The Trojan Horses of Amendment 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 were well articulated in the Denver Post article “The Blue Book should explain the effect of ballot measures” (http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_15954419).

We taxpayers have every right to rant at our government when it says it will do one thing and it does another. It happened so often that Coloradoans passed the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). 

Thank heaven for TABOR because it ensures government stays on track and TABOR allows us, as voters, to prevent bad ideas and policies, like proposed State Constitutional Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101.

It is unprecedented that many Republicans and Democrats oppose these initiatives! The opposition is bi-partisan – how rare is that when Coloradoans, regardless of party, can agree on something!

I’m as leery as the next person about the doomsayers and fear tactics. We just saw it last year when we were told in Colorado Springs that certain fire stations would close if a tax initiative failed. Well the initiative failed and the fire stations are still open.

Demonstrateably, taxpayers are not ignorant and take the time to do their homework. So note! There are no state tax measures on this November’s Ballot! Our state legislators balanced the budget last year without these initiatives.

If you oppose taxes, clearly you are a Fan of TABOR. Under TABOR, we vote on tax measures and initiatives. First and foremost, unlike the Colorado Springs initiative,  these three initiatives will broadly affect the entire state and local governments in Colorado. We voters want specificity and local control, not broad state-wide generalities. These three initiatives are too broad and damaging to demonstrate a basis in fiscal responsibility or local control.

These three ballot initiatives are absolutely Trojan Horses taking advantage of people’s disappointment and rage at the Federal tax burdens and issues. These initiatives do not affect the Federal issues! They directly affect our state and local governments. It is certainly not clear how these iniatives improve the use of taxes. The proponents of these initiatives can’t aim their rage straight or true!  

Why isn’t one of these initiatives directly aimed at the vehicle registration fees or other fees that the state legislature passed last year? Instead it attacks institutions that are already held in check by voters through TABOR and elections.

Government is not a cash-based business. Government is not a business at all, although it certainly can do with sound business practices. TABOR, not 60, 61, and 101 injects the voters’ will. These amendments and proposition undercut the value of TABOR. 

Government relies on tax revenues to provide services for the greatest number without expecting to have a profit. In fact,  Government should never profit. Our Mandate to Government is to use our taxes wisely. Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 are not wise, do not promote fiscal responsibility, nor do they improve Government use of our taxes.

I’ve taken a low key point of view this primary because – well – I’m not in it. However, I am very familiar with outside (way outside, like outside of Colorado) organizations meddling with our local and state elections. The Americans for Job Security is one of these meddlers, and this group has already been drawn into a lawsuit for misrepresenting facts on candidates they oppose. I’ve seen their ads on TV and I’ve received their mailers. I know for a fact they are publishing lies about candidate Jane Norton.

Most folks know I am supporting Jane in this election but frankly we need to focus on facts and real issues – not high heels and lies. Take the candidates and evaluate them on their position on the issues, what you think they will bring to the office representing you, how they present themselves under stress, and how well you can trust the candidate.

Ken Buck probably has no idea about Americans for Job Security, a 527 organization and it (by law) has no connection to his campaign. Consider this, proud supporters of Buck, that for voters like me, the Americans for Job Security throw a shadow of doubt on Buck because most people are unaware that there is no relationship between him and Americans for Job Security. The lawsuit alone makes me stop and question the 527′s message legitimacy.

Simply I ask everyone in this primay election to get it Right! Spend time to learn the facts and study the issues. In this day and age of information, you can find and validate information and not have to rely on outsiders attempting to manipulate your vote. I ask you to vote for your candidate for the Right reasons, not because someone told you to vote their way.

In the meantime, Americans for Job Security GO HOME!

With the Colorado Legislature in session less than a week, I’ve watched as the majority party has introduced 13 new tax related bills. These bills will introduce taxes on software affecting everyone. They added taxes to on-line retailers like Amazon.com. and they have eliminated small business tax exemptions.

How can the majority party continue to ignore its constituency after what they saw in Massachusetts if they hope to be re-elected next fall? Well, they have seen the evidence that they won’t be re-elected and they are pushing as much of their agenda as possible before they loose their majority advantage. Notice, this has nothing to do with you, jobs, health care affordability, and keeping taxes under control.

The outrageous legislation from last year has cost Colorado thousands of jobs! Oh, yes there were new jobs, but the total net result was more lost jobs than new jobs. Worse still, the industries that are gone have significantly affected the tax revenues for the state and now the burden of off-setting the $1.5B shortfall is more than ever on our individual shoulders. 

