The Buzz

Colin Cassidy Memorial Fund

bradj — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:24:35 -0500

A terrible tragedy has befallen one of Colorado's most compassionate political leaders. Sara Cassidy, director of public affairs for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, lost her son, Colin, age 2 1/2, in a drowning accident in Vail last Sunday.

A fund has been established in memory of Colin.

Liberty never takes a day off, especially not July 4

bradj — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:18:55 -0500

Colorado will play host to another round of "Tea Parties" this July 4 holiday weekend. The rallies are a follow-up to the grassroots movement that began on April 15 - tax day - and drew a crowd of over 5,000 people to the capitol in Denver.

FTS on Fox 31 News: New laws, new fees

bradj — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:56:59 -0500

Following Face The State's publication of details on the 51 bills hiking state fee revenue this year, Fox 31 reporter Eli Stokols reports on the real-world impact to individuals and businesses.

Longmont's Levison digs deep for tax revenue

bradj — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:05:40 -0500

Politicians have long debated the "death tax," levied by the IRS on inter-generational transfers of wealth. Now, cash-starved local governments are looking to cash in on the deceased, too. At a recent Longmont City Council meeting, councilwoman Sarah Levison was so concerned a local estate sale was not collecting sales tax that she called authorities to "go out there and figure out what was going on."

Legislative musical chairs

bradj — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:57:01 -0500

Even though the legislative session ended in May, the Capitol rumor mill is still churning out gossip. The latest buzz is that Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo, is considering a move to nearby state Senate District 2 in anticipation of a 2010 bid.

Lucero's $700/hr sprint to midnight

bradj — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:30:50 -0500

Today marks the end of the 2nd quarter, and candidates for political office are scrambling to bring in last minute cash to pump up their July campaign finance reports. Among them is Tom Lucero, a CU Regent and one of two announced GOP contenders in the 4th congressional district. In an e-mail sent at 4:30 this afternoon, Lucero is getting aggressive with his fundraising, albeit a little late in the day.

When is a job created? Obama team ventures a guess

bradj — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:39:31 -0500

The White House is responding to requests from state agencies struggling with how to accurately track and report jobs that have been "created or sustained" as a result of the federal stimulus. As reported last week by Face The State, the Colorado Department of Transportation has claimed only 65 jobs - most of them "sustained" - a small drop in the bucket toward Obama's goal of 3.5 million nationwide.

Markey says she reads bills before voting, but how could she?

bradj — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:20:37 -0500

Freshman U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey claims to read bills prior to voting in Congress, but it's unlikely she had the time to do so before voting for federal "cap and trade" energy legislation Friday.

Study comic books at CU, 'imagine' work at DU

bradj — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:24:33 -0500

Traditionally, summer school has afforded undergraduates the opportunity to catch up or get a leg up on core requirements at a quick clip. But this summer at Colorado's premier colleges, students are enjoying seemingly less academic endeavors, including courses on comic books as literature and paranormal activity as it relates to pop culture.

Markey, Salazar down to the wire on 'cap and trade'

bradj — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:01:00 -0500

Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, had harsh words for U.S. Reps. Betsy Markey and John Salazar, who have been silent about whether they support the “Cap and Trade” proposal, which will be voted on in Congress today.

“It’s time for these two gutless Democrats to take a side for Colorado families and small business by opposing ‘Cap and Tax’ job losses, higher taxes and higher energy costs,” Wadhams said in a release Thursday afternoon.