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Monday, May 21, 2012
Politics
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Breaking News / Politics The roots of Romney's obsession with gays
Posted by Bill Forman on Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:09 AM
As someone who mostly writes about music, I've pretty much kept quiet about the current presidential race, other than to chronicle former contender Jon Huntsman outing himself as a fan of avant-bluesman Captain Beefheart. (See "Huntsman Drops Out on Beefheart's Birthday.")
But this morning's Washington Post story on candidate Mitt Romney's "youthful indiscretions," to borrow a term from famous GOP philanderer Henry Hyde, is well worth noting — especially in a country where popular (and now presidential) opinion condemns discrimination against gays. Consider this prep school incident:
"John Lauber, a soft-spoken new student one year behind Romney, was perpetually teased for his nonconformity and presumed homosexuality. Now he was walking around the all-boys school with bleached-blond hair that draped over one eye, and Romney wasn’t having it.“He can’t look like that. That’s wrong. Just look at him!” an incensed Romney told Matthew Friedemann, his close friend in the Stevens Hall dorm, according to Friedemann’s recollection. Mitt, the teenaged son of Michigan Gov. George Romney, kept complaining about Lauber’s look, Friedemann recalled.
A few days later, Friedemann entered Stevens Hall off the school’s collegiate quad to find Romney marching out of his own room ahead of a prep school posse shouting about their plan to cut Lauber’s hair. Friedemann followed them to a nearby room where they came upon Lauber, tackled him and pinned him to the ground. As Lauber, his eyes filling with tears, screamed for help, Romney repeatedly clipped his hair with a pair of scissors.
The incident was recalled similarly by five students, who gave their accounts independently of one another."
Personally, I think Romney's history of intolerance and cowardice — seriously, a prep school posse? — is less than ideal for a would-be leader of the free world, or whatever U.S. presidents are calling themselves these days. But it does speak to the mindset behind his increasingly out-of-step views on same-sex marriages.
On the plus side, Romney no longer assaults gays with scissors. As far as we know.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Music / Politics / Reverb Occupy This Album: Stream tracks from the upcoming benefit compilation
Posted by Bill Forman on Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Although police shut down New York's Occupy Wall Street encampment last fall, related protests continue to crop up around the world. And while the mainstream media may have lost interest in the movement and its issues — actually the mainstream media was never much interested in the actual issues — Occupy's half-life has proven considerably longer than first predicted.
Now, a five-disc Occupy benefit album is bringing together 99 tracks by 99 artists on behalf of the 99 percent. Among them are Amanda Palmer, Ladytron, Patti Smith, Willie Nelson, Ani DiFranco, UNKLE, James McMurtry (with Joan Baez and Steve Earle), Deborah Harry, Thievery Corporation, Toots & the Maytals, Tom Morello, the Mammals (featuring Pete Seeger), the Pimps of Joytime (featuring Roy Ayers), New Party Systems (featuring Kip Malone), Jackson Browne, Yo La Tengo, Dar Williams, Mogwai and Immortal Technique.
While Occupy This Album won't come out until May 15, you can preview five tracks from its five discs below. For more info, head on over to musicforoccupy.org.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
County Gov / Politics Get ready for June primary
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 1:19 PM
Because this year's political schedule is so much different than past years, we're happy to pass on information from the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office on the political process.
The all-mail primary election will be June 26, and in mid-May the county will mail notices to people saying you must declare a party to get a ballot. It's all explained in this release:
This past weekend both major political parties held their state assemblies to select delegates for the national conventions. The election process is not over in Colorado. The next step for voters is to participate in the June 26 Primary Election.
Last year legislation was passed to change Colorado's Primary Election from August to June. This will be the first June Primary Election under the new law. Also, another first for El Paso County is that this Primary Election will be conducted as an all mail ballot election. Unlike past primaries that were polling place elections, voters will have to cast their ballot by mailing it or by dropping it off at one of the designated drop-off locations.
The El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Election Department will be notifying all voters who are unaffiliated that they must declare an affiliation in order to receive a mail ballot for the June 26 Primary Election. Voter Information Cards (VIC) will be mailed mid May.
