North Suburban Republican Forum

April, 2012
www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.com www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.org

Our next meeting is from 9:30-11:30 am, Saturday, April 21st. Youll be able to hear from your House and Senate legislators discussing what the Colorado Legislature has accomplished so far this session and what is on tap Please Bring your checkbook and/or time to volunteer as our candidates need your support to win on November 6th. We meet at the Anythink Huron Street Library community room, 9417 Huron St, Thornton, CO, 80260.

NSRF upcoming calendar in 2012: May 12 An update from your City Council members and County administrators about what is happening in their domain June 9 Q&A with AdCo County Commissioner District 1 & SD-21 candidates before the primary vote July 14 -- Board of Education officials discussing issues in their school district August 11 -- RTD members discussing transportation concerns and FasTracks

If you have a smart phone, use a bar code app for the QR code on the left, it will take you to our web site, www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.com
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Table of Contents:
State Assembly/Convention Details Republican Party participation from the ground up Heres the list of north metro candidates County jail population declines Colorado House debates $8 billion spending plan Second campaign finance lawsuit filed against Gessler Dems quash voter integrity bill in Senate committee House gives preliminary approval to tax incentive bill Coors outraises Perlmutter in first quarter We cant lose if voters stick to their guns Did Dems miss the target? Barack Obamas failed Changes to the American economy GOP silent as Colorado Senate passes immigrant tuition bill Adams 12 proposing $12 million in cuts Colorado ballot proposals would end property taxes, let most use pot Adams County elected officials list Adams county voter information NSRF Board of Directors list Politically, is there a difference? NSRF membership application

STATE ASSEMBLY/ CONVENTION DETAILS

Saturday, April 14, 9:00am Magness Arena at the Daniel F Ritchie Center at University of Denver 2201 E Asbury, Denver 80208 Registration begins 7:00am You must have a badge to enter

JUDICIAL DISTRICT 17 ASSEMBLY

Friday, April 13, 9:00am in Wells Fargo Theater, Sec 1 in the Colorado Convention Center 700 14th Street, Denver 80202 Registration begins 8:15am (If you are a Del/Alt to State, you are also a Del/Alt to JD17)

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 ASSEMBLY/ CONVENTION

Thursday, April 12, 6:00pm Jefferson County Fairground 15200 West 6th Ave, Golden 80401 Registration begins at 5:00pm

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6 ASSEMBLY/ CONVENTION

Friday, April 13, 2:00pm in Room 705 at the Colorado Convention Center 700 14th Street, Denver 80202 Registration begins at 1:00pm

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4 ASSEMBLY/ CONVENTION

Friday, April 13, 2:00pm in Wells Fargo Theater, Sec 1 in the Colorado Convention Center 700 14th Street, Denver 80202 Registration begins at 1:00pm

HOUSE DISTRICT 56 MULTI-COUNTY ASSEMBLY

Friday, April 13, 12:00pm (Noon) in Room 712 at the Colorado Convention Center 700 14th Street, Denver 80202 Registration begins at 11:15am (If you are a Del/Alt to State from HD56, you are also a Del/Alt to the HD56 Assembly) 3

Heres the list of north metro candidates

Adams County Commissioner District 1: Adams County Commissioner District 2: Adams County District Attorney: HD-29: HD-30: HD-31: HD-32: HD-33: HD-34: HD-35: HD-56 HD-63: SD-21 SD-23 SD-25: CU Regent: CU Regent CD7 CD-2: CD-6: CD-7: Robert Ramirez Mike Sheely Beth Martinez Humenik Paul Reimer Dave Pigott Jodina Widhalm Brian Vande Krol Kevin Priola Lori Saine Fran Bigelow, Matt Plichta Glenn Vaad, Vicki Marble John Sampson Matt Arnold, Brian Davidson Mary Dambman Kevin Lundberg, Eric Weissman Mike Coffman Joe Coors Gary Mikes, Kaarl Hoopes Donnia Howell

County jail population declines

by Tammy Kranz April 06, 2012

Cities comply with inmate cap; sheriff warns of spike

Four months into the municipal inmate cap at the Adams County Jail, most cities have been in compliance and the overall population is down from this time last year. Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr and other jail staff gave commissioners W.R. "Skip" Fischer and Erik Hansen an update on jail population during their March 21 study session.

