Two days, two stories, two reasons why I believe the Colorado General Assembly needs more legislators like Senator Shawn Mitchell fighting for us. First, Colorado Senate News reports a recent floor debate in which Mitchell assumes his usual role as bold and articulate spokesman for common sense and liberty, leading the vote against a heavy-handed, onerous renewable energy mandate:"I don't want a European society where government will decide what life will look like tomorrow," said Mitchell. "I want a free American traditional society where my choices, your choices--as consumers, as families, as citizens--will determine what society will look like tomorrow." Second, a Colorado News Agency story on a committee meeting in which Mitchell … [Read more...]
7th CD: Ryan Frazier in Wall St. Journal; Jimmy Lakey Hits Voting Road Bump
A quick update from the Colorado 7th Congressional District GOP primary campaign trail (isn't that a mouthful!) ... First, the very strong fundraising quarter by Ryan Frazier was noted today in the eighth paragraph of a story by Wall Street Journal reporters Stephanie Simon and Ana Campoy about anti-Beltway sentiment fueling successful races across the country:In Colorado, a little-known suburban city councilman, Republican Ryan Frazier, raised more money last quarter for his congressional bid than all but one of the state's incumbent members of the U.S. House. Meanwhile, already facing an uphill challenge to catch up with Frazier's money and momentum, Jimmy Lakey bumped across a small obstacle in news from Complete Colorado that he had … [Read more...]
Post Smacks Bill Ritter on Education Reform: What Did You Expect?
Update, 3/5: Better late than never, I guess. At least Ritter has finally named members to his "educator effectiveness" panel, for whatever that's worth. I don't mean to kick a man when he's down, especially when he's biked his way into the hospital with broken ribs. But it was quite the experience to open the virtual pages of the Denver Post this morning and read the lead editorial raking Governor Bill Ritter over the coals for his weak-kneed half-efforts at education reform:The governor's executive order was quite clear: Members of a panel who were to devise ways of linking teacher evaluations to student achievement were to meet on or before March 1. They have not. But don't blame panel members. Gov. Bill Ritter hasn't bothered … [Read more...]
On Eve of Caucus, Here’s March Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature
This post will stick to the top until March 12. Please scroll down for newer postings. Update, 3/8: With the news that CD 7 candidate Jimmy Lakey has withdrawn from the race (H/T Complete Colorado), his name has been removed as a possible selection on the relevant questions. I hope it wasn't anything I said giving my off-the-cuff analysis of the CD 7 GOP primary last night as guest co-host on Backbone Radio. Time flies, so here comes another edition of the Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature. The deadline is next Friday, March 12, at 5:00 PM local Mountain time. What are you waiting for? Click here to take the March survey The March edition has even fewer issue statements, but adds attention to the 2nd Congressional race, … [Read more...]
When Will Colorado Be Ready for a New Labor Model Rooted in Freedom?
Is the United States ready for a new labor model, one more grounded in freedom of association and individual liberty? That's the central thrust of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation's new book -- Sweeping the Shop Floor -- for which I was honored to be a contributor. EFF labor policy analyst Rachel Culbertson joined me and my Independence Institute colleague Mike Krause for a conversation to whet your appetite for the book. Click the play button below (or follow this link) to listen to the 12-minute iVoices podcast: For more detail on the book's argument about how we can give workers more freedom in designing a labor model for the 21st Century and how it might work in Colorado public education and other government agencies, check … [Read more...]
CO House Bill 1147: Police to “Ticket” Kids for Not Wearing Bike Helmets
Now that the Democrats in charge of the State Capitol have solved the budget crisis by raising taxes and raiding cash funds, the Colorado News Agency reports the Dems have set out to solve a major problem that confounds us slow-witted peon parents:House Bill 1147 would authorize law enforcement to issue an “informational” traffic citation–a card containing safety information about wearing a helmet, not an actual ticket–to any child over 2 years old who is on a public roadway or public place and who is not wearing a helmet. The purpose of the bill is to promote helmet usage and to foster a better relationship between young people and the local police, said Kefalas. My friend and colleague Amy Oliver isn't sure how "I would 'manage' … [Read more...]
Tell Colorado Legislators to Back off the Mary Kay Lady: Oppose HB 1248
Update, 3/2: Good news: HB 1248 is dead as a doornail. Three Democrats -- Daniel Kagan, Su Ryden, and Sal Pace -- crossed the aisle to help Republicans vote down the bill. Update, 1:15 PM: Walter in Denver effectively takes down HB 1248 -- a bad bill for Colorado's small business women -- here and here. This one may be a bit off topic for me, but it does have to do with potential overreach by the Colorado state legislature. It strikes home because the lovely Mrs. Virtus sells Mary Kay products as a business to supplement our household income. Representative Dianne Primavera's House Bill 1248, scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee this afternoon, is an overreach that would have unnecessary negative effects on small … [Read more...]
Thanks to Obama Care, Nancy Pelosi is Generous with Other Dems’ Careers
You knew Democrats are very comfortable with the idea of appearing generous by spending other people's hard-earned money. But you may not have known just how generous at least one liberal Democrat leader in Washington, D.C., is with the political careers of her minions, er, fellow members of her Congressional caucus:House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged her colleagues to back a major overhaul of U.S. health care even if it threatens their political careers, a call to arms that underscores the issue's massive role in this election year. Lawmakers sometimes must enact policies that, even if unpopular at the moment, will help the public, Pelosi said in an interview being broadcast Sunday the ABC News program "This Week." "We're not here just to … [Read more...]
Colo. House Dem Leader Waging PC Fight against “War on Terror” Memorial?
In case you're like me and didn't listen to the Peter Boyles Show this morning, then you've probably missed this gem from our state legislature. As reported by Colorado Senate News:A memorial to honor soldiers that have sacrificed their lives fighting the War on Terror could be derailed following objections from one Democrat lawmaker. “It is disrespectful to the families of fallen soldiers to drag this memorial into the political mud,” said Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton. Kopp sponsored the 2007 legislation that created the War on Terror Fallen Heroes Memorial. Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, was the only lawmaker to oppose the proposal. Now Weissmann is saying the memorial should be renamed since President Barack Obama declared an … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter’s Pitch for Cary Kennedy Shows Vulnerability of Treasurer’s Race
Just a reminder that Colorado Democrat State Treasurer Cary Kennedy's re-election hopes are fragile this year. Yesterday I received a fundraising email from Bill Ritter. After touting the incumbent's record, the message reads:Cary Kennedy is facing a well-funded challenger who is related to George W. Bush and has tapped into his family's national fundraising network. His campaign is funded mostly by out-of-state donors. Fortunately, Cary's grassroots fundraising network is keeping up, but she needs everyone's help to stay competitive.... I found it interesting that though there is a busy 3-way Republican primary going on to challenge Kennedy for the treasurer's position, Bill Ritter makes Walker Stapleton the bogeyman. Yes, Stapleton … [Read more...]
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