are interested stop by the Rec Center Lakeview Room.

A Monday smile

Rich Witt sent this along and it made me smile on a busy morning. Read on...

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection
and trauma from complications from repeated pokes.

He was 71. 

Doughboy​ was buried in a lightly greased coffin.

Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects,
including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, 
the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, 
and Captain Crunch.

The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described

Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.
 

Born and bread in​ Minnesota,Doughboy rose quickly in show business,
but his later life was filled with turnovers.

He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough
on half- baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was
a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, three children: John
Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven.

He
 is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.The funeral was held at 3:50 
for about 20 minutes. If this made you smile, please rise to the occasion
and take time to pass it on and, share that smile with someone else that
may be having a crumby day and kneads a lift.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

And it comes home to roost!!!

 For a few years now Chris Pedschweit has been under the tutelage of some of the best fishermen at Candlewick. Saturday it paid off to the tune of $135.00 with him winning "Big Fish" as well as one other category. (I think it was most fish)
 It is great to see this fine young man take it from the old pros. Nice work Chris!
Ken

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Let's see if they actually do something with this. (From Politico)


House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) plans to bring up a bill next week to fund the Department of Homeland Security, and embedded in the text will probably be language to limit funding for carrying out Obama’s executive action, which changed the enforcement of immigration laws.
No final decisions have been made, and it’s not clear what language the GOP leadership will use. But Rules Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) said Wednesday that House Republicans are poised to use a measure written by Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) that would explicitly bar any funds — even those collected by fees — to be used to carry out Obama’s immigration actions.
Funding for DHS runs through Feb. 27. That Boehner (R-Ohio) and McCarthy are acting this early shows that they want time before the deadline to bring the bill up. Obama, of course, is nearly certain to veto any bill that limits his authority. Republicans are extraordinarily unlikely to let DHS funding lapse at the end of February.
“If the president were to shut down Homeland Security to get his narrow political objectives done, then I think the president’s making a big mistake,” Sessions said. He waved off a potential veto threat, stressing: “We are going to stick to our plan, and we believe it is wrong what the president has done.”
Republicans are also moving toward inserting language in the DHS bill to beef up border security. House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said Wednesday morning that he hopes to release text of the DHS funding bill on Friday.