In an effort to reduce the population at the county jail so it can operate with less staffing, the Adams County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution Oct. 31 imposing a municipal inmate cap. The cap stands at 30 and is divided among nine municipalities, based on their population in the county. The county will charge the cities a $45 daily fee for each inmate exceeding its cap. Darr said the jail population would naturally spike during the busy season, which is spring and summer. He said there are potential problems with a of couple cities that aren't working as hard as the others to observe their individual caps. "All municipalities, with the exception of Aurora and Commerce City, have been busting their humps to maintain a fair number (of inmates)," said Capt. Kurt Ester, jail commander. Ester said Commerce City has been averaging eight to 10 inmates, which is twice its allotted amount, and Aurora was consistently over its allocation as well. The per diem charge does not take effect unless the overall municipal inmate count goes over 30, Ester said. Then the city that is exceeding its individual cap will be charged. Hansen said he was not surprised by Aurora's and Commerce City's use of the jail. "That's what's called free riders," he said, adding that the overall goal to reduce the jail population was being met. "The population is down; it's under 1,100." Darr sought guidance on how to figure out which city to charge for an inmate who has multiple charges from different cities. Jim Robinson, county administrator, suggested jail staff could either assign the city that has the most serious charge or divide up the assignment instead of charging one city for that inmate, charge the different cities for a half or third of an inmate. Darr also asked what should be done in the scenario in which an inmate who pushes the cap past 30 has five charges from five different cities, and the $45 daily per diem penalty kicks in. "Do we charge them all?" Darr asked. Hansen said, "That's what the resolution says you would have to do." The county is creating a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee to find ways to reduce the inmate population, and the commissioners will consider lifting the cap by July, a move that will please the cities but not the sheriff. "The cap and the per diem, whether we like it or don't, are the components keeping the population down," Darr said. Fischer and Hansen asked the sheriff to give more updates before July and to send over whatever data he compiles regarding the inmate cap. "We're going to want to know as much data as we can get," Fischer said. "We're trying to work on this together." Adams County municipal inmate caps Arvada 1 Aurora 4 Bennett 1 Brighton 3 Commerce City 4 Federal Heights 1 Northglenn 3 Thornton 8 Westminster 5 Total 30 http://www.great8newspapers.com/Articles-News-c-2012-04-06-224664.114125-sub17478.114125-County-jail-populationdeclines.html#print

Colorado House debates $8 billion spending plan

The Associated Press POSTED: UPDATED: 04/11/2012 02:07:10 AM MDT 04/11/2012 06:41:56 AM MDT

Colorado Capitol dome (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

DENVERThe Colorado House will debate an $8 billion spending plan that includes good news for schools, colleges and seniors. Schools don't face cuts this budget, but their funding per student is still about $600 lower than it was in 2009. Colleges that have been repeatedly cut in recent years are faring better with a proposed cut of just under $6 million. The spending plan also includes a $100 million property tax break for homeowners 65 and older who have lived in their houses for at least 10 years. The tax break was expected to be a contentious part of the budget but better-than-expected tax revenues meant the state could easily afford it. The proposed budget will be debated Wednesday.
Read more:Colorado House debates $8 billion spending plan - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_20370525/colo-house-debates-8-billion-spending-plan#ixzz1rkZ1GtWM Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

Second campaign finance lawsuit filed against Gessler

By SARA BURNETT The Denver Post A second lawsuit has been filed against Secretary of State Scott Gessler, accusing him of overstepping his authority and issuing new campaign finance rules that conflict with state law and the Colorado constitution. Denver elections attorney Mark Grueskin filed the case in Denver District Court on behalf of David Paladino, a Democratic candidate for state Senate district 27; Mike Cerbo, executive director of Colorado AFL-CIO; Pro-Choice Colorado PAC; Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Ballot Issue Committee and Citizens for Integrity. Colorado Common Cause and Colorado Ethics Watch also sued Gessler on Friday. Gessler, who issued the rule rewriting state rules in February, has said the groups and individuals who oppose the changes have stacked the deck in their favor and that he isnt surprised by the challenges.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/04/10/campaign-finance-lawsuit-filed-gessler/67120/

