Kudos to two of the state GOP's rising stars for proposing the most responsible legislation I've seen yet regarding how to handle the influx of Referendum C dollars. Reps. Josh Penry [memo to Lynn Bartels & editors - Penry, not Henry] and Cory Gardner are leading the way with a couple of different plans to create a rainy-day fund to save state money rather than spend it frivolously on new programs. I'm glad to see these two Republican lawmakers out in front on this issue, and hopefully the Democrat-majority legislature can avoid the temptations to empty the pocketbooks and instead follow a sound plan for the future, much like your average Colorado family has to do. Keep an eye on these pieces of legislation: I have a feeling they will be … [Read more...]

Mike at Best Destiny has already commented on the story of Colorado Democrats being caught and receiving an unprecedented penalty for illicit 2004 campaign activities, so I can't add a lot. Kent Lambert of the Republican Study Committee deserves commendation for his perseverance and his thoroughness in pursuing the prosecution of an election law penalty, something with a high burden of proof. Mike is right - of course, we shouldn't be surprised. Hugh Hewitt wrote all about it in his 2004 classic, If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat. If you haven't read it, or need a refresher, pick it up and give it a good perusal before the 2006 elections. Peter Blake of the Rocky Mountain News brought Lambert's intriguing story to light, one that … [Read more...]

The new reliable Rasmussen poll on the potential matchups in the upcoming Colorado governor's race has created a stir among the state's Republican insiders. Former University of Denver president Marc Holtzman benefits most from the news: his bona fides as a credible statewide candidate have been established. Not only is the ground game among GOP activists from the Plains to the Front Range to the Western Slope gaining him momentum with the party's base, the new Rasmussen poll affirms his legitimate status as a potential successor to Governor Bill Owens. Michael has some initial RMA analysis of the survey you should check out. As a Holtzman supporter (full disclosure), I'm certainly pleased by the news - which is generating some buzz … [Read more...]

Clarification: It has come to my attention that some confusion has arisen regarding the nature of action taken by the School Finance Interim Committee at its Tuesday, September 27 meeting. No formal votes were taken, but at the request of Senator Sue Windels - Committee Chair - informal straw polls were taken to indicate the committee's interest in taking future action on various ideas for legislation proposed by committee members. When Senator Windels introduced her "Referendum E" proposal, a straw poll of committee members showed four of the 10 objecting to taking future action. The significance of the legislators' interest in promoting a tax increase beyond Referenda C and D remains. DENVER - Amid a heated election contest to suspend … [Read more...]

Last week's rumors were true - the decision was made official this morning: Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman has again bolstered his campaign with the announcement that former Speaker of the House Lola Spradley will be his running mate. Spradley, who has been welcomed to the team with open arms, expressed her support for her new running mate's vision and philosophy. Among other things, she brings the credentials of a highly-respected term of legislative service and a strong base of popularity in the region of Pueblo and southeastern Colorado. There is excitement and enthusiasm among grassroots supporters across the state for Holtzman's decision and for the direction his campaign is headed. Following in the wake of last … [Read more...]

For the handful of faithful blog readers who have survived the extended lull, I'm back. Snowy outside, warm inside... means it's time to post something, even if it's just a link to a great Monday column by the Post's David Harsanyi: "Referendum Supporters Betray GOP," using the plainest evidence to demolish the absurd claims that Colorado's fiscal health is somehow in crisis. Three weeks until Coloradans cast their ballots and decide against the "forever tax increase." With all the intraparty squabbles and dizzying number of tax measures to be decided, I can't wait for Election Day to come. Hurry now! Three cheers to Harsanyi for a great column to start off the week... … [Read more...]