This week from Laura and Rebecca. Awesome ladies and news letter!
Jay
The Two Faces of Governor Polis, Natural Gas Costs Will Increase This Winter, CDOT Doesn’t Build Roads, but Does Micromanage Your Life, and More!
Here are some of the stories we are following this week. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-the-minute news.
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Colorado Springs Utilities is informing customers that they should expect natural gas prices to increase this winter. Because why not increase costs upon the already increased costs.
Also, Colorado Springs Utilities is proposing a 26% budget increase, including 10% raises for employees. Part of this increase is also to cover costs for the broadband boondoggle they have no businesses getting into, as broadband is already being provided by private companies. People are getting crushed by inflation and all the “green energy” initiatives being forced on us. Just stop already. The solution to too much government is never more government.
Public transportation in Colorado Springs was failing in the 1960s. So, government decide to throw taxpayer money at it, which only made the failure more expensive. And here we are, 50 years later.
One citizens group is planning to recall Colorado Springs City Councilmembers Wayne Williams and Stephannie Fortune. If the organizers do gather enough signatures to force a recall, and the councilmembers don’t resign, taxpayers will need to pay for a special election. Will you be supporting it?
One local affordable housing advocacy group is looking for government to solve the issue of rising rents. Have they learned nothing? When is the last time government actually helped anything other than themselves to your paycheck?
Speaking of government “helping”, the minimum wage in Colorado will increase 8.6% on January 1. The government minimum wage will be $13.65 per hour. The real minimum wage, however, will always be $0.
When Governor Jared Polis is safely ensconced in power, he happily champions and signs into law “criminal justice reform” legislation that has caused tremendous harm to Coloradans, and seriously diminished the quality of life in our state. But, when it’s time for him to run for re-election, he speaks as a champion for public safety. Jared Polis has two faces, and neither face is trustworthy.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has a new $1.7 billion plan for transportation. However, there are only two highway-widening projects in the plan. Much of the money will go toward “alternative methods” of transportation. Remember, CDOT is no longer in the business of serving the taxpayers. They are in the business of micromanaging your life.
Another candidate has entered the race for Colorado Springs Mayor. Andrew Dalby says, if elected, he said he would focus on running an efficient small government focused on basic services. When we hear “small” and “basic services”, we listen.
Denver built a tent city for some homeless people. Well, it caught fire and burned to the ground. Denver, also known as Toilet City, because of all the…well…toilet stuff, promises to rebuild the camp. What’s that movie line? “If you build it, they will come? And then it will burn”? Something like that. No wonder people are fleeing Denver.
Speaking of the homeless folks in Denver, many will be given lump sum payments of up to $12,000, courtesy of taxpayers, in Denver’s basic income scheme. Now, many of these people are on the streets due to severe drug and/or alcohol addictions. Where do you think this money will go? But, not to worry. To quote Denver Basic Income Project founder Mark Donovan, “The whole point of it is to make a statement of trust in individuals and their agency to know what they need in their lives rather than try to tell them what they need.” Interesting concept. How about allowing some of us taxpayers that basic freedom in such things as what car to drive, what temperature to keep our homes, what our children are taught at school, etc.? It is our birthright, after all.
More people moving here means more automobile traffic. In Denver, or Toilet City, it means more smog. So, get ready to pay for the forced government solution to the problem government helps create by encouraging people to move here.
But wait! In swoops our election-year superhero Jared Polis to sue the EPA about this forced gasoline blend mandate. Election year stunt? Maybe. Governor Polis has shown he’s not above it.
El Paso County is number 1 for DUI arrests in Colorado so far this year. Will more red-light cameras flashing their bright white “cha-ching” light help slow this trend?
Also, violent crime and road rage are on the increase in Colorado. Violent crime in Colorado Springs is actually above the national average here.
Here is voter registration information for you in case you need to register or update your current registration.
Colorado Springs has selected a new Director of Parks and Recreation. Already there are questions about the openness of the process used to select her. If her selection is approved by Colorado Springs City Council, she will be paid $185,008 for the job, plus benefits. If anyone is listening, we’ll do it for $181,000.
The case against Senator Pete Lee has taken an interesting turn. Apparently, the grand jury handed down the indictment of Senator Lee based on false information. Senator Lee is accused of giving false information about his true residency. Despite this information, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney, Michael Allen, says he will still move forward with this indictment. Senator Lee states that this is all political.
The United States Justice Department has charged 47 people with stealing around $250 million in COVID relief funds. Not a surprise that money was stolen from this $6 trillion ill-conceived, and ill-controlled taxpayer funded slush fund, but it is surprising the DOJ is actually charging people for fraud.
Speaking of taxpayer-funded slush funds without end, the federal government will hand $2 billion in tax money to southern Colorado to fund transportation projects over the next ten years. Which brings up a good question: Does Colorado Springs really need the PPRTA tax renewed when this river of money is flowing in?
On the subject of roads and money, the I-25 gap project is nearly complete. You paid for it. Now, you will be able to pay a toll to drive on it. It’s the circle of life.
What time is it? Pueblo Chile Festival time! Live music. Roasted chilies. Chihuahua parade. More roasted chiles. More live music. Good food. There is no downside to this event, folks. Support your local chile farmer.
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