Dems Quash Voter Integrity Bill in Senate Committee

April 9, 2012 By Colorado News Agency

(Colorado News Agency Photo) DENVER Lawmakers killed a proposal Wednesday to let the states voters decide whether they should have to show a photo ID to cast a ballot in future elections. House Bill 1111, sponsored by Reps. Libby Szabo (R-Arvada) and Ken Summers (R-Lakewood) and Sen. Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield) would have sent the much-debated photo ID question to the voters in November. Mitchell told the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee that requiring a photo ID when voting would not encumber those who are exercising their right to vote and would safeguard the integrity of elections. Unlike a crime against your property, crimes of voter fraud dont show up, said Mitchell. We are leaving the door open to the rampant opportunity of bad actors. If they care enough to vote, they care enough to get an ID to vote, he said. Secretary of State Scott Gessler said asking the people of Colorado would be a prudent avenue in determining the need for photo identification in voting. Leaving this issue to the common sense of the good people of Colorado is the way this issue should be decided, said Gessler. Yet, Sen. Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) who voted with the Democratic majority in killing the bill on a party-line vote, said the ballot proposal didnt pass constitutional muster. The right to vote is a constitutional right and is not open to public opinion. Asking voters to verify a constitutional right is not constitutional, said Bacon.

http://thecoloradoobserver.com/2012/04/proposal-to-give-voters-final-say-on-voter-integrity-dies-in-senate-committee/

House Gives Preliminary Approval to Tax Incentive Bill

April 6, 2012 By Leslie Jorgensen

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(Photo by Pam Broviak)

DENVER Senate Bill 124, which would award tax incentives to six tourism projects instead of the current limit of two a year, passed its second reading in the House on Thursday but not without impassioned partisan debate. Republicans touted it as a jobs bill; Democrats denounced it as corporate welfare.

How many teachers are going to have to be laid off because were spending money on corporate welfare? asked House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino of Denver. He said the funds would better serve K-12 public education. Kids should come before corporations. This bill is about the children and putting their parents back to work, said Rep. Brian Del Grosso (R-Loveland). Their parents want to see that were trying to put people back to work and that is what this bill does. This bill is not going to cause the loss of any revenue. The money has already been dedicated to this, said Rep. B.J. Nikkel, R-Loveland, who with Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, sponsored SB 124. The bill would amend the Regional Tourism Act of 2009 that authorized the Economic Development Commission and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade to review and approve $50 million state sales tax as incentives for two tourism projects. The tax breaks are awarded after the project is completed, fully operational and based on generated sales tax revenues. The act was changed last year to authorize the EDC to approve a total of six projects on a two-per-year basis. To date, no project has been approved or disapproved by the EDC. Tourism project applications are submitted by townships, municipalities and counties. Current applicants include Aurora for a $153 convention center and hotel, Douglas County for an $86.5 million sports and prehistoric park, Estes Park for the $19.2 million redevelopment of historic Elkhorn Lodge, Glendale for a $124 million riverfront development, Pueblo for $35.7 million worth of riverwalk enhancements, and Montrose County for several tourism projects totaling $169 million. Proponents argued that the bill creates jobs both during the project phase and after completion by increasing tourism and boosts local economies. This is going to give us the opportunity to create jobs, declared Rep. Don Coram (R-Montrose). He said that Montrose County had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, hovering at 26 percent. Opponents contended it helps six communities to create tourism projects while ignoring others, doesnt offer a guarantee to attract outof-state tourists, and uses money that should be directed to public schools. Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) argued that the bill is unfair because the projects will be magnets to draw tourists to one community at the expense of others. He specifically cited theDouglas County project that could hurt tourism in Jefferson County. Thats taking tourists out of my district; thats taking jobs out of my district, complained Kerr. These corporations that build this project down in Douglas County are going to be getting a tax break which comes out of school financing at the expense of kids in Jefferson County. It is corporate welfare at its worst! thundered Kerr, a curriculum development specialist for Jefferson County School District. Im for development; Im against the free market, declared Ferrandino, who quickly clarified, Im for the free market several times over the boisterous laughter of legislators. This is very simple, and its being exploded into something that it is not, insisted Nikkel. This bill is about creating jobs. This one of the best jobs bills that we have this year. I disagree with my colleagues across the aisle who say that this is about corporate welfare, she said. If they want to think that creating jobs is corporate welfare, we have a very distinct philosophical difference of opinion. The bill is slated for its third reading on Monday, April 9, and if passed will head toward Gov. John Hickenloopers desk to sign or veto. According to The Denver Post, Hickenlooper had wanted the bill amended to include a measure sponsored by Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood). Kerr sponsored HB 1056, Regional Tourism Project Application Requirements, which would have increased application fees from $24,000 to $36,000 and added more criteria to the third party analysis of applications. The House State, Veterans & Military Affairs sent the bill with favorable recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee where it failed on a party line vote in February. Last month, SB 124 passed the Senate, 26 8, drawing support from a dozen Democrats including Senate President Brandon Shaffer of Longmont and Majority Leader John Morse of Colorado Springs. If the bill passes the House on Monday, its fate will be in the hands of one Democrat Gov. Hickenlooper.

