• Education Policy Center (including the blog Ed Is Watching) for coverage of the world of education policy, school choice and reform issues
• Also occasionally on the Ed News Colorado blog
• Writings on teachers unions and related government labor issues at Public Sector Inc
• A new less-than-regular column on education labor and related issues at Colorado Peak Politics

Nevertheless, this year you can count on this space for more coverage of events at the legislature and analysis of the upcoming state legislative elections — much like these 2010 posts on the state house and senate.

That sort of in-depth analysis will wait ’till later. For now, to whet the appetite, a quick look at House District 27 — 2010′s correctly called #1 pickup for Republicans. Democrats want it back, naturally. But given the recent reapportionment that added to the district’s GOP registration advantage, it’s an uphill climb. A month ago the liberal blog Jeffco Pols reported that Big Labor’s Tim Allport was stepping up to challenge Republican freshman Rep. Libby Szabo:

But can he win? Allport’s certainly connected enough to the activist core of the Colorado Democratic Party, and we suspect that every notable Dem in Jeffco will at least go canvass for the labor leader. Whether or not he poses a serious threat to Szabo, however, all comes down to his fundraising. If Allport’s numbers are competitive, HD-27 might be useful in the Democratic attempt to regain the House.

If Allport doesn’t pull in the amount of money he needs to, however, it gives good reason for Democrats to ignore HD-27 and focus on easier ways to recapture the speaker’s office. The next few weeks, then, will be critical to the overall viability of Allport’s campaign as he both picks off low-hanging fruit and reaches out to new donors.

Well, early signs indicate that the Arvada house district may not shape up to be on the Democrats’ 2012 hit list. Allport’s first 40 days’ take was less than $2,500, and more than $1,000 reportedly has been spent already. Too early to count him out, though. The unions’ ability to cash in quickly with small donor committee dollars keeps the challenger a threat for now.

Szabo sits pretty with more than $33,000. Still, she and the GOP team will be working hard, not taking anything for granted. If they are going to maintain their one-seat edge in the House, Republicans will have to model that approach statewide.

While CD 1′s hard-working Dr. Mike Fallon (#2 on the list) looks to be keeping true to his word to be a one-time candidate, the conservatives occupying the next two spots both could be back in the fray for 2012. It was more than 13 months ago I observed about CD 7 primary runner-up Lang Sias (#4):

Depending on how redistricting plays out, he might end up inside Senate District 19. Would he be interested in taking on this challenge in 2012?

Word on the street is that Arvada resident Sias indeed is seriously considering a run for SD 19, and is expected to make a decision early next year. The seat is currently represented by liberal Evie Hudak. Her seat stands at the top of any Republican list to challenge for control of the state legislature. Sias’ 2010 Congressional run doubtless has bought him some invaluable experience and local name recognition. It’s not clear what other Republican might be considering a go at SD 19, but Sen. Hudak cannot be relishing a possible challenge from the father and former Navy fighter pilot.

Owen Hill (#3) — who finished 340 votes short of unseating Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) — has declared for the newly redrawn Senate District 10. A beneficiary of the reapportionment process, Hill’s stiffest competition this time around will come in the GOP primary versus State Rep. Larry Liston (who has a relatively low 2011 score from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers but did sponsor the failed anti-protectionist HB 1284).

Others mentioned in the November 2010 post to keep an eye on… Christine Mastin was appointed state party treasurer in April, and Danny Stroud capably took the helm of the Denver Republican Party earlier in the year, while Brian Vande Krol is weighing another highly competitive run at a state legislative seat.

While CD 1′s hard-working Dr. Mike Fallon (#2 on the list) looks to be keeping true to his word to be a one-time candidate, the conservatives occupying the next two spots both could be back in the fray for 2012. It was more than 13 months ago I observed about CD 7 primary runner-up Lang Sias (#4):

Depending on how redistricting plays out, he might end up inside Senate District 19. Would he be interested in taking on this challenge in 2012?

Word on the street is that Arvada resident Sias indeed is seriously considering a run for SD 19, and is expected to make a decision early next year. The seat is currently represented by liberal Evie Hudak. Her seat stands at the top of any Republican list to challenge for control of the state legislature. Sias’ 2010 Congressional run doubtless has bought him some invaluable experience and local name recognition. It’s not clear what other Republican might be considering a go at SD 19, but Sen. Hudak cannot be relishing a possible challenge from the father and former Navy fighter pilot.

Owen Hill (#3) — who finished 340 votes short of unseating Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) — has declared for the newly redrawn Senate District 10. A beneficiary of the reapportionment process, Hill’s stiffest competition this time around will come in the GOP primary versus State Rep. Larry Liston (who has a relatively low 2011 score from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers but did sponsor the failed anti-protectionist HB 1284).

