Hours after the news broke that the state faces a $384 million budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year, the Colorado state employees’ union, Colorado WINS, asked the Joint Budget Committee for higher pay and benefits. Talk about awkward timing.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: Bill Ritter
Follow this topic by RSSMcInnis files campaign committee, launches Web site
A Face the State Staff Report
July 2, 2009Former Congressman and 2010 GOP gubernatorial hopeful Scott McInnis filed paperwork Tuesday to form a campaign committee, clearing the way for him to raise and spend money in support of his candidacy.
FTS Humor: Dome On the Range
Face The State Humor
June 29, 2009By Andrew Ripemoff
When I said back in January that Colorado Democrats would cause a lot of damage at the state house, I was speaking rhetorically.
But it turns out they ARE causing damage. Real, physical, neglect-induced harm. I’m talking about the golden dome. A dome built in 1894 with gold added in 1908. A tall beaming source of pride for all Coloradans. A unique, functional symbol of Colorado history that has made it through 115 years, but may not make it through the Ritter administration.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 6/29/09 - Rep. Markey's silence; Ritter's union problem
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver to discuss U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey's selectivity in talking to media outlets, and Gov. Bill Ritter's difficulty in telling Colorado WINS "no" on their request for a raise.
Play audio - 14:23 minutes
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6/29: Can Ritter cut with confidence?
Gov. Ritter says he's open to cutting unnecessary government programs. Great! When do we start?
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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Is the federal stimulus creating jobs?
Is the federal stimulus package, passed earlier this year to jump-start the economy, having its intended effect? As FTS staff writer Kate Melvin discovered, state data indicates few jobs, if any, are truly "created" by upping transportation spending.
Play audio - 5:12 minutes
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More bad budget news; will bad programs finally get the ax?
State bean-counters announced this week the state government will come in $250 million short for the fiscal year ending June 30, and a total of $384 million through 2009-10. Gov. Bill Ritter says entire programs could get the ax, but do Democrats have the fortitude to say "no" to some of their most powerful constituencies? Staff writer Rachel Boxer has the latest from the state capitol.
Play audio - 11:19 minutes
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FTS on 1100 KNZZ: State budget woes; Ritter keeps hiring
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1100 KNZZ weekend host Rick Wagner for a look at state politics as covered on FaceTheState.com. Gov. Bill Ritter attempts to plug a $384 million budget hole through FY 09-10, but that doesn't stop him from hiring new state employees.
Play audio - 12:00 minutes
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FTS on 600 KCOL: Patching the budget by cutting programs?
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 600 KCOL morning hosts Keith & Gail to talk state politics. Thursday, Gov. Bill Ritter has asked department heads to submit plans for 10 percent reductions in spending to patch a $384 million budget hole. But will he realize the necessary savings through "across-the-board" style cuts, or by nixing unnecessary programs, leaving more vital functions untouched?
Play audio - 9:41 minutes
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Ritter asks for 10% cut to department budgets
A Face the State Staff Report
June 25, 2009Gov. Bill Ritter today introduced a plan to close the state's looming $384 million budget shortfall, including digging out from a nearly a quarter-billion dollar hole in the budget year ending Tuesday. At the core of Ritter's proposal is a directive for departments to produce cuts totaling 10 percent of their general fund appropriations.
CDOT so far claims 65 jobs, $83k payroll from stimulus
A Face the State Staff Report
June 24, 2009
Face The State has obtained data from the Colorado Department of Transportation claiming 65 jobs "created or sustained" as a result of the federal stimulus package through May, though a breakout of new jobs is unavailable. According to CDOT spokeswoman Stacey Stegman, "the stimulus really saved jobs more than it created them."
Ritter's new hire makes 80k, but funding source 'unclear'
A Face the State Staff Report
June 24, 2009
The funding source for a new $80,000 "minority outreach coordinator" position filled last week is so far unknown, according to Gov. Bill Ritter’s staff.
Forget Elliman; Mr. Burns is Ritter's right-hand man
June 23, 2009
Someone give Denver Post photographer Kathryn Scott Osler a gold star. Her front page photo of Gov. Bill Ritter at a Monday press conference (JPEG) had fans of the animated series The Simpsons doing a double-take: Is that "Mr. Burns"?
