New EPA Regulations On Fracking
This past Wednesday, the EPA released new regulations on hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”). Surprisingly, the 588 pages of regulations don’t amount to much. At best, they codify existing industry practices. At worst, they might cause delays and other unintended consequences. The new regulations focus on “green completions” (“completions” refers to the whole well-stimulation process, including fracking). […]
Dougco, Dougco, Dougco! State Board Reapproves Teacher Licensure Waiver
Before diving in, I have to be up front with you: Yes, this is the third time in less than 10 days I’m writing about Douglas County. (And it has nothing to do with the fact that the first legal documents were filed this week in the appeal of last August’s district court permanent injunction […]
Denver Teacher Tells Frustrating Union Opt-Out Story: Here Comes HB 1333
A 2010 Education Policy Center article highlighted a couple real-life examples of teachers who were harmed by the tight revocation deadlines and burdensome procedures that frustrate those who simply want to end their union dues deduction. A new Denver Post guest teacher commentary provides another example and a strong case for House Bill 1333, which as introduced would allow school district employees to opt in or out of union/association dues any time with 30 days notice.
Replace Medicaid with “health stamps” equivalent to food stamps
If government is going to force taxpayers to finance medical care for low-income people, replacing Medicaid with the equivalent of food stamps would be a large improvement. Continue reading
The Non-Story Story
Nearly two years ago, the Federal Transit Administration released a report saying the transit industry has a $77 billion maintenance backlog. So why is the Associated Press making a big deal of this report now? “Americans are turning to trains and buses to get around in greater numbers than ever before,” says the AP. “The […]
Are the opponents of drug law reform dishonest, ignorant or both?
Senate Bill 163 is a modest but important next step in scaling back the worst excesses of the expensive, intrusive and counter-productive War on Drugs in Colorado.
Supreme Court Allows Controversial Water Bills to be on 2012 Ballot
Update: the Colorado State Supreme Court rulings allowing for the ballot initiatives #3 and #45 to move forward are below. Thank you to the Colorado Water Congress for making them easily accessible. Yesterday, April 16, 2012, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that two controversial ballot proposals attempting to eliminate private property in water rights each […]
Obamacare’s state-run insurance exchanges: stopping them is key
Obamacare does not and cannot mandate that states create exchanges. Moreover, state-run exchanges do not preserve local control. They will do Washington’s bidding, or else they will be commandeered or swept aside. Continue reading
Chinese Takeover or Partnership for Vestas?
Vestas Wind Systems A/S and 1,700 Colorado employees could see a takeover bid by one of the two largest Chinese wind manufacturers: Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, citing unnamed sources, reports that Sinovel Wind Group and Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology, the No. 1 and 2 Chinese wind-turbine makers respectively, have discussed takeover bids with bankers. Reuters, […]
Declares or Declared?
“California Declares War on the Suburbs,” reports Wendell Cox’s op ed in the Wall Street Journal (or at least the headline so reports). This has led to all sort of supporting commentary in the conservative blogosphere, along with articles from the left that claims Cox is full of it. All the Antiplanner wants to know […]
Event Video: Marcus Winters on Teachers Matter
On Thursday, April 12, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor Dr. Marcus A. Winters shared the findings from his new book Teachers Matter with an audience of 40 Colorado educators, officials and other interested citizens.
Trust Judges with Juvenile Placements
When Colorado lawmakers created the direct-file option, the expectation was that it would be used primarily for homicide cases. However, less serious offenders and juveniles who never spent time in a juvenile facility being sent to the adult system indicate the current system has gone too far and, like other governmental functions, needs appropriate checks and balances.
