GOLD DOME DECREE: Winners Of The 2013 Legislative Session

Published on May 9, 2013 by

Welcome to the third annual Colorado Peak Politics legislative awards where we honor the winners, losers and those that neither won nor lost, sometimes maddeningly so. Or, as we have dubbed them in years past — sister kissers.

The session itself was a stone cold loser for the people of Colorado, with gun rights greatly diminished, rural electric rates set to rise and a looming billion dollar tax hike endorsed by every Democrat under the Gold Dome.

It was, in the words of The Durango Herald‘s Joe Hanel, “one of the most liberal ever.”

Without further ado, here are the folks who came out ahead by Sine Die.

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PeakFeed: Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll Caught Napping On The Job

Published on May 3, 2013 by

Sorry, Senator, are we keeping you up?

A reader sends in the below picture of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll asleep at the wheel.

Guess she didn’t learn after Democrat State Reps. Rhonda Fields and Jeanne Labuda were nailed catching up on some Zs during the SB252 debate.

 

A MAN WITHOUT A HOME: Hickenlooper’s Standing Taking On Water From All Sides

Published on April 2, 2013 by

OUR VIEW: Governor Hickenlooper has lost his base and his moderate trump card. Who will stand with Hickenlooper? At this point, that is as hard to figure out as where Hickenlooper himself stands with every issue in the headlines.

Something interesting is happening at the top levels of the Colorado political hierarchy. For the first time ever, Governor John Hickenlooper is in hot water.

For two years, Hickenlooper seemed like a moderate. We say seemed because he was actually only allowed to fake moderation, since all the really bad liberal bills died in the Republican House.

But now Hickenlooper seems like a governor without a home. 

Even though Hick just sold his soul to Mike Bloomberg and Barack Obama on gun control, that bought him exactly nothing from the nut-jobs on the left.

From the left-wing Colorado Pols:

For all of his political success, it must be noted that Hickenlooper has never really had to deal with any intense, sustained public opposition since he was first elected Mayor of Denver. There have been spats, sure, but nothing that Hick couldn’t easily sidestep before things got sticky…until now. 

…In today’s fracking “debate” at the University of Denver, Hickenlooper tried several times to duck tough questions with his folksy brewer dance, but instead of getting him out of a jam, it just made him look, well, stupid. It wasn’t charming. It wasn’t cute. But he kept pushing it, all the way up until the end of the debate, when he went one step too far in a poor attempt at a joke that ended up sounding more like an insult.

How stupid was Hickenlooper’s move on guns? He destroyed himself with Republicans and gun-loving moderates, and got no credit and nothing in return from his wacked out base.

Whomever is running the Governor’s political shop should be fired.

Pols takedown of the Guv caused Hickenloopers’s political adviser, Alan Salazar, to dismiss the post on Twitter as “mostly an ad hominem snark attacking the Guv. Thin on actual policy.”

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OVER-REGULATION: Senate Introduces First Oil and Gas “Health” Bill

Published on March 12, 2013 by

UPDATE: The Colorado Oil & Gas Association sent the Peak a statement on the recently-introduced legislation:

The first section of the bill makes note of the prohibition on a local-government-fee authority.  The prohibition exists because local governments earn a large local property tax; 87.5 pct of gross value on oil and gas production was established by the legislature to make sure local governments could pay for impacts from drilling.  If local governments wish to pay for their own inspectors, they have a revenue source.

The second section would require the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to inspect every well annually; this is unnecessary.  Not only would that double the size of the COGCC in one year, the Commission would not be able to comply and staff up in an effective manner.  Wells are visited at least weekly and often times daily by company personnel who are incentivized to self-report due to the strict environmental liability laws.  In addition the industry often uses solar powered electronic telemetry to monitor pressures and tank volumes.

In the end, this bill would require a tax increase of at least $7 million, for the additional 70 FTE require. That $7 million doesn’t include the amount local government will charge.

At first read, this bill is full of cumbersome, expensive requirements of dubious merit.

Last week, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll told the Denver Business Journal that the Senate Democrats planned to introduce an oil and gas regulation package this week.  The first of the regulations, SB13-202, has been submitted to the Senate by the Boulder County Democrat Contingent – Democrat Sen. Matt Jones, with House sponsor Democrat Rep. Jonathan Singer.

One of the most interesting parts of this legislation is the premise that the oil and gas industry “has led to increased risks to Colorado’s natural environment and public health”.  The bill also “declares that this act to increase the frequency of inspections of oil and gas wells is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.”

Again, both of these claims have been refuted time and time again, most recently by a study of wells near Erie, as the Peak recently reported, which found that “a lifetime of exposure to those levels were unlikely to result in adverse health effects for people.”

