Every day is seeking to rise to the challenge, 'neath the shadow of the mighty Rockies.
McInnis is Out
It's now official. I like the headline over at the Coloradoan: "McInnis abandons Senate race; 'all eyes' on Schaffer." That Schaffer would be the next focus makes sense and jives with the test poll results of Colorado Republican political insiders here at Mount Virtus. As of 9:00 PM MDT, with 48 votes cast, the rankings are: Bob Schaffer - 27 (56%); Bill Owens - 6 (13%); Tom Tancredo - 5 (10%); Scott McInnis - 3 (6%); Mike Coffman, Marc Holtzman, and Bob Beauprez - 2 each (4%); Dan Caplis - 1 (2%). Considering the fact that Owens and Tancredo are mostly wishful thinking, McInnis has bowed out, and Republicans will be reluctant to embrace either Holtzman or Beauprez after last year's divisive primary, I think the field is clear for … [Read more...]
Senator Spence: Charter School Champion
Senator Nancy Spence (R-Centennial) deserves Colorado's Charter School Champion Award. A few weeks ago she led the charge to flip a highly regulatory, anti-charter school bill upside down. Today, she got the School Finance Act amended to prevent charter school students from being shortchanged. Spence's nemesis in both cases has been Senator Sue Windels (D-Arvada). After winning Round Two, the state senate's Charter School Champion expressed her frustration: “Frankly, I’m getting sick and tired of these repeated attempts, bill after bill, year after year, to undermine charters,†Spence said. “Parents want them because their kids obviously aren't being served by traditional schools. After trying for years to reason with lawmakers … [Read more...]
When is a Tax Increase Not a Tax Increase?
How do you sell a tax increase as something other than a tax increase? These days Colorado Democrats are even having a hard time with it. Last week Governor Bill Ritter announced the unveiling of the cleverly-named "Colorado Children's Amendment," which somehow would do two things simultaneously: 1) Freeze scheduled property tax rate reductions, raising next year's tax bill for homeowners and business owners in many of the state's school districts - ostensibly to save the State Education Fund (created by Amendment 23 to finance only certain K-12 expenses). Of course, this is not an entirely new idea - one that has been shot down before because it violates TABOR by changing tax policy without a vote of the people, but it has been … [Read more...]
Who Should Replace Allard?
Please note the change in appearance on my site: I'd appreciate your vote in the straw poll to your right. Who do you think is the Republicans' best choice to run for U.S. Senate here in Colorado in 2008? And it's one vote per person (this is a Republican straw poll, after all). Your input is greatly appreciated. Update: Where's the poll, you may ask? Yes, I notice it's not there. Blame Blogpoll for its sudden disappearance. That's what you get for having a poll hosted outside your site. I hope it's just a brief technical glitch that will quickly be fixed, but if not, well, it was fun while it lasted. If the poll is there, please disregard the previous paragraph (obviously). … [Read more...]
McInnis Out?
It's not often I get into rumors here on this site, but a credible source tells me that Scott McInnis soon may announce that he is withdrawing his bid for the Republican nomination for Colorado's 2008 U.S. Senate election. If it's true, there's clearly a close connection with the story breaking this weekend that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is recruiting Attorney General John Suthers to run for the seat vacated by Wayne Allard. Seems like it might be about time to start a "Draft Bob Schaffer" campaign. But let's wait and see if there's any truth to the rumor first of all. … [Read more...]
Great Reminders about Education
As usual, one of my favorite teacher friends - Michael at Best Destiny - makes some excellent big picture points about the state of public education, teachers unions, and the hard-working people in the classrooms. His post is a thoughtful follow-up to the story of the unsurprisingly biased Rocky Mountain High School (Fort Collins) math test reported at Face the State and covered here. One point Michael makes is one I don't make enough but needs to sink home with some: The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, that, contrary to popular belief, teachers are not all Democrats. It has been my experience, having worked in 23 schools in my career (yes, I have an odd job description), that there are vastly more Republicans in the education profession … [Read more...]
Fairness and Integrity: Flunking the Test in Fort Collins
According to one Fort Collins high school math teacher, you can't believe anything I say. If his opinion doesn't bother you, then go ahead and read. My Independence Institute colleague Amy Oliver helped to uncover the story of the slanted Rocky Mountain High School math exam, which is covered this morning at Face the State: RMHS is part of the Poudre School District; its teachers are members of the Poudre Education Association (PEA). The Colorado Supreme Court recently announced that it will hear arguments alleging that the PEA illegally campaigned for democrat candidate for state senate, Bob Bacon. Faithful readers of this site may know something about that issue. For a refresher, here's an op-ed I wrote last July after the state court … [Read more...]
Ritter Signs Property Tax Hike, Sticks Finger in Taxpayer Eyes
Colorado taxpayers should remember yesterday - May 9. Governor Bill Ritter signed S.B. 199, which includes a huge property tax increase. He refused to ask for a vote of the people. He stuck a finger in your eye. Have we so soon forgotten Referendum C? It's little more than arrogance, sheer arrogance, my friends. More: - Rocky Mountain News: "Plain and simple, TABOR says all tax increases have to go before a vote of the people," Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, said in a release Wednesday. "Those in charge at the Capitol very easily could have asked first before hiking property taxes," said Caldara. "Instead, they've thumbed their noses at the voters and the constitution." - Colorado Senate News: "It's … [Read more...]
Yes, It’s Time to Sue: Arrogant Tax Hike Leaves Little Choice
This development, reported today in the Rocky Mountain News, was a matter of inevitability. (Disclosure: As an Independence Institute employee, I knew the story was coming. Even if I weren't, I would be convinced the course of action was necessary, but a result of regrettable circumstances.) Yes, the time has come to sue. Even Governor Bill Ritter and the Democrats who arrogantly violated the state constitution and foisted the property tax increase on the people of Colorado had to know they'd be facing legal action. Of course, when liberal officials want to enact liberal policies in Colorado, they gladly prefer to face the courts rather than the people. As The Colorado Index frequently reminds us, the legal system works for Democratic … [Read more...]
The Case of CU’s Phil Mitchell: He Deserves an Investigation
Once again, the Post's David Harsanyi brings an important case to light. In today's column, he highlights the case of Phil Mitchell, a veteran instructor at the University of Colorado who was recently fired. For having views or professional practices like Ward Churchill? Hardly. Mitchell is a conservative Christian who claims he was set up. (Disclosure: Though I've never met Mitchell, we have mutual friends.) To his credit, Harsanyi presents the case in a fair and balanced manner: Mitchell can relay stories of the nasty anti-Christian bigotry he's experienced on campus. I suspect that bias is very real. But those are the hard knocks of free speech. The question is: Do those incidents mean there is a conspiracy to remove him from CU? It … [Read more...]
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