This may not be of interest to all my readers, but check out a new Colorado education blog with some diverse viewpoints and provocative thinking: Head First’s Schools for Tomorrow. And tell them Ben sent you.

Mike Littwin’s Saturday column for the Rocky Mountain News highlights the tenuous ground occupied by supporters of the governor’s official endorsement of the $1.7 billion+ property tax increase. Their best argument apparently is that some opponents mistakenly voted for a similar proposal three years earlier.

Meanwhile, Littwin typifies the rhetorical distortions made by the tax-and-spend crowd. (I omitted the partisan cheapshots that are standard fare for Littwin columns and not to be taken seriously, anyway. Instead, I wish to tackle some of the subtle and salient points about the issue itself that readers are supposed to accept at face value.)

1. The use of the term “property-tax freeze,” as though the change in law were going to stem declining tax revenues, is faulty. (The same error of terminology appeared in the Sunday perspective piece of the Denver Post‘s less partisan, and usually more responsible, Fred Brown.)

My recent report for the Independence Institute debunks the fallacy of declining revenues. Meanwhile, nothing about taxes is being frozen when the new law is estimated to bring in more than $1.7 billion in new revenue over the next decade. The term “property tax-rate freeze” would be closer to precision, though not quite there. Proponents are finding it difficult to scratch around for a term that doesn’t reveal the law actually increases taxes.

2. Then there’s this:

In any case, [State Senator Steve] Johnson doesn’t oppose the bill in theory. But he says TABOR requires it to go before the people for a vote.

There’s an answer for that – coming from House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

“It already did,” he says. “It did 175 times.”

And that’s without rounding up.

“In 175 of 178 schools districts, the people voted and said yes,” Romanoff says of districts that have voted to de-Bruce. “I’m not sure what part of the word yes Republicans don’t understand. Maybe they want a different answer. Maybe they want to keep voting until the voters say no.”

I guess you can’t blame the columnist for not reading the attorney general’s opinion that offers a clear and formidable argument against this facile and dubious claim, but Speaker Romanoff has had formal legal education. He should at least be willing to take on the argument.

It speaks volumes that Governor Bill Ritter and his merry band of tax-hike apologists would rather ignore the argument. They have to stake their ground on the claim that the 175 elections approved years ago by local voters for various local priorities gives the legislature and governor pre-approved, carte blanche authority to drastically change the property tax scheme for the purported rescue of a bloated state budget. Otherwise, it becomes transparent that they have arrogantly spat in taxpayers’ faces (which is why the Independence Institute is leading the charge to organize a lawsuit on behalf of the taxpayers).

And they’d still like to win elections, you know, even if it means keeping voters in the dark.

Is the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) a victim of its own salary-negotiating success? Why does the union that represents teachers in Denver Public Schools (DPS) not want to embrace how well it has done to increase compensation for its rank-and-file?

Because it’s time for DCTA to negotiate for even more money. As the Rocky Mountain News editors highlight today, the district’s teachers have not been shortchanged nearly as much as some have touted:

The district’s figures show a cumulative salary increase of more than 21 percent for teachers who will have worked for DPS for four years, from 2004-05 to 2007-08. To be blunt, that has come in part at the expense of other DPS unions (who have received 11.5 percent) and school principals and other administrators (8.4 percent).

Moreover, total teacher compensation has grown more than half again as fast as district revenues. Even the least financially sophisticated advocate has to recognize that as a recipe for long-term disaster.

But my question is this: What happened to the reform-minded DCTA that has worked so hard to help the district implement performance-based pay in ProComp? How hard are union officials pushing the rank-and-file to sign up for the innovative compensation system – which rewards teachers for taking on challenging assignments and raising student achievement?

I’m not going to defend all the actions of DPS administrators and bureaucrats, because they are far from perfect. But in this case, DCTA shouldn’t sell the students short of badly-needed reform. Nor should its leaders shy away from touting past successes.

Update: Yes, he’s in.  Key graf:

The race is on.

It looks like some of us – me included – jumped the gun on the Bob Schaffer announcement that he would be joining the U.S. Senate race for Colorado’s open seat in 2008. For reasons I explained in my previous post (as well as others), I’ve had a good sense that this announcement was inevitable. It’s just been a matter of timing. And the Coloradoan reports that Schaffer is expected to make an official announcement tonight at the Boulder County Lincoln Day Dinner.

