Author: Mark Waller
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GUEST OPINION: CoCo would provide diversified transportation options
Colorado needs the Front Range Passenger Rail, or CoCo, and we need it sooner rather than later. When I first championed the I-25 Gap Project in 2018, many naysayers said it couldn’t be done. The stretch of highway hadn’t seen a major upgrade since its initial construction in 1962. In fact, one prominent city leader said in a speech that, at best,…
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GUEST COLUMN: Regulations could stifle state’s tech sector
Over the last 20 years, Colorado has established itself as a tech powerhouse. The Centennial State has played an indispensable role in advancing the geographic diversity of America’s tech sector by proving that exceptional talent pipelines and hubs of innovation can exist outside the bubble of Silicon Valley. One of the brightest attributes of our…
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Point-counterpoint: Should Colorado voters approve Amendment 70, which would raise Colorado’s minimum wage?
Question: Should Colorado voters approve Amendment 70, which would raise Colorado’s minimum wage from $8.31 per hour to $12 per hour by 2020? Richard Skorman Opponents of Amendment 70 argue it would hurt small businesses and kill jobs in the state. As small-business owners at Poor Richard’s, Little Richard’s and Rico’s for over 40 years,…
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GUEST COLUMN: A total lack of public safety policy insight
Michael Merrifield’s recent guest editorial in The Gazette was incredibly disappointing to read. While I applaud his recognition that Michael Bloomberg’s “No Roads” comment about Colorado Springs was “tasteless”, Merrifield’s lack of understanding of the underlying issue and his willingness to buy into Bloomberg’s vision for gun control in Colorado are what truly disappoints. Merrifield…
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Justice delayed is justice denied
I am incredibly disappointed with Gov. Hickenlooper’s executive order to stay the execution of Nathan Dunlap. With a looming execution date set for this August, the governor was left with few options regarding Dunlap’s fate. He could have signed the warrant allowing the execution to move forward or he could have commuted Dunlap’s sentence to…
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GUEST COLUMNIST: 2013 legislative session: Blostering opportunities for Coloradans
Colorado’s 69th General Assembly has officially begun, and while much has changed since the Legislature last convened, our responsibilities to the people of Colorado have not. We begin our work on the heels of a difficult election season, but we still remain united by our duty and desire to strengthen opportunity for every Coloradan. Whether…
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GUEST COLUMN: Concern for public safety is the core of alternative bail bill
As the House sponsor of SB186, I respectfully disagree with the opposition’s harsh criticism of legislation to create an alternative bond program (deposit bonds). Simply put, SB186 is a bill designed to enhance public safety. It is not a bill designed to grow government. Anyone who knows my voting record knows I am not a…
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GOP worked for voters in session
The legislative session has finally come to a close, and it has been a rewarding experience. Thank you for allowing us to serve as the voice of El Paso County at the capitol. This session was especially challenging because of the downturn in our economy, our job market and the state budget. These challenges presented…