Fracking, school finance and the parole system are top agenda items for the Governor and the legislature. Democrats will push their version of fracking regulations as moderate; Republicans will take the lead on school reform with existing money. Hickenlooper needs to shape up the state’s criminal justice system.
Issue 3
A boom in drilling, but fractured over fracking
Natural gas and oil production in the state continues to boom due to hydraulic fracturing, but four Front Range communities passed moratoriums and bans in the November election. The public, in general, is closely divided, with Gov. John Hickenlooper and most of the business community supporting the industry’s practice. The issue promises to be front and center in the 2014 election.
Issue 4
Back to drawing board for funding of schools
Voters overwhelmingly said “no” (65 percent) to a billion-dollar income tax hike for K-12 public education. Public education advocates, progressives and unions poured $11 million into the campaign. The dream of a broad-stroke financial fix for education funding is over. How to pursue reform with less money is the 2014 challenge.
Issue 5
A fatal failure of state parole system
After years of expansion and a woefully inadequate system, the state parole system turned fatal in 2013. On March 19, the executive director of the Department of Corrections, Tom Clements, was gunned down at his front door. Later investigations showed the system has major flaws and gaps. It is the most egregious failure of a state department in years.
Issue 3
A boom in drilling, but fractured over fracking
Natural gas and oil production in the state continues to boom due to hydraulic fracturing, but four Front Range communities passed moratoriums and bans in the November election. The public, in general, is closely divided, with Gov. John Hickenlooper and most of the business community supporting the industry’s practice. The issue promises to be front and center in the 2014 election.Issue 4
Back to drawing board for funding of schools
Voters overwhelmingly said “no” (65 percent) to a billion-dollar income tax hike for K-12 public education. Public education advocates, progressives and unions poured $11 million into the campaign. The dream of a broad-stroke financial fix for education funding is over. How to pursue reform with less money is the 2014 challenge.
Issue 5
A fatal failure of state parole system
After years of expansion and a woefully inadequate system, the state parole system turned fatal in 2013. On March 19, the executive director of the Department of Corrections, Tom Clements, was gunned down at his front door. Later investigations showed the system has major flaws and gaps. It is the most egregious failure of a state department in years.
See Denver Post: In 2013, the issues that mattered most in Colorado politics
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