Colorado Petroleum Association President Stan Dempsey offered commentary to the Peak on the newly-submitted legislation:

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NEXT FIGHT: Democrats Target Jobs in Oil and Gas

Published on March 11, 2013 by

While the majority of the the news coming from the Capitol has focused on the Democrat-sponsored gun control package, Democrats quietly will roll out a job-killing and pointless fracking regulation package this week, according to the Denver Business Journal.  As usual, Senate Democrats obfuscate the true meaning of the legislation with nonsensical double speak:

Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, called the measures an “economy development-in-energy” package. But House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, immediately referred to it as a “job-killing plan.”

Details on the new package from Democrat Senator Morgan Carroll unsurprisingly were few, but Carroll told the DBJ to expect “some bills dealing with the health issues on fracking.”

The need for such legislation might surprise some Coloradans as just last month a study of an Erie well found that health risks from emissions of area natural gas wells were low.  From a Denver Post article, written for the Daily Camera by reporter Joe Rubino:

“The monitored concentrations of benzene, one of the major risks driving chemicals, are well within acceptable limits to protect public health, as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” the state’s report on its findings read. “The concentrations of various compounds are comparatively low and are not likely to raise significant health issues of concern….”
Further, the consultant who conducted the study in Erie, Cynthia Ellwood of Lakewood-based Pinyon Environmental Inc., noted the following:
“…She could say that based on her findings, a lifetime of exposure to those levels were unlikely to result in adverse health effects for people.”

Despite similar studies with similar results conducted across the country, environmentalists refuse to believe that fracking does not pose a health hazard. Their willful ignorance of the scientific facts can only be explained by the fact that the results don’t support their reason for existence. Further, now that Democrats hold the State House, State Senate, and the Governor’s Mansion, it’s time to payback their funders, many of whom are heavily invested in green technology, which is in competition with natural gas. 

If Democrats want to kill natural gas production in Colorado, that’s an election consequence. But, let’s not pretend it’s in the name of “health” – let’s call a spade a spade and recognize that its simply time to payback their friends. 

 

TASTE OF THE BIG APPLE: CO Legislators Crib Gun Language from New York U.S. Representatives

Published on March 6, 2013 by

University of Denver Law Professor David Kopel testified at Colorado’s capitol on Monday about several gun control bills, noting that some of the language in Colorado’s controversial legislation was taken verbatim from gun control legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a liberal Democrat from New York.  We looked.  As usual, he was right.

McCarthy-sponsored H.R. 137, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2013, reads an awful lot like the Colorado State House Bill 1229, co-sponsored by Democrat Reps. Rhonda Fields and Beth McCann in the House and Democrat Sen. Morgan Carroll in the Senate.  Not only is the bill in its entirety similar, but there are several sections that are copied as a whole.

As a refresher, HB1229 is the bill that would require background checks on private transfers of firearms, even among extended family members, and it was introduced on February 7, 2013.  Here are a few examples of the language shared between the two bills:

In HR137, the exceptions to background checks:

“A transfer that is a bona fide gift between immediate family members, including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren”

From HB1229, in the same section:

“A transfer that is a bona fide gift between immediate family members, which are limited to spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren”

From HR137, regarding temporary transfers:

“At a shooting range located in or on premises owned or occupied by a duly incorporated organization organized for conservation purposes or to foster proficiency in firearms”

From HB1229, in the same section:

“At a shooting range located in or on premises owned or occupied by a duly incorporated organization organized for conservation purposes or to foster proficiency in firearms”

From HR137, regarding transfer exemptions due to death or estates:

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MORE GUN LAWS: Democrats Push for Purchaser-Funded Background Checks

Published on February 9, 2013 by

Colorado Bureau of Investigation SealDemocrats introduced two new gun control laws pertaining to background checks, as part of the assault weapons ban that wasn’t.  The first bill, HB1229, would require background checks for the transfer of all firearms and the second bill, HB1228, would require purchasers (not the government) to pay for the background checks.  HB1229, sponsored by Democratic State Reps. Rhonda Fields and Beth McCann and Democratic State Sen. Morgan Carroll, reads:

“Unless a specified exception applies, before any person who is not a licensed gun dealer transfers or attempts to transfer possession of a firearm, he or she shall: Require that a background check be conducted of the prospective transferee; and Obtain approval of the transfer from the Colorado bureau of investigation (bureau) after a background check has been requested by a licensed gun dealer.”

