I hope you enjoy one or more of the following: David Freddoso at the Washington Examiner points out that Senate Democrats very quickly have killed President Obama's very modest "spending freeze" proposal before it barely had a chance to get going. Speaking of Obama, my PPC friends are licking their chops at the prospect of The One coming to Denver to stump for our appointed junior U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Speaking of arrogance, guest writer Don Rodgers at Reclaim the Blue calls out Democrats in our state legislature for their hubris, after shoving through four of the Dirty Dozen tax bills on Wednesday (and are scheduled to hear the rest starting this morning) as a prelude to their dying political majority. Speaking of death, the … [Read more...]
Government Workers Now the Majority Among U.S. Union Members
A startling statistical development emerged last Friday, that you may have missed if you weren't paying attention too closely. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that for the first time in U.S. history there are more union members working in government than working in the private sector. I sat down yesterday for a 9-minute iVoices podcast conversation with Brian Johnson, executive director of the Alliance for Worker Freedom, to explore the effects of the changing labor movement on the fight for liberty and limited government. Follow the link here or click on the play button below to listen: … [Read more...]
Stage Set for State Capitol Showdown on (Most of) Dirty Dozen Tax Hikes
Update: I'm not a big fan of the tax credits and exemptions per se. Some represent better policy than others. I would love to see a legislator propose an amendment that one or more of the tax credit revocations be offset by a general reduction to make it revenue-neutral. But since the Democrats' motivation with these "dirty dozen" bills is about scratching together more funds to help backfill the state budget, and not about creating a more equitable tax system with a minimal shared burden by businesses and consumers, I don't see the idea going anywhere. And that doesn't even bring us to the whole legal question of whether some or all of these bills violate TABOR in the state constitution because they raise taxes without a vote of the … [Read more...]
Barack Obama: Get Out of Debt by Maintaining Out-of-Control Spending?
What do I think of Barack Obama's so-called "spending freeze"? Imagine someone you know who's in a little bit of debt increasing his household spending until he maxes out all his credit cards, then reassuring the bank that he's going to stop increasing his spending rate for 3 years. Yeah, I guess it's good that he's not going to try to outlive his means any more than he already does. But then again, it doesn't really address the problem, does it? Check out this Red State diary for a more detailed and down-to-earth deconstruction. Or Al Maurer and the Cato Institute article he cites pointing out the true "smoke and mirrors" behind the "spending freeze" pronouncement. Then I recommend you go over to Hot Air and vote in Ed Morrissey's … [Read more...]
Fiscal Analysts: Total Price Tag of Dems’ Dirty Dozen Tax Hikes = $337 Million+
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...]
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...]
Please Consider Supporting My Friend Libby Szabo for House District 27
I'm excited to be able to share the news that conservative Republican Libby Szabo -- one of my favorite people -- has announced she is running to be my next state representative. She will be a formidable challenger to incumbent Democrat and Ritter disciple Sara Gagliardi in a very winnable race. Below the fold is a copy of Libby's press release announcing her campaign: … [Read more...]
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