http://thecoloradoobserver.com/2012/04/house-gives-preliminary-approval-to-tax-incentive-bill/

Coors Outraises Perlmutter in First Quarter

April 10, 2012 By Tyler Sandberg

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GOP challenger Joe Coors raised nearly $450,000 in the first quarter

DENVER GOP Congressional challenger and Golden businessman Joe Coors announced today that he raised $449,297 in the first fundraising quarter of 2012, outraising incumbent Congressman Ed Perlmutter by over $75,000. Coors is challenging Perlmutter in Colorados 7th Congressional district. The Associated Press reported that Perlmutter raised $371,600 in the first quarter. It is rare for Congressional challengers to outraise incumbents, especially by such a large sum. Coors announced his bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Congressman Ed Perlmutter on January 31, meaning he only had two months to raise money in the quarter. The outpouring of support encourages me to do everything I can to best represent our district in Congress, said Coors in a press release. Im pleased to see that the campaign continues to build broad based support and gains positive momentum as we look forward to November. Perlmutters campaign has yet to release his first quarter fundraising total. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Perlmutter raised $212,321. The 7th Congressional district race is considered one of the most competitive in the state.

http://thecoloradoobserver.com/2012/04/coors-posts-big-haul-in-first-fundraising-quarter/

WE CAN'T LOSE if Voters Stick to Their Guns

by: Dave Diepenbrock Tue Apr 10, 2012 at 08:08 08 MST A new Third Way poll shows Republicans in the driver's seat with Independents in the 2012 election. Third Way, a moderate Democratic group, polled Independents in swing states including Colorado. Here are a few key points.

Only 40% of these Independents voted for John McCain in 2008, so they ought to lean Obama. (Not exactly, as you'll see.) 47% of these Independents view both Obama and Romney unfavorably, and nearly 60% see both Republicans and Democrats in Congress in an unfavorable light. Despite this wide distaste, by 39% to 34% they intend to vote for a Republican for Congress, with Romney and Obama tied at 44%. Compared to 2008, Obama is down 6%, Romney up 4% over McCain. On a nine-point scale, Romney was perceived to be about half a point more conservative than they saw themselves; Obama, they thought, was more than 2 points more liberal than they. Our presumed candidate more closely shares their thinking than does Obama. This is crucial. Republicans are up 8% over Obama in handling the economy, up 14% on the budget deficit, up 19% on government spending, up 7% on having a plan to make "America a stronger economic power in the world." We can strengthen our economy, these Independents think, by cutting the budget deficit (37%) orreducing regulations and taxes on business (32%) both Republican ideas, while only 19% think we get a stronger economy if we reduce income inequality (the Obama proposal). By 83% to 11%, they want a president to focus on economic growth and opportunity, not "reducing income inequality."

