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How have Colorado’s lawmakers impacted YOUR freedoms this week?
February 3, 2013
Principles of Liberty 2013 – Week #4
Welcome to week #4 of the Principles of Liberty! Last week we said that things were quiet at the Capitol with not many new bills being read across the desk, and that the plotting and planning must be in high gear. Well, that’s pretty much what happened. Many new bills were added to the analysis this week. Bill are in numerical order, and all of this week’s new bills are highlighted in bold.
The “Principles of Liberty” Defined
You can find the “Principles – 2013” and a sample analysis worksheet on the web site at www.principlesofliberty.org, as well as at the end of this packet.
This Week’s Commentary – Markets Know Better, by Former State Senator Shawn Mitchell
Former State Senator Shawn Mitchell has authored this week’s guest commentary (below). Highlighting last week’s stunning revelation that the Colorado Energy office can’t account for a quarter billion of taxpayer (that’s you and me) dollars, Shawn makes the case for free markets over central planning.
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Guest Editorial:
Markets Know Better
by Former Colorado State Senator Shawn Mitchell
Colorado public officials and residents relearned a painful lesson last week—one that might stick a little better if it got the news coverage it deserved: Politicians make lousy venture capitalists and throwing tax dollars at industry doesn’t build the economy; usually it just throws money away.
That’s the bottom line of a report of the Colorado State Auditor reviewing the dismal performance of Colorado’s Energy Office (“CEO”). Though written in the measured tones of financial analysis, the exposed facts supply their own exclamation points, italics, and OMGs.
The CEO couldn’t document big chunks of where a quarter billion dollars went over the last several years. Contracts for as much as $20 million lacked standard documentation. Office officials and administrators couldn’t identify program goals or standards, criteria used to award grants, or point to any evidence of the effectiveness of the grants. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on staff travel to exotic foreign destinations.
The report’s flat narrative voice describes what sounds like the worst of Enron accounting, Wall Street indulgence, and indiscriminate stimulus money spraying in all directions, all compressed into an obscure, little state office.
Time will tell where the trail leads, whether Colorado’s journalist profession is up to the challenge of running the story down, and whether the information already in the public record is of any interest to local, state, or federal law enforcement.
But it would be a mistake to see this as a story mainly about one extremely badly run state office. Rather, it’s an illustration of important principles. When it comes to growing the economy, freedom works better than planning and control; supply and demand work better than political decision making.
As we see in the CEO, and the many scandals reported and others not as widely reported in the federal stimulus boondoggle, politicians lack the skill set, the incentives, and in some cases the integrity, to distribute seed capital with the efficiency of actors operating in free enterprise.
In the first place, neither politicians nor the pundits and special pleaders who urge them on know what the next big growth opportunity is, where the next breakthrough will occur. A market of profit-seeking investors enjoys a permanent structural advantage over bureaucrats in spotting, responding to, and adjusting to the unexpected in economic opportunities.
Second, even well-meaning public officials are influenced by their own context and associations. Their decisions will likely be influenced as much by who they know and how they think the news coverage will reflect on them as by a sound assessment of growth potential.
Finally, as we see locally and nationally, the ability to hand out money without accountability for the bottom line can appeal to base, self-serving, and even destructive motives as well as positive ones.
In his first State of the State address and in each one since, Governor Hickenlooper has cited the importance of creating a positive business environment, of knocking down obstacles, streamlining unnecessary and burdensome regulations, so Colorado business and employers can act and invest with confidence. But in each address too, he has also given in to the politician’s temptation to play puppet master, to talk of planning and grants, incentives, programs and initiatives to steer the market better than producers and consumers could manage on their own.
So far this administration has done a lot of the latter and not much of the former. Mr. Hickenlooper and Colorado lawmakers sincerely interested in carrying out the governor’s goal, might be well served to reflect on the lessons accumulating before us.
