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 … [Read more...]
Thanks to Obama Care, Nancy Pelosi is Generous with Other Dems’ Careers
You knew Democrats are very comfortable with the idea of appearing generous by spending other people's hard-earned money. But you may not have known just how generous at least one liberal Democrat leader in Washington, D.C., is with the political careers of her minions, er, fellow members of her Congressional caucus:House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged her colleagues to back a major overhaul of U.S. health care even if it threatens their political careers, a call to arms that underscores the issue's massive role in this election year. Lawmakers sometimes must enact policies that, even if unpopular at the moment, will help the public, Pelosi said in an interview being broadcast Sunday the ABC News program "This Week." "We're not here just to … [Read more...]
Colo. House Dem Leader Waging PC Fight against “War on Terror” Memorial?
In case you're like me and didn't listen to the Peter Boyles Show this morning, then you've probably missed this gem from our state legislature. As reported by Colorado Senate News:A memorial to honor soldiers that have sacrificed their lives fighting the War on Terror could be derailed following objections from one Democrat lawmaker. “It is disrespectful to the families of fallen soldiers to drag this memorial into the political mud,” said Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton. Kopp sponsored the 2007 legislation that created the War on Terror Fallen Heroes Memorial. Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, was the only lawmaker to oppose the proposal. Now Weissmann is saying the memorial should be renamed since President Barack Obama declared an … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter’s Pitch for Cary Kennedy Shows Vulnerability of Treasurer’s Race
Just a reminder that Colorado Democrat State Treasurer Cary Kennedy's re-election hopes are fragile this year. Yesterday I received a fundraising email from Bill Ritter. After touting the incumbent's record, the message reads:Cary Kennedy is facing a well-funded challenger who is related to George W. Bush and has tapped into his family's national fundraising network. His campaign is funded mostly by out-of-state donors. Fortunately, Cary's grassroots fundraising network is keeping up, but she needs everyone's help to stay competitive.... I found it interesting that though there is a busy 3-way Republican primary going on to challenge Kennedy for the treasurer's position, Bill Ritter makes Walker Stapleton the bogeyman. Yes, Stapleton … [Read more...]
Health Care Summit Does Nothing for Vulnerable Congressman John Salazar
Say what you will about yesterday's Health Care Summit. Obama and the Democrat leadership didn't make the case for expanded government control of medicine and didn't move the ball politically in any way to help ram through the Obama Care monstrosity. In Colorado, that has to be especially unsettling for 3rd District Congressman John Salazar. Dick Morris has listed Salazar as one of 30 House Democrats who voted for Obama Care the first time but are "vulnerable" and "frightened of the voter backlash." And now the Summit has given him no political cover. The more he hears from unhappy constituents, the more likely he is to come to his senses and try to save his own hide politically. Meanwhile, don't forget there are two fine Republican … [Read more...]
Michael Bennet Gets Some Small Redemption from SEIU Endorsement
A good reminder that not only is Big Labor anything but monolithic but also that the Democrats potentially face a very competitive primary for Colorado's U.S. Senate seat: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has endorsed the Appointed One, Michael Bennet. While rival Andrew Romanoff has won backing from the Teamsters and UFCW, Bennet at least finally has gained something for putting his neck out to try to ram Obama Care through Congress. Interestingly, The Atlantic (edited by Michael Bennet's brother) reports the same story about the SEIU endorsement and then selectively notes: … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter Signs Tax Hikes Into Law, Clock Ticking on State Democrat Rule
This day was coming sooner rather than later: Governor Bill Ritter retreated to a private room to sign into law nine anti-business, job-killing tax hike bills. This action completes the trifecta of Democrat one-party rule under Colorado's Golden Dome. On February 1, all Democrats in the state house voted to push through at least one of the tax hikes (and all but one voted for a majority of them) -- including vulnerable incumbent Representatives Sara Gagliardi, Dianne Primavera, Dennis Apuan, Christine Scanlan, Jim Riesberg and Randy Fischer. Then on February 10, all but one Democrat state senator jumped on board to support the "dirty dozen" -- including Bruce Whitehead, Linda Newell and Lois Tochtrop. Two weeks later to the day we … [Read more...]
Lobbying Groups Want Taxpayers to Underwrite Their School Funding Lawsuit Against the State of Colorado
About four months ago the Colorado Supreme Court decided that judges have a role in deciding how the state's public schools are funded. In a Colorado Daily column I explained why this decision in the Lobato case was bad policy and a dangerous precedent. You also can listen to Professor Joshua Dunn bring his expertise to bear for an 8-minute iVoices podcast we recorded last October -- click the play button or follow this link: One of the big takeaways from Dunn's conversation is that most states realize the bad policy and bad consequences of adequacy lawsuits and are moving away from them. Colorado is out of sync for its courts to be sanctioning such action. So why am I bringing up the Lobato case today? It seems that the … [Read more...]
A Remarkable Political Year to Talk Seriously about Candidate Dan Maes
In case you hadn't noticed, this isn't a normal election year. If it weren't 2010, a political outsider like Dan Maes arrayed against the political establishment, tons of money and a campaign organization would be little more than a nice guy also-ran, and yesterday's Denver Post piece would be pure fantasy:Although Maes had no previous political experience, a cultural movement was forming across the country with a focus on pressuring the Republican Party to return to its core conservative values and principles. That movement played a substantial role in elevating Maes' campaign from a "no chance" to a "what if." "My base emerged while I was looking for a base," Maes said. "I had a message and they had a message, and it was the … [Read more...]
North Denver Candidate Search 2010: Your Don’t-Miss Weekend Event
This event Sunday is one you don't want to miss:North Denver Candidate Search 2010 Forum A forum hosted by the people, for the people. Sunday, February 21, 2010 Doors open at 2:00 p.m. Forum starts at 2:30 p.m. The Pinnacle Events Center 1001 West 84th Avenue Denver, CO 80260 (Located 10 blocks west of I-25 on 84th Avenue. It is on the north side of 84th Avenue, and has more than ample parking) $5.00 admission fee. There will be door prizes. Seating is limited - consider registering earlier rather than later. … [Read more...]
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