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As you can see, Republicans are on the "right" side of of these concerns and questions, even ifGallup shows less happy numbers. These winning messages can cut more than two percent from Obama's '08 winning numbers in Colorado just among Independents. We must also reduce Republican support for Obama from his 2008 numbers. Where we aren't so strongly perceived is the issue of taxes. (Taxes?!?) Most of these Independents do favor higher taxes on the rich because the wealthy aren't paying their fair share and they've benefited more from our laws and infrastructure. When it comes to handling taxes generally, Obama (41%) and Republicans (43%) are in a statistical tie given the poll's margin of error. This clarifies what Colorado candidates must do in 2012. They must stick to these messages we are already winning and not get sidetracked. A new WaPo poll shows that side issues benefit Obama. They must also clearly explain that Colorado's Democrats are off-base on the tax issue. Fortunately, Colorado voters will find about six billion reasons proving Democrats aren't in synch with the needs of our state. It's not just Democrat's tax hikes. It's the consequences of raising taxes during this Great Recession. BAD NEWS for Democrats here. Watch next week for details.

http://www.coloradopeakpolitics.com/diary/1203/we-cant-lose-if-voters-stick-to-their-guns

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DID DEMS MISS THE TARGET?

by: Dave Diepenbrock Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 10:17 15 MST Democrats, who ran legislative reapportionment like a crooked card game in a bordello with bedbugs, created real opportunities for Colorado's Republicans in 2012. It appears they didn't create enough solid, safe Democratic districts. They missed "the shift in party identification" to Republicans and strong Republican legislative recruits. Color me Vastly Surprised at Their Boo-Boo Here's a simple target list. (Other lists here , here, here and here. 2012 Republican-leaning percents beside each district. District maps here.) These districts fall within five percent of having equal numbers from both parties.

Adams County, five districts (H31, 45%; H34, 46%; H35, 47%; H30, 47%; S25, 48%). Arapahoe County, five districts (S26, 52%; H36, 47%; S28, 49%; H40, 49%; H03, 53%). Jeffco, seven districts (H24, 48%; H23, 49%; H28, 49%; H29, 50%; S22, 53%; H26, 53%; S19. 53%). Northern Colorado, five districts (H53, 47%; S14, 50%; H52, 52%; H50, 53%; H11,47%; Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont). Colorado Springs, two districts (H17, 52% and H18, 53%). Broomfield (H33, 53%), Pueblo (H47, 49%), the San Luis Valley (S35, 49%) and one Ski district (H61, 50%, stretching from Cedaredge to Heeney) round out the list.

Food for Thought #1: Democrats must defend lots of districts. 2012 will be tough for incumbents on defense. Voters want new faces. #2: Swing terrain is concentrated. It's suburbs, mostly working class and Hispanic-influenced. Blue collar voters are unhappy with Obama. Colorado's Hispanic voters tend a bit more Republican than Hispanics elsewhere. Republicans have proven hopeful messages for these voters; Democrats have safety-net voodoo scare tactics. #3: Northern Colorado's Democrats rely on ardent college voters and volunteers who may not be there in 2012. They're turning away from politics. Voting intention is down 14%; likelihood of volunteering in politics is down 33%. #4: Broomfield's recent State House winners: one Democrat, two Republicans. That's swing. #5: The San Luis Valley and Pueblo vote more Republican than registration alone would suggest. The two-to-one county clerk recall down there may kibosh election shenanigans in 2012. #6: House District 61 is not a Democrat safe haven, given demographic upheaval of this Great Recession. Bennet got 3,000 fewer votes in the HD 61 counties in 2010 than Ritter in '06. Wrong direction for Democrats. Gerrymandering, Upsets and Opportunities Colorado's Democrats are skilled serial gerrymanderers, but hubristic map-drawing finaglers do create districts that subsequently go bad. They weren't helped by Colorado's shift in partisan registration. Shortly after the 2008 election, Republicans were 50% of active major party voters; now they're 54%. Upsets happen right after reapportionments. Canny Republicans should engineer surprises. Colorado's GOP understands the opportunities. Republican candidates have powerful new ideas. State Vice Chair Ytterberg got his job because of Jeffco candidates' successes. National Committeewoman Lilly Nunez keeps her spot. Judge them by their successes: Ytterberg in swing suburban wins, Nunez inhelping Hispanic-influenced districts. Will Karl Rove say much the same April 13th? Get your tickets at cologop.org.