Others mentioned in the November 2010 post to keep an eye on… Christine Mastin was appointed state party treasurer in April, and Danny Stroud capably took the helm of the Denver Republican Party earlier in the year, while Brian Vande Krol is weighing another highly competitive run at a state legislative seat.

While CD 1′s hard-working Dr. Mike Fallon (#2 on the list) looks to be keeping true to his word to be a one-time candidate, the conservatives occupying the next two spots both could be back in the fray for 2012. It was more than 13 months ago I observed about CD 7 primary runner-up Lang Sias (#4):

Depending on how redistricting plays out, he might end up inside Senate District 19. Would he be interested in taking on this challenge in 2012?

Word on the street is that Arvada resident Sias indeed is seriously considering a run for SD 19, and is expected to make a decision early next year. The seat is currently represented by liberal Evie Hudak. Her seat stands at the top of any Republican list to challenge for control of the state legislature. Sias’ 2010 Congressional run doubtless has bought him some invaluable experience and local name recognition. It’s not clear what other Republican might be considering a go at SD 19, but Sen. Hudak cannot be relishing a possible challenge from the father and former Navy fighter pilot.

Owen Hill (#3) — who finished 340 votes short of unseating Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) — has declared for the newly redrawn Senate District 10. A beneficiary of the reapportionment process, Hill’s stiffest competition this time around will come in the GOP primary versus State Rep. Larry Liston (who has a relatively low 2011 score from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers but did sponsor the failed anti-protectionist HB 1284).

Others mentioned in the November 2010 post to keep an eye on… Christine Mastin was appointed state party treasurer in April, and Danny Stroud capably took the helm of the Denver Republican Party earlier in the year, while Brian Vande Krol is weighing another highly competitive run at a state legislative seat.

As I often say, if you like how the union spends your money on politics, you have no reason to complain and absolutely nothing to do. But for those teachers who would rather support their own political causes, or use the money to pay for Christmas shopping or just save for a rainy day, then members need to be informed of their opportunity. One way to find out how to get the Colorado teachers union political refund is to watch the video:

For those who want to cut to the chase, all the information you need on the Every Member Option political refunds ($39 for CEA, up to $24 for some of the CEA locals) is available on the Independent Teachers website. Or you can go directly to CEA’s online refund request form.

In the episode Jon describes the notifications about teacher options as my personal charity work — the kind of charity work where one gets called nasty names. So be it. In the last-minute rush before the holidays, and tomorrow’s all-important December 15 deadline, here’s hoping this post makes the difference for someone out there.

You certainly don’t need to watch it for my sake, but please watch it to help keep hope alive… and spread the word. Why? As I wrote in an in-depth post-election analysis for Ed News Colorado, the message has been sent that it’s time to do something different, more effective, more productive with K-12 education. And Douglas County is one of the leading pioneers. (Here’s another post-election piece — about Prop 103 and the teachers union — you might enjoy.)

Now tonight, it’s on to CU-Boulder for a movie premiere panel event, where I figure to be in the minority. Should be fun….

From school board races to mill levy and bond measures, there are a number of issues pertaining to education in Colorado being decided this evening. Well known is the fate of the Proposition 103 “For the Children” tax hike — which not only crashed and burned but also disintegrated in a ball of blue-hot flame (64% No vote at last count). Two out of three Denver Public Schools board seats went to the reform ticket, with a third between challenger Jennifer Draper-Carson and incumbent Arturo Jimenez literally too close to call at this hour.

Disappointing news in my own backyard of Jefferson County, where the reform, Republican-backed “Dads” ticket of Jim Powers and Preston Branaugh were defeated. In my mind, though, the story of the night has to be in Douglas County — where a unanimous majority in favor of the nation’s first school board-initiated voucher-like program appears headed for complete electoral vindication. Other lesser-touted school board results of note:

