Sage Naumann
Colorado Republicans stay in a terrific melancholy, which is comprehensible, as their legislative minorities haven’t been this small since the Nice Despair. Because the remaining GOP legislators return to no matter seats and broom-closet workplace areas stay allotted to them, they might want to assemble a legislative agenda rapidly.
They’d be smart to maintain it easy: Affordability, training reform, public security and the surroundings.
Affordability
The inflationary disaster is because of state coverage, as I highlighted in my final column. However Colorado Democrats have objectively made issues worse for working households. They handed (after which conveniently paused) a gas-tax hike, put a $0.27 charge on each retail supply and handed “inexperienced” constructing codes into legislation that may improve the price of a brand new dwelling by as much as $20,000.
Additionally learn: POINT | What Colorado Dems ought to do with majorities
Allow us to not overlook how they tried to take credit score for the $750 TABOR refunds we acquired this yr — the identical refunds they tried to repeal just some years prior with Proposition CC. On this matter, Republicans are proper to be a stick within the mud. TABOR-skirting charges and onerous laws have made life tougher in Colorado. Sufficient is sufficient.
Schooling reform
There’s a better probability that I’ll hit my weight reduction objectives by yr’s finish than the prospect Republicans will have the ability to move vital training reform within the subsequent legislative session, however that doesn’t imply they need to not strive. Fund college students, not techniques. Struggle for the person, not the establishment. Look to Arizona’s new school-choice program that permits mother and father to make the most of $6,500 of funding to ship their little one to a faculty of their selection. Most Colorado college students can not learn, write, or do math at grade stage and faculty selection is extra standard than ever earlier than.
Public security
Crime continues to be a sound concern for a lot of Coloradans, as is homelessness. Republicans shouldn’t be afraid to tackle this battle, however they need to be cautious of over-correction. Securing our streets and restoring belief in legislation enforcement needn’t be unique missions.
Setting
Sure, that’s proper. Republicans ought to show a few of their consideration to environmental safety, an space that would see bipartisanship. Constructing off laws ran this final session by now-retiring state Sen. Bob Rankin, Republicans ought to proceed pushing for Colorado to cleared the path on nuclear vitality. Particularly, micro-nuclear applied sciences which can be rapidly rising. Virigina Gov. Glenn Youngkin has taken steps to offer his state a head begin on nukes, and Kemmerer, Wyoming is set to be dwelling to one of many first operational micro-nuclear reactors in america.
In 2020, Republicans introduced their “Dedication to Colorado.” The above solutions deviate little from that dedication, which is by design. Legislators like state Rep. Colin Larson and state Sen. Dennis Hisey didn’t lose their races as a result of they have been radical — they have been something however. The occupant of Mar-A-Lago and his rhetoric has remained an anchor across the neck of anyone who chooses to run as a Republican. Republicans in our state legislature should keep the course and show their independence, or no less than hunker down till the storm passes.
Sage Naumann is a conservative commentator and strategist. He’s vp of communications at 76 Group and was beforehand the spokesman for the Colorado Senate Republicans. Comply with him on Twitter @SageNaumann.