Update: Senate Bill 57 passed the state senate on 2nd reading - which means it's almost certainly on its way over to the House for debate. Today (very likely) is a big day for Colorado and the movement toward school financial transparency: Two major editorial endorsements, one news story, and an important debate on the floor of the state senate. Check it all out at the Colorado Spending Transparency blog. Update: You also can follow me (bendegrow) on Twitter. … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2009
The “Stimulus” Bill is Even Worse? Now is the Time to Speak Up Loud & Clear
Even the Congressional Budget Office recognizes that any small positive effect of the stimulus bill would be erased by long-term economic stagnation and debt. And that was the previous version of the legislation. As Joshua points out from the Wall Street Journal, the "compromise" version the House votes on today is even worse:The latest version of the economic-stimulus package is expected to provide less near-term support for the economy and make it less likely that the economy will pull itself out of recession before late this year. Meanwhile, Karen Hanretty (via Jon Henke) explains why Barack Obama and the Democrats are trying to speed this disaster through:President Obama is in a race against time. Because you don’t build … [Read more...]
Ryan Frazier Ekes Out Straw Poll Win, Weighs In on Marie Morrow Case
The Rocky Mountain Right straw poll for the Colorado GOP's 2010 U.S. Senate primary has concluded, and Aurora city councilman Ryan Frazier came out of nowhere to notch a narrow victory over former state legislative leader and current national committeeman Mark Hillman. (Bob Beauprez finished a distant third.) Either Frazier or Hillman would be an excellent candidate to represent the Republican Party next November. Speaking of Frazier, fellow RMA blogger Joshua Sharf reports on (and reprints) a letter the councilman wrote to Cherry Creek Schools superintendent Mary Chesley today, arguing for more lenient (and reasonable) treatment of Cherokee Trail High School senior Marie Morrow over the recent "zero-tolerance" expulsion outrage. … [Read more...]
March 1 at the Colorado State Capitol: Join the Rally for Personal Freedom
The newly-formed Gadsden Society of Colorado - so named for Colonel Christopher Gadsden who popularized the Revolutionary "Don't Tread On Me" flag - is hosting a "Rally for Personal Freedom" on Sunday, March 1, at the State Capitol in downtown Denver. Rising star and voice of liberty Ryan Frazier will be the keynote speaker. El Presidente has the details. Spread the word. Hope to see you there. … [Read more...]
Is Barack Obama for Transparency, Except As It Might Apply to Labor?
For all the serious disagreements I have with President Barack Obama over policy and philosophy, I have been pleased to hear him promote the idea of greater government transparency. That's something all citizens can rally behind, regardless of partisan affiliation. Only a few days into office, Obama sent out a memo to department heads about the Freedom of Information Act:A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency. As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote, "sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants."... All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in FOIA, and to usher in a new era of open Government. The presumption of … [Read more...]
Rocky Mtn News Reports: “Panel Votes to Ban Plastic Retail Bags”
And Colorado is a step closer to once again being safe for democracy:The bag ban was the brainchild of a teacher and a group of students at Kent Denver School, who approached lawmakers with their idea. Sen. Jennifer Veiga and Rep. Joe Miklosi, both Denver Democrats, agreed to sponsor the measure. Maybe we can poll some children for the best way to balance the budget, too. And maybe Senator Veiga and Representative Miklosi could help carry all those re-usable bags into Wal-Mart (oh wait, not that evil store where people can save money....) Because we know they don't want to create a renaissance of paper bags and destroy the forests. … [Read more...]
After Two Centuries: Reflecting on One of History’s Great Men, Abraham Lincoln
Update: Warner Todd Huston has a lengthier, more eloquent, and thoughtful piece up for your perusal. Today is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. And I'd be remiss not to acknowledge the moment. Ironically, even as we would honor the day of his birth, Lincoln himself would dismiss all inquiries about his youth and upbringing on the Frontier as "the short and simple annals of the poor". A man of rare ambition, savvy, and statesman-like vision, the colorful and quasi-religious mythology about our 16th President misses the mark, but not by as much as it would with most historical actors we can study. Outside the God-man Christ Jesus there have been no perfect men, no flawless or superhuman men, who have lived among us. But … [Read more...]
Markets Don’t Like What Obama and Dems Are Inflicting on Economy
Rossputin has the in-depth commentary on the markets' reaction to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and points to two polls showing the American people want more tax cuts, less federal spending. Are Colorado's U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall even paying attention? Polipundit has the telling visual about Geithner's negative impact on the markets. What's so funny? I guess you had to be there. Finally, Michael at Best Destiny says it's time to start tagging this as "the Reid/Pelosi/Obama economy". I agree: they can have it. If it only didn't hurt so many of the rest of us in the process. Things do look bleak - you can't blame investors for their reactions. The President isn't the Savior. Here's a start: sign the No … [Read more...]
A Timeout for Some Non-Partisan Props to Senate President Peter Groff
I'm a conservative and a partisan Republican. I offer up a lot of criticism here of Democrats - most of it well-deserved. But as this article that appeared yesterday in Colorado Senate News shows, if the Democrats have to be in charge, our state is well-blessed to have Peter Groff as senate president:"When the chips are down on issues like this one, you close ranks and move ahead with a common purpose," said Senate GOP leader Josh Penry. "I've found Peter's vision goes way beyond the usual partisanship, and his openness to some of our ideas on tax relief has made all the difference," Penry said of the Denver Democrat.... "Even though the distinction between the two parties has never been sharper on a wide range of policy issues, we also … [Read more...]
Jeffco GOP Unites Behind New Chair Don Ytterberg – Ready to Go Forward?
I was at the Jefferson County Republican Party Central Committee meeting this evening. Fortunately, there wasn't a lot of drama (but a wonderful deal of hot dog, chips, and bottled water for $2). Special guest speeches were made by state senate minority leader Josh Penry and Colorado GOP chairman Dick Wadhams. I was told the Arapahoe County GOP meeting was at the same time, which may have prevented us from being greeted by more ambitious politicos. Don Ytterberg was elected by acclamation to be the new chairman. Tina Francone was elected by acclamation to be the new secretary. The only contest was for vice-chair - as current vice-chair Art Onweller lost to outgoing chair Renee Nelson. God bless her, Renee has been a fantastic leader for … [Read more...]