Colorado Tourism Office pumps up its numbers; new minority 'recovery' director
FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer talks about two recent stories posted to FTS this week: The Colorado Tourism Office is taking criticism for pumping up its performance statistics after two Colorado economists torpedo their methodology. And the Governor's office has hired a new director to steer Stimulus Act dollars to minority firms, renewing the debate over race preferences.
Play audio - 11:05 minutes
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Marostica: hands off TABOR; focus on Amd. 23, Gallagher
June 17, 2009
Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, found himself on the outs with his own party last session for siding with Democrats on key budget issues and his sponsorship of Senate Bill 228, which eliminated the 6 percent growth cap on general government spending.
Face The State recently caught up with Marostica, who was appointed to serve on the legislature's Long-Term Fiscal Interim Committee.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 3/15/09 - More on special districts; Ritter consultants embarrassed
From the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver for a look at state politics. Nobody can say how many local governments plan special elections this year, and that poses a problem for good-government watchdogs. Plus, the Ritter re-election campaign suffers an embarrassing episode as staffers are caught praising their client on political blogs.
Play audio - 13:25 minutes
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Segment 2 - A union-backed challenger to Ritter? Plus: Where does all the tourism $ go?
FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer has details on two stories posted to Face The State this week: Union interests have been shopping around for a challenger to primary Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010, but so far three Democrats have turned down the offer. Plus, is there any accountability for the over $10 million in state money spent every year to promote tourism?
Play audio - 9:53 minutes
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FTS Humor: The Buck Stops Here...Sort of
Face The State Humor
June 13, 2009By Andrew Ripemoff
As any experienced political campaign strategist will tell you, every time an anonymous person defends their candidate by posting in the comments section of a political blog, it immediately translates into an 5-7% jump in the polls.
Political cartoon for 6/12: Ritter kicks back
Face The State Humor
June 12, 2009
Gov. Bill Ritter recently named Don Elliman to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer for the state, tasked with overseeing Colorado's use of federal stimulus money. Critics question the need for a new high-paying government position, saying Ritter should be protecting the taxpayers' interest in the normal course of his duties.
In his usual no-holds-barred style, FTS cartoonist Milton takes a look at the internal politicking behind the appointment and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's recent announcement he would not launch a primary challenge against Ritter.
Update: Ritter calendar details a busy legislative session
June 11, 2009How did Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, occupy his time during this spring as lawmakers argued over the state budget? What parties did Colorado's top executive attend to celebrate President Barack Obama's inauguration? And what was Ritter doing in Silicon Valley hobnobbing with tech sector heavyweights? It's all in Ritter's calendar, a copy of which was obtained through the Colorado Open Records Act.
6/11: Sweat it out for the environment
Be a good citizen: turn up your thermostat this summer.
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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Rumor mill: Hick not alone in turning down Ritter primary
June 10, 2009The Denver Post reported this morning that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper refuses to primary Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010. But sources tell Face The State Hizzoner Hick isn't the only Democrat who has been courted for a primary challenge.
6/10: Ritter's office wants PUC lobbyist
The state wants to use stimulus money to - get this - lobby itself. Now that's economic development for you.
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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6/8: Morse's soul-saving crusade
State Sen. John Morse is fighting for your soul, whether you like it or not.
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'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 6/8/09 - More fallout from SB 180; the crusading John Morse
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver. Will union interests fracture over Gov. Bill Ritter's 2010 re-election? And is state Sen. John Morse getting a little over-eager in his fight for Colorado's budgetary "soul"?
Play audio - 15:42 minutes
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FTS on 1100 KNZZ: Primary challenge to Gov. Bill Ritter?
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1100 KNZZ weekend host Rick Wagner for a look at state politics. With this week's veto of a contentious labor bill, is Ritter also signing away union support for his re-election campaign?
Play audio - 11:51 minutes
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Segment 2 - Firefighters lash out at Ritter after SB 180 veto
Lawmakers, union bosss and firefighters minced no words in their criticism of Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, following his veto of Senate Bill 180. The law would have eased the process by which firefighters in cities across Colorado may organize, doing away with the requirement for a public vote before a union is certified. Face The State's Brad Jones has analysis, with audio clips from state Sen. Lois Tochtrop, state Rep. Ed Casso, firefighters' union president Randy Atkinson, and former lawmaker and Colorado AFL-CIO executive director Mike Cerbo.
Play audio - 8:46 minutes
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7/3: Boulder food nannies
How about a cupcake for dessert? Not in Boulder!