Voters who currently are affiliated with a political party and wish to change parties have until May 25 to change their affiliation to another political party.
If a voter wishes to verify their voter record and check their affiliation they may do so by going to www.GoVoteColorado.com. Voters can change their affiliation at www.GoVoteColorado.com or by completing a Voter Registration form and returning it to the El Paso County Election Department, PO Box 2007, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Voter Registration forms are available on the Clerk & Recorder's web page http://car.elpasoco.com/elections or at any of the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder's offices.
For information contact Alissa Vander Veen at 719-351-9626 or AlissaVanderVeen@elpasoco.com.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Politics UPDATE: Colorado Democrats (sort of) endorse decriminalizing marijuana
Posted by Bryce Crawford on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 at 12:54 PM
UPDATE: Matt Inzeo, communications director for the Colorado Democratic Party, just gave me a call to say the party does not officially endorse the amendment, though it does support it.
Sort of.
"As part of the business of the state assembly, we had to adopt a new state party platform," he says. "Among the platform planks there is language that is similar to what’s going on with the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. ... So we have that language in here, however that does not confer any endorsement by the Colorado Democratic Party for a ballot initiative."
Here's the platform language, as read by Inzeo: "Point 16: End the war on drugs by focusing on addiction treatment and decriminalization of possession of drugs without the intent to sell," he reads. "Item 17: Regulate and tax marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, limiting its use to those 21 or older. We support Amendment 64, the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol."
If that sounds exactly like an endorsement to you, it does to me, too. And yet ...
"The party platform, the party-platform committee and the body that met does not have the authority to make a formal endorsement," Inzeo says. "Our rules plainly state that the party’s central committee is the only body that can make a formal endorsement."
Formally the CDP "is neutral on the amendment." However: "[The CTRMLA] can certainly point to this and say that Democrats are supportive of the direction they are headed."
But they don't endorse it.
——— ORIGINAL POST, 11:25 A.M., MONDAY ———
Coming on the heels of state Republicans' nice words about marijuana is the news that the Colorado Democratic Party has endorsed Amendment 64, the coming initiative that would decriminalize marijuana in the state.
The move came on Saturday at the state convention and assembly in Pueblo. Also, 15 counties, including eight of the 10 largest in the state, adopted resolutions supporting regulating marijuana like alcohol: El Paso, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Boulder, Douglas, Weld, Pueblo, Garfield, Eagle, La Plata, Delta, Routt, Elbert and Pitkin.
"This is a mainstream issue. Polls show that more than 60 percent of Democrats and a solid majority of Independents believe marijuana should be treated like alcohol," says Cindy Lowery-Graber, chair of the Denver Democratic Party, in a news release. "A broad coalition is forming in support of Amendment 64 and I am proud to say that it now includes the Colorado Democratic Party."
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Local News / Politics Political ads: It's about to get messy
Posted by Bryce Crawford on Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 1:56 PM
It's a super time to come to Colorado. Wait, no, sorry: I mean the super PACs are coming for Colorado — there we go.
On Sunday, the New York Times reported that the Republicans' heavy hitting political action committee, American Crossroads, will begin its first major ad buy of the presidential-election season. The PAC, among others, is expected to help make up the difference between the $80 million in cash President Barack Obama has right now, and the $7.3 million Gov. Mitt Romney can claim.
With an anticipated bank account of more than $200 million, officials at American Crossroads said they would probably begin their campaign this month. But they said they would focus the bulk of the first phase from May through July, which they believe is a critical period for making an impression on voters, before summer vacations and the party conventions take place.
Well, today Politico found out the cities and states to be targeted, and you'll never guess who's on the list.
In Ohio, Crossroads will go up in Lima, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo. The Colorado markets are Grand Junction and Colorado Springs. In Nevada, the group has bought time in Reno and Las Vegas. And in Virginia, the group has purchased time in Charlottesville and Richmond.
The ad buys will certainly be welcomed by local television stations, who make a killing. Just look at an election year versus not: the E.W. Scripps Co. — former owners of the Rocky Mountain News — saw its net income fall 75 percent during last year's fourth quarter, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2010; Atlanta-based Gray Television Inc. saw its net income drop 61.2 percent, etc.
