michael johnston
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Gov. candidates talk education plans at Denver Chamber forum
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What would Colorado be like if its public schools were the best in the nation? That’s a question posed in a new survey from Colorado Succeeds and the Common Sense Policy Roundtable, with results unveiled Tuesday in a forum at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. That question, and how they would move Colorado in…
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BIDLACK | How much good government can you afford?
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How much would you spend out of your own pocket to get hired to a job that pays $90,000 per year? How much would you borrow? How about asking friends to donate? Well, the eight men and women running to succeed John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s next governor are spending quite a lot, often from their…
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CRONIN & LOEVY | Time to reform the party nominating process?
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Maybe it is time to reform the political party nominating process in Colorado. The double-barreled system currently in use – which involves both a political party state assembly and candidates petitioning on to the ballot – is complicated and confusing for the average voter to understand and favors rich and well-financed candidates over those with…
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DFER: Why Colo. Democrats threw it out of their state assembly
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On April 14, in what was the most dramatic moment in the Democratic Party’s state assembly, party activists won delegates’ assembly approval for a demand that the Colorado chapter of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) stop using the word “Democrat” in its name. The move exposed a deepening schism in the party over school choice…
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Q&A with Frank McNulty | Reliving the House GOP’s shining moment
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Colorado Republicans enjoyed a bright, shining moment following the 2010 statewide election, winning control of the Colorado House of Representatives – the proverbial “peoples” chamber in the legislature – and handing the gavel to then-state Rep. Frank McNulty. Well shy of 40 years old at the time and known as a politically astute up-and-comer at…
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Q&A with Dick Wadhams | The political grand master channels Walt Klein: ‘Voters have to like you before they’ll listen to you’
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For once, Dick Wadhams had a wound that wasn’t inflicted by his adversaries. The legendary Republican political strategist, two-time Colorado GOP state chair, decades-long veteran of campaign combat and, when needed, bare-knuckled brawler was taking his usual walk along a lake near his house the other day when he slipped on some ice. He fell…
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Michael Bloomberg putting $1 million into Mike Johnston’s super PAC
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DENVER – Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making a $1 million donation to an independent expenditure campaign supporting Democrat Mike Johnston for governor. Both men have pushed tougher laws on guns. Bloomberg, the billionaire philanthropist and entrepreneur, has given more than $5 billion to such causes as climate change and gun control.…
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And the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary is — Democrat Michael Johnston! (Kidding.)
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As reported by Chalkbeat Colorado and other media this week, the Colorado Supreme Court on Monday upheld a much-debated 2010 state law that lets school districts place veteran teachers on unpaid leave if they are underperforming. Meaning, tenure won’t shield teachers from dismissal. The ruling drew accolades from education reformers, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate…
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CIRULI: Tancredo hits the paywall — and shakes up both parties
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Once again, the Republican establishment said “no” and Tom Tancredo surrendered to the reality of having no source of funding for his third campaign for governor. Tancredo’s decision to run always lacked believability beyond a primary challenge. It appeared mostly as a revenge tour for being denied the gubernatorial nomination in 2014. But, his withdrawal…
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BIDLACK: Is local money greener?
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Both major parties have what might be called an embarrassment of riches when it comes to candidates running to replace John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s next governor. Some are rich, some are embarrassments (your own partisanship can decide which is which), but there appear to be quality candidates on both sides. Colorado Politics recently ran a…
