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Two Reasons Why We Could Use More Shawn Mitchells in the State Legislature

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...]

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Lobbying Groups Want Taxpayers to Underwrite Their School Funding Lawsuit Against the State of Colorado

About four months ago the Colorado Supreme Court decided that judges have a role in deciding how the state's public schools are funded. In a Colorado Daily column I explained why this decision in the Lobato case was bad policy and a dangerous precedent. You also can listen to Professor Joshua Dunn bring his expertise to bear for an 8-minute iVoices podcast we recorded last October -- click the play button or follow this link: One of the big takeaways from Dunn's conversation is that most states realize the bad policy and bad consequences of adequacy lawsuits and are moving away from them. Colorado is out of sync for its courts to be sanctioning such action. So why am I bringing up the Lobato case today? It seems that the … [Read more...]

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February Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature: Results Unveiled

Thank you to the more than 400 people who participated in the February 2010 Survey of Colorado's Political Temperature. A snapshot of the results in headlines: U.S. Senate: Ken Buck Still On Top, Norton and Tidwell Gaining Governor: Dan Maes Widens Support Edge Over Scott McInnis 3rd Congressional: Scott Tipton Tops Bob McConnell Twice 4th Congressional: Cory Gardner Still Stands Above the Field 7th Congressional: Ryan Frazier Remains without Rival State Treasurer: Ament's Lead Grows, Hasan Takes Over 2nd Interest in GOP Caucus Participation Suggests Bigger Numbers for 2010 The complete release of the survey results is posted below the fold (click "Fullscreen" for better view): … [Read more...]

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Dr. David Benke: Hero

Update, 3/1: Jeffco Public Schools has posted a response letter from Dr. Benke. I think it about says it all. The story of the heroism of Deer Creek Middle School math teacher David Benke is a compelling one. A Jefferson County schoolteacher like many others who went to work yesterday, placed into an unexpected moment of high stress and great danger to those around him, he acted as we all would hope to act under similar circumstances. His initial action to stop the shooter at Deer Creek very well may have saved lives. By all accounts, he also is a man far less interested in his own instant fame than in the well-being of his students who were subjected to this violent attack. For all these reasons, it is fitting and proper to … [Read more...]

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Trusted Expert Dick Murphy Endorses J.J. Ament in Colorado Treasurer’s Race

Quick update from the state treasurer's race. Dick Murphy -- former Deputy State Treasurer and one of the most respected and expert conservative figures I know in the area of school finance (and public finance generally) -- has come out vocally behind candidate J.J. Ament (official campaign release touting endorsement below the fold): … [Read more...]

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Bill Ritter Signs Tax Hikes Into Law, Clock Ticking on State Democrat Rule

This day was coming sooner rather than later: Governor Bill Ritter retreated to a private room to sign into law nine anti-business, job-killing tax hike bills. This action completes the trifecta of Democrat one-party rule under Colorado's Golden Dome. On February 1, all Democrats in the state house voted to push through at least one of the tax hikes (and all but one voted for a majority of them) -- including vulnerable incumbent Representatives Sara Gagliardi, Dianne Primavera, Dennis Apuan, Christine Scanlan, Jim Riesberg and Randy Fischer. Then on February 10, all but one Democrat state senator jumped on board to support the "dirty dozen" -- including Bruce Whitehead, Linda Newell and Lois Tochtrop. Two weeks later to the day we … [Read more...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]