Not that we needed any more ammunition, but a story published in Friday’s Denver Post provides it for those of us who believe that Colorado’s effort to redraw legislative district boundaries needs more sunshine.
The story noted that both Republicans and Democrats created “independent” groups that employed computer experts, lawyers and and consultants. The trouble, as the story pointed out, is that tracing who funds the groups is difficult and their work, which has a huge impact on the process, is conducted out of public view.
While we know both parties will always have a keen interest in redistricting, we continue to believe that a change is needed so that maps are drawn by nonpartisan staff and amended publicly.
Tax credit extension. With the lone, disappointing exception of Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, the state’s congressional delegation this week signed a letter urging their leaders to extend the production tax credit for wind energy, which expires at the end of this year, as part of a deal on the payroll tax extension. We were pleased to see it.
We’ve previously noted the importance of the effort to help the industry move closer to a position where it can compete without subsidy. Extension of the credit is not just good for the economy, it’s also a boon to our energy security and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Video lottery quest is back. Backers of “video lottery terminals,” which are essentially electronic slot machines, are back at the Capitol asking lawmakers to answer a question that needs to be put before voters: Should gambling in the state be expanded? House Bill 1280 is a scaled-back version of a measure that failed last year. It includes limits on where the machines could be located and dedicates money to higher education. We wish they’d try their luck on the ballot rather than under the dome.
Get well soon. Finally, we’d like to wish 9News anchor Kyle Dyer well as she recovers from reconstructive surgery following a dog bite suffered on-air this week. If a sunny disposition and a positive outlook aid in the healing process, Dyer should be brightening our mornings again soon.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
