contributing columnist
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Hudson: Exchange running amuck?
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The Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee convened last week with a new leader serving as its Chair, Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango. Five Democrats and five Republicans from both chambers have met sporadically over the past few years to monitor the progress of the Colorado Health Benefits Exchange, Connect for Health Colorado. As it…
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‘Big data’ solutions to prepare for next disaster
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Democratic State Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp of Westminster and Republican Senator Ellen Roberts of Durango have submitted legislation (House Bill 1129) that speaks to one of the fundamental responsibilities of government – public safety. Even the most virulently anti-government zealots will usually acknowledge that policing, fire prevention and disaster recovery are appropriate functions of government that…
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Dems’ ‘Groupthink’ politics case study
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No matter how cynical you get, it’s never enough to keep up,” the comic Lily Tomlin once observed about politics. I had originally intended to open this column with a quip something like the following: “Colorado Democrats pulled a stunt at their reorganization meeting over the weekend in a manner that would make Vladimir Putin…
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Sen. Bill Cadman’s House of Cards
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If you’ve been watching “House of Cards” on Netflix, you might be misled to believe legislative politics requires sophisticated strategic planning. Alas, this is rarely the case. In most instances, our solons make it up as they move along — playing their cards pretty much when and as they are dealt. If that strikes you…
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State chairs: highly qualified to herd ungrateful cats
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Four years ago both the Colorado Republican and Democratic Parties elected unusually young chairmen. Historically, both parties often turned to senior donors or business heavyweights for whom this recognition was, in part, a reward for long service and/or a readiness to pull out their own checkbooks in support of party candidates. The election of Ryan…
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Innovation needed to meet 21st century education challenges
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Next week in the House of Representatives, we’ll consider the most significant piece of federal legislation for K-12 schools: the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In non-Congressional speak, it’s known as No Child Left Behind. Despite being the largest source of federal spending on K-12 education, No Child Left Behind is a mixed bag. While…
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The safety of the majority trumps fear
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In recent years no matter how dismal Colorado’s performance might be on most public policy measures — whether they be high school graduation rates or taxpayer support for schools and roads — we could generally rely on the fact that one or more members of the old Confederacy, frequently Mississippi, would slip between us and…
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Balanced Budget Amendment vital to reducing $18.1 trillion debt
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As a member of Congress I have the opportunity to tackle what I view as our nation’s most dangerous threat, the $18.1 trillion debt. We face serious threats from bad actors on the international stage, from Iran to ISIS, but my greatest concern is the debt. It is fast approaching economically damaging levels, and both…
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National debt a pressing problem; action needed from POTUS, politicians
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“Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt.” – Herbert Hoover While Congress and the President will find no shortage of issues in the coming year that will require their attention, one that needs to be front and center is our nation’s crippling debt. While here in Colorado we have experienced low…
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Gloria Allred’s sideshow competes with Bill Cosby’s center stage performance
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Two weeks ago Los Angeles celebrity attorney Gloria Allred brought the traveling press conference that provides muscle to her law practice into the basement of Denver’s Crawford Hotel at Union Station. Any doubt that Americans live in a fame-obsessed culture was erased by 10 video cameras squeezed into a tiny meeting room. Allred’s website declares…
