The dirty dozen tax hike bills scheduled to be rammed through Colorado's Senate Finance Committee tomorrow? Legislative analysts released fiscal notes for 11 of the 12 bills this afternoon -- they estimate a total net tax increase of $20.4 million for the rest of the current fiscal year (through June 30, 2010), and a total net tax increase of more than $337 million between now and the end of FY 2011-12. While that wouldn't solve all the legislators' budget problems, passing the package of bills would shift a good share of the hard decision-making from the State Capitol to many a business and household in Colorado. And don't even ask how it might lead to creating stable, private-sector jobs.... … [Read more...]
Will Colorado Dems Ram Through Dirty Dozen Business Tax Hike Bills?
Word on the street is that the majority Democrats at the State Capitol are preparing to ram through a package of bills repealing tax breaks -- not only without a vote of the people as the state constitution's TABOR would require, but also pushed through the process quickly to minimize public scrutiny and apparent outrage. Taken together, House Bills 1189 through 1200 (look them up here) would end up increasing the tax burden on Colorado businesses and families. Currently, the "dirty dozen" business tax hike bills are slated on the House calendar for a hearing on appropriations at 8:30 AM tomorrow (Wednesday). The first question then is whether the Democrats will then quickly rush the bills into the Finance Committee -- where public … [Read more...]
Colorado Legislators Advance Modest School Spending Transparency Bill
Last Thursday afternoon I testified before the House Education Committee at the State Capitol on House Bill 1036 and what effective public school financial transparency should look like. The best coverage came from the Colorado News Agency:HB 1036, called the Public School Financial Transparency Act, contains many of the same provisions as last year’s all-GOP effort by Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Colorado Springs, and Sen. Ted Harvey, R- Highlands Ranch. That bill died on a party-line vote in the same committee. Stephens, who also is a co-sponsor on the new bill, and Harvey have reintroduced their bill again this year as Senate Bill 91, which they say would provide an easier way for people to search for and use data in a more meaningful way while … [Read more...]
Could Republicans Really Gain Eight U.S. Senate Seats this November?
Take a careful look at Friday's detailed analysis by liberal Nate Silver. Then add in news that Democrat Beau Biden won't run in Delaware and new data from Rasmussen showing conservative Mike Pence beating incumbent Evan Bayh in Indiana, and it sure looks like an eight-seat pickup is well within reach. Of course, politics remains a fluid and fickle game. All could change. And if you really want to believe that former governors George Pataki and Tommy Thompson would run in New York and Wisconsin, respectively, then perhaps one can also imagine the GOP taking over the Senate. A pipe dream? Likely, and not one to get terribly excited about anyway. But just to be able to see such a potential result as anything but crazy has got to be … [Read more...]
Colorado 2010 State Senate Showdown: First Quarter Look at Hot Races
Sometime late in the last decade, the good old Aughts, I set up the state of play as Colorado Republicans (currently 21-14 in the minority) seek to take back the state senate. Following the release of fourth quarter reports on the Secretary of State's campaign finance site, I have ranked in order an updated list of the eight seats -- out of 19 up for grabs -- most likely to change party hands: … [Read more...]
Colorado 7th CD Candidates Sound Off Saturday at Aurora Republican Forum
Do you live in Colorado's 7th Congressional District, but are undecided about whom to support? Interested in hearing more from the candidates directly? Well, a forum is scheduled for tomorrow that might appeal to you -- details below the fold:Aurora Republican Forum 7th Congressional Candidates Forum Saturday, January 23 at 8:30 a.m. Aurora Association of Realtors 14201 E. Evans Drive Aurora CO 80014 $5.00 donation suggested for Coffee & Donuts $20.00 annual dues – membership is optional … [Read more...]
Listen to Face The State Weekend Edition: Political Survey Results
Update, 1/25: If you missed me on the air this weekend, you can listen to a recording of the discussion on the Face The State website. In most places across Colorado, you can tune in and listen this Saturday or Sunday to the Face The State Weekend Edition -- locally, here in Denver on AM 710 KNUS on Saturday at 5 AM or Sunday at noon. During part of the show I will be discussing with host Brad Jones the latest results from the survey of Colorado's political temperature -- an independent project co-sponsored by People's Press Collective managing editor Michael Sandoval and yours truly. … [Read more...]
State Rep Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) Stands For Government Health Care
A couple days ago I told you about my friend Libby Szabo running for House District 27. Well, you also ought to know a bit more about the incumbent Democrat who she is trying to unseat: Rep. Sara Gagliardi. Check this out from a recent Colorado News Agency story about Tuesday's health care freedom rally at the State Capitol:“We need to do something in this country, and I am in favor of single-payer national health care reform—so I would not support this initiative at all,” said Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, who is vice chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Yes, that's right. My state representative thinks the current Obama Care proposals rejected by a majority of Americans -- and most recently, Massachusetts … [Read more...]
What Was Missing from Michael Bennet’s Post-Massachusetts Statement
From today's Denver Post:Voters who elected Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Edward Kennedy for 47 years sent a clear message that they expect Washington to listen to their concerns, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet said. "Last night, the voters of Massachusetts didn't just elect a senator; they sent a message to Washington that I have heard all across Colorado — they want their leaders to listen to them and not the special interests," Bennet said. "They want us to focus on jobs, on lowering the cost of health care, and holding Wall Street accountable. They expect results, and it's up to me and the rest of Washington to deliver." Senator Bennet should have added, "And after a year of being in the Senate, … [Read more...]
Tax on a Fee? Thank Bill Ritter, Diane Primavera and Colorado Democrats
Thanks to the Democrats in the state legislature, a new tire-waste disposal fee isn't good enough: You're also getting taxed on the fee! Yes, that's right. Check out the new report created by my Independence Institute colleague Todd Shepherd:Imagine paying for your new car tags, and the person behind the counter also assesses a sales tax on your total tag price. Or imagine paying a government toll on a highway, and sales tax is assessed to the toll as well. It may sound far-fetched, but when you purchase new tires, it's happening. … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- …
- 155
- Next Page »