Last year the business and industry community contributed more than $300 million for taxes and this year’s legislation is targeting another $150 million. In this economic climate you can be sure you may be able to go to community college but you won’t have a job unless you leave Colorado!

As your Republican Colorado House District 17 candidate, jobs and the economy is number one on my list of priorities, closely followed by repealing and removing unlawful taxes and fees. I ask for you support to get Colorado’s economy back on track and you the opportunity to find a good job that can take care of you and your family.

With the Massachusetts election, recent passage of our city initiative 300, and a Washington Post/ABC poll conducted this January, Americans around the country and in Colorado Springs are say they want less government and fewer government services. The Post/ABC poll showed 58% of Americans in favor of less government and services and 38% wanting more. Some people question the usefulness of government at all, yet we rely on government to get water and utilities to our homes, provide and maintain roadways and transportation systems, education and schools, court system, certainly provide public safety and public health, and fairly collect taxes to provide these services. The challenge is not in if we have government, but how much government is too much!

Was last year’s FASTER bill which raised auto taxes and added fees necessary? Were the new taxes on hospitals and insurance requirements necessary? The continuous unfunded government mandates from our state and federal government that we must fund locally, are they necessary? Did these efforts create jobs in Colorado Springs much less House District 17? Maybe a better way to ask it, did you get a job or did you know someone who did? How many jobs were lost for one job gained? Did you stay in business or lose your business? The fact is that these efforts likely added to your tax burden without adding anything to services, and left your take home pay strapped as usual.

So, what do you think are necessary government services? Do you agree with the reduced bus services and loss of FREX? Did your street get some needed repairs? Did something happen this year that helped you get a job? Share your story and let us know what you think: more government and services or less!

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13, 2010

CONTACTS
George Merritt, 303.918.1071, george.merritt@state.co.us
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

GOV. RITTER CALLS FOR FOCUSED 2010 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Click here to view the full text of the 2010 State of the State

Gov. Bill Ritter, delivering his fourth and final State of the State Address, called on lawmakers today “to set aside the weaker impulses of partisanship” and remain focused on job creation, economic recovery and keeping the state budget balanced.

“While this has been a tough time, and while there will be setbacks, we are making progress,” Gov. Ritter said. “Colorado has one of the best business climates and economic outlooks in the country, and if we stay disciplined and determined, we will get our economy back on solid footing. I know we can do this, because we’ve been doing it.

“Over the last three years, we have been changing course and changing the culture of government – thinking bolder, doing better. Our strategies are working. Even in the worst global economic conditions in generations, we’re leading Colorado to a stronger, brighter future.

The Governor outlined his top priorities for the legislative session, including:

• Keeping the state budget balanced, saving money and making government more effective through proposals such as the Medicaid Efficiency Act.
• Creating jobs and growing Colorado’s New Energy Economy through proposals such as an increase to the state’s renewable energy standard, boosting it from the current 20 percent by 2020 requirement to 30 percent by 2020, and increasing demand for Colorado’s cleaner-burning natural gas.
• Making the Colorado State Park system the first in the country to use zero net energy.
• Modernizing teacher and student assessments, including replacing the CSAP test with a new assessment tool by 2011 or 2012.
• Strengthening public safety through legislation to regulate and rein in abuses in Colorado’s voter-approved medical marijuana program, toughen penalties for repeat drunk-driving offenses, and improve the state’s child-protection system.
• Shoring up the state’s Public Employee Retirement Association pension fund.

“We have a higher responsibility to join together, to overcome our challenges, to turn to what Abraham Lincoln called the ‘better angels of our nature,’” Gov. Ritter told lawmakers. “Decades from now, our grandchildren will look back at this moment and ask us what it was like, the same way we look back at the Great Depression. This is a hinge in history, and I hope we can tell them that yes, it was tough, but we worked together and rose to the challenge.”

[ Read the entire speech ]

In August 2008, we became aware that more than 1,500 new Democrats were signed up to vote in the November election. We worked hard over the remaining months as you may remember and on Election Day we missed the win by 271 votes. We accomplished great strides to try and overcome the odds, and as a result we closed the gap but regrettably not enough, LESS THAN 2% short of winning the race.