Locally, a 2010 report from the Gazette said that political advertising accounted for 30 percent of KKTV's total revenue for the year.
As far as what to expect, the Times reports "the ads would address the challenge of unseating a president who polls show is viewed favorably even though many people disapprove of his handling of the economy."
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Music / Politics / Reverb Strong-mayor blues: Bach reveals his musical origins
Posted by Bill Forman on Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Steve Bach is not only a strong mayor, he's also an exciting mayor.
Of course, we've known that ever since one of his earliest official acts was to hold a community pep rally outside the Pioneers Museum, complete with cheerleaders and a demonstration of those fancy low-flow toilets everyone's talking about nowadays.
And it only gets better. This morning, a post on Bach’s Facebook page asked us all to "guess what kind of music Mayor Bach likes most?"
The mystery was revealed by an accompanying video of the "St. Louis Blues March" from the 1953 film, The Glenn Miller Story, which opens with a uniformed Jimmy Stewart listlessly conducting the Army Air Force Band.
"Colonel, do we have to play this kind of music?" asks the beleaguered bandleader, who is curtly informed that "the Army has marched to this music for 100 years."
The fact that Bach is still marching to that same music nearly 60 years later would almost be quaint, if it weren't for the fact that his job is to lead our city forward.
Maybe Bach should take Bessie Smith's advice from the original version: "If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today / I'll pack my truck and make my getaway."
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
City Gov / Local News / Politics Strong-mayor campaign leaders: no immediate need for ballot issues
Posted by Ralph Routon on Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 5:16 PM
The three public leaders of the Mayor Project campaign of 2010, which voters approved to enact a new form of government for Colorado Springs in 2011, have sent a letter today to Mayor Steve Bach and City Council, saying they do not see the need at this time for ballot initiatives further revising the City Charter.
Mary Ellen McNally, Andy McElhany and Chuck Murphy signed the letter, which also has been shared with the Independent, Gazette and Colorado Springs Business Journal. The timing, we're told, was influenced by rumors that business leaders and Bach had decided to push a ballot issue for the April 2013 municipal election switching control over Colorado Springs Utilities from the City Council to the mayor.
The letter clearly indicates that the Mayor Project leaders do not feel that way.
Here's the letter in its entirety:
It’s been 9 months since our first “strong” mayor took office, long enough for the three of us to hear a lot of community feedback. As proponents of the ballot measure that changed the charter, we sat down together to discuss how the new form of government is working, and if additional charter changes are necessary. We want to share our reflections with you.Changing to a new system of government has not been without growing pains. But that’s to be expected – after all, as voters, we made a historic, large-scale change that affects more than 400,000 citizens. It’s one thing to change the city charter with an eye toward long-term goals, and another to figure out how that vision actually works on a daily basis. That’s exactly what our new mayor, new council and city staff – as well as all of us, as citizens – are determining. We’re learning as we go, and we’re trying things.
There are gray areas in the charter, and that was by design: just as our Constitution doesn’t dictate who plows the streets, it isn’t appropriate for the city charter to prescribe every detail of government operations. That is up to our elected officials to determine, and the charter must be flexible to respond to changing budgets, technology, community priorities and other factors.
It’s possible that at some point, additional charter changes may be necessary to clarify some big-picture aspects of the roles of council or mayor. We firmly believe that it is too soon to ask the voters to consider any charter amendments. We cannot accurately assess the system until more time has passed. Right now, we haven’t even lived with the system for a single year.
Questioning government is an American tradition. After more than 200 years, we’re still arguing about the roles of the executive and legislative branches of our federal government, so it’s no surprise that similar discussions have arisen at the local level. These are healthy discussions that need to be open, respectful and rational, and take into account the spirit of the changes voters made, as well as the letter.
A key component of the council-mayor government is the checks and balances built into the system. Voters were comfortable giving the mayor new authority because they knew it would not be unfettered. We’ve seen that in action, through both the legal changes of the charter and the political processes it put into play.
