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Negating Democratic Consent: How the Colorado Supreme Court has Nullified Colorado Constitutional Limits on Taxes, Debt, and Corporate Privilege. Abstract: The Constitution of the State of Colorado strictly limits the Colorado government’s power to impose taxes and incur debt, including by requiring voter approval of higher taxes and new debt. Government debt must be approved The post Negating Democratic Consent first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Negating Democratic Consent ...| Independence Institute
Shortly after the ruling, I wrote that Obergefell might be the Supreme Court’s “most radical decision ever.” A decade later, that assessment seems correct. The post Why the Supreme Court Should Overrule the Same-Sex Marriage Decision first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Why the Supreme Court Should Overrule the Same-Sex Marriage Decision appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Soon after I first explained that Colorado taxpayers keeping more of their own money under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is actually a good thing, more false claims about the OBBBA, as well as Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) materialized. As soon as I rectified those misconceptions, a Colorado Sun article presented The post Progressive press blames Colorado voters for state budget hole first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Progressive press blames Colora...| Independence Institute
What makes this issue so difficult is that all the major positions have evidence to support them. The post Why Issues of Birthright Citizenship Are So Difficult first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Why Issues of Birthright Citizenship Are So Difficult appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
In the 2021 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly passed SB21-264, a first-in-the-nation law requiring the state’s gas distribution utilities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 4% by 2025 and by 22% by 2030, from a 2015 baseline, by filing “Clean Heat Plans” with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Since then, Colorado gas utilities like The post Independence Institute Tells the Public Utilities Commission to Reconsider Forced Electrification Rulemaking first a...| Independence Institute
As expected, the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is sparking political battles in Colorado, with the two most common misconceptions of the bill’s impact on the Colorado budget being fueled by muddled rhetoric and flimsy logic. Claim 1: Blame the OBBBA Colorado’s progressive legislators are out in full force, denouncing the OBBBA The post Dems desperate to deflect blame for self-inflicted budget wound first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Dems desperate to...| Independence Institute
Have Colorado lawmakers cried wolf about the state’s budget too many times? The state legislature, after recently reconciling a billion-dollar “budget shortfall” due mostly to a relentless overspending habit, is now back in the barber chair for yet another fiscal haircut. And while legislators are still overspending and overpromising, state revenue reductions from taxpayer-friendly policy| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Participants in the debates over the ratification of the Constitution freely quoted Virgil to drive home their arguments.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Rob Natelson reviews the recent Supreme Court term with Jon Caldara at this link. The post Rob Natelson reviews the recent Supreme Court term with Jon Caldara first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Rob Natelson reviews the recent Supreme Court term with Jon Caldara appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The segment will air again on August 14, and after that on the second Tuesday of each month. The post “Ask Rob Natelson” to Air Monthly on KLZ-560 Denver Radio first appeared on Independence Institute. The post “Ask Rob Natelson” to Air Monthly on KLZ-560 Denver Radio appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
I met Jon Caldara, president of Independence Insitute in 2000 when I started doing volunteer graphic design for II. Jon quickly offered me a contract position and an office in their suite. It was only a few months later when I heard from one of my colleagues that Jon’s infant daughter, Parker, was very sick. The post Courage Classic 2025 first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Courage Classic 2025 appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The court found that the statute granting courts power to grant injunctions did not include universal injunctions. The post Unpacking the Supreme Court’s ‘Universal Injunction’ Decision first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Unpacking the Supreme Court’s ‘Universal Injunction’ Decision appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Skrmetti was one of several cases this year in which the court’s decision protected children. The post Understanding the Supreme Court’s Case on Transgender Treatment for Children first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Understanding the Supreme Court’s Case on Transgender Treