GOP senator asks guv to delay rules for state workers

By Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News

...Republicans urged Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday to hold public meetings across Colorado to scrutinize a proposed policy that would formalize union access to state employees.

The new guidelines, by Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration Director Rich Gonzales, would require the state to provide employee organizations with space to hold meetings, e-mail addresses of all employees and use of state mailrooms.

Republicans charge the policy will turn Colorado into a union paradise...

Read full story: www.rockymountainnews.com

Grab your wallets
2008 could be banner year for tax raisers

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial

If Colorado had an Tax Increase Early Warning System — and every state should have one — the sirens would be wailing away right now. In case readers hadn’t noticed, the groundwork is being laid for tax hikes next year — how else can we afford to address three alleged “crises” facing the state, in higher education, with the medically uninsured and our aging transportation infrastructure? And unless citizens send Gov. Bill Ritter and legislators a clear signal that they aren’t going to get rolled without a fight, 2008 could be the year Democrats begin to live up to their billing as the party of tax-and-spend.
The pitch began several months ago for a boost in higher ed funding — much as if the voters hadn’t several years ago approved a measure (anyone member Referendum C? ) that left more than $5 billion of TABOR refunds in state hands. Apparently, politicians are counting on us having a case of mass amnesia. The customary arguments are being dusted off, about how backward and behind Colorado is in terms of funding levels. But where more money might come from is unclear.

H.R. 980 would end local control of public safety labor contracts

Rocky Mountain News Editorial

...Sometimes, Washington politicians so arrogantly trample state laws and municipal ordinances that it's a wonder we even bother with policy-making at the local level. The latest possible intrusion comes in the form of H.R. 980, which would force every state to allow police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel to unionize...

...Colorado is one of the dozen states that allows localities to decide, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, whether collective bargaining for public safety personnel is in the best interest of the community.

H.R. 980 would overrule that local prerogative. As the bill moves to the Senate, we urge Colorado Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar to reject this bill, and preserve the freedom of local residents to decide which elements of compensation and working conditions can be negotiated in a labor agreement with safety employees...

Read full story: www.rockymountainnews.com

...Think tank director Jon Caldara today demanded school districts and counties release information that could be relevant in a suit to stop Gov. Bill Ritter's program to generate more property tax revenue.

Caldara said the request under the state open records law is a step toward such a suit.

"There definitely will be a lawsuit," Caldara said. Denver attorney Richard Westfall will represent him...

Read full story: www.rockymountainnews.com