Our America Initiative

Redefining the liberty movement in America!

PROJECTS

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Promote Certification Alternative To Licensing

January, 2015 - Our America Initiative supports Representative Lesko's pending bill to allow entrepreneurs to get a private certification instead of a government license, thus promoting job-creating business formation.  Occupational licensing represents a growing government barrier to entering occupations.  While only 5% of workers needed a license in the 1950s, today about 30% of workers need one.  Of all the states smothered in such "red tape", Arizona requires licenses for 64 out of 102 occupations examined in an Institute for Justice study, more than all states but Louisiana.  Licensing costs the state an estimated $660 million in lost economic activity, according to the Goldwater Institute.  Of the occupations licensed in Arizona, 26 are also licensed in fewer than half of the other states.  On average, breaking into one of the 64 licensed occupations requires $455 in fees, 599 days lost to education and experience, and two exams.  Following the Goldwater Institute's proposal for reforming Arizona licensing could open career opportunities and reduce the cost of services without sacrificing consumer safety.  Stories abound about the failure of government regulation to protect consumers, so by ending reliance on government licensing customers would return to the more effective court system to iron out disputes or allegations of harm.  Thus, we ask supporters to email their state representatives and senators to "support the bill pending introduction by Representative Lesko to allow entrepreneurs to pursue private certifications instead of government licenses, to cut the cost while increasing choice and quality of services".  With your donation now and input from our Advisory Council on Over-Regulation, we could expand roll-backs of regulation through more of our fifty states.

The OUR America Initiative is a 501(c)(4) political advocacy committee and may receive unlimited donations from both individual and corporate donors. Contributions and gifts to Our America Initiative are not deductible for Federal income tax purposes Gary Johnson is not a current candidate for any federal  political office. Our America Initiative has a no refunds policy. 

State Director

Michael Iafrato

[email protected]

Outreach Coordinator 

Choose a School

September 2014 - Our America Initiative is a cosponsor of Arizona's Choose A School project, to match parents with quality school choice seats, scholarships and charter school wait-list.  If you would like to volunteer to advertise this project at upcoming school fairs, call centers, or with local leaders, please contact Arizona Our America Initiative director Liz Dreckman, at [email protected].  To further school choice in other states and nationally, your donation plus the work of Our America Initiative's Advisory Council on Educational Choices will help us expand school choice efforts into other states and nationally.

FDA Unapproved Drug Access

October, 2014 - Our America Initiative supports Proposition 303, to allow terminally ill patients to procure experimental drugs that have not completed the full Food and Drug Administration (FDA) trial process (but have been deemed safe by FDA).  By voting "yes" on Prop 303 to protect the health and safety of terminally ill patients, Arizonans would support the freedom of individuals to make their own health care decisions.  We are pleased to join a coalition of groups including Right to Try and Americans for Prosperity in supporting this important reform.  Click here to find out your voting location.  With your donation now and the input of our Advisory Council on Health Freedom, we could expand health freedom efforts through more of our fifty state affiliates. (Editor's note:  On November 4th this ballot initiative passed).

Pension Responsibility

October, 2014 -  Our America Initiative supports Americans for Prosperity's endorsement of City of Phoenix Proposition 487, to solve the City's nearly $1.5 billion unfunded pension liability problem by moving new employees to a plan similar to the 401k plans that are common in the private sector.   Prop 487 would fix the City's scandalous $190 million pension-spiking problem by limiting the excess pension benefits given to current employees. We are pleased to join a coalition of groups including Citizens for Pension Reform and Americans for Prosperity in supporting Prop 487  Click here to find out your voting location.  With your donation now and the input of our Advisory Council on Government Spending, we could expand budget control efforts through more of our fifty state affiliates. (Editor's note:  On November 4th this ballot initiative was defeated).