It’s important to remember that while we have changed the form of our government, it is still made up of people. That means we all bring our unique personalities and perspectives to the debate. There’s been conflict. If it feels like we’re seeing more conflict than usual, maybe it’s because it’s all happening in the open, achieving our goal of increased transparency. Being the first to navigate a new system of government isn’t easy, and we commend all our elected officials for taking on the challenge. But we must distinguish between matters of charter structure versus personalities as changes to the charter are once again contemplated.
The voters have authorized a system that empowers leaders to do great things in our city. It is up to them to answer the call.
Andy McElhany
Mary Ellen McNally
Chuck Murphy
Spokespersons, The Mayor Project
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Breaking News / County Gov / State Gov / Local News / Politics Local GOP surprises some incumbents; Dems will contest HD 17
Posted by Chet Hardin on Sat, Mar 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM
- File photo
- Sallie Clark still is on the ballot, but her Republican challenger obviously has support as well.
County Commissioner Sallie Clark and veteran state lawmakers Larry Liston and Amy Stephens found out Saturday that their years in elected office won’t guarantee them anything in the 2012 primary election on June 26.
At the local Republicans’ county assembly, at Liberty High School, Clark lost the top ballot position for the GOP primary in her bid for a third term in Commissioner District 3 to rookie challenger Karen Magistrelli. Also, after serving the limit of four terms in the state House, Liston was out-voted Saturday in his bid for top billing in a state Senate race by Owen Hill, who never has served in public office.
And in the House race between two incumbents pitted against each other by reapportionment, House Majority Leader Stephens of Monument lost the top primary ballot position to Rep. Marsha Looper of Calhan by a slim margin.
Meanwhile, highlighting the Democrats’ county assembly at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, delegates were surprised to learn that the party will challenge Republican state Rep. Mark Barker in an effort to regain the House District 17 seat that Barker won in 2010.
Tony Exum Sr., a retired local firefighter who ran unsuccessfully for a City Council at-large position last year, and who had previously declined local Dems' overtures to run in HD 17, stepped up. Exum made the decision late in the week after meeting with party officials. When he was introduced Saturday by state Rep. Pete Lee, the delegates greeted Exum with a standing ovation.
Other Republican incumbents fared better: County Commissioner Amy Lathen soundly defeated challenger Phil McDonald, who will now have to petition onto the ballot. Commissioner Dennis Hisey prevailed over Auddie Cox. State Rep. Janak Joshi also won by a large margin over challenger Mike Garner for a House seat.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Local News / Politics Schultheis improving after heart attack Wednesday
Posted by Chet Hardin on Sat, Mar 17, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Former state Sen. Dave Schultheis is recovering from a heart attack that he suffered Wednesday morning.
Schultheis, 71, was elected to the state Senate in 2006, serving one term. Prior to that, he served three terms in the state House. Since leaving the Senate at the end of 2010, he has stayed active in the political world, poring over proposed legislation, counseling legislators, and acting as a mentor to Republican candidates.
He's going to be taking some time off off from his political work to recuperate, he says.
On Friday, he went on Facebook to describe his ordeal. The heart attack began early Wednesday morning. He was in an intense amount of pain. It took his doctors eight hours to identify the clogged arteries, and he is scheduled to be back in the hospital later this month.
When contacted Saturday by the Indy, he replied by email:
"I am overwhelmed and humbled by the numerous expressions of love and concern, appreciation of my past work in the legislature and commitment to pray for me during this time. I am truly grateful to so many wonderful people around the state who contacted me by email, phone calls, hospital visits and Facebook posts. To experience a sense that so many people care for you is overwhelming. I wish I could adequately express my gratitude to each of them."
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Politics County politics in motion
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 9:38 AM
For all those political junkies out there, take note of some upcoming events.
First, Democrats will caucus tonight, and the Clerk and Recorder's Office provides this reminder:
The Colorado Democratic Party will conduct caucuses tonight, March 6. In order to assist voters who wish to attend their party caucus, the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office Election Department will be open until 8 p.m.
Voters can check their registration at www.GoVoteColorado.com to verify they are a registered Democrat. Voters also can contact the Election Department by phone at 719-575-VOTE (8683). Only registered Democratic voters can participate in tonight’s caucus. Colorado Statutes require that participants for the caucus must be affiliated 60 days prior to the caucus. This deadline has passed.
