Local representatives update civic leaders

U.S. Congressman Devin Nunes charged Friday that President Barack Obama and his administration have lied regarding the Sept. 11 attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya that left four Americans dead, including the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens.

Nunes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, made his comments during a Legislative Update by Tulare County’s three election representatives.

Along with Nunes (R-Tulare), also speaking were Assembly Member Connie Conway, (R-Tulare) and State Sen. Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield).

 More than 150 civic leaders from throughout the county turned out Friday morning in Tulare to get updates from the three.

“I’m upset that politicians have sent the intelligence community under the bus,” Nunes charge, saying members of the committee were informed within 12 hours that the attack on the Benghazi consulate was a planned act of terrorism by an organized group.

The Obama administration maintained for nearly two weeks that the violence was a result of a spontaneous demonstration over a 12-minute YouTube video insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

“We should not have an administration lying about it,” he said.

The Libya incident was one of several topics touched upon by the three Republicans.
Conway, head of the GOP in the Assembly, said Proposition 30 on the Nov. 6 ballot will not solve the state’s fiscal woes. The measure was put on the ballot by Gov. Jerry Brown and it would increase the sales tax and taxes on those who make more than $250,000.

“Not one cent will go to the classroom,” charged Conway to an obviously receptive audience.

She said the money generated by the measure will only go to pay down debt — money the state took from schools.

“They’re lying where taxes will go,” she said of it hitting those who make $250,000 or more, which she said was about 2.7 million people including many business owners.

Fuller said the state’s biggest problem is spending more than it receives in income.

“The problem is pure and simple — over spending.”

She said last year the Democrats put $4 billion into the budget to spend, knowing the state would never have that money. She noted the current budget includes income from Prop. 30, even though it has not been passed by the voters.

“If it doesn’t pass, we’ll hopefully sit down and come up with a realistic budget,” she said.

The event was co-sponsored by the chambers of commerce in the county.