(Compliments of ALG Feature Syndicate) If there's one thing undecided voters need to weigh in the waning days of this presidential campaign, it indeed is Barack Obama's desire to give taxpayer-funded goodies to union bosses, the welfare state, and ACORN. Meanwhile, Obama's campaign continues to raise questions about the integrity of his online fundraising process. The bare minimum security opens the door to all kinds of potential fraud and federal campaign violations. An experiment by PowerLine readers highlights the extent of the problem. (Update: < em>HotAir has tons of mounting evidence.) Yes, you have correctly sensed a theme developing.... … [Read more...]
Lobbyists Against Amendment 49? Former Sen. Hank Brown Explains Why
I ran across this satire site someone created, called Lobbyists against Amendment 49. But seriously, why would many of Colorado's political lobbying groups be against Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative? Likely because they have grown quite accustomed to the special privilege of the government serving as their banker, collection agent, and bookkeeper for free. That's a gig I wouldn't want to end either. Unfortunately, I think the people of Colorado may be of a different opinion. While appearing recently on 850 KOA's Mike Rosen Show, former U.S. Senator Hank Brown explained the problem pretty concisely: Here's the transcript:Taxpayers have to pay for the cost of transferring the money, collecting the money, accounting … [Read more...]
Gov. Bill Ritter’s “Slow (Hiring) Freeze” vs. Bill Owens’ Immediate Action
Here's a nice, clear contrast in leadership for you. Last Thursday, Gov. Bill Ritter sent out a press release announcing ways to save state taxpayers money. First on the list:Implementing a hiring freeze for the Executive Branch effective Oct. 1. For those doing the math, that left a few extra days to give all departments notice to fill all open positions. In 2002, then-Gov. Bill Owens, also facing a fiscal crunch, issued an executive order with a similar purpose:Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-2-102(4), I order a hiring freeze applicable to state government. This hiring freeze is effective immediately. [emphasis added] It will be interesting to see how many last-minute hires came in before Bill Ritter's "slow freeze" went into effect. … [Read more...]
Political Fault Lines Clearly Shifting Around Federal Bailout Bill Debate
One thing that's clear is the Congressional bailout debates have shifted political fault lines in unusual ways. The Denver Post highlights the odd split in Colorado's Congressional delegation: Mark Udall, John Salazar, Doug Lamborn, and Marilyn Musgrave against the bill vs. Tom Tancredo, Diana Degette, and Ed Perlmutter for it. Then, there's my two favorite fiscally conservative national think tanks. Co-authoring an issue brief for the Heritage Foundation, former Attorney General Ed Meese says the bailout bill was "vital and acceptable," while Cato Institute scholar Jagadeesh Ghokale notes:Overall, it's not a pretty picture--but score one for supporters of the free market who insist on allowing market reorganization of the financial … [Read more...]
Democrat Cary Kennedy Admits Amendment 59 is Anti-Taxpayer
In case you had any doubts about the intentions of leading Colorado Democrats in bringing forward Amendment 59, Education Week brings you the straight skinny (H/T Rocky Mountain Right):Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff praised the [National Education Association]’s state chapter as one of the “most aggressive and successful†groups assisting Democrats in their takeover Colorado’s Statehouse and governor’s mansion. State Treasurer Cary Kennedy (no relation to RFK Jr.) said that Democrats would win a ballot initiative to “drive a stake in the heart†of the state’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights [TABOR]--a conservative cost-cutting measure. Yes, the Democrats behind Amendment 59 - Andrew Romanoff and Cary Kennedy - … [Read more...]
School Leaders Seeking More Taxpayer Money in Presidential Election Year
In an article printed today, the Denver Post's Jeremy Meyer asks why Colorado school district leaders are pushing a massive slew of construction bond proposals on the ballot:But presidential elections produce large voter turnouts, and 90 percent of Colorado school ballot issues pass when they are on the general election ballot. "My hypothesis is the larger turnout means (districts) are reaching into a voter base that is generally less informed about local issues and more inclined to give money to schools because it sounds like it is the right thing to do," said Ben DeGrow, education-policy analyst for the Independence Institute, a free-market think tank based in Golden. On the other hand:DeGrow, however, said he thinks Colorado … [Read more...]
$7.9 Billion: RTD FasTracks Now Nearly 70 Percent Over Original Cost
The Denver Post reports today that the price tag for Regional Transportation District (RTD)'s taxpayer-funded FasTracks plan has jumped again:The price of the FasTracks rail expansion — if it is to be completed by 2017, as promised to voters — has jumped from $6.1 billion to $7.9 billion, according to officials familiar with RTD's latest analysis of the program. Approved by voters in 2004 for $4.7 billion, estimates later rose to $6.1 billion - a 30 percent increase. Now they have skyrocketed to $7.9 billion, nearly 70 percent higher than original estimates. According to the Post, RTD either has to narrow the scope of the project, delay its implementation, or ask for more tax money:Centennial Mayor Randy Pye, who heads the 37-member … [Read more...]
Recall Vince Chowdhury
A few weeks ago I passed on the story of Vince Chowdhury, the Jefferson County school board member and Democratic legislative candidate accused - later convicted - on domestic violence charges. As reported in yesterday's Denver Post, Vince Chowdhury has suspended - but apparently not officially withdrawn - his candidacy for the state house. At the same time, Chowdhury "has not made a decision about his status on the Jefferson County school board." The story introduces readers to a new grassroots site created by three Jefferson County women with a pretty clear message: RecallVince.com. The only thing missing from the site? An online petition form where taxpaying Jeffco residents like myself can sign and join the call for Vince … [Read more...]
Despite Ambiguities, Plan to Clean Up No-Bid Contracts Merits Support
The Rocky Mountain News reports about another citizens' initiative that may be on its way for Colorado voters to decide this November:Backers of a proposal to bar no-bid government contractors from contributing to political candidates submitted more than 125,000 signatures to the state Wednesday.... Colorado state government granted more than $386 million in contracts without taking competitive bids over the past year, said Tom Lucero, campaign chairman of Clean Government Colorado. This practice drives up the price of services, and current law that lets these contractors pad the campaign accounts of officials who may award the contracts creates tremendous cynicism among voters, said Lucero, a University of Colorado regent. Like … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter, Tax Increases, Unions, and the Colorado Supreme Court
With a little shameless self-promotion, I tie it all together on the longest day of the calendar year. First, news broke earlier this week that Gov. Bill Ritter has done the inevitable, by agreeing to appeal a district court ruling that came to the clear and appropriate conclusion that Ritter erred in raising school property taxes without voter permission. Sure, I could link to lots of articles that highlight this news, but only the one in the Denver Daily News quotes the author of this blog:"I believe the district court judge did the right thing by recognizing that Colorado voters should be asked before they endure a tax increase," said Ben DeGrow, a policy analyst at the Independence Institute. "It's simply a matter of honoring the … [Read more...]