http://www.coloradopeakpolitics.com/diary/1175/did-dems-miss-the-target 12

Barack Obamas Failed Changes to the American Economy

PRESIDENT OBAMAS POLICIES

A $1.76 TRILLION government takeover of healthcare (Congressional Budget Office) A $830 BILLION failed stimulus bill (Congressional Budget Office) A $447 BILLION second stimulus bill (Politico) A $600 BILLION Cap-and-Trade program (Heritage Foundation) A war on domestic energy production (Institute for Energy Research) Bailouts (FOX News) Solyndra (National Journal) Tax hikes (Americans for Tax Reform) Raising the debt ceiling (Bloomberg)

RESULTS OF PRESIDENT OBAMAS FAILED POLICIES

Americas unemployment rate has been over 8 percent for 37 consecutive months (1600 Fund) Colorados unemployment rate was over 8 percent for 32 consecutive months (BLS.GOV) 17 counties in Colorado have an unemployment rate of 19.5% or higher (Colorado Peak Politics) America is over $15 TRILLION in debt (CBS News) America has added almost $5 TRILLION in new debt (1600 Fund) America has a $1.3 TRILLION budget deficit (Associated Press) Americas credit rating has been downgraded (Washington Post) Gas prices have skyrocketed (Gas Buddy) More Americans on food stamps than ever before (Daily Kos)

http://compasscolorado.org/

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GOP SILENT AS COLORADO SENATE PASSES IMMIGRANT TUITION BILL

Posted on April 9, 2012

By Lynn Bartels Without a single word of debate, the Senate today approved a bill to help undocumented students pay discounted tuition to go to college. Senate Bill 15 passed on a 20-14 party-line vote, with every Democrat in favor of the measure and all Republicans present opposed. Under the bill, tuition costs would be less than out-of-state tuition, but more than in-state tuition. Proponents point out no taxpayer money would be involved. Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, said he couldnt believe it when not a single Republican marched to the microphone to protest. I thought it was startling, Johnston said, adding he believes the lack of debate was a sign that there is more and more support for this bill and less and less to argue against it. That comment drew a Huh? from Minority Leader Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, who wondered whether Johnston noted that Republicans voted against the bill. Is he writing fairy tales now for schoolchildren? Cadman asked. Several Republicans said they were just as surprised as Johnston that members from their caucus didnt repeat talking points from an earlier debateThe bill now goes to the House, where Republicans hold only a one-seat majority. A conservative group, Compass Colorado, today blasted Democrats passing the measure. While higher education continues to struggle with funding problems, Senate Democrats are putting the interests of illegal immigrants over Colorado students, Compass president Tyler Q. Houlton said. This is nothing more than a creative way to make tuition cheaper for illegal immigrants. Read the full article here http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20356396/colorado-senate-passes-billhelping-undocumented-students-college

Adams 12 proposing $12 million in cuts

Written by Nancy Mitchell on Apr 10th, 2012. | Copyright EdNewsColorado.org

THORNTON The states fifth largest school district would eliminate 60 jobs and implement three furlough days for employees under a proposal to trim $12 million from next years budget.