A link to the El Paso County Democratic Party’s website and caucus locator is on the Clerk & Recorder’s website here. Because the caucuses are conducted by the major political parties the Clerk’s office cannot provide information on the caucus locations.
Those interested in gun rights might want to put the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition's Political Action Committee forum on their calendars. The forum, to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at VFW Post 4051, 430 E. Pikes Peak Ave., will feature all announced Republican candidates for county commissioner.
The PAC will announce endorsements following the forum. Formed in 1992, the coalition aims to defend the right to keep and bear arms and to support those candidates and elected officials who support this right.
On Saturday, you can meet Karen Magistrelli, who's trying to unseat Commissioner Sallie Clark in District 3, for cookies and coffee from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at GOP Headquarters, 205 Sutton Lane. Sutton is off Sinton just south of Garden of the Gods Road.
In a news release, Magistrelli outlines her platform:
It is time for a NEW commissioner who...
· will work to reduce the size of government
· will fight regulations that inhibit business and job growth
· will support opening financial records to public scrutiny
· will seek to represent each and every voter ethically and honestly
· will never support ballot language that is misleading
· will maintain a transparent county office
· will fight to restore TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) by requiring that new capital expenses are put in front of the voters before the money is spent
Magistrelli also touts a recent endorsement from former State Sen. Dave Schultheis, who's quoted in her release as saying, "I am convinced that Karen is a true conservative who will be true to conservative principles when assessing any issue that will come before the county’s Board of Commissioners. She understands that conservative principles are the best for citizens over the long run. Her desire for transparency on all Board matters, as well as her commitment to uphold the intent of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) will be a refreshing addition to the Board.”
Monday, March 5, 2012
Breaking News / Politics / Military Obama to speak at AFA graduation
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 10:12 AM
President Barack Obama will be the speaker at the graduation of the Air Force Academy Class of 2012 on May 23.
The president usually rotates with the secretary of defense, Air Force secretary and vice president in giving the keynote address during the graduation ceremony, traditionally staged at Falcon Stadium.
"We're waiting on the announcement to come out," says Lt. Col. John Bryan, director of communications at the academy. "Yeah, that's been the game plan all along. It's our turn to get him in the rotation."
Since the academy hadn't yet disclosed officially that the president would speak, there was no immediate information as to how to obtain tickets other than a reference on the academy's website here about cadets being given as many as they like.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Politics Lamborn: Reigning conservative in Congress
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 1:55 PM
As if it were a good thing, Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., sent out a press release today announcing that for the third year running, he's made the National Journal magazine's most conservative list for the House of Representatives. Nine other members also made the list who, along with Lamborn, scored 94 percent on the litmus test for the title of Emperor of Rightness.
From the release:
"This ranking reflects my conservative values. I am recognized as one of the leaders in Congress on the conservative front. In Washington, talk is cheap but is no substitute for a solid voting record. With every vote I take, I consider how it will impact personal freedoms, taxpayers, and the overall economic strength of our country."I am humbled and honored to represent the hard-working people of Colorado's Fifth Congressional District. Overwhelmingly, they share my values and I look forward to continuing to fight for them in Washington."
This makes it sound as if those who aren't right-wing extremists have no values. Which probably is what many right-wing extremists do think. But you know what they say: Things are the way they are. Even if you don't know how things are, things are the way they are. Earth to Doug, there's more to this country than your echo chamber.
As far as we could see from the website, Lamborn is the only Colorado lawmaker who made any of the liberal or conservative lists for House and Senate.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Breaking News / Politics Cover story update: Conservative Colorado group scores points with Supreme Court
Posted by Bill Forman on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at 2:02 PM
On Friday night, ATP scored a significant victory as the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Montana Supreme Court decision, thereby suspending the state's restrictions against super PAC's directly influencing the political process.
By all indications, this is a prelude to the Supreme Court reviewing a case that's likely to brings the whole controversy around Citizens United v Federal Election Commission back into the political and media spotlight. National polls have shown little public support for the ruling that enables corporate super-PACs to funnel unlimited amounts of money into influencing political campaigns.
