As a reminder of the opportunity to sign up for Samsphere Denver, I've put up a permanently-linked button on the sidebar where you can go to register for the April 19 event. I put out the call for help to someone who could create an attractive and usable Web button for this purpose, and Jenn Sierra at Fort Hard Knox came through. Thanks, Jenn! … [Read more...]
Revising and Extending My Remarks on State Government Unionization
Today, two Colorado newspapers ran stories about growing unionization in state government. I was quoted in both articles, as the issue is one I've researched and have an Independence Institute publication being formatted for official release on Monday. There's only so much space in a news article. But that's what makes a blog a wonderful venue for revising and extending my remarks, as a way to press the debate forward. First, Chris Barge in the Rocky Mountain News introduces the issue:The unions that pushed the hardest for Gov. Bill Ritter's executive order granting them a larger voice in state government could soon see a nearly fourfold increase in membership.... The unions, which had fewer than 6,000 dues-paying state workers on … [Read more...]
Sharf’s Challenge Highlights Rima Barakat Sinclair’s Dissimulation
With today's coverage in the Rocky Mountain News, the developing Republican primary in Denver's House District 6 has launched into public view:A Middle Eastern native running for a state House seat faces a challenge from a blogger who called her "a terror apologist and an avowed enemy of Israel with no credible conservative credentials." Republican Rima Barakat Sinclair said she has been unfairly labeled because she is a Muslim of Palestinian descent. "I absolutely deny that," she said, of claims she supports terrorism. "What is behind that? Where is the proof? This is nothing but mudslinging." In case you hadn't found it yet, here is the proof. (Note: Rima Barakat Sinclair is NOT a victim.) The 5-minute YouTube video alone, which … [Read more...]
Poster Child for Reform in Colorado Government Contracting Ethics
In today's Denver Post:Colorado State Fair champion Sen. Abel Tapia has spent eight years in the Capitol corralling money for the fiscally faltering enterprise while his engineering firm received nearly half a million dollars in fair contracts, records show. As the Pueblo Democrat rose to power atop an influential budgeting committee, so too rose the fortunes of his district's fair and the price tags on the contracts he received. Nothing known to be illegal happened in this case, and I'm not writing this to throw stones at Sen. Tapia. Rather than rehashing the details here, you can peruse the Post article. It just points to a problematic loophole in Colorado government ethics that needs to be resolved - because as the article points … [Read more...]
“If we can’t even cut waste, fraud and abuse out of the budget, we shouldn’t be here”
Those are the words of Republican state senator Steve Johnson, as the Democrats in the legislature seek to increase the discretionary budgets for State Board of Education members to dine in style ($200 - $300 a meal for catering from Pour la France?), and enjoy other amenities. Despite what some say, such expenditures cannot best be characterized as "prudent." There's outrage when people learn about this kind of stuff, though many in the public are tuned out, overwhelmed, or just plain cynical. … [Read more...]
Write a Letter (Email) from Home to Sailors Overseas
The idea was great the first time, so it's good to see fellow RMA blogger Jim Cannon pursuing it again:In other news, it’s time for a new Letters from Home project. This time I will be collecting letters for the Navy. I’ll be sending them off to the USS Russell — DDG-59. So, just like last time, please send generalized supportive emails to me, and I will make sure that they get to the men and women aboard the Russell. When you send your email, please be sure and put “Letters from Home†in the subject line. We’re aiming for about 250 emails, so I’m hoping to have them collected and packed up by the end of the month. As with last time, anything you all can do to help spread the word would be greatly appreciated. I encourage … [Read more...]
Union Bosses Act Like State Property Owners Under Ritter’s Order
Face the State has the skinny on "Colorado WINS" union bosses acting like they own state government property:An executive order, signed by Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, last November, empowered unions to serve as “exclusive representatives†of state employees for the purposes of forming “employee partnerships.†Days after the order, a coalition of three major unions – CAPE-SEIU, AFSCME, and the American Federation of Teachers – announced a cooperative agreement to organize state workers under the name "Colorado WINS." After hearing from state employees that Colorado WINS is aggressively trying to organize an election, Face The State attempted to attend an on-site meeting between the union and state employees. Face The State … [Read more...]
Democrats Use Your Money to Defend Ritter Taking Your Money without Asking
Democrats in the state legislature are pushing a line item in the state budget that would give $150,000 in taxpayer funds to pay Gov. Bill Ritter's legal costs. For what, you ask? To defend a policy Ritter promoted and signed that levies a property tax increase on thousands of Colorado homeowners and business owners without a vote of the people, in violation of the state constitution. So let's get this straight: Bill Ritter thumbs his nose at the state constitution, choosing to force through a widespread property tax hike. Then he gets sued by taxpayers because he didn't get their permission as the state constitution requires. Now his Democrat allies are working to make sure the very people hit by the tax hike will foot the … [Read more...]
More Outrageous Teacher Stories
The Center for Union Facts' campaign to pay the 10 worst teachers $10,000 each to retire, over at Teachers Union Exposed, has picked up some colorful entries in the past couple weeks. How about "The Drunk Gunman"?This week’s featured nominee pulled up, drunk, to the drive-thru window of a fast-food restaurant. After ordering, he became angry that he wasn’t getting his food fast enough, so he took out a gun and started waving it at restaurant employees. After his arrest, he pled nolo contendere to all charges and was sent to jail. His students, meanwhile, were told he was caring for an ill family member; now out of jail, he’s back in the classroom with his job intact. Or "Teaching to the Test":Two years ago [nominee] was caught … [Read more...]
Calling All Colorado Pro-Freedom Bloggers: Samsphere Comes to Denver
The details are out... Samsphere is coming to Denver on Saturday, April 19, sponsored by the Sam Adams Alliance. Are you a new pro-freedom center-right blogger who wants to meet up and learn the tools of the trade? An experienced blogger who wants to sharpen your skills? Maybe you've thought about blogging, or your friends have said you should start, but weren't quite sure how to get it going and make it work? Whatever the case, come and check it out. I've met the Sam Adams Alliance crew personally: They have a passion about building a successful blogging community on our side and the skills and experience to get you connected. Go here to check out the agenda and register. I'll see you there. … [Read more...]
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