The bill further reads that the firearm dealer may not charge a fee greater than ten dollars to perform the background check.  Violation of this law is a Class 1 misdemeanor.  There are a few exceptions to this requirement – transfer of an antique gun, transfer between immediate family members defined as siblings, children, parents, and grandchildren, transfer due to death of previous owner when recipient is executor of the estate, a temporary transfer in the home of an unlicensed transferee if he or she is not prohibited from possessing firearms and believes the firearm is necessary to prevent imminent death or harm, or a temporary transfer at a shooting range or while hunting.

HB1228, introduced by Democratic State House Rep. Lois Court and Democratic State Sen. Rollie Heath, requires the recipient of a firearm pay for the mandatory background check (as described above) with the CBI.  The summary of the bill reads:

“The Colorado bureau of investigation (CBI) shall impose a fee for performing an instant criminal background check pursuant to the transfer of a firearm. The amount of the fee shall not exceed the total amount of direct and indirect costs incurred by CBI in performing the background check.”

A Peak source believes the cost for the CBI background check is approximately $12, which combined with the payment the gun dealer would charge of no more than $10, brings the total to around $22 for the background check.  This seems funny to us — demanding that people pay to exercise a basic right enshrined in the bill of rights. Doesn’t the Left constantly complain about the cost of photo ID to vote being unconstitutional?

 

HEY LADY, SIT DOWN: Romanoff Pushes Newell Out; Democrat Men’s Club Wins Again

Published on February 8, 2013 by

Colorado Democrats talk a good game on “women’s rights”, but when push comes to shove, it is the Men’s Club that usually gets the upper hand when it comes time to decide who is running for high office.

It happened again today as State Senator Linda Newell, a popular swing district Democrat who has won two tough elections, got pushed out of the way in the Democratic race to challenge Mike Coffman by Men’s Club member Andrew Romanoff, a Democrat who rose to the position of Speaker of the House without ever running in a competitive seat. 

From the Colorado Statesman:

Junkies will recall that Romanoff hastily announced his candidacy for Congress last weekend, just days after Newell first expressed interest in a bid herself. The rapid-fire move by Romanoff apparently checkmated Newell before the game even started.

The fact that Newell actually lives in the competitive heart of Coffman’s District, and Romanoff doesn’t even live in the District, doesn’t matter to those sitting at the progressive roundtable. Today it was deemed from on high — Andrew is their Man.

Can’t you just hear Romanoff telling Newell: Senator, why don’t you handle the dishes while the men go to the living room to talk?

All of this obviously doesn’t sit well with Colorado Pols.

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PAST VOTES NOT AN ASSET: Why Is Morgan Carroll Flip-Flopping On In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants?

Published on February 5, 2013 by

A lot has been made of the reversal of some Republicans on the issue of in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants, also known as the ASSET bill. 

The Denver Post reported last week that a number of Republicans have or are considering voting for the measure.

Colorado Pols isn’t impressed. They were out with a post yesterday, mocking the reversal of these Republicans on the issue.

To be fair to Pols (something which we try not to do), such a sudden shift on a black and white issue is a fair thing for fake commentators like ourselves and Pols to ponder. 

Which got us thinking: why did Democratic Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll flip-flop on in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrant students?

Remember, it was Carroll who cast the deciding vote in 2009 defeating the bill. Democrats were in charge of everything back then, and it was Carroll whose vote prevented the measure from becoming law.

From Tim Hoover at the time:

The 2009 measure failed on a 16-18 vote, and Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, was one of five Democrats who voted against it.

So what changed her mind?

There are three possible explanations.

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HARD FEELINGS: Democrat Establishment Trolling For Romanoff Alternatives

Published on January 30, 2013 by

With news that State Senator Linda Newell is publicly eying the 6th Congressional District race, there are now three Democratic candidates talking openly of entering the race, with at least three more looking privately. With so many names floating out there now, it’s hard to ignore the candidate fishing expedition that the Democratic establishment seems to be on looking for alternatives to perennial possible candidate Andrew Romanoff.

Our sources tell us that U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s sphere of influence is still influenced by hard feelings. As most readers likely remember, Romanoff ran a bitter primary against the newly-appointed Bennet in 2010, going so far as to sell his house to pay for last minute attack ads.

If Romanoff thinks he gets a free shot, he better think again.

From our friend, FOX31‘s Eli Stokols:

DENVER — State Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, is now the third Democrat who is considering running against GOP Congressman Mike Coffman in 2014.

“Yes, the rumors are true,” Newell said. “I’m seriously considering a run at Congressional District 6 in 2014. 

“In the last couple of months, citizens and political leaders across the state have come to me with the same inquiry. People in our district want a woman in Congress who has a strong record of bipartisanship and moderate values.”

While Andrew Romanoff may have been first to float his name publicly, voices from across the Democratic Party infrastructure are letting him know the nomination is not his for the taking.

From Colorado Pols:

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