Author: Morgan Smith
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Reforms in Mexico could mean more business for local telecom, energy industries
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To the great surprise of most observers, Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto has pushed forward three major reforms that could lead to dramatic political and social improvements for Mexico as well as new business opportunities for Colorado companies. He has broken the telecommunications monopoly, meaning that Mexicans should soon have better and cheaper phone…
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Serving with Regis Groff was uplifting
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Regis Groff not only brought great class and dignity to the Colorado General Assembly but he was able to lift us from what often seemed like the day-to-day grind of our work and enable us to see that being an elected official was both a special opportunity and a unique responsibility. I served in the…
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Steak, biscuits and now lemon pie with former Rep. Bob Shoemaker
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It’s August 26, and I’ve driven to the ranch of Helen Shoemaker and her husband, former State Representative Bob Shoemaker in a beautiful valley north of Cañon City to visit. Sunday, August 31 was Helen’s 90th birthday and Bob, her husband of 67 years, will be 90 next June. Bob and I served together in…
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Immigration crisis can be an opportunity, but only if leaders really come forward
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Governor Rick Perry orders 1,000 National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border. President Obama urges the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to focus on their “shared responsibility” for the influx of migrant children from their countries. But where are Governor Perry’s troops going to go and what are they going to do? And…
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Supporting our vets is a commitment for all of us, not just for Veterans Administration
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When former Senator majority leader and presidential candidate Bob Dole says that it’s time for VA Secretary Erik Shinseki to go, we better listen because Dole, a war hero, wounded veteran, great public servant and frequent user of VA services has more credibility on this issue than any American. Having introduced Shinseki at his confirmation…
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Lifetime achievement award fitting for Valdez
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When we took the majority in the 1974 elections because of the Watergate scandal, there never was any doubt but that Ruben Valdez would be our leader and Colorado’s first Hispanic Speaker of the House. He had a quiet charisma, a sense of determination, an innate sense of politics and a calm self-assurance. I was…
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Three little Colorado non-profits build personal, political relationships with Mexico
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Now that preparations are beginning for Governor John Hickenlooper’s June trip to Mexico, it’s worth looking at the importance of building relationships there — relationships with your business partners if you’re a company but also relationships with other countries or regions if you’re a state like Colorado. Colorado has worked hard on this with Mexico,…
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There are lessons to be learned from Obamacare
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Whether Obamacare sinks or swims, there are some important lessons to be learned here. First, Management by Walking Around still works. Although this is difficult for a Cabinet Secretary like Kathleen Sebelius to do and much more so for a president, it’s impossible not to sense that they’re disconnected from the actual day-to-day workings of…
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Mike Strang — Legislator, cowboy and friend
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What do you think about that House district I carved out for you?” Mike Strang asked. It was the spring of 1972 and he was in the Aspen hospital, recovering from surgery. Some people plan their futures with meticulous care; others function more on chance encounters. I guess I’m in the latter category. That’s why…
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Likable ‘Johnny Van’ was focused on Colorado
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John Vanderhoof or “Johnny Van” was Governor of Colorado for only one legislative session — 1974 — but he brought to the table some important new ideas. The problem was that although he was to be his party’s candidate for Governor, he had little support from his Republican colleagues in the House where I served.…