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Colorado Legislative Report 2/3/13
House Bill 13-1001 Advanced Industries Acceleration Act Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1002 Small Business Development Centers Appropriations Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1003 Economic Gardening Pilot Project Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1004 Colorado Careers Act of 2013 Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1005 Basic Ed & Career Tech Ed Pilot Program Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Free Markets
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1006 K-12 Breakfast After The Bell Pilot Program Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1007 Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1008 Preference in Hiring for Disabled Veteran’s Spouse Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1010 Procurement of Stationary Supplies By Counties Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1015 Disclose Mental Health Claims All-payer Database Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1017 Notice Of Home Loan Mod & Servicer Honor Terms Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1018 Beneficial Use Produced Water Dust Suppression Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Federal & state powers (EPA regulations)
House Bill 13-1019 Regulatory Reform Act Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited government
House Bill 13-1021 Improving School Attendance Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1040 PERA Highest Average Salary Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1042 State Income Tax Deduction Disallowed By IRC 280E Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
State vs. Federal Balance of Power
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1043 Modify Definition Of Deadly Weapon Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Uphold Constitution
House Bill 13-1045 Prohibit State Aid To NDAA Investigations Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
State vs. Federal Balance of Power
Uphold Consitution
House Bill 13-1046 Employee User Name Password Privacy Protection Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Property Rights
House Bill 13-1047 Extracurricular Participation Across Sch Districts Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1048 Deadly Force Against Intruder At A Business Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Property Rights
Uphold Constitution
House Bill 13-1052 Nonattorneys Representing Closely Held Entities Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Free Markets
House Bill 13-1054 Lessen Unempl Ins Benefit Reduction Retirement Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1055 Colorado Works Redetermination Of Eligibility Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1061 Responsible Medical Marijuana Vendor Standards Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1062 Regulation Public Insurance Adjusters Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Free Markets
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1064 Publish Local Government Legal Notices On-line Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1067 Cancel Primary Major Pol Party No Contested Races Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1069 Small Business Fiscal Impact Statements Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1073 Portability Of Nonprobationary Teacher Status Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Free Markets
House Joint Resolution 13-1004 Oppose Forest Service Water Permit Reqmnt Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Property Rights
State vs. Federal Balance of Power
Uphold Constitution
House Bill 13-1075 Legislative Review Of Executive Branch Rules Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1076 No POST Certification For CBI Director Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1077 Illegal Traffic Stops License Revocation Hearings Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
House Bill 13-1078 Repeal Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
House Bill 13-1080 Aircraft Manufacturer Employee Income Tax Credit Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
House Bill 13-1083 Motorcycle Operator Safety Training Program Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual liberty
Personal responsibility
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1081 Comprehensive Human Sexuality K-12 Education Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1084 Child Care License Status When New FEIN Is Issued Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1085 Change Possession Of Weapons By Previous Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1087 Membership Human Services Allocation Committees Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1088 Office Of Health Equity CDPHE Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1089 Academic Freedom Acts Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1090 Construction Contractor Subcontractor Prompt Pay Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Free Markets
House Bill 13-1092 Limit Approp To Executive Branch For Org Fees Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1094 Tax Credit For School-related Expenditures Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1099 Public Administrators Accountability Act Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1105 Energy Saving Mortgage Program Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1106 Prohibit Discrimination Labor Union Participation Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
Uphold State/Federal Constitutions
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
House Bill 13-1109 Apply Protection Orders To Parolees Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1111 Regulate Naturopathic Doctors Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Free Markets
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1117 Alignment Of Child Development Programs Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1118 Issuing IDs To Retired Peace Officers Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1119 Veteran’s Identification Card And Driver’s License Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
House Bill 13-1125 Impound Livestock Veterinarian Determination Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Property Rights
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1127 Defendant Burden Not Guilty Reason Of Insanity Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
House Bill 13-1128 Exclude Clean Counties From Enhanced Emission Area Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1133 Plumbing And Electrical Inspections Schools Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1134 HOA Information Resource Ctr Annial Registration Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1135 Voter Preregistration At Age 16 Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1137 Lot Restrictions For BOCC Auth Over Weed Removal Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Property Rights
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1138 Authorize Benefit Corporations Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1144 Eliminate Cigarette Sales & Use Tax Exemption Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1146 ID Theft Victim CBI Records Challenge Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
House Bill 13-1147 Voter Registration At Public Higher Ed Institution Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-001 Colorado Working Families Economic Opportunity Act Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Fiscal Responsibility
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
Senate Bill 13-002 Designate BOCES As Local Education Agencies Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-003 Coal Mine Methane Gas Capture Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-006 No Reduction In K-12 Education To Expand Medicaid Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
State vs. Federal Balance of Power
Fiscal Responsibility
Uphold Constitution
Senate Bill 13-008 Eliminate Waiting Period Under CHP+ Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-009 School Board Policies Allowing Concealed Carry Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-012 Child Abuse Reporting Youth Sports Organizations Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-013 Secret Service Limited Peace Officer Authority Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
State vs. Federal Balance of Power
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
Senate Bill 13-015 Local Board Of Ed Meeting Electronic Participation Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-018 Permissible Use Of Credit Information By Employers Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-020 Business Fiscal Impacts Leg Measures & Exec Rules Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-021 Pipeline Rights-of-way Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Property Rights
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-025 Collective Bargaining Firefighters Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-028 Track Utility Data High Performance State Building Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-030 Additional Review Of Rules Promulgated By Agencies Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-031 Tuition For Dropout Recovery Program Students Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-033 In-state Classification CO High School Completion Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
Senate Bill 13-035 Prohibit Red Light Camera Vehicle Identification Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-039 Regulate Audiology Practice Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Free Markets
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-047 Youth In Foster Care And Identity Theft Protection Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-048 Authorize Local Government Use Of HUTF For Transit Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-049 Roundabout Turn & Lane Change Signal Support
This legislation supports the principles of:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-050 Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Fund Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-051 Fire Inspection Marijuana Cultivation Sites Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-054 Underage Person Alcohol Consumption Parent Consent Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-055 PERA Actuarial Soundness & Reporting Requirements Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-058 Permanent Disability Parking Privileges Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-059 Peace Officers Obtain Liquor License Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
Senate Bill 13-066 Taxpayer Abortion Separation Act Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Uphold State Constitution
Senate Bill 13-067 Extend Public Lands Off-road Vehicle Law Oppose
This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-070 Alternative Fuel Fleet Vehicles Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-073 General Permits Stormwater Rule-making Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-078 Erroneously Located Water Diversion Points Support This legislation supports the principles of:
Limited Government
Senate Bill 13-111 Require Reports of Elder Abuse and Exploitation Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
Equal Protection / Rule of Law
Senate Bill 13-126 HOA Condo Apt Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Property Rights
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-127 Sales Tax Revenue To Older Coloradans Cash Fund Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-133 Distribution Of State Share Of Ltd Gaming Revenues Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Free Markets
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Senate Bill 13-138 School Resource Officer Programs In Public Schools Oppose This legislation opposes the principles of:
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
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Contributed by Rich Bratten, Principles of Liberty.
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