http://www.joncaldara.com Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:13:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en ***This is a MUST READ blog post from Amy Oliver over on our Energy Policy blog. Article re-posted entirely below: A bill to repeal Colorado's "phantom carbon tax" was heard today in the Republican-controlled House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee. It's the second time in as many years that State ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/02/08/which-republican-will-crater-for-carbon-tax/ I remarked the other day that Amy Oliver and Michael Sandoval of our Energy Policy Center have been doing some fantastic work lately. Not sure why energy policy doesn't get as much play as other policy areas but I certainly think energy is sexy. Their latest article scrutinizes the Obama ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/02/08/some-quick-wednesday-hits/ When we embarked on our Citizens' Budget project two years ago, we wanted it to be a big deal. It had to be, it was an enormous undertaking. We wanted to leave no stone unturned in our quest for a fiscally sound Colorado state budget. The project ended up requiring ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/02/07/3-bills-a-result-of-our-citizens-budget-project/ "Hey Jon, what's going on with energy policy these days? Oh hey there! I'm glad you asked. Our Energy Policy Center director Amy Oliver has been hitting the energy and environment issues hard lately. You should take a look at our Energy Policy Center's webpage to stay on top of Amy ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/02/06/obamas-energy-policy-2012-energy-legislation-preview/ Next spring semester, I will be teaching a First Amendment class. So I request advice from commenters about what textbooks they liked, or did not like, and why. For the recommendations, please ignore entirely the textbook’s treatment of the religion clauses. Denver University has a separate class on them, so my ... http://volokh.com/2012/02/05/recommendations-for-first-amendment-textbook/ Today the Denver Post editorialized favorably on a legislative proposal to modestly rein in run-away tax incentives (read corporate welfare) in Colorado's "enterprise zones." A better policy change might just be to get rid of enterprise zones altogether. Much to his credit, my former state representative Joel Judd (A Democrat ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/02/03/why-not-make-all-of-colorado-an-enerprise-zone/ Our good friends over at Americans for Prosperity (AFP) have a great new project called Monkey Wrenching America. I encourage you to check it out, as it's the first effort I've seen focused entirely on exposing the professional "green" energy agenda. Many groups are taking up the cause of free ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/02/02/afp-takes-on-green-monkey-wrenches/ http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/01/31/scott-renfroe-former-senate-majority-leader-ken-gordon/ Have no fear Hollywood! Your favorite Colorado legislator Tom Massey is back again with another movie-making corporate welfare bill. You may remember him from a gem of a bill last session that would have implemented a 10 cent movie ticket tax at your local theater in order to subsidize movie ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/01/30/another-attempt-at-hollywood-handouts/ Be sure and tune in to the Independence Institute's public affairs TV show Devil's Advocate this Friday night. It's the usual half-hour of public affairs excellence, but in two segments. First I am joined by Colorado State Senator Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley) to discuss his bill to ban red-light cameras ... http://www.joncaldara.com/2012/01/27/scott-renfroe-and-former-senate-majority-leader-ken-gordon-join-me/