• In Adams 12, the state’s fifth-largest district, conservative Mark Clark won re-election and was joined by challenger Norm Jennings, who won a convincing victory (Republican-backed Richard Ezo lost his race)
• In Colorado Springs 11, the largest district in the Pikes Peak region, conservative Bob Null was re-elected and joined by former district communications director Elaine Naleski (sadly, reform-minded Lisanne McNew was defeated)
• In Greeley, two strong reform candidates prevailed to take three seats in a pair of races that featured 14 candidates: Scott Rankin and Logan Richardson (fellow conservative Geoff Broughton did not prevail, however)
• In both Poudre (Fort Collins) and Lewis-Palmer 38 (El Paso County), reform-minded slates all sadly went down to defeat
• Conservative Ann Tisue beat out her liberal opponent in Mesa County 51 and Jeff Leany cruises through unopposed, marking a likely shift in the reform direction for what is by far the largest district on the Western Slope
• Conservative Bob Kerrigan, who boldly came out against the local mill levy in Thompson School District, has an unofficial narrow lead of 228 votes — though even if he wins, he might be a lone voice of dissent on the board (where have I seen that before?)
• Falcon 49 incumbent treasurer Andy Holloman finished third in a four-way race for two seats — I’m not entirely clear what the results mean for the district’s bold innovation plans, but I will be digging for answers
• Conservative Karen Hoopes — wife of 2010 Republican state legislative candidate Kaarl Hoopes — looks very much like she has won a spot on the Mapleton Board of Education

A mixed bag, but all in all a positive signal for the conservative reform team against the always well-organized forces of the status quo. Meanwhile, a host of local mill levy, bond and BEST facility matching grant elections were held tonight. I haven’t been able to do a full roundup, but the results by-and-large appear to have been carried down with Senator Rollie Heath’s Proposition 103. These include the following tax and debt elections, which according to unofficial results all appear headed for defeat:

• Douglas County Schools
• Mesa County 51
• Pueblo County 70
• Thompson R-2J (Loveland)
• Brighton 27J
• Englewood Public Schools
• Sheridan 2
• Bennett 29J
• Falcon 49
• Peyton 23 JT
• Eagle County Schools
• Garfield County Re-2
• Garfield County 16
• Weld County Re-1

A handful of districts (mostly small- or medium-sized) I’ve been able to find defied the odds and achieved victory, including:

• Mill levy overrides in Cheyenne Mountain 12, Roaring Fork (Glenwood Springs) and Byers 32J
• BEST matching funds grant elections, primarily to construct new schools, in Ellicott 22, Big Sandy 100J, and Prairie Re-11

Not all results were easily available, but the large sample indicates a clear majority of the school district tax and debt elections (and especially in the larger districts) failed. Seeing some success in the matching funds grant elections is not so surprising, since the local tax dollar’s power is effectively doubled in the voter’s mind. I’m sure some will want to know what the three successful MLO districts did to persuade their local voters.

In the final estimation, taking what you can from an off-year election, tonight’s results are a resounding vote for fiscal restraint and an encouraging (if not perfect) result for local reform. Given the hand they’ve been dealt, what will the new reform (and status quo) board members do next? Stay tuned….

Colorado has one issue on the statewide ballot this year: Proposition 103, a large tax hike sold as a way to increase revenues for K-12 and higher education. Unfortunately, there are two major problems with this proposal that render it unworthy of support.

First, it’s a job-killer that very well could prolong and deepen our state’s current recession. An Independence Institute issue paper by Dr. Barry Poulson finds that more than 11,000 jobs will be killed, a devastating analysis of the Prop 103 “domino” effect most creatively expressed in this amazing 3-minute video:

Second, the case for more K-12 education funding rests on a very weak foundation that lacks valuable context. Mike Rosen cited some numbers I dug up for him from the Colorado Department of Education in his column today for the Denver Post:

Complaints that public education spending in Colorado has been slashed in recent years conveniently ignore the big picture. Ben DeGrow at the Independence Institute reports that total annual expenditures on K-12, adjusted for inflation, from 1999 to 2010 have increased by $3.2 billion or 46 percent. Per pupil spending is up 24 percent. There’s little to show for it in the way of results.

Simply put, that quick one-two punch should inform Colorado voters why Prop 103 deserves to go down in flames. The Independence Institute’s Ed Is Watching blog also has a similar, more lighthearted take.

I’m heavily biased (take time to read the brief credits), so I’m really curious to see what six entries could have finished ahead of this “Fiscal Child Abuse” video masterpiece. Maybe the girls are so cute that they somehow downplay the gravity of the message? I don’t buy it, but that’s the only explanation I can think of why this video didn’t finish even higher.

But anyway, kudos to my Independence Institute colleagues for their creative, production and/or supporting dramatic roles: Tracy Kimball-Smith, Amy Oliver, Todd Shepherd and Jon Caldara. For their sakes and for mine, take the two and a half minutes to watch it all, especially the outtakes at the end. You’ll be entertained and educated!

As my juvenile alter ego at Ed Is Watching pointed out:

…it’s a story like 13-year-old Nate Oakley’s that brings to life the need for Douglas County vouchers, and the real threat created by lawsuits filed by the ACLU and other groups.

Find all the resources you’ll need to follow the developments and ins-and-outs of the Douglas County Pilot Choice Scholarship Program on the Education Policy Center website.