Author: Jeff Crank
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GUEST OPINION: Follow the science, not ballot box biology
State management agencies play a vital role in managing species across America. Their intimate knowledge of local habitats allows them to develop individualized management plans using the best available science. To be considered the best available science, data and findings must be peer-reviewed and publicly available, with the highest standard of quality, objectivity and integrity…
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GUEST COLUMN: Theft is illegal unless you’re the government
If a group of people walked into a bank and stole $155 million, government agencies from the local police to the FBI would pounce onto the case, searching for those people until every last perpetrator is found. Once caught, the perpetrators would be brought in front of a court, tried, and (hopefully) brought to justice.…
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GUEST COLUMN: Ballot Question 1B: A dishonest tax increase
El Paso County Ballot question 1B is nothing more than a dishonest attempt to fool voters. Its shameful deception rises to the level of the misleading term-limits language of a few years ago. If you remember the term limits language that implied that a “yes” vote “limited” terms when it actually extended them, then question…
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GUEST COLUMNIST: Time to eliminate unaccountable public trustee positions
How would you like a job that paid $72,500 per year, plus expenses, in which you weren’t accountable to anyone for how you performed your duties or spent your office budget? To sweeten the deal, we’ll throw in a new car and other generous perks like full health coverage and regular back massages. If you…
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GUEST COLUMN: Temper drilling decision with little emotion, lots of facts
These days, it seems like you can’t pick up a newspaper without reading about the alleged evils of the oil and gas industry, or about supposed dangers of drilling. But fossil fuels have been a familiar, indispensable and beneficial part of our society for a very long time, and they’ll likely remain a dominant presence…
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GUEST COLUMN: Memorial process must be honest and fair
Today we take yet another step in the process of deciding the future of Memorial Health System, when a city council-led task force charged with drafting a Request for Proposal for potential leasing partners finally decides who’s a member and who’s not. Whether it’s a step forward or backward remains to be seen. But early…
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GUEST COLUMN: Candidates’ no tax pledge is not ‘irresponsible’ or ‘silly’
Ever since Americans for Prosperity Colorado introduced its Taxpayer Protection Pledge — a 15-word pledge to Colorado Springs residents that signers will not raise their taxes — the establishment and political elite in Colorado Springs have been in hyper drive. From Mike Kazmierski, head of the Economic Development Corporation to Mayor Lionel Rivera to Gazette…
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GUEST COLUMN: Colorado voters can help stop the lame duck session threat
Colorado voters have a huge opportunity to derail the radical lame duck agenda, and at the same time, ensure their Senate delegation represents the will of the people. If appointed Senator Michael Bennet loses his first election bid here, tradition suggests he should resign and allow the winner to be seated immediately for the lame…