We have a case of post-session indigestion

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial

05/09/07 

    There were two major accomplishments in the 2007 legislative session, as we look back on it. It adjourned early. And it could have done worse. Beyond that, from the our point of view, it was just about what one might expect with Democrats at the helm.
    Gov. Bill Ritter and Democrats managed to ram through a major tax increase (ostensibly to save an education trust fund that’s being drained by autopilot spending increases mandated by Amendment 23) despite doubts about whether it was constitutionally kosher and a political blunder Republicans will exploit. Some Republicans called it a shell game designed to shift more of the burden for funding schools onto property owners, who will be out of pocket $1.7 billion (over ten years) because mill levy rates that should fall will be frozen in place. This frees up more state funds for diversion to other pet programs.

    Coloradans engaged in yet another silly debate about what constitutes a tax increase, with one faction arguing that as long as rates don’t rise, it doesn’t count. But for property owners who will be shelling out more than they otherwise might have, as their property values and tax payments rise concomitantly, it certainly walks, talks and hurts like a tax increase.
    Some Coloradans must have been surprised to hear Ritter predicting a calamity in school funding, less than two years after voters surrendered $5 billion in TABOR refunds to the state. Citizens might have been equally dismayed to see Democrats raiding transportation accounts to pay for pet projects. We said when Referendum C passed that it wasn’t a fiscal solution, but just a quick fix — but even we couldn’t imagine how quickly the fiscal Chicken Littles would be back, claiming the sky is falling and asking for more.
    And with pro-“investment” Democrats now firmly in control, how long will it be before they’re back for more? Brace yourselves for next year; this session, they were just warming up.
    A potential energy crunch looms in Colorado, as demand is expected to outpace supply, but rather than dealing with the situation realistically, focusing on tried and true technologies, the governor and legislature jumped whole hog on the renewable energy bandwagon.
    A doubling of Amendment 37 renewable energy mandates was approved, even before we know whether meeting the earlier standards is affordable and feasible. No objective, Coloradospecific cost-benefit analysis was done. Amendment 37’s optout provisions were disallowed. No fail-safe mechanism was built in to suspend the mandates if they prove too costly or impractical to meet.
    Backers of the mandates simply looked around at what other states are doing, like teenage fad-followers, pulled arbitrary numbers out of their hats and demanded compliance, completely disconnected from all other considerations. It marks an unparalleled effort by the state to manipulate energy markets and dictate energy sector business decisions. That not only sets a bad precedent, but the ratepayers will suffer the fallout when the folly becomes apparent.
    At the same time Ritter & Co. were over-hyping “Colorado’s new energy economy,” which is years away from reality if it ever pans out, Democrats were waging war on the old energy economy by trying to stack the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission with people likely to be hostile to the industry.
    Backers of the idea claim the commission, as currently constituted, is a captive of energy interests, because some members are geologists or engineers with “links” to industry. But this allegation, though plausible, was never supported by evidence. Once again, emotion, rather than reason, facts or common sense, carries the day.
    We knew Democrats would drink the renewable-energy Kool-Aid, given their distrust of markets and penchant for command and control. But that purportedly pro-free market, proconsumer, anti-regulation Republicans would put up so little fight over this is surprising. The only defense they had was that windmill power polls well with soccer moms. No knock on soccer moms, but energy policy is too important to be based on poll results. This debate has taken place completely removed from energy sector reality.
    We’ve already detailed our disappointment with the failure of Democrats to do anything substantive to improve Colorado’s education system, while waging guerrilla warfare against school choice and higher standards. And we’ll have more to say in the days ahead about how legislators did on business issues.
    But let’s conclude on a positive note — by counting our blessings that Colorado has a part-time Legislature.
There’s hope for the country yet
    Congratulations to Denver’s East High School, whose “We the People” team of young constitutional scholars just returned triumphant from the nation’s capital, having bested 50 other teams in their knowledge of that all-important document. In an era in which popular knowledge of history, civics, government and the U.S. Constitution often seem on the wane, it’s reassuring to see young people with such a passion for the subject. The team was treated to a pep rally and standing ovation from state senators last week.

    Entering the contest meant extra work for the 28-person team, including studying through last summer vacation. But it paid off. “I’ve never been so proud of something,” senior Max Viski-Hanka told The Denver Post. “The best part is we’ve become more able to be involved in issues that are important to us,” added senior Tessa Caudle, who reportedly listens to “Meet the Press” on her iPod. “You learn a lot about American culture and how to take part,” said Brian McQuinn.
    Our hope for the future has been restored. Coach Susan McHugh and all “We the People” team members have made Colorado proud. Now, go out next year and defend that title!