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Adams 12 Superintendent Chris Gdowski

Adams 12-Five Star Superintendent Chris Gdowski announced the plan Monday even as some in state circles celebrated a 2012-13 school finance bill that, for the first time in years, would hold K-12 funding steady. But flat funding doesnt repair the spending down of district reserves to plug budget holes and it doesnt offset spiraling fuel, health insurance and pension costs. Nor, as Gdowski pointed out, does one year of flat funding make up for the kind of deep and repeated funding cuts that prompted Adams 12 to cut 188 jobs in 2010-11 and another 164 positions in 2011-12. Our revenues still are 13 percent lower than they were back in the 2009-10 school year, he said. So even though they wont decrease for next year from what they are right now, roughly $6,300 per student, theyre 13 percent lower which in the aggregate translates into $41 million less revenue to Adams 12 alone. For 2012-13, the district serving 43,000 students north of Denver is changing its course to trim this years $272 million general operating budget to $260 million. Instead of cutting even more jobs, district leaders are proposing a 3 percent reduction in employee pay through furlough days and an increased pension contribution. In prior years, the district focused more on job cuts than on cutting employee pay. The 60 positions targeted for elimination in 2012-13 would consist of about 51 teachers, 4 administrators and 5 clerical or other support staff. Layoffs arent expected for teachers, Gdowski said, because the district typically loses about 150 teachers annually to retirement, non-renewals for poor performance and normal attribution such as family moves or career changes. Some elementary schools will lose an assistant principal and 25 positions will be cut from the elementary teacher enrollment reserve pool, which assigns teachers to cover enrollment fluctuations. The likely result is that some elementary classrooms would grow by three to five students next year. High schools would be hit harder, losing three positions at each building or 15 high school teacher altogether. All classes would grow by, on average, one student each. At both the middle and high school levels, class sizes in electives such as art, music and gym would be expected to grow. Some classes with lower enrollment may be combined, with teachers asked to teach different levels of the same subject in one room. I would describe this plan as one that calls for shared sacrifice for our staff throughout the system, Gdowski said. We need to get beyond just flat funding and substantially increase the money into public education for this to stop. Superintendent Chris Gdowski That includes those leaving the system, he said. Teachers and other staff who leave Adams 12 after 20 years of work receive longevity stipends and those amounts would be reduced under the budget plan. That piece of the proposal,

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along with the furlough days and the increased pension contributions, are subject to negotiations with the district teachers union. Those negotiations are now scheduled to wrap up May 10. Gdowski is expected this week to present the proposal to school board members, who must approve the final budget. Other parts of the budget plan include a $15 per sport increase in the districts athletic fee. Adams 12 implemented a textbook fee last year and began charging students to ride the school bus two years ago. Adding to the budget pressures, Gdowski said, is declining enrollment in traditional district schools due to some centrally located aging neighborhoods and the recent opening of two charter schools. Enrollment dropped 600 students this year and is expected to decline another 250 students in 2012-13. Gdowski said no when asked if he can foresee a year when budget cuts arent required. I really dont see any change to this until we get more revenue into the system, he said. We need to get beyond just flat funding and substantially increase the money into public education for this to stop.
http://www.ednewscolorado.org/2012/04/10/36267-adams-12-plans-12-million-in-cuts

Colorado ballot proposals would end property taxes, let most use pot
By Tim Hoover The Denver Post POSTED: UPDATED: 04/08/2012 01:00:00 AM MDT 04/08/2012 11:58:43 AM MDT

A wave of ballot initiatives with subjects ranging from the elimination of property taxes to allowing 21year-olds to carry concealed handguns without a permit have been filed in Colorado. So far, there's only one initiative that's actually been approved for the November ballot, and that's Amendment 64, which would legalize limited possession of marijuana and allow for all people not just those with doctors' permission to buy it at pot shops. It takes 86,105 valid signatures of Colorado voters to put a measure on the ballot, and that usually means effective petition circulators gather about twice that number of signatures. The process can easily cost six figures, which is why most initiatives never make the ballot. That's to say nothing of the millions of dollars that sometimes get spent to sway voters to approve or reject a ballot measure. At least two other marijuana-related initiatives are wending their way through the process. Initiative 40, which has had its petition format approved, deals with the elimination of fines and criminal penalties for pot possession, as does Initiative 70, which would eliminate all laws criminalizing marijuana and make it a constitutional right for anyone 21 or older to possess limited amounts of marijuana. Twenty-one-year-olds also would get to carry concealed handguns without a permit under Initiative 74, which has had its title approved by the state's Title Setting Review Board. The three-member panel makes sure initiatives comply with the state's single-subject rule.

