Despite the best efforts of Colorado statehouse Democrats to turn around and point the fingers at the e-e-e-eeevil Amazon.com, they (with the exception of Sen. Gail Schwarz) are all responsible for paying no heed to the warnings and ultimately killing many small Colorado Internet businesses.

Speaking of difficulty in taking responsibility, WhoSaidYouSaid has posted a YouTube video of Democrat state senate leader John Morse going ballistic at Amazon. Sadly, for the overwhelming majority of people whose businesses have been affected, this just doesn’t ring true.

Turning in his Kindle for an iPad is John Morse’s prerogative. But venting at a business for following through on a rational decision caused by his own vote won’t ease the pain of Colorado’s Amazon affiliates. Although it might inspire a few to volunteer on behalf of John Morse’s Republican opponent Owen Hill. (more…)

Update, 3/2: Good news: HB 1248 is dead as a doornail. Three Democrats — Daniel Kagan, Su Ryden, and Sal Pace — crossed the aisle to help Republicans vote down the bill.

Update, 1:15 PM: Walter in Denver effectively takes down HB 1248 — a bad bill for Colorado’s small business women — here and here.

This one may be a bit off topic for me, but it does have to do with potential overreach by the Colorado state legislature. It strikes home because the lovely Mrs. Virtus sells Mary Kay products as a business to supplement our household income.

Representative Dianne Primavera’s House Bill 1248, scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee this afternoon, is an overreach that would have unnecessary negative effects on small businesses in our state. A lot more detail is available on The Winged Seed blog, which agrees it’s time to nip the bill in the bud.

If you are so inclined to follow her lead, the lovely Mrs. Virtus sent an email to members of the House Judiciary Committee on Friday (email addresses of the committee members are posted below): (more…)

Nine days ago I pointed out the number of vulnerable Colorado state house Democrats who voted to push through the “Dirty Dozen” tax hikes. Today it was the state senate’s turn. Based on my recent projections, much of the voting activity makes sense.

Take a quick look at today’s Senate Journal, and what do you see? All Senate Republicans unanimously voted against each and every one of the tax hikes. Hooray for them. Too bad the Democrats have the majority and were able to pass all nine bills with either 18 (the bare minimum) or 19 votes.

One Democrat running in a vulnerable seat voted No on all nine tax hike bills, giving her a singular distinction among the entire house and senate majority caucus: Sen. Gail Schwarz. You think this is motivated by anything but genuine political fear? I wonder what the Dems’ polling is showing them about Senate District 5. But with 21 Democratic senators, her vote was a throwaway. (more…)

Todd Engdahl at Ed News Colorado reported Friday on two educational tax credit bills (HB 1295 and HB 1296) being introduced in the legislature, and closed with this comment:

While the proposals could make for interesting debate, they’re expected to fail for three reasons: 1) Democrats control the legislature, 2) the education lobby, and 3) most lawmakers don’t want to fiddle with school finance or tax credits when the state budget is in the tank. [emphasis added]

The first two reasons are rather straightforward. Of course, Democrats don’t want to devolve power from the education establishment. And of course, the iron triangle of CEA, CASE and CASB would oppose the slightest effort to grant authentic private school choice to taxpaying Colorado parents. (more…)

At this point, ramming through the Dirty Dozen tax hikes has Colorado Democrats in such political hot water, why not just go ahead and swim in it? That must be the reasoning behind the effort to make things even worse by changing the temporary tax hikes into permanent tax hikes.

It used to be about half the bills would eventually reduce the respective tax rates to their current level. Not anymore:

Republicans believe that Democrats are using the current budget crisis as an excuse to permanently raise taxes on Colorado families and businesses. “If the tax increases are only meant to help the state fill the budget gap, as Democrats claim, then why aren’t we making them all temporary?” asked Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield.

Then there’s HB 1193 in particular. As Rossputin points out, Colorado Democrats are going to drive Overstock.com’s affiliate program out of the state with this legislation. That is, unless they regain their senses first. As I noted before, HB 1193 passed the state house by the narrowest of margins (33-32), with Democrat Wes McKinley as the deciding vote.

Will the majority party in our state senate wise up, are they just simply Stuck on Stupid? Many of these bills will end up in conference committee, which will just increase the harsh glare of public scrutiny on the Democrats’ bad policy and terrible politics. Sayonara.

Update, 2/2: Americans for Tax Reform links back here. They have taken a real interest in “educating all those voting in the districts represented by the aforementioned lawmakers as to how they voted on this tax package during the 2010 campaign season.” ATR’s help is much appreciated.

Saturday I highlighted the Democratic House seats in the Colorado state legislature most vulnerable in the upcoming election. Today the House voted (with a 37-27-1 Democratic majority) to approve eight of the “dirty dozen” tax hike bills on: Direct mail (1189); Candy and soft drinks (1191); Software downloads (1192); Online sales (1193); “Non-essential” food containers (1194); Insecticides, pesticides and bull semen (1195); Alternative fuel vehicles (1196); Corporate net operating losses (1199).

