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Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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Denver City Council gave final approval to the ballot measure that would overhaul the city's accounting systems, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Meanwhile Monday, the council approved a ballot measure that would overhaul the city's financial structure by moving payroll and accounting functions under a chief financial officer. The restructuring has been the source of intense negotiations between city officials and the city auditor's office. But the two sides reached a compromise earlier this month. Council members praised Mayor John Hickenlooper's and City Auditor Dennis Gallagher's offices for reaching an agreement. The issue goes to voters on the Nov. 7 ballot."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
6:07:42 AM 
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U.S. Representative Bob Beauprez and Bill Ritter debated taxes and budgets yesterday, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Democrat Bill Ritter continued to pound his theme that Referendum C - the budget-loosening measure approved by voters last year - was essential for investing in schools and roads.
"Republican Rep. Bob Beauprez offered the most startling moment when he suggested that the state scrap its current system for writing a budget. 'Don't you think it's time that we set everything aside and just imagine if you would that we could start all over again?' Beauprez said. 'What would be a better model on how we collect and budget and spend the people's tax dollars?' State lawmakers approach the annual task of writing a spending plan with their hands tied by conflicting constitutional amendments. The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, the amendment known as TABOR that was approved in 1992, limits how much money the state can keep each year. Amendment 23, approved in 2000, dictates that the state must increase school spending by a set amount each year. During the debate, Beauprez did not say whether the state should scrap TABOR, nor did he offer an alternative method for handling the budget. His campaign later said Beauprez supports TABOR. Instead, he said a Republican in the governor's mansion is an important antidote to Democratic control of the state legislature."
More coverage from the Rocky Mountain News. They quote Beauprez as saying, "We've had a water policy in this state all my life. That's: Let's hope it doesn't get dry again."
Additional coverage from Colorado Confidential. Wendy Norris writes, "The event billed as "Decision 2006: The Race for the Dome" pitted the candidates against a panel of regional journalists and audience questions that focused exclusively on business-centric issues like immigration, economic development, water rights, and transportation. While the answers were well rehearsed, the issue that served as the proxy war between the two candidates was where the real rhetorical points were made."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
6:03:49 AM
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Bill Ritter was hanging out in LaPlata county over the weekend, according to the Durango Herald. From the article, "Emphasizing a commitment to improving K-12 education and health care and balancing gas production with environmental concerns, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter spoke Sunday at the annual La Plata County Democratic picnic. The picnic, held just south of Durango, is a fundraiser, with most proceeds going to a get-out-the-vote effort. State educational efforts would be focused on reducing Colorado's dropout rate and ensuring students who graduate from high school on a college track are ready for higher education without the need for remedial work, Ritter said in a telephone interview after the picnic, which was held just south of Durango at the ranch of Sen. Jim Isgar...
"Ritter said math and science requirements should be examined. He noted that many high school students complete their math and science requirements by their sophomore years, then go two years without taking courses in those areas before entering college...
"On health care, Ritter said the first step should be creating a process where stakeholders can get together and address ideas on reform...
"On the energy boom that often clashes with environmental concerns, Ritter said he would try to ensure that his appointments to the state's water and oil and gas commissions would "be mindful" of the balance of production along with environmental impacts. In addition, he said ongoing meetings between drillers and surface rights' owners to address concerns about the environmental impacts of drilling are the best way to end up with legislation that could clear the General Assembly."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
5:54:27 AM
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© Copyright 2006 John Orr.
Last update: 9/1/06; 7:24:03 AM.
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