And now the (not-so) serious debate begins: which is a better place to unveil your run for the Senate: Boulder County or Teller County? And why?

As usual, one of my favorite teacher friends – Michael at Best Destiny – makes some excellent big picture points about the state of public education, teachers unions, and the hard-working people in the classrooms. His post is a thoughtful follow-up to the story of the unsurprisingly biased Rocky Mountain High School (Fort Collins) math test reported at Face the State and covered here.

One point Michael makes is one I don’t make enough but needs to sink home with some:

The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, that, contrary to popular belief, teachers are not all Democrats. It has been my experience, having worked in 23 schools in my career (yes, I have an odd job description), that there are vastly more Republicans in the education profession than the general public believes there are, or than get represented by their unions’ activities….

The point is, and I have said it before, that when you talk in dismissive terms of “education”, please try, somehow, to draw a distinction between teachers’ unions–the heart and soul of Big Education–and teachers themselves. The former is one of the greatest impediments to properly educating our children; the latter are (largely) smart, dedicated, and creative servants of the public good.

(more…)

According to one Fort Collins high school math teacher, you can’t believe anything I say. If his opinion doesn’t bother you, then go ahead and read. My Independence Institute colleague Amy Oliver helped to uncover the story of the slanted Rocky Mountain High School math exam, which is covered this morning at Face the State:

RMHS is part of the Poudre School District; its teachers are members of the Poudre Education Association (PEA). The Colorado Supreme Court recently announced that it will hear arguments alleging that the PEA illegally campaigned for democrat candidate for state senate, Bob Bacon.

Faithful readers of this site may know something about that issue. For a refresher, here’s an op-ed I wrote last July after the state court of appeals found the PEA and Colorado Education Association had committed several election law violations. Here’s a key excerpt:

In essence, [Democrat Senator Bob] Bacon skirted campaign finance restrictions by outsourcing the costly services of volunteer recruitment and literature distribution to CEA and PEA. The CEA dispatched then-employee Ryan Wulff from CEA headquarters to Fort Collins in August 2004 to organize volunteers and to perform other duties to help elect Bacon. Records indicate that Wulff and Bacon had regular conversations about campaign activities.

Most significantly, Wulff and other union officials orchestrated the disbursement of thousands of Bacon for Senate leaflets at two October 2004 events: the “Great Pumpkin Rally” and “Halloween Hike.” The candidate personally attended both events and thanked the volunteers, which included non-PEA members.

At the Great Pumpkin Rally, volunteers received targeted lists of voter households and went out to knock on doors. If no one was at home, PEA’s instructions urged volunteers to write a message as from the candidate himself: “Sorry I missed you! Bob Bacon.” If asked questions, volunteers were instructed to say that Bacon himself would come by later to answer them.

PEA’s written instructions implied that important voter information was shared between PEA and the Bacon campaign.

In today’s Fort Collins Coloradoan, RMHS principal Tom Lopez has sought to explain away the recent math test revelation – saying there was a second version of the test that described Democrats as “liars.” There are several problems with this assertion:

1. No one has come forward with the alleged second version of the test.

2. In a previous recorded interview on the topic, the principal never mentioned the second version.

3. The teacher in question – identified by 850 KOA host Mike Rosen as Brian Mierzwa – is himself a registered Democrat voter, according to Face the State’s research.

Besides, would it really be better to impugn the integrity of voters registered with both political parties? From the RMHS point of view, yes – they can write it off as a case of general political cynicism rather than a case of blatant partisanship. The only thing is there’s no proof of the second exam. So in light of the already politically heated atmosphere in Fort Collins – thanks to the exposed activities of the teachers union – the explanation too closely resembles a convenient excuse.

Though not as dramatic in many ways, this case is somewhat reminiscent of last year’s Jay Bennish saga. The “pay no attention to us, leave us alone” attitude of some in the education establishment is further proof for the need to expand the power of parents and education consumers through greater choice and competition.

Colorado taxpayers should remember yesterday – May 9. Governor Bill Ritter signed S.B. 199, which includes a huge property tax increase. He refused to ask for a vote of the people. He stuck a finger in your eye. Have we so soon forgotten Referendum C? It’s little more than arrogance, sheer arrogance, my friends.

