Once again, we are reminded of the Calvin Coolidge quote: "It is much more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones." Many bad bills were killed or watered down. From anti-charter school bills to halting all oil and gas production in the state, we can count the defeat of these bills as a win. We have 15 days left in the session and a lot can happen. Look for our session recap on the good, the bad, and the ugly that came out of the legislature in 2024.
The Energy and Environmental Policy Center is proud to help publish a guest op-ed from energy researchers Isaac Orr and Mitch Rolling on the economic costs of Xcel’s decision to shut off power to thousands of Colorado homes and businesses earlier this month. Isaac and Mitch frequently work with Independence Institute on modeling and other analyses of Colorado energy policy. In consultation with the Energy and Environmental Policy Center, the pair interviewed a particular Colorado-based business affected by the blackout to gather data used to calculate the costs of losing power on a per kWh basis. Such a cost should be thought of as a negative externality cost of unreliable electricity in Colorado moving forward as the state’s grid becomes more vulnerable to power interruptions. You can read their article here.
May 8, 2024, can’t come soon enough. That is the day the Colorado General Assembly adjourns, and we won’t see more bad legislation until January 2025—for instance, the anti-charter school bill. The bill died after an eight-hour House Education Committee hearing where it became apparent that the bill sponsors didn’t understand the strong accountability measures that charter schools must follow. Pam Benigno, director of our Education Policy Center, penned an op-ed about the frustrating legislative hearing. Colorado Politics published Charter School Supporters Must Remain on Guard last week. Pam included a charter school history lesson, which she loves to do.
In Complete Colorado, Education Center Policy Director Pam Benigno pens a guest op-ed how opponents of educational choice are targeting charter schools. Journalist Sherrie Peif covers a potential ballot initiative to shorten the legislative session.
Podcasts *Available on all major platforms* Did you know 46% of the voters in Colorado are unaffiliated? Have you ever wondered why? Hear from the experts at Independence Institute talk about the issues important to Colorado and how to bring some sanity to this increasingly leftist state.
Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara is a current events show not to be missed. Each week it features lively - and sometimes heated - debates between elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens, subject-matter experts, and hard-pressing host Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. Jon is not afraid to express his "free-market" views, and his guests are not afraid to take on those opinions. It all makes for an informative, lively public affairs program.
Our newest podcast, PowerGab, focuses on unique energy issues facing Colorado. Hosted by Amy Cook, Independence Institute's Energy and Environmental Policy Center Director, and Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy, PowerGab tackles the complexities of energy policy and solutions for a broad audience to educate and illuminate all while having a few laughs along the way.
This podcast includes several series of commentaries about the Constitution. Each series will cover a different aspect of the document. This series thumbnails the lives of 14 American Founders and their specific contributions to the Constitution. It covers both well-known Founders, such as James Madison, and those who are lesser known, but who exercised an out-sized influence.
Andrew Feinstein is the owner of several Denver businesses, including Tracks, Denver's most popular and longest-lasting gay nightclub. He is a perfect example of the many business owners trying to survive under the new political realities created by Colorado's progressives.
On this episode of PowerGab, Independence Institute's Energy & Environmental Policy Director Amy Cooke and Director of Policy Jake Fogleman talk with guest Isaac Orr to find out how much Colorado's recent blackout cost local businesses.
Rob Natelson, our Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence has an essay in the Epoch Times discussing "Gödel’s Loophole"---the mysterious alleged flaw in the Constitution that mathematician Kurt Gödel thought could lead to authoritarianism. Gödel actually never revealed his "loophole," and for 80 years commentators have speculated as to what it is. Rob reviews the possibilities, offers his suggestion, and concludes that it’s really not a loophole. You can read the essay for free on the II website here.
Upcoming Events
Local Government Project Thursday, April 25 6:30pm – 8:00pm Online via Zoom (link will be sent after registration) Click here to register
We will be whining about session bills and enjoying a wine pairing/tasting with a selection of appetizers. Contact Harry Paul for more information.
Date: Thursday, May 16th, 2024 Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm Location: Independence Institute 727 East 16th Avenue Denver, CO 80203