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Fairness and Integrity: Flunking the Test in Fort Collins

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 … [Read more...]

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Great Reminders about Education

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 … [Read more...]

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Bill Ritter, AFL-CIO, and HB 1072: Deal Broken?

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...]

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The Tax-and-Spend Ritter Chronicles: K-12 Education

Our Democrat Governor Bill Ritter announced today to Colorado homeowners: "No tax cut for you!" The Governor's plan is to freeze a scheduled cut in property tax rates so he can increase funding for K-12 education - already the richest, healthiest part of the state budget. The proposed funding increase (part of Senate Bill 199, this year's School Finance legislation) is primarily designed to create more full-day kindergarten and preschool slots. According to the reliable source of Colorado Senate News, Republican Senator Josh Penry correctly identified the move as a "tax increase," while Assistant Senate Minority Leader Nancy Spence rightly questioned the "one-size-fits-all approach" that trumps the Democrats' conveniently played "local … [Read more...]

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March Madness: Big Government Style

As college basketball fever sweeps the land today (have you filled out your brackets yet?), let's not forget another type of March Madness: the ability of taxpayer-funded lobbyists to treat our elected officials to luxury box suites and high-priced seats at NCAA Tournament games. Check out RealMarchMadness.com, sponsored by Americans for Prosperity (HT: John Fund, Opinion Journal). By the way, how does this Final Four sound?: Florida, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Louisville. If you think I'm crazy, just remember what time of year it is. … [Read more...]

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Toe to Toe with the Treasurer on a Touted Tax Increase

In yesterday's Pueblo Chieftain, my opinion piece arguing the case against Governor Bill Ritter's property tax hike to subsidize state preschool and kindergarten programs ran as "counterpoint" to the argument for the Governor's proposal by State Treasurer Cary Kennedy. Kennedy skillfully avoided discussion of the back-door tax hike while plugging the benefits of the plan for Pueblo. How? Under the Governor's revised plan, 33 school districts will receive a tax cut while most districts will receive a tax increase. Pueblo happens to fall in the latter category. But that doesn't take into account the plight of taxpayers in Grand Junction, Englewood, Pagosa Springs, Wray, or nearby Alamosa, among others. But two points are worth repeating … [Read more...]

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Va Tech Massacre: Heroism, Compassion Amid a Great Evil

In case you haven't seen this, there is at least one especially poignant tale of heroism to be told among yesterday's incident of great evil, terror, and tragedy at Virginia Tech University: As Jews worldwide honored on Monday the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust, a 76-year-old survivor sacrificed his life to save his students in Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech College that left 33 dead and over two dozen wounded. Professor Liviu Librescu, 76, threw himself in front of the shooter when the man attempted to enter his classroom. The Israeli mechanics and engineering lecturer was shot to death, "but all the students lived - because of him," Virginia Tech student Asael Arad - also an Israeli - told Army Radio. Several … [Read more...]

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Colorado Schools Keep Raising Funds from Property Taxes

My report for the Independence Institute on Governor Ritter's tax-raising proposal to fund new education programs is officially released today. Here is the summary: On March 12, 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter proposed the “Colorado Children’s Amendment,” a plan to spend $84 million to expand preschool and kindergarten programs. To free state money to fund the programs, he proposed a mill levy rate “freeze” that would shift some of the school funding burden to local sources. On April 10, the governor revised the plan—offering tax relief to property owners in 33 school districts while creating higher property tax bills in 104 districts. The annual revenue estimate for the plan’s new version is $55 million. State … [Read more...]

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Don’t Stop the Presses: House Ed Dems Vote for Tax Increase

Colorado's liberal, out-of-touch House Education Committee has just voted to approve the governor's amendment to the School Finance Act that would raise taxes for most property owners in the state. The vote passed on an 8-5 party line vote, with all Democrats lining up to raid taxpayer pockets. By listening to much of the testimony, you would think that school revenues in Colorado are running dry. Nothing could be further from the truth. And whenever other possibilities for raising funds for education have been introduced, the Democrats resist - unable to dream of doing anything but hiking property taxes. The dirty little not-so-secret? The property tax increase advertised for the "children" is being used so the state government can … [Read more...]