More:

- Rocky Mountain News: “Plain and simple, TABOR says all tax increases have to go before a vote of the people,” Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, said in a release Wednesday.

“Those in charge at the Capitol very easily could have asked first before hiking property taxes,” said Caldara.

“Instead, they’ve thumbed their noses at the voters and the constitution.”

- Colorado Senate News: “It’s not clear if our new governor is more naive or stubborn in pushing ahead with this thing,” said Senate GOP leader Andy McElhany. “He is asking taxpayers for $1.7 billion over the next 10 years, only, he’s not asking for their permission.”

- Denver Post: Dick Wadhams, head of the state Republican Party, said GOP candidates will use the issue in the 2008 elections.

- Grand Junction Sentinel: Jon Caldara, president of the conservative Independence Institute think tank, told the Associated Press he plans to mount a constitutional challenge to the governor’s mill-levy freeze. He said Senate Bill 199 should go to voters under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

“This is basically fiscal date rape,” Caldara said. “This is about asking the people first.”

- Pueblo Chieftain: “This has absolutely nothing to do with the money, it has to do with asking voters before a tax increase,” Caldara said. “That’s the insult here. The idea that the state’s going to get $1.7 billion in the next decade without asking first is just an absolute affront to the citizens of Colorado.”

- Colorado Springs Gazette: What is unknown is what will happen to $41 million in new revenue that is not earmarked yet. The entire package soon may be targeted by a lawsuit from critics who say the bill is illegal.

Also, look for more at the Independence Institute website.

This development, reported today in the Rocky Mountain News, was a matter of inevitability. (Disclosure: As an Independence Institute employee, I knew the story was coming. Even if I weren’t, I would be convinced the course of action was necessary, but a result of regrettable circumstances.) Yes, the time has come to sue.

Even Governor Bill Ritter and the Democrats who arrogantly violated the state constitution and foisted the property tax increase on the people of Colorado had to know they’d be facing legal action. Of course, when liberal officials want to enact liberal policies in Colorado, they gladly prefer to face the courts rather than the people. As The Colorado Index frequently reminds us, the legal system works for Democratic interests.

My guess is the Dems didn’t want to face the people because they had a good clue that voters would reject the tax increase. The more they learn about the bill, soon to be signed by Ritter – such as, the money raised in the name of “the children” has no guarantee of going to fund schools or that the initial 10-year tax revenue increase projections of $1.74 billion figure to be low – the less they will like it. (On a side note, I’m sure they’re not too fond every time bloggers like me remind you about the inconvenient facts.)

Colorado taxpayers, don’t be overcome by anger. Just remember what happens when the Democrat Party is the majority at the State Capitol, learn what you can do to change that fact, and be prepared to take action in 2008.

Once again, the Post‘s David Harsanyi brings an important case to light. In today’s column, he highlights the case of Phil Mitchell, a veteran instructor at the University of Colorado who was recently fired. For having views or professional practices like Ward Churchill? Hardly. Mitchell is a conservative Christian who claims he was set up. (Disclosure: Though I’ve never met Mitchell, we have mutual friends.)

To his credit, Harsanyi presents the case in a fair and balanced manner:

Mitchell can relay stories of the nasty anti-Christian bigotry he’s experienced on campus. I suspect that bias is very real. But those are the hard knocks of free speech. The question is: Do those incidents mean there is a conspiracy to remove him from CU? It may be convenient for conservatives to say yes. But we don’t really know.

Brown, a trusted figure in this state, however, can investigate this case and answer that question.

If he fails to do so, questions about the seriousness of CU’s diversity effort will again linger.

I don’t know nearly enough about the particulars to suggest whether or not there may have been a conspiracy. But the track record of how conservatives have been treated in American public universities suggests CU would be much better off giving Mitchell’s case thorough, careful public treatment than trying to quietly sweep everything under the rug.

Ahh… what a breath of Colorado fresh air! The state legislature is out of session for the time being, which means taxpayers will be spared further damage for awhile. There’s not much to congratulate the majority Democrats for this time, except two things:

1. The legislature dismissed early, saving thousands of taxpayer dollars.
2. The overall hit taxpayers and businesses will take from the session’s legislation will be bad, but it could have been worse.

