Republicans craft plan to retake Colorado in 2010
Posted : Nov 23, 2009 10:29 AM
Updated: Nov 23, 2009 2:42 PM
A group of current and former Republican lawmakers, including former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, are uniting behind gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis and a conservative agenda they say will help them unseat Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter.
Former Gov. Bill Owens and McInnis' former GOP rival, state Sen. Josh Penry were among the other officials also backing McInnis and the "Platform for Prosperity" at a Denver manufacturer Monday.
The agenda calls for opposing tax hikes and new fees and loosening oil and gas regulations as well as reinstating Owens' ban on taxpayer funding to organizations that provide abortions.
At Tancredo's urging, it also backs requiring employers to verify that their workers are in the country legally.
According to the Denver Post, here are the highlights of the Republican agenda:
•Limit taxes and state spending.
•Reverse recent increases in property tax and auto-registration fees.
•Develop renewable energy, oil and gas, and nuclear energy.
•Start a state savings account for tough economic times.
•Require workers' immigration status to be checked through the federal e-verify program.
•Rescind Gov. Bill Ritter's executive order allowing state employees to unionize.
•Appoint conservative judges to state courts.
•Add charter schools and a school-voucher program.
•Reinstate a ban on state funding for Planned Parenthood and other health providers that support abortion rights.
•A general statement defending the sanctity of human life.
Ritter summed up the new agenda as "just (being) against things."
