In his latest offering, former state legislative leader Mark Hillman praises the "freedom nationally, virtue locally" National Freedom Initiative of Colorado's own Kevin Miller -- not the first time it has crossed my path. It was last year about this time I wrestled a lot with the role social conservatism should play, and something that never strays too far from my mind. Therefore, I'm very intrigued by this initiative -- which, of course, is not altogether new, but rather a very sensible clarification and reformulation for our current political context. The opportunity definitely is there: To educate many social conservatives on the vital and wholly compatible value of liberty and limited government To build a strong bridge between … [Read more...]
Denver School Board Sees Therapist … Hold the Jokes, Please
Education News Colorado editor Alan Gottlieb offers up a laugh about the new Denver Public Schools board calling in a therapist to help everyone get along. In case you haven't heard, it was all brought on by some low-class politics at Monday's board meeting (H/T Ed Is Watching):As board member Michelle Moss walked up to take her seat for what was to be her last meeting in eight years representing southwest Denver, her newly elected replacement Andrea Merida told her that she would be sitting on the dais instead. Merida, rather than waiting to take the oath of office with two other new members after the meeting, had instead been sworn in hours earlier so she could cast a vote on the controversial reforms. A shocked Moss reacted with … [Read more...]
CEA Every Member Option Political Refund Available up to December 15
Update, 12/14: This evening during the 10:00 hour I will be discussing the Every Member Option political refund on the Jon Caldara Show -- listen live at 850 KOA. We'll be focusing on the response of Colorado's largest local teachers' union in the December edition of the JCEA Insight (PDF), just as we did on this recent iVoices podcast (click the play button below or follow this link): Update, 12/11: Tomorrow (Saturday) at 1:30 PM local Mountain time I will be discussing the Every Member Option political refund and other union issues on Grand Junction's "Getting It Right" show with Rick Wagner. You can listen live on AM 1100 KNZZ. On Sunday evening at 7:30 PM local time I will be on Denver's Backbone Radio with John Andrews to … [Read more...]
SD 16: Cheri Gerou, Don Ytterberg Out; Evergreen Businessman Tim Leonard In
The exciting opportunity for a Republican pickup in Senate District 16 with a departing incumbent Democrat Dan Gibbs has taken some interesting turns in the past week. State senate minority leader Josh Penry's most highly touted replacement was Cheri Gerou. But the HD 25 representative told me today her current seat is "where I plan to stay." So count out Gerou. Then there's Ali Hasan who, while refuting my initial speculations that he might contend, had suggested Jeffco GOP chair Don Ytterberg as a great candidate. However, Ytterberg says he has no desire to take another shot at SD 16 and is dedicated to his current work. "I made the commitment to work for the success of our party and I will do that to the best of my ability," he … [Read more...]
Josh Penry Backs Scott McInnis, GOP Unites Behind 20 Governing Principles
Word has leaked to the Grand Junction Sentinel that state senate minority leader Josh Penry will formally announce his endorsement of former rival Scott McInnis for Colorado governor. The endorsement was contingent on the McInnis formally agreeing to 20 conservative governing principles. "These are the principles that swept the GOP to victory in New Jersey in Virginia," Penry said. "And they can re-unite our Party too, and pave the way for a successful campaign and, more important, a successful governing party when the election's over and done with." Without further ado, here's the list of unified governing principles that was forwarded to Mount Virtus, a list that contains a fair amount of specificity: … [Read more...]
Wake Up Early Monday to See Me: Jeffco Republican Men’s Club Speech
I am slated as the keynote speaker this coming Monday, 7 AM, at the Jefferson County Republican Men's Club (follow link and scroll down for information). The topic? "What Do Teachers Unions Negotiate from You?" Find more about my areas of research here. … [Read more...]
Celebrating the Independence Institute’s Silver Anniversary This Evening
This evening the Independence Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary with a sold-out Founders' Night dinner featuring keynote speaker P.J. O'Rourke. It should be a good family reunion of sorts. Count me as one of the crazy, freedom-fighting cousins. No one in the area is better at leveraging the media spotlight than my boss Jon Caldara. Witness today's perfect-pitch feature by the Denver Post's Jessica Fender:Asked what has allowed Colorado's free-market think tank, the Independence Institute, to live long enough for a 25th-anniversary celebration tonight, the organization's famously bawdy president offers a joke. "Embezzlement," says Jon Caldara. "Embezzlement and glossy black-and-white photographs of politicians in compromising … [Read more...]
Colorado Supreme Court & School Funding: Case to Clear the Bench
Despite all the hoopla (much of it well-deserved) about the election results, let's not lose focus on an easily overlooked issue that should factor into some of our important decisions for 2010 -- namely, the Colorado Supreme Court delving into political questions of how our schools are funded in Lobato v State. You now can listen to my recent 8-minute interview on this very topic with Brad Jones on Face The State Weekend edition. Whether or not you get to listen, let me explain -- no, let me sum up: The case for Clear The Bench Colorado is now overwhelming. … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter Bait-and-Switch Continues … Desperate? Unethical? Incompetent?
Update, 11/2: Another campaign email from Ritter begging multiple times for contributions, with only a brief passing mention of "improving the quality of our children's education" .... Yes, that's one bait-and-switch online petition. The Bill Ritter email bait-and-switch continues. Three weeks ago, during my first and only ever contact on Bill Ritter's website, I signed an online petition urging "the U.S. Department of Education to recognize Colorado’s distinct education reform initiatives, and to award Colorado a 'Race to the Top' grant...." What followed within the first couple weeks were a pair of emails from Ritter urging me to take action in support of Obama Care. Did it occur to anyone in the Bill Ritter re-election office that … [Read more...]
Taking on the Colorado Supreme Court: Mark Hillman, Mike Rosen & Me
Update, 1:50 PM: I also will be talking about the Lobato case and school funding adequacy on Face The State weekend radio with Brad Jones. In the Denver area, that's AM 710 KNUS on Saturday at 5:00 AM and Sunday at noon. Check local listings for additional stations and times. A sense that the Colorado Supreme Court is growing out of control continues to pick up momentum after the October 19 Lobato v State ruling (PDF), in which the 4-3 liberal majority arrogated to itself the power to determine school funding policy. On Wednesday my friend and former state senate leader Mark Hillman ably dissected the dangers in this decision. Yesterday, Colorado's leading conservative talk show host Mike Rosen leaped into the fray with a strong … [Read more...]
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