I’m enjoying it while it lasts, but with rumors swirling that Governor Ritter will call a special session in which a bill mandating collective bargaining for public employees will be introduced, the extra dose of freedom may be short-lived.

Face the State is on top of a story about public education agency fiscal mismanagement that I’ve personally been aware of for some time. I urge you to read the story and ask yourself several questions:

- Is Centennial BOCES an isolated case or symptomatic of a larger trend?

- Why do some in power in the local education establishment strenuously resist real financial oversight and accountability?

- Why are taxpayers constantly begged for more funds for the school system, yet struggle to find a clear, careful, and comprehensible accounting of how all public funds are spent? (Have you ever requested a copy of your local school district’s budget and financial statements to review?)

- Shouldn’t we encourage the State Auditor and/or the State Board of Education to undertake a formal audit of Centennial BOCES?

Let me make something clear: the overwhelming majority of people who work in public school administration are decent and well-intentioned. And some local school districts and other agencies have many good internal financial controls. But state policy makers can do a lot more to ensure fair and sensible policies that create real financial accountability and transparency.

It’s an issue of empowering parents and taxpayers, and instilling confidence in them that the schools to which so many have entrusted their children are spending money wisely and efficiently.

Tune into the Independence Institute’s iVoices.org to hear my interview with Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, as he explains why his office filed a formal opinion this week that Governor Bill Ritter and the Democrat-led state legislature needed to submit their property tax increase proposal to a vote of the people.

As Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, stated to his Democratic colleagues supporting the tax increase: “The inconvenient truth is TABOR.” A narrow majority of the legislature ignored the inconvenient truth, arrogantly passing the tax hike. The governor is sure to sign it into law.

And because of TABOR, some kind of a taxpayer lawsuit against the abuse of legislative power seems almost inevitable. I think it’s most telling that the Democrats are more confident in finding support for their tax-and-spend policies from the courts than from the people.

Former U.S. Congressman Bob Schaffer, overwhelming winner of last month’s Mount Virtus Republican straw poll, dropped the news at last week’s Teller County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner: he will be running against Mark Udall for Wayne Allard’s open U.S. Senate seat. Schaffer’s decision shows me at least a couple things:

1) He has cleared the primary field of any potential opponents and received assurances of support from most or all of the Republican players.
2) Internal polling gives him a respectable chance to defeat Udall next November.

Expect a formal announcement soon.

More than a month after Colorado’s Face the State launched onto the Internet map with its exposure of a hateful, anti-charter school email by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, the well-trafficked pioneer site WorldNetDaily recounts the story to its vast conservative audience. To the chagrin of the education status quo defenders at the Colorado State Capitol, this story continues to have good traction.

Kudos, Face the State!

The Post‘s David Harsanyi hit another homerun today, assailing Governor Ritter and most Democrats in the state legislature for shoving a tax increase down the voters’ throats. Here’s a taste of the brilliant, sharp analysis:

Ritter claims he was elected to solve problems. And by “solve problems,” politicians mean spending more money. In this case, Ritter says the funds are needed to help cash-starved schools – despite evidence that offering blank checks to wasteful school bureaucracies does not help children. But let’s consider for a moment that the governor is right.

Why is Ritter so terrified of bringing such a no-brainer to the people?

The governor is no dope.

Maybe he feels that Coloradans have heard one too many apocalyptic tales. I mean, how many looming tragedies can we take?

And as this week’s debate in the Senate highlighted, nothing in the bill – just a few empty promises – assures anyone that the state dollars freed up by raising local property taxes will be spent on public schools or will be used to “rescue” the State Education Fund. It’s basically a blank check for legislators to spend on top of an already record $18 billion budget. But “it’s for the children….”

Puh-lease. After you’ve read Harsanyi’s column, if your blood pressure can still take hearing more, I invite you to tune in to Independent Thinking (KBDI 12) this Friday, 8:30 PM, repeated Sunday at 11:30 AM – with host Jon Caldara and Deputy Attorney General Jason Dunn and some other guy as guests.
Also check out Vince Carroll’s explanation of how Colorado Democrats may have inflicted serious, long-term political damage on themselves.