Coyote Gulch

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Giuliani for President?
Washington Whispers: "Republicans looking for some excitement in the lead-up to the 2008 presidential race are starting to chant Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. While Rudolph Giuliani, New York's 9/11 mayor and national hero, hasn't talked about running, there are hints he's ready. A key Republican senator tells us that Rudy's peeps are already at work in Florida. And we hear that he's making a trip to Iowa--home of the first 2008 presidential caucus--to help raise money for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Jim Nussle."

Category: 2008 Presidential election

8:32:55 AM

San Antonio to host GOP?
Oval Office 2008: "'San Antonio leaders should make a serious effort to go after the 2008 Republican National Convention, according to San Antonio Business Journal readers who participated in an online survey,' the Business Journal reports. 61% of those taking part in the poll backed a bid for the 2008 GOP Convention, against 36% who were opposed."

Category: 2008 Presidential Election

8:28:34 AM

Changes to Colorado water law?

Here's an opinion piece from today's Denver Post dealing with potential changes to Colorado water law. Chuck Howe, professor emeritus of economics and a faculty research associate at the Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, writes, "Several steps could help in overcoming these problems without major modifications in water law.

"First, the names of water rights owners could be recorded so that prospective buyers would know whom to contact. Secondly, prices of transactions should be made public so that 'going prices' can be easily determined.

"Third, the review process for proposed transfers could be simplified by tossing out the 'beneficial use' doctrine. When the West was first settled, the threat of monopolization of streamflows by early claimants to water may have been a threat, justifying the need to demonstrate beneficial use as a condition of a water right. But now, with all significant streams being fully appropriated and with the increasing attractiveness of smoothly functioning water markets, the doctrine may have outlived its utility. Avoiding injury to other water users could be reviewed by the state engineer, but the need to demonstrate a beneficial use could be avoided, freeing informed investors to anticipate future needs.

"Finally, the establishment of 'water banks' in each of the major basins as authorized by 2003 legislation would facilitate both short-term leasing and permanent rights transfers. Water banks can take several forms, from maintaining a bulletin board for the posting of offers to buy, lease and sell to 'interruptible supply contracts' by which farmers are paid over longer time periods to let cities take part of their water during droughts. Water bank activity has been increasing rapidly throughout the western U.S. and should be encouraged in Colorado."

Category: Colorado Water

8:03:58 AM

Precinct caucuses Tuesday
Here's a primer about Tuesday's caucuses from Fred Brown and Denver Post. From the article, "Caucuses draw from the edge of the pool, not the center. Disproportionate numbers of left-wing Democrats and right-wing Republicans attend, and their influence continues all the way up to the primary elections in August. To participate, you must have been registered as a Republican or Democrat for at least 60 days. The one-third of Coloradans who have no party affiliation don't get to go, even if they wanted to. So few people show up, it's a problem filling all the slots for county assembly delegates, says Pat Waak, state Democratic Party chairman. Some years, some precincts don't even meet. The precinct caucuses pick delegates to the county assemblies. The county assemblies send delegates to various district nominating assemblies and eventually the state assembly, where candidates are chosen for each party's primary ballots.

Here's the link to the state Republican party caucus finder application and state Democratic home page with information

Category: Denver November 2006 Election

7:56:02 AM

Immigration
Catholic leaders in Colorado are calling for a cooling off period with regard to immigration reform, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Three Colorado bishops on Saturday called on politicians to slow down with immigration reform so comprehensive legislation can be crafted that respects the rights of migrants and immigrants...[Denver Archbishop Charles] Chaput, Bishop Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo and Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan also announced the kickoff of a statewide campaign to educate Catholics about the controversial political issue...The bishops' campaign, which is part of the church's Justice for Immigrants campaign, intends to educate, unite and get Catholics to mobilize support for comprehensive immigration reform."

Category: 2008 Presidential Election

7:42:00 AM

World Water Forum

Here's a report from the United Nations World Water Forum from the AP via CTV.ca. They write, "Farms and their wasteful irrigation systems are a major contributor to water scarcity on the globe, nations at a world water summit said Saturday. Farming accounts for 70 percent of the water consumed and most of its wasteful use, said representatives of 130 nations at the World Water Forum discussing water management. One-fifth of the world's population lacks safe drinking water, the United Nations said in a report last week that laid much of the blame on mismanagement of resources."

Category: Colorado Water

7:20:11 AM

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