You have before you the live blog of the Libertarian National Committee meeting of January 8, 2023. This is a ‘special meeting’. The meeting will be followed by an Libertarian Party Executive Committee meeting, probably in large part in Executive Session.
Public comment included announcement of an LPPA yearly convention and advocacy of donating to the CRM fund.
Argument about discussing the Executive Director appointment first or last. This segment will be in Executive Session. Vote in the change of the agenda was 7-6 in favor, the chair voting. They are going into executive session.
They have emerged from Executive Session. Moved, McArdle, to approve the Executive Director’s contract. Roll Call vote. Motion passes 15-0-1 They hired Lainie Huston.
Awards Committee: No one wanted to speak for a candidate. Secretary moved a process for electing, which motion passed without without objection.
Motion for making changes in the Policy Manual. Secretary is discussing the proposed changes. Pantke: Moved to postpone to the next meeting. Duque seconds. Considerable discussion. Vote is 4-8-4. Motion to postpone fails. The Secretary reads a series of proposed minor clarifications and edited changes to the Policy Manual. No discussion. Vote 16-0-0.
Secretary moves to postpone the rest of the policy manual changes to the February meeting. Passes without objection.
Motion: Patrick Ford explains at length: To appropriate $10,000 for the Affiliate Support Committee with various subaccounts specified: Affiliate-in-a-box (includes physical product a binder with documents, and also a digital portion), plan for politely and professionally taking over public comments at a city council meeting, electronic outreach via social media with heavy coordination by staff, collaborative digital outreach for libertarian affiliates at colleges. McArdle Affiliate in a box needs to be much better than what we did previously. Spending this money limits what else we can do. McArdle lists a whole series of things that she would like to spend money on. Harlos advocates for expecting or requiring committees to raise their own money. Huston notes we have planned for a 1.7 million dollar budget. Hagopian: We can vote down the motion and still spend the money on this; if we pass it, we must spend the money as Ford proposed. Ford praises what past Affiliate Support Committees have done. He argues in favor of the motion. Duque: inclined to vote no because wants to leave staff in charge of administering the effort. Also, concerned that this effort will overlap with what other committees and projects are doing. Time has expired. Objection to motion to extend. They vote on a motion to extend. Yesses did not get 2/3. They go to a vote on the motion on the floor. Motion passes 9-5-2.
Antiwar rally in DC February 19. Opposes US involvement in the war on Ukraine. No Democrat or Republican speakers even if they are personally antiwar. Harlos speaks up for the strong linkage to the left. Bowen supports. Other members speak in favor. We would supply $1500. 17-0-0, the Chair voting.
Harlos: Move to adjourn.
We are jumping to Executive Committee in Executive session. Purpose: New Mexico and Massachusetts legal updates. This ends the live blog.
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It is noteworthy that the Chair spoke, the Secretary spoke a great deal, Mr. Duque spoke on occasion, Pat Ford spoke at great length on his motion, and various people spoke in favor of the antiwar demonstration, but other than that the Committee was mostly silent except when voting.
I am surprised that they continue to talk about Massachusetts, considering that Massachusetts disaffiliated and the LNC now has their preferred group as a state party. It seems time and money would be better spent doing things to advance liberty instead of worrying about former affiliates that are out working to advance liberty.
Thanks, as always, for the coverage.