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The initiative would bar concealed weapons from school grounds, law enforcement agencies, prisons, jails, mental- health facilities, courthouses and government agency buildings. The measure, though, would still allow state and local governments "to limit the carrying of firearms." Initiative 77 aims to end property taxes by 2017. The initiative says that if voters by the end of 2016 didn't approve different taxes to offset the elimination of property tax revenue, there would have to be "equivalent cuts in spending that shall not affect primary and secondary education, local law enforcement agencies or fire protection." The initiative doesn't suggest how that feat might be achieved. Initiative 75 would create an open primary and allow Colorado voters to cast ballots for any candidate in a primary election without regard to the voter's party affiliation. Meanwhile, three initiatives, 67, 68 and 69 which are essentially variants of one another all would make it harder for lawmakers to repeal statutory initiatives. The trio of initiatives would require lawmakers to muster a three-fourths vote in each house to repeal or amend statutory initiatives, which lawmakers now can do with just a simple majority vote. Other initiatives filed include: Yet another attempt at a "personhood" amendment. A measure that would require "proof of lawful presence" to obtain a Colorado driver's license. An initiative to declare Sept. 21, now recognized as International Peace Day, as Colorado Peace Day. Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626 orthoover@denverpost.com
Read more:Colorado ballot proposals would end property taxes, let most use pot - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_20349434/colorado-ballot-proposals-would-end-property-taxeslet#ixzz1rkkAIrQF Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

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NSRF Board of Directors John Lefebvre Dana West Jan Hurtt Phil Mocon Brian Vande Krol Gary Mikes Leonard Coppes Wanda Barnes Kevin Allen

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Membership Membership Membership Membership Membership

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Telephone 303-451-5558 303-280-0243 303-451-0934 303-427-5453 303-466-4615 303-252-1645 303-287-9145 303-373-1521 303-319-3011

Join the North Suburban Republican Forum on the Internet and Facebook: http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95611986640&_fb_noscript=1

Yearly membership dues are $20, while a couple is $30. Make checks payable to NSRF. It only costs $3 per person to attend the monthly meeting and a continental breakfast and beverage (coffee, tea, orange juice or water) is included. A membership application is located on the last page. Fill it out and bring it along with you.

To subscribe or unsubscribe from our monthly newsletter, send an email with your name and subscription instructions in the body to: info@NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.org

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Politically, is there really a difference? Here are the facts:

Democrat platform
Bigger government More onerous rules and regulations More government control over your life More government spending & higher tax rates Anti-business policies Gun control & weak national defense Obamacare Equality of outcome Social justice Liberal/Progressive Community and social responsibility-based The U.S. debt is due to a revenue problem

Republican platform
Smaller government Less onerous rules and regulations Less government control over your life Less government spending & lower tax rates Pro-business policies Gun rights & strong national defense Private health care choices Equality of opportunity Personal responsibility Conservative Individual rights and justice-based The U.S. debt is due to a spending problem

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The North Suburban Republican Forum

NSRF Membership Application
We meet on the second Saturday of each month to discuss politics from 9:15-10:45am at Gander Mountain (9923 Grant St, Thornton, CO, 80229) in the employee training community room. A continental breakfast is provided with coffee, tea, orange juice and bottled water. Http://www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.com Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________________Zip: _____________________ Best phone number to reach you: H/W/C______________-________________-________________________ Email: __________________________________________________________@_______________________ How did you hear about the NSRF? ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________ ______ New member ______ Current member renewal ______ Individual Membership $20 per calendar year ______ Family Membership $30 per calendar year for couples ______ Deluxe $56 individual/$66 family per year includes 12 monthly fees + yearly dues Paid via __________ cash __________ check #__________ Todays date: _____________________________________________________________________________ Received by NSRF board member: ____________________________________________________________

If you have a smart phone, use a bar code app for this QR code. It will take you to our web site.

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