November 2009 election mail-in ballots were sent out based on the 2008 election registered voter list. House District 17 had 1,901 mail-in ballots returned – undeliverable. This means people moved, but much more than the normal number of ballots returned undeliverable. The facts tell us that the new Democrats from August 2008 left after the election. We can be certain we would have won the November 2008 election if these temporary voters had not been interfering with our local elections. In my mind, we must take House District 17 back!

As your candidate last election, our Team worked hard throughout the District and I vow to work hard again to win. I bring name recognition, campaign experience, and strong support and commitments. The 2008 election shows I have a proven ability to campaign hard for you and be electable with a total 7,239 votes, compared to former Representative Mark Cloer’s first election total 6,871 votes, according to the County Clerk & Recorder records.

Together, we need to prepare to Take the House Back in 2010. Please, mark your calendar with the following dates and I hope to see you in the days to come. We can do it – We Can Win!

Again, I thank you so very much for your support in 2008 and I am asking for your support again in 2010. As your Representative, my vision is to revitalize the economy, provide jobs, make health care affordable, and encourage businesses to invest in our youth, economy, and you. Feel free to call me at 238-4656.

Your Friend,

Catherine ‘Kit’ Roupe

Dear Friends,
I would like to take a moment after August 12th Primary to say thank you to those who voted in the election. Anytime we vote we exercise a freedom that is desired in many nations around the world. In the United States of America our country’s revolutions are not done by force but by voice, and our vote is our voice.
We enjoy freedom of speech that permits us to share our views and seek common ground, where we can work together to make our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and nation a better place to live. That freedom of speech allows us to discuss our opinions and agree on matters of importance to us. Included in this freedom of speech is the ability to select representatives that we feel will talk straight, demonstrate respect to those around them, create transparency in their actions, show loyalty to the community, deliver results that make our lives better, confront reality when something isn’t working right, listen to what people have to say, practice accountability, and keep commitments. In this Spirit of Trust, I wish to express my gratitude to everyone who voted for me in the House District 17 race. I wish to say a heart-felt thank you to all my volunteers and friends who support me in this race. You sacrifice much to help us win.

I want to also say thank you to our Service men and women, veterans, and military families for their sacrifice that protects our rights of free speech and ability to vote without fear of reprisal. Trust the power of your vote because it replaces the need for violence to bring about change that we see in other countries. Because of our military, Americans do not die when we have our revolutions at the polls – we live another day to fight the good fight.

Friends of Catherine Roupe
PO Box 75892
Colorado Springs, CO 80970

Contact: Dan Martin
mardan1492@comcast.net
(719) 432-6022

TO: Metro Reporters and Editors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

M E D I A  A D V I S O R Y
WHAT: CATHERINE “KIT” ROUPE, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ACCEPTS EL PASO COUNTY COLORADO HOUSE DISTRICT 17 NOMINATION

WHEN: Saturday, March 08, 2008

WHERE: Phil Long Ford Expo Center, Colorado Springs, CO

CONTACT: Dan Martin at 432-6022 or Dennis Moore at 634-8691

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – On Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the El Paso County Assembly, House District 17 meeting, Catherine ‘Kit’ Roupe accepted the nomination for the Colorado House District 17 open seat. Representative Stella Garza-Hicks declared on November 16, 2007 that she would not seek re-election. Ms. Roupe stated the key difference separating her from her opponent is that she is not a Denver lobbyist but a local citizen living in the local community. Ms. Roupe commented, “I currently serve on local boards, work with the County Commissioners, City Council, and I represent issues in our community. This connection with local governments and local boards gives me a personal understanding of how to fix our local problems.” Ms. Roupe is reminded of state laws with unfunded mandates, directly affecting our local government’s ability to provide services. “These unfunded mandates directly affect how efficiently we spend our local tax dollars. Public safety, crowded jails, and roadway projects such as State Highway 16 are some of the local services and public works affected by these mandates,” she said.

Ms. Roupe said she is, “fiscally accountable, believes in less government and holds close her Republican values. I believe we can make health care affordable. I oppose making health care mandatory. The economy and jobs are very important and we must bring back as much of our tax dollars as possible.” When asked about her stance on abortion, Ms. Roupe pointed out that she is a mother with two children and a grandchild. She says she respects life and believes in its sanctity. “Family, marriage and personal freedoms must be protected.”

Ms. Roupe also believes in our 2nd Amendment rights and said, “I support our individual rights to keep and bear arms, and will fight any attempt to weaken that right.” Ms. Roupe also said she believes immigration will remain a problem until we secure our borders.

House District 17 covers the southeast side of Colorado Springs and Fort Carson.
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