“Audits for Thee, Not for Me,” But More Attacks on Online Ed. Option to Come
Despite what you may hear, legislative “gridlock” isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it quite often can be a good thing. Case in point comes from this story yesterday in Ed News Colorado:
Colorado’s top senator says he’ll introduce legislation to “rein in” online schools after his request for an online education audit was rejected […]
New Report Shows Great Need for Improved School District Financial Transparency
Host Amy Oliver and senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow discuss the findings of a new Education Policy Center report that tracks how well Colorado local K-12 agencies are complying with a 2010 state law requiring greater online financial transparency. DeGrow, who co-authored the report with research associate Devan Crean, highlights both the large number of school districts that fall short of the standard as well as a few large and small districts that are setting the standard above and beyond the law’s requirements.
Help restore sanity to energy policy…vote NO
The Economist is running an unscientific poll on whether or not government should continue to subsidize renewable energy. Wouldn’t it be fun to see free market energy policy trump solar subsidies? On the “con” side, which happens to be the side of science and reason, is Robert L. Bradley, Jr. of the Institute for Energy […]
Congressman Coffman addresses "Rare Earths"
Congressman Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) announced today that he created a Congressional caucus to address the growing problem of China’s control over rare earth elements and “re-establishing domestic supply chain” of the must-have minerals. In a press release, Coffman explained: With the establishment of this caucus, I am confident we will be able to build awareness […]
Too much supply means dark days for solar panel manufacturers
Another solar panel manufacturer is laying off employees because current global supply of solar panels far exceeds demand. Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) is temporarily suspending production of “Uni-Solar,” a thin filmed solar laminate, and furloughing 140 workers according to a report in the Detroit News. The two Uni-Solar production plants are located in a “tax-free […]
Max Crashes
Vancouver voters apparently bought claims that C-Tran needed a tax increase to maintain bus service. Meanwhile, TriMet is so eager to reach Vancouver that it crashed a light-rail train into the buffers at the end of the line that could eventually cross the Columbia. Few knew about the accident until someone sent the security camera […]
Ohio Issue 3 election results: health care freedom passes
On Tuesday Ohio voters approved the Ohio Health Care Amendment to the Ohio state constitution: “no law or rule shall compel … any person… to participate in a health care system. … No law or rule shall prohibit the purchase or sale of health care or health insurance. … or rule shall impose a penalty or fine for the sale or purchase of health care or health insurance. Continue reading
Discuss Amongst Yourselves: Hess on “New Normal,” Petrilli on “Parenting Gap”
Update, 11/9: Peter Meyer has provided a great response to Petrilli’s piece. In the end, I don’t think the two are that far apart in their views on this. But it’s an important conversation to join.
It’s a “discuss-amongst-yourselves” Tuesday in little Eddie’s world. Fortunately, I have two terrific, thought-provoking articles to share. Without further ado, […]
Ed News Colorado Highlights I.I. Report on State of Local K-12 Financial Transparency
Led by Ed News Colorado, local media cover the release of the new Independence Institute report on the state of financial transparency among local K-12 agencies.
Teacher Reform Message Carried to CU-Boulder Film Event
On November 3, Ben DeGrow participated on a discussion panel at CU-Boulder following the Colorado premiere of the documentary film American Teacher.
ObamaCare’s greatest hits (misses)
ObamaCare supporters are ignoring the federal government’s dire fiscal situation; ignoring the law’s impact on premiums, jobs, and access to health insurance; ignoring that a strikingly similar law has sent health care costs higher in Massachusetts; ignoring public opinion, Continue reading
Maine Gov takes aim at renewable energy standard
Apparently Maine, not California (followed closely by Colorado), has the highest renewable energy standard in the country, and Governor Paul LePage wants to get rid of it. According to Gov. LePage, the 44 percent renewable energy requirement puts Maine at an economic disadvantage because it drives up the cost of energy in his state. Maine […]
