Coyote Gulch

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Iraqi Election
Friends of Democracy: "The IECI announced yesterday Friday that the Shiite list supported by ayatollah Sistani is still leading in ten Shiite governorates in which it has obtained over 2 million votes in comparison to 500000 votes for the list of the Prime Minister Iyad El Allawi. A responsible at the IECI said in a news conference in Baghdad that the list of the unified Iraqi coalition had obtained 2 212 000 votes in the governorates at the center and in the south of Iraq. The list of Mr. Ellawi, who is also Shiite, came second with 975 000 votes. 3.3 million ballot have already been counted in 53 % of polling centers in the country. The IECI had announced Thursday that the unified Iraqi coalition have obtained 70% of the votes after having counted 10% of the total ballots. A document distributed to newsmen stated that votes have been counted in 54% of the polling centers in Baghdad. The list sponsored by Sistani obtained 160 014 votes and the list of Allawi 257 366 votes. These results clearly show that Dr. Allawi succeeded, through his methods and his political propositions, in affirming his position and imposing himself on the political arena of Iraq. The list of the national independent elites, headed by Fathallah Ghazi Ismail, obtained 15 000 votes in the Iraqi capital."
8:59:47 PM

Social Security
Josh Marshall: "Can blogs save Social Security? AARP seems to think so. Behold the AARP Blog!"
8:58:02 PM

Federal Budget in Red and Blue
Jay Ovittore: "What Bush's budget means to you-colorful version. President Bush, today, released the Federal Budget for 2006, a $2.5 trillion package. I will break it down by departments."
Thanks to Ed Cone for the link.
6:53:28 AM

Colorado Water
From email from Senator Ken Gordon, "On Wednesday from noon to 1:15 P.M. I am hosting a hearing for people to talk about ideas they have for how to address this issue. It will be at the Capitol in Senate Hearing Room 356 which is located on the third floor on the East side. There will be some experts on water issues testifying and there will be a chance for public comment as well. I am interested if anyone has an idea for legislation that will help to address the issue. You are all invited. If you know someone who is interested in water issues tell them as well."
House Bill 1177 hopes to use the Colorado River Compact as a model in managing water in Colorado, according to the Denver Post [February 8, 2005, "Bill promotes water talks"]. From the article, "The vision for a new era of collaboration spelled out in House Bill 1177 - branded as "the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act" - has the state's water warriors cautiously enthused, many of them said at a packed legislative hearing Monday. The measure, backed by Gov. Bill Owens, would create a voluntary framework for negotiating trans-basin water deals in Colorado. It holds the promise of cooperation instead of litigation and a system for finding common ground, water officials said."
More background.
6:44:02 AM

Denver November 2004 Election
John Suthers was sworn in as Colorado Attorney General yesterday, according to the Denver Post [February 8, 2005, "Suthers sworn in as AG, pledges to fight fraud"]. From the article, "He will finish the term of Democrat Ken Salazar, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in November...Another priority is protecting Colorado's water. The state also should resolve claims it has made against those that permanently damaged Colorado's environment at mining sites, Rocky Flats and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal."
6:36:54 AM

Denver May 2005 Election
Steve Welchart is helping to organize the opposition to the new Justice Center, according to the Denver Post [February 8, 2005, "Anti-jail group plans campaign, says mayor ignoring alternatives"]. From the article, "The group plans to announce its grassroots strategy, including Web- based organizing and fundraising, in the next few days. One of its biggest criticisms: City officials haven't done their homework...Although the Hickenlooper administration has faced little public opposition, critics have now surfaced, alleging city officials have not justified the need for so many new jail beds. In fact, a report from the National Institute of Corrections showed that jail bookings from 1997 to 2004 dropped 33 percent, largely because arrests have decreased and fewer people are jailed for misdemeanors." Where's your weblog?
City Council voted Monday night to add the proposed Justice Center to the May ballot, according to the Rocky Mountain News [February 8, 2005, "Jail plan heads to voters"]. From the article, "The Denver City Council voted unanimously Monday night to send the proposed $378 million justice center to voters in May...The political dominos appeared to fall firmly in place since last week when the board of a powerful neighborhood association in the Golden Triangle - where the center would be built - threw its weight behind the plan. Although the plan had smooth sailing Monday night, it could face rough water on its way to the ballot. The justice center has been sold on the basis that it will not hike taxes. While that is true, it still will cost the average homeowner about $110 a year. Here's how that works: The city plans to pay off justice center bonds with tax money that gets freed up as other capital projects are paid off. So, while the mill levy need not rise because of the justice center, taxes that otherwise would have gone down will stay level. Voters in the ballot booths in May will face unmistakable language: They are approving a tax hike."
Here's the coverage from the Denver Post [February 8, 2005, "Justice center plan clears hurdle"].
6:17:46 AM

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