When push comes to shove, I can give a pass on HB 1196. As for the other seven, it’s interesting to see which Democrats exhibited momentary symptoms of common sense and voted No … and which Democrats did not. Among those who voted Yes on every one of the tax increases: (more…)

Update: I’m not a big fan of the tax credits and exemptions per se. Some represent better policy than others. I would love to see a legislator propose an amendment that one or more of the tax credit revocations be offset by a general reduction to make it revenue-neutral. But since the Democrats’ motivation with these “dirty dozen” bills is about scratching together more funds to help backfill the state budget, and not about creating a more equitable tax system with a minimal shared burden by businesses and consumers, I don’t see the idea going anywhere.

And that doesn’t even bring us to the whole legal question of whether some or all of these bills violate TABOR in the state constitution because they raise taxes without a vote of the people.

Most of the dirty dozen tax hikes will be heard today in committee, reports the Denver Post’s Tim Hoover:

But [Democratic Sen. Moe] Keller said lawmakers already have cut a property-tax break for seniors, higher education, public schools, programs for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill, and Medicaid payments.

“They’ve all done their part,” Keller said. “The business community can take a hit, too.”

That’s my retiring state senator. Except what happens when tax exemptions are revoked: Is it just the “business community” that is hit?

On Monday, the commerce and industry association released the results of a survey that showed 72 percent of companies polled said they would halt or delay business expansions if four specific tax incentives were eliminated. Meanwhile, 55.2 percent of the companies said they would cut workers’ wages, and 50 percent said they would lay off workers if the tax breaks were eliminated.

All of which holds back economic growth, and cuts into future tax revenue. No one says there are easy answers for everyone involved. But aren’t there some other cost-cutting reforms Colorado can try first?

The article’s headline reads “Industries, lobbyists sour on proposals to curb Colo. tax breaks” — but I have a feeling the Democrats running the show at the State Capitol may hear fairly loudly from some regular small business owners and other taxpaying citizens, too.

Thanks to the Democrats in the state legislature, a new tire-waste disposal fee isn’t good enough: You’re also getting taxed on the fee! Yes, that’s right. Check out the new report created by my Independence Institute colleague Todd Shepherd:

Imagine paying for your new car tags, and the person behind the counter also assesses a sales tax on your total tag price. Or imagine paying a government toll on a highway, and sales tax is assessed to the toll as well.

It may sound far-fetched, but when you purchase new tires, it’s happening. (more…)

I’m excited to be able to share the news that conservative Republican Libby Szabo — one of my favorite people — has announced she is running to be my next state representative. She will be a formidable challenger to incumbent Democrat and Ritter disciple Sara Gagliardi in a very winnable race.

Below the fold is a copy of Libby’s press release announcing her campaign: (more…)

(H/T Complete Colorado) The new Colorado News Agency gets the scoop and breaks down the details on a series of bills and debates that will make one of the hottest stories out of the legislative session this year: the proposed repeals of late fees in Governor Bill Ritter and the Democrats’ 2009 FASTER legislation. Pardon the pun, but the state’s fiscally conservative bloggers definitely need to get up to speed on this issue… and fast.

Writing for the Washington Examiner, Michael Barone makes an astute historical observation:

It’s time to blow the whistle on two erroneous statements that opponents and proponents of the health care legislation being jammed through Congress have been making. Republicans have been saying that never before has Congress passed such an unpopular bill with such important ramifications by such a narrow majority. Barack Obama has been saying that passage of the bill will mean that the health care issue will be settled once and for all.

The Republicans and Obama are both wrong. But perhaps they can be forgiven because the precedent for Congress passing an unpopular bill is an old one, and the issue it addressed has long been settled, though not by the legislation in question.

That legislation was the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854….

(more…)

Harry Reid says he has 60 votes to pass the Obama Care monstrosity — Is he telling the truth? We’ll see. But if it wasn’t a given before, then passing this bill means Colorado will spend most of 2010 preparing to say “good-bye” to the short-lived disastrous Senate term of Michael Bennet.

As Red State reports, three key procedural votes remain:

• Early Monday morning to end debate on a “manager’s package” of amendments (383 pages being read and live-blogged by RMA’s Don Johnson, if you want to see some of what’s being shoved down our throats)
• Tuesday to end debate on Reid’s health care proposal as amended by the “manager’s package”
• Wednesday for final passage of Obama Care in the U.S. Senate

So speak up. Go here to take action and send an email to all your elected Representatives in Congress. Here’s what I sent — part automated Freedom Works message, and part Mount Virtus on a righteous rant: (more…)

One of the most tireless conservative grassroots organizers I know today received a small but certainly plum reward for his hard work. I’m talking about Matt Arnold from Clear the Bench Colorado, and the plug he received in a Valerie Richardson Washington Times article about another controversial Colorado Supreme Court decision: (more…)

No politics today, nothing that juicy or intriguing to break the fast on the eve of Thanksgiving. If you’re bored over the holiday and looking for some amusing reading — especially if you’re looking to stage a new play or produce a new movie — then check out the two-act script I completed earlier this year titled Al Gansee: The Shot Heard ‘Round Cambria.

