So today the AFL-CIO has officially threatened Governor Bill Ritter with throwing its weight around to move the Democratic National Convention from Denver, just because the Governor vetoed HB 1072. A bill Ritter once described as "not a big deal" is certainly much more than that to labor union leaders. Here is the statement in full: AFL-CIO Executive Council Statement March 8, 2007 Las Vegas, NV COLORADO’S WORKING FAMILIES For a decade, working families in Colorado have fought to build a stronger, more unified labor movement and create a more balanced political and economic environment – an environment responsive to working people’s needs and concerns. This extraordinary effort has produced significant progress and … [Read more...]
Search Results for: 1072
HB 1072 Veto “Politically Smart”
You can say that again. Frankly, Governor Ritter was left with little choice - nix the labor bill or flush away much of the rest of his agenda. Give him credit: Ritter shrewdly has taken everyone by surprise with his fatherly veto of HB 1072 ("now, now, labor & business ... you two need to stop bickering and get along"). Meanwhile, as the Lefties at SquareState are wetting themselves in anger ("What's the matter with you, Ritter? We were trying to show all the little people out there that we're on their side. After all, we know what's best for them... mushy-minded, socialist groupthink, and nannyist State worship"), a good-natured squabble ensues on the Right to take credit for the defensive victory. As the author of this little … [Read more...]
Lefties and HB 1072: They Just Don’t Get It
The collectivist gang at SquareState doesn't get it, but what's new? HB 1072 a victory for workers? Are they serious? I shouldn't be terribly surprised that they don't know the difference between union bosses and the rank and file. People like this commenter are living in another century: I think some of the "business community" may overestimate how in touch they are with the mainstream of Colorado. Having a very public fight where the Republicans play their traditional role of standing up for the big guy, while Democrats slug it out for the little guy, can only help the Democrats. Just look at the Republicans put up amendment after amendment that are obviously designed to screw the union in any way possible, from full blown "right to … [Read more...]
Six Ways To Be More Mindful In All Areas Of Life
Being mindful is something that more of us could certainly benefit from in all areas of life including at home and work. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment and enjoying that, rather than worrying about everything else that may or may not happen (especially if there is nothing you can do about it either way). It can take some time to get used to being mindful, but there are specific practices that will help you along your mindfulness journey. Here are some ideas about bringing mindfulness into all areas of your life, even if those areas are normally stressful ones. Meditation If you find trying to fit meditation time into an already busy day difficult, then try to break it down into much smaller chunks of time. … [Read more...]
Reminder: Call Congress Today to Oppose H.R. 3962 Obama Care
I was planning to post a notice today about the need to take action against the Pelosi version of Obama Care. And today is the time to do it! But being busy, I got permission to paste this email (with a couple slight tweaks) from a friend:Hello to all! If you want tax dollars funding abortions and for medical coverage to become less available, now is the time to do nothing! The house version of the health care "reform" bill will come up for a vote tomorrow (Saturday). … [Read more...]
Is Bill Ritter’s SB 180 Veto a Dare to Big Labor to Challenge His Office?
Update, 9:30 AM: AFL-CIO press release in response to Ritter's SB 180 veto pasted below the fold. Also, Amy Oliver notes that several legislators from northern Colorado went against the will of the people in voting for SB 180 -- having benefited from thousands in labor campaign contributions. Yesterday I gave Governor Bill Ritter kudos for the veto of SB 180. Today's Denver Post follow-up by Lynn Bartels is headlined with the statement that Rep. Edward Casso and organized labor interests see the decision as a "tipping point". It could be my imagination, but I got the impression from reading the story that Ritter essentially is saying something like this to the unions:So yeah, I have this penchant of making a wide spectrum of different … [Read more...]
Western Slope Pressure Heightens Bill Ritter’s Bad Policy SB 180 Dilemma
As the Grand Junction Sentinel reports today, the day of reckoning draws closer for Colorado Governor Bill Ritter to decide on the bad policy that is SB 180 -- a costly favor to Big Labor. The Sentinel today also editorializes strongly against SB 180 -- using many of the same arguments I've brought forward before, and even one I haven't really emphasized:Strikes would be prohibited under the legislation, but there are no sanctions listed in the bill for those who violate the provision. Now it would seem that Bill Ritter has an opportunity to start mending fences with folks on the Western Slope, where his popularity is low and heckling is a common greeting for him, by vetoing SB 180. He could listen to Grand Junction mayor Bruce Hill, … [Read more...]
Senate Bill 180: Another Big Labor Veto Dilemma for Vulnerable Bill Ritter
Two years ago Governor Bill Ritter came right out of the gate and ran smack into a tough veto choice that caused friction with his Big Labor supporters. Ritter made up for the nixing of House Bill 1072 later in 2007 with an executive order giving union organizers a gold-plated invitation into Colorado state government. Now, to some extent, history is replaying itself. As the Denver Post's John Ingold reports, the choice Bill Ritter is confronted with now is whether to sign or veto the bad policy that is Senate Bill 180. The bogus argument used for SB 180 -- which narrowly passed the Democrat-controlled legislature -- is that firefighters need greater union bargaining rights to ensure they get needed safety equipment. … [Read more...]
Colorado Supreme Court: Unions Get a Pass from Electioneering Laws
Are Coloradans awakened yet to the union takeover of Colorado? On this site, I've covered Big Labor's controlling influence on the legislature (last year's House Bill 1072) and on Gov. Bill Ritter (union "partnership" executive order, anyone?). One that hasn't received as much play is the unions' controlling influence on the Colorado Supreme Court. What, you say? There's hardly any other way to explain the Court's 5-2 ruling yesterday that the teachers union is exempt from certain campaign finance restrictions in the state constitution. … [Read more...]
Promote Worker Freedom for Colorado: Yes on Amendment 47
The Denver Post reports that the petition to bring Right-to-Work to Colorado has been certified for the November 2008 ballot. I laid out my case for supporting this idea a couple weeks ago. The specter of Right-to-Work was raised after a heated fight over House Bill 1072 early in 2007 - Gov. Bill Ritter shrewdly vetoed the Big Labor-sponsored legislation in hopes of restoring peace and order. But even last June, labor groups were working behind the scenes to forestall a possible Right-to-Work initiative. Two months later supporters introduced the initiative, leading us to today's certification - following the collection of well more than the required 67,000 signatures. But Right-to-Work (now known as Amendment 47) might not have … [Read more...]