State and Local

Despite Top Notch Performance, DougCo Schools Face Union Lawsuits

March 13, 2013
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Douglas County’s reform-minded school board is the target of labor union litigation

DENVER – Douglas County School District (DCSD) has been recognized as being one of the highest performing districts in the state, and tops among the state’s most populous school districts.  But that hasn’t prevented the local teachers’ union from filing lawsuits against the reform-minded board. Read more »

Saudi Sex Offender’s Request for Early Release Rejected

March 12, 2013
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DENIED: It appears that Mr. al-Turki, a convicted sex offender, will not be returning home to Saudi Arabia anytime soon

DENVER – Just weeks after a Department of Corrections (DOC) spokesperson indicated that convicted sex offender Homaidan al-Turki’s application to return to his native Saudi Arabia had cleared initial reviews by prison officials, the Hickenlooper administration denied the request, citing al-Turki’s refusal to participate in rehabilitation programs. Read more »

Senators Approve Gun Control Package

March 12, 2013
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Some of the controversial bills will be sent back to the House for further consideration

DENVER– Democrat Senate leadership called the five gun-control bills approved on Monday “solutions” to gun violence. Republicans argued that the bills erode 2nd Amendment rights and make law-abiding Coloradans less safe. Read more »

Stimulus-Backed Solar Company Cleanup Could Cost Taxpayers Millions

March 12, 2013
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The Colorado-based solar company went bankrupt in 2012 after blowing through some $70 million

DENVER – Abound made national headlines last year when the solar firm collapsed after receiving a $400 million taxpayer loan guarantee. But that failure could potentially stick taxpayers with an estimated $2.2 million more in cleanup costs if many of the now-defunct firm’s remaining solar panels – panels that regulators consider hazardous waste – aren’t sold.  Read more »

Gun Control Backers Target Firearms Industry Investment

March 11, 2013
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Some supporters of stricter gun regulations are now targeting the gun industry’s bottom line

DENVER – As the national debate over gun rights rages, gun control advocates have quietly opened a new front in the battle.  It’s a battlefield far removed from the halls of Congress and state legislative chambers, and the focus of the campaign isn’t fence-sitting lawmakers, it’s dollars and cents. Read more »

Senate to Vote on Gun Control Bills

March 11, 2013
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Lawmakers are expected to approve a package of gun control bills on Monday

DENVER– The Senate will vote Monday on the final passage of five gun-control bills – If passed, three will soon arrive on the desk of Governor John Hickenlooper to be signed into law.

Hickenlooper has already indicated his support for universal background gun checks, fees or taxes for background checks, and ammunition magazine limits. Read more »

Legislature Approves Tuition Discount for Illegal Immigrants

March 8, 2013
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Republicans proposed putting the question to Colorado voters, but Democrats rejected the amendment

DENVER–A bill to extend in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants moves to the governor’s desk after gaining final approval Friday in the state House. Read more »

Hickenlooper Appoints Union Boss as University Trustee

March 8, 2013
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Lawmakers have questioned Hickenlooper’s decision to appoint a union official as a UNC trustee

DENVER– If it’s tough to pin down Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on gun-control legislation, a bigger challenge is assessing his support for unions. Though Hickenlooper has distanced himself from a pro-union bill, he appointed a teachers’ union boss to become a university trustee.  Read more »

UPDATED: Campus Gun Ban Bill May Be Yanked

March 8, 2013
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Hudak’s comments have created a firestorm of criticism in recent days, and sent the left scrambling to change the subject

DENVER – Before the marathon debate over seven gun-control bills in the Senate began Friday, reports surfaced that a bill to ban concealed carry weapons on college campuses may be withdrawn because of the loud protest against controversial remarks made by Democrat legislators.                         Read more »

Ethics Panel to Seek Outside Investigator Amid Allegations of Bias

March 7, 2013
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The Commission has agreed to hire an outside investigator following allegations of political bias

DENVER–The Independent Ethics Commission has agreed to hire an outside investigator for the ethics complaint against Secretary of State Scott Gessler following allegations of political bias.

At the same time, the five-member commission refused at its Monday meeting to recuse two of its members or its executive director from the case. Read more »

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