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Oct
19
Ron May resigns from state Senate
October 19, 2007
Longtime El Paso County legislator Sen. Ron May notified Secretary of State Mike Coffman that he will resign from the state Senate effective Oct. 31, the Gazette reports.
News reports indicate Rep. Bill Cadman is the obvious successor, and that Commissioner Douglas Bruce will eye the vacancy for Cadman’s seat. The more obvious question, however, seems to be why Bruce, if he really wants to be in the legislature, would give Cadman a pass rather than invest about two weeks to contest the Senate vacancy.
Oct
19
Vaunted ‘fifth proposal’ would cost $1.4B or more
October 19, 2007
The so-called “fifth proposal,” a compromise plan from the Blue Ribbon health care commission to provide universal health care without going to a single-payer plan, will cost at least $1.4 billion a year, the Rocky Mountain News reports. That’s the cost of covering 685,000 of Colorado’s currently uninsured, leaving some 107,000 uninsured.
How much is that in the context of the state budget? Income taxes currently produce $5.4 billion a year, and sales taxes generate $2.1 billion, so the price tag would result in a 67% increase in sales tax, a 26% increase in income taxes or a 19% increase in both. Good luck getting that one past voters, who recently told pollster Floyd Ciruli they wouldn’t support an extension of Ref C.
Oct
18
Poll: 51% oppose Ref C extension
October 18, 2007
According to a new poll by Ciruli & Associates, 51% of Colorado voters would not extend Ref C beyond its first five years — news that must be giving Gov. Ritter and his band of Blue Ribbon commissioners some serious heartburn.
Immigration (cited by 26% as their top priority) ranked as the top concern of state voters, followed by “health care price/accessibility” (15%), education (11%), transportation (7%), economy and taxes (6%). Again, bad news for legislative Democrats who have watered down the immigration enforcement bill passed in the 2006 special session and who seem bent instituting universal health coverage and/or a single-payer health care plan.
Ciruli’s poll, noted in the Denver Business Journal, also showed Republican Bob Schaffer narrowly trailing Democrat Mark Udall, 36%-35%, in next year’s U.S. Senate race and Republican congressional candidates leading their Democratic counterparters by 40%-37%.
Overall, 44% of Coloradans consider themselves conservative, 28% “middle of the road,” and 26% liberal.
Oct
16
What’s News TUESDAY
October 16, 2007
N.L. CHAMPS! ROCKIES BOUND FOR WORLD SERIES
Holliday named MVP of championship series
At last! Helton’s just reward
Limbaugh challenges Salazar
Fitz-Gerald tops Polis in 3Q bucks
Udall edges Schaffer; Crank nips at Lamborn
CD2 debate: Dems all back single-payer health care
Ritter hopes ‘reforms’ save $145M over 5 years
Oct
15
What’s News MONDAY
October 15, 2007
RITTER PLANS SWEEPING CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVE
• More secret meetings for ‘Back Room Bill’
Paschall defended by Churchill lawyer in kickback trial
WESTCLIFFE MOURNS TEEN KILLED IN PARADE
Musgrave backs uranium mine opponents in Weld Co.
Legislators unveil plan to address uranium mining
Springs’ legislators aim to help disabled get jobs
FEATURED OPINION
Gazette: Rancher in crosshairs over wolf shooting
Mitchell: Ritter’s union scheme shows he’s no moderate
Brown: Shield laws have purpose, but aren’t panacea
SPORTS WRAP
TORREALBA’S TATER LIFTS ROCKIES TO 3-0 NCLS LEAD
Buffs crash at K-State 47-20, fall from Big 12 lead
QB Hall sets Air Force record in 45-21 route of CSU
High school football polls: Post, Rocky
What's News Poll
What would do most to improve student achievement?
- Focus on basics — reading, writing, math (43%)
- More choice options for parents (35%)
- More money for schools (8%)
- Performance-pay for teachers (8%)
- Change the CSAP tests (5%)
Total Votes: 37
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