Author: Bob Gardner
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Rein in the power of health bureaucrats
On March 11, 2020, Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) then stepped in and has since issued over 45 public health orders and amendments. Versions of almost all the original public health orders are still in effect today.…
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Let’s help Colorado’s children catch up
For a generation of educators and policy makers in Colorado, the wide gap in educational outcomes and enrichment opportunities between the rich and poor, suburban and rural communities, urban and gentrified neighborhoods has been a cause of great frustration and grave worry. It is unacceptable, yet it remains. Too many of our children are falling…
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GUEST COLUMN: Colorado businesses need help with regulatory red tape
As we climb our way out of the economic downturns of this unprecedented year, we should be exploring all avenues available to help businesses navigate the regulatory process and return to prosperity. Specifically, attention should be given to major infrastructure projects that could unleash investment in Colorado yet which have struggled for years to get…
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GUEST COLUMN: Special interests have hijacked our ballot – and our state’s constitution
Colorado’s constitution has become a dumping ground for bad ideas – drafted, funded and promoted by narrow special interests. Too often, they use big money to do an end-run on the Legislature – the citizens’ elected lawmaking body – instead going straight to the statewide ballot with reckless proposals whose superficial appeal and confusing complexity…
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GUEST COLUMN: Amendment 69 is an unmitigated disaster for Coloradans
Coloradans: Would you like all your health care decisions for the next three years to be made by 15 unelected government bureaucrats? That’s what Amendment 69, which has qualified for this fall’s ballot, would mandate. Before you answer, here’s a few additional facts to help you decide. These 15 “trustees” – a fancier word for…
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Tough questions on the details of Memorial Health system deal
Like most citizens of Colorado Springs, I have watched with a keen interest over the past several years as studies were conducted, leadership changed, and then a transaction was finally announced regarding the city-owned Memorial Health System. There can be a lot of discussion whether the bid selected by the city was the best choice…
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Both good and bad in 2013 session
On the first day of this year’s session, Democrat Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino promised a “laser-like focus” on job creation. Looking back on the session, the speaker’s legislative priorities show that our parties have two very different notions of what a “jobs bill” actually is. From day one, House Republicans set out to…
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GUEST COLUMN: Civil union debate was only a diversion; just ask Sirota
In keeping with his “progressive” credentials, Denver columnist David Sirota is nothing if not a consistent advocate of ruinous policies that would waylay the U.S. economy if ever fully implemented. In other words, he hails from the political fringe and generally shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Yet, if even a broken clock is right twice…
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Bill would change our society
As an elected official, one of the things I learned very early was that there is no shortage of people who will misconstrue and misrepresent one’s views, concerns, and motivations. A case in point is The Gazette’s editorial concerning my opposition to HB 1260, a bill that would extend new rights to any two unmarried…