The synopsis will give you the flavor:

In the early 1960s, a tiny Midwestern farm community has been transformed into a Marxist workers’ paradise upon the return of a charismatic native son and his Russian KGB companion. Now leading a Socialist Union that bears his name, Chief Comrade Al Gansee confronts the desire for territorial expansion and transmission of his ideals. Gansee, his wife Mary Beth, his KGB “left-hand man”, a 10-year-old Amish pyromaniac girl and the rest of the eccentric band of modern-day utopians march off to the Battle of Cambria and an infamous gunshot that promises to transform the lives of its participants and the once sleepy community for years to come.

So without further ado, here is Al Gansee: The Shot Heard ‘Round Cambria in its entirety (as always, for easy reading, click “Fullscreen” to begin): (more…)

The exciting opportunity for a Republican pickup in Senate District 16 with a departing incumbent Democrat Dan Gibbs has taken some interesting turns in the past week. State senate minority leader Josh Penry’s most highly touted replacement was Cheri Gerou. But the HD 25 representative told me today her current seat is “where I plan to stay.” So count out Gerou.

Then there’s Ali Hasan who, while refuting my initial speculations that he might contend, had suggested Jeffco GOP chair Don Ytterberg as a great candidate. However, Ytterberg says he has no desire to take another shot at SD 16 and is dedicated to his current work. “I made the commitment to work for the success of our party and I will do that to the best of my ability,” he said.

But as of today the Republican Party finally has an Evergreen businessman willing to jump in and battle for the open SD 16 seat. No, not that Evergreen businessman, the one who has expressed a firm commitment to the governor’s race and was left out of the crafting of the unity “Prosperity Platform.” (more…)

For the first time in quite awhile, the Rocky Mountain Alliance has started to grow again. We have two new members who represent excellent additions. I invite you to check them out and add them to your regular blog reading (if you haven’t already):

• The Business Word by Don Johnson has become a must-read for anyone seeking coverage of the unfolding major Republican primary races in Colorado, with great analysis and interviews
• Michelle Morin is a leader in the Teller County Tea Party movement Coalition for a Conservative Majority in Colorado Springs, and her site Mom 4 Freedom has been a leading Colorado-based voice in the fight against Obama Care and other proposed costly government intrusions into our freedom

The Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0 is proud to welcome both Don and Michelle aboard!

This morning I had the opportunity to follow up on this week’s Colorado political bombshell with the man at the center of the storm: state senate minority leader Josh Penry, of whom word leaked Monday that he had decided to withdraw from the Republican primary campaign for governor.

As a personal supporter of Penry’s candidacy and seeing evidence of his tremendous support among Colorado’s grassroots Republicans, I was greatly shocked and disappointed. In fact, it’s safe to say I’m still reeling from the revelation. Anyway, without further ado, here’s a quick recap of my interview this morning (please note that the following is somewhat excerpted and a close paraphrase rather than a direct quote): (more…)

The Tea Party Express rolls into Denver today for a 5 PM Election Day 2009 rally featuring Joe The Plumber. Angry about the Pelosi-Obama health care monstrosity? Fed up with the billions in “stimulus” money that’s done so little for jobs and the economy?

Here’s your chance to show your support for limited government, liberty and fiscal responsibility:

Date/Time:

Tuesday, November 3rd at 5:00 pm

Rally Location:
Civic Center – Greek Theater
100 W 14th Ave
Denver, CO 80204

As Joshua points out, today is a busy day of important elections (not to mention the school board election here in Jefferson County) here in Colorado and back East. If you are able to vote in one of these important races (or know someone who is) and haven’t yet, there’s no time to delay further.

A new story from the files of government authority run amok…

Following shortly on the heels of the Michigan woman harassed by social services for watching some neighbor kids before they catch the school bus, comes a doozy from Nevada. Vin Suprynowicz recounts the story of Delinda Epstein’s costly brush with the County Transportation Authority when she tried to make private arrangements to drive someone to the airport.

Read this story and ask yourself: Is it anything but common sense to insist on limiting the size and scope of government?

A lot of people are looking at the Virginia governor’s race — or even the New York 23 race — as a belwether of conservative, limited government political sentiment and activism going into the 2010 midterm elections.

Me? I’m looking at a ballot initiative in Maine that would institute tax and spending limits similar to those in Colorado. As Question 4 trails in the polls, citizen activists have uncovered opponents using legislative resources to promote pay-to-play scheme. Enough to turn the tide? Perhaps, but not likely given conventional political wisdom.

But what might be interesting to see is if the 2009 version generates any late momentum or outperforms the 2006 Maine Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, that lost 54-46. It might offer us a hint of how much staying power there is to the Tea Party movement. In the meantime, you can watch former Colorado Commissioner of Education William Moloney quickly debunking the myth that TABOR has destroyed the schools in our state: (more…)