Tag: Independence Institute
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Colorado title board rejects government transparency measure, backers plan appeal
A broad coalition’s push for stronger government transparency hit a major setback last week when Colorado’s title board rejected a proposed ballot measure that would allow more public access to most legislative deliberations. The three‑member title board on April 15 voted 2–1 to reject Measure No. 286, ruling that it violated the state constitution’s single‑subject…
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Colorado Title Board rejects challenges to graduated income tax ballot measure
The state body that determines whether a ballot measure contains a single subject has rejected challenges to eight versions of the push to change Colorado’s flat rate to a graduated income tax, thereby increasing the taxes on higher income earners. Opponents argued that the proposals wouldn’t just hike the taxes on higher-income individuals — they…
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Report: Colorado government has grown beyond TABOR’s limits
Colorado’s government has grown substantially over the past three decades beyond the limits that voters approved to restrain that expansion, according to a new report from a think tank. The analysis from the Independence Institute, which examines state spending, revenue sources, and employment trends since the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights went into effect in 1992,…
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Colorado voters to decide fate of additional funding for school meals program, SNAP
Two statewide ballot measures are up for voter approval early next month, the aim of which is to raise additional funds for free school meals program and help pay for the federal food stamp program. Both Propositions LL and MM are tied to the Healthy School Meals for All program, which voters approved in 2022.…
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NOAA firings hit Boulder office, state Democrats demand investigation into ‘short-sighted’ move
Hours after an unknown number of people were fired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) in Boulder Thursday, a contingent of Democrat lawmakers demanded an investigation and called reports of the firings “short-sighted,” while some argued that the terminations are long overdue. NOAA, which forecasts hurricanes and supports climate related research, is the latest…
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NOAA firings affect Boulder office
Hours after an unknown number of people were fired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) in Boulder Thursday, a contingent of Democrat lawmakers demanded an investigation and called reports of the firings “short-sighted,” while some argued that the terminations are long overdue. NOAA, which forecasts hurricanes and supports climate related research, is the latest…
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Study: Reaching 100% carbon-free electricity could cost Coloradans $318 billion by 2050
It could cost Colorado taxpayers more than $318 billion to reach Gov. Jared Polis’ goal of attaining 100% renewable electricity by 2050, according to a think tank. A report issued by the Independence Institute, a Denver-based group that advocates for policies to “enhance personal and economic freedom,” shows the cost to taxpayers for converting the electrical grid alone…
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Colorado dabbles with deregulation in the electricity industry
Consumers might have more of a say in where their electric energy comes from if Colorado’s General Assembly decides to authorize a partial deregulation of Colorado’s investor-owned utility providers, Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission was ordered by House Bill 21-1269 to conduct a study of an economic model of…
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Colorado issue committees raise nearly $30 million to influence vote on ballot measures
The handful of groups seeking your vote on statewide ballot measures in November are expected to raise more than $30 million by mid-October. As of Sept. 30, ten issue committees have raised a total of $29.3 million, with a decidedly-lopsided advantage for those who back three liquor-related ballot measures and another supporting the measure to…
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Transportation plan shifts focus away from solving highway congestion
More than $206 million in transportation funding in metro Denver is being allocated for “multimodal” projects – and away from highway widening and improvements. The Denver Regional Council of Governments approved a suite of amendments to the region’s long range transportation plan on Thursday to comply with new state rules on reducing greenhouse gas emissions…