Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Stapleton Casts Lone Vote on PERA
Government pensions may be the most serious financial problem states and state taxpayers face. Colorado’s new treasurer pledged to take on Colorado’s main government pension fund – the troubled PERA. Walker Stapleton was the lone vote on the 15-member PERA board for changes to reduce future liabilities and put the fund on a more solid footing. Will it require more lonely votes before PERA is sound?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Reagan at 100
Ronald Reagan signed my UCLA graduation diploma in 1973. He was at the end of a successful eight-year term as governor. UCLA, like most universities, was in turmoil in the early 70s, and Reagan constantly spoke out against disruptive campus behavior. But, the UC system was in its glory years for growth and funding. My college year cost less than $1,000.
Reagan was 61 when he signed my diploma, and in eight years would take the oath of office as the oldest president elected at 69. In California in 1975, he was replaced by the state’s youngest governor, Jerry Brown, then 36 years old – now the eldest at 71.
Reagan beat Pat Brown, Jerry’s father, to launch the conservative movement in California in 1966 shortly after his Goldwater speech in the 1964 presidential campaign. He then took the conservative movement to power in Washington. Our domestic politics is still largely shaped by the issues related to the size and reach of government that he defined.
He lived to see the success of his foreign policy goal of the defeat and replacement of the Soviet Communism. Although the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism continues.
Clearly, Reagan is the standout president since Roosevelt.
Reagan was 61 when he signed my diploma, and in eight years would take the oath of office as the oldest president elected at 69. In California in 1975, he was replaced by the state’s youngest governor, Jerry Brown, then 36 years old – now the eldest at 71.
Reagan beat Pat Brown, Jerry’s father, to launch the conservative movement in California in 1966 shortly after his Goldwater speech in the 1964 presidential campaign. He then took the conservative movement to power in Washington. Our domestic politics is still largely shaped by the issues related to the size and reach of government that he defined.
He lived to see the success of his foreign policy goal of the defeat and replacement of the Soviet Communism. Although the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism continues.
Clearly, Reagan is the standout president since Roosevelt.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Denver Petroleum Club and DAC Host Mayoral Candidate Forum
On March 2, the Denver Petroleum Club with Denver Athletic Club will host a Denver mayoral candidate forum. I will moderate the event posing questions to the candidates.
Questions will also be generated from Petroleum Club and DAC members.
The theme will be: How can Denver keep a positive business climate?
Join us.
Questions will also be generated from Petroleum Club and DAC members.
The theme will be: How can Denver keep a positive business climate?
Join us.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Vidal Says No - Definitively
No surprise. Bill Vidal is not running for mayor. Not only would he have gone back on his own word, but he promised his mentor and former boss, John Hickenlooper, he would not be a candidate. Running would have also made it very uncomfortable for numerous city employees who are supporting other candidates.
But wait – Vidal began listening to friends, money people and consultants. Forget his repeated statements about not running, or his understanding with Hickenlooper (Vidal disputes this but frankly his statement is not credible) or the reliance and expectations of other candidates and much of the political establishment, just push ahead.
Then have second thoughts, back out and attack Hickenlooper. An amazingly weird performance, which mostly makes Vidal look disingenuous and damages his credibility as Mayor.
Although Hickenlooper probably won this exchange with his former deputy manager, it served to remind people Hickenlooper is still playing politics in Denver.
Given more than a million dollars has now been raised, the various interests and consultants looking for new candidates probably will back off and go with someone in the field. Expect to see the race consolidate quickly.
See Denver Post articles:
Vidal won't run, rips Hick
Denver's next mayor: Handicapping the race
"Lot of chatter" about encouraging Mayor Vidal to run for full term
Mayor Vidal puts a nail in it - He's not running
But wait – Vidal began listening to friends, money people and consultants. Forget his repeated statements about not running, or his understanding with Hickenlooper (Vidal disputes this but frankly his statement is not credible) or the reliance and expectations of other candidates and much of the political establishment, just push ahead.
Then have second thoughts, back out and attack Hickenlooper. An amazingly weird performance, which mostly makes Vidal look disingenuous and damages his credibility as Mayor.
Although Hickenlooper probably won this exchange with his former deputy manager, it served to remind people Hickenlooper is still playing politics in Denver.
Given more than a million dollars has now been raised, the various interests and consultants looking for new candidates probably will back off and go with someone in the field. Expect to see the race consolidate quickly.
See Denver Post articles:
Vidal won't run, rips Hick
Denver's next mayor: Handicapping the race
"Lot of chatter" about encouraging Mayor Vidal to run for full term
Mayor Vidal puts a nail in it - He's not running
Wadhams Quits
Democrats are smiling. Not only was Dick Wadhams a master campaign tactician, but he realized that in a high turnout presidential race, Colorado Republicans must reach out and attract sufficient weak partisans and unaffiliated voters to get to a majority. It can’t just be done with Republican loyalists and conservatives.
Ted Harvey and his legislative colleagues are the party’s leadership as it approaches the 2012 presidential race. And, they know how to add state senate and house seats. They must convert swing districts to the Republican column. Those same tactical and strategic approaches will be needed to defeat Obama statewide. Is the Democratic elation premature? – probably, but Republicans beware. Colorado is both a top battleground state, and the Democrats model on how to win the close race.
Ted Harvey and his legislative colleagues are the party’s leadership as it approaches the 2012 presidential race. And, they know how to add state senate and house seats. They must convert swing districts to the Republican column. Those same tactical and strategic approaches will be needed to defeat Obama statewide. Is the Democratic elation premature? – probably, but Republicans beware. Colorado is both a top battleground state, and the Democrats model on how to win the close race.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Attorney Theresa Spahn Joins Top Mayoral Fundraisers
The Denver mayor’s race topped a million dollars in contributions on February 1st. The race will be a multi-million dollar battle with bond trader Chris Romer likely to lead the pack.
A new candidate who managed to collect more than $50,000 is attorney Theresa Spahn. In fact, she now leads Councilman-at-large Doug Linkhart.
Fundraising is only one part of the contest, but it can purchase considerable name identification and early favorability. Since Romer has high-name identification due to his father, having raised nearly a half million dollars makes him frontrunner.
A new candidate who managed to collect more than $50,000 is attorney Theresa Spahn. In fact, she now leads Councilman-at-large Doug Linkhart.
Fundraising is only one part of the contest, but it can purchase considerable name identification and early favorability. Since Romer has high-name identification due to his father, having raised nearly a half million dollars makes him frontrunner.
Metro Regional Sales Tax Up 8% in 2010
At least consumer spending is beginning to recover in metro Denver. The total sales tax revenue in the seven-county metro area is up 7.8 percent in 2010 above 2009.
A one-percent of sales tax produces $400 million in the region, which RTD collects. A 7.8 percent increase is good news for the municipalities, special districts and a few counties of the region that depend on sales tax for general funds and specific projects, such as transportation, recreation and culture.
A one-percent of sales tax produces $400 million in the region, which RTD collects. A 7.8 percent increase is good news for the municipalities, special districts and a few counties of the region that depend on sales tax for general funds and specific projects, such as transportation, recreation and culture.
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