Currently, groups like ATP, whose stated goal is to fight "radical environmentalism" and to "crush Gang Green and their anti-business allies," do not have to reveal where their money comes from — or, for that matter, where it goes.
During our interview last month, American Tradition Partnership Executive Director Donald Ferguson admitted his group served as a conduit for some serious money during 2010's Montana political campaigns, but assured me "it was not over $500,000."
In an interview for the same story, Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock defended his state supreme court's decision, while insisting that the blunt wording of its attack on ATP for "questionable tactics and blatant hypocrisy" was justified.
"I think if you read the dissent in the Citizens United case, those four justices were uncharacteristically blunt about their concerns," said Bullock, who's also running for Montana governor this year. "So our Montana Supreme Court, in looking at Western Tradition Partnership and the number of lawsuits that they have filed, I think they've expressed some concerns about what this organization is and what's behind it."
Look for those and other questions to be revisited as this story continues to play out.
Read the full Indy cover story here.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Local News / Politics Conter receives honor from local League of Women Voters
Posted by Ralph Routon on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 7:46 AM
Lots of people in Colorado Springs might be proud to call themselves community activists, dedicating themselves to helping as many causes as they can, even if their participation doesn't put them in the public or media spotlight.
Lindy Conter is among that group, but she wasn't in the background Thursday night, receiving the sixth annual Making Democracy Work Award from the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region during a reception in Bemis Hall at Colorado College.
Conter was chosen from a group of six nominees, all with impressive credentials from serving the local community. In fact, as she expressed her appreciation after the announcement, Conter referred to several of the other nominees as being role models for her.
Conter's activism has focused on organizations and issues involving girls and women. Among her achievements: co-founder of the Pikes Peak Women's Coalition, organizer of the first Pay Equity Day event in Colorado Springs supporting federal legislation on equal pay for women, and working with the Women's Resource Agency, the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame and the Women's Foundation of Colorado. In addition, she has helped cultivate local support for a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for girls. As if all that weren't enough, Conter is a volunteer for Pikes Peak Library District teaching English as a Second Language to adults, and she helps tutor people trying to gain U.S. citizenship.
“Lindy Conter is a community leader, helping to create equality regardless of gender or economic status,” said Julie Ott, president of the League of Women Voters local chapter.
Dee Vazquez Sabol, the 2011 winner, made the presentation to Conter, emphasizing that if any organization or cause in Colorado Springs (or Colorado) included women, "Lindy is involved with it."
The other nominees included Jan Doran, longtime leader of the Council of Neighbors and Organizations; Martha Barton, president/CEO of Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care; Aimee Cox, Colorado Springs City Council liaison and former Manitou Springs City Council member; Ann Finke, nationally known instructor and proponent of local golf; and Vikki Walton, grant writer and volunteer for local nonprofits.
The event was co-sponsored by the Independent.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Politics UPDATE: Group takes aim at Lamborn
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 10:02 AM
UPDATE:
Rep. Doug Lamborn's spokesperson, Catherine Mortensen, sends the following to refute criticism of the shale bill that Lamborn is proposing:
The PIONEERS Act WILL:· Create consistent, clear policies that businesses can rely on to move forward for investment of U.S. oil shale resources
· Create American jobs in research and development of oil shale
Why PIONEERS Act is needed:
· The U.S. Geological Service estimates the total U.S. oil shale resources to be six times Saudi Arabia’s current proven oil reserves
· The Obama Administration has repeatedly delayed and hindered development of oil shale — at the expense of American jobs, our economy and energy.
o On February 3, 2012, the Obama Administration released their plan to close over a million acres of federal land to oil shale development. The Obama Administration has a plan to lock-up U.S. energy resources and send jobs overseas. This is just one more example to add to the ever-growing list of Obama Administration actions that block U.S. energy production.
Congressional Budget Office — Fiscal impact of PIONEERS Act
The independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says the bill will not bring in any additional revenues to the federal treasury in the form of royalty payments. The CBO does not project revenues beyond a ten year period. Industry experts agree that oil shale is a long term investment and will not produce significant revenues in the form of royalties for at least ten years.
Royalty Payments under PIONEERS Act
The bill is on a graduated tiered system for increasing royalty rates. After the first 5 years of enactment, the royalty rates will increase by 1 percent each year until it reaches the rate of 12.5 percent, which is the royalty rate for traditional onshore oil and gas leases. This will bring in additional revenue to the treasury.
Statement from Congressman Doug Lamborn
“Oil Shale is one of the most promising new sources of American-made energy and the United States is fortunate to have an abundance of oil shale resources. These resources are an important component of America’s energy future. This bill removes the uncertainty from oil shale development and opens up land for both research and commercial development of oil shale. It contributes to our energy security, and creates good paying American jobs for thousands of Americans.”
Specifically, the PIONEERS Act:
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue additional Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) leases within 180 days after enactment according to the lease terms published on January 15, 2009.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue at least 5 separate commercial lease sales by January 1, 2016.
Makes permanent the Resource Management Plan amendments and commercial oil shale regulations published guidelines by the Department in November 2008 and apply them to all commercial leasing for the management of federally owned oil shale. This will provide regulatory certainty to companies looking to invest in oil shale.
Requires the Secretary when practicable to encourage the use of U.S. workers and equipment in all construction related to energy and mineral development.
————— ORIGINAL POST, 10:37 a.m., WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 —————
An environmental and watchdog group, the Checks and Balances Project, is calling out Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, on their support of oil shale drilling as an answer to highway funding.
The release, which went out Tuesday:
An online ad campaign which links back to the video starts this afternoon in National Journal, Politico, The Hill, and the Colorado Springs Gazette, the largest daily newspaper in Rep. Lamborn’s home district.
“Speaker Boehner and Rep. Lamborn are selling the American public a bill of goods. Since there is no commercial oil shale industry, there is zero energy, zero revenue, and zero jobs in oil shale,” said Matt Garrington, Colorado-based co-director of the Checks and Balances Project.
Oil shale contains no actual oil and is a rock located in the western United States. The rock contains kerogen, a precursor to oil. Industry has failed to create a commercial oil shale industry despite 100 years of research and billions in investments and taxpayer-funded subsidies.
Shell Oil, which is recognized to be at the forefront of oil shale research, states that a “commercial [oil shale] decision would be in the middle of the next decade and possibly later”.
Rep. Lamborn’s bill, H.R. 3408, would attempt to advance oil shale speculation by handing over two million acres of public lands to oil companies and mandating commercial leasing on 125,000 acres despite the fact that no commercial oil shale industry exists.
The Speaker has designated Rep. Lamborn oil shale legislation as a funding source for his controversial highway funding package, H.R. 7.
The ad campaign follows on the heels of an amendment filed by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) which would strike the oil shale legislation from the highway bill and is poised to set up a House floor showdown between the Colorado representatives.
The group also delivered a letter to the Speaker’s office this morning calling for the Speaker and Rep. Lamborn to explain why oil shale is included in the highway funding package despite receiving a zero revenue score by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
“We respectfully request an explanation to the American taxpayer of this disconnect between fact and rhetoric,” wrote Garrington.
Earlier this month, Rep. Lamborn told The Denver Post that oil shale “is not a real contributor to the highway transportation needs we have.”
Ironically, the legislation actually creates a new subsidy for oil companies by setting “bargain basement” royalty rates for oil shale. This means that should oil shale ever actually be developed, local governments would have less revenue to address the costs associated with increased energy development such as new schools, hospitals, fire, law enforcement, hospitals, roads, and other utilities.
The group spent about $30,000 on the online ad and video campaign which runs over the next three days.
Meantime, Lamborn is hosting an interactive telephone town hall Wednesday night, in case you want to weigh in on the shale issue or another one.
I invite you to join me for a discussion on the latest from Washington. I will be providing a brief update on my efforts to cut wasteful government spending, protect our national defense, and open up American energy reserves. We'll also discuss President Obama's 2013 Budget.
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012Time: 6:30 pm MT
Subject: Washington Update, President's 2013 Budget, questions and answers
To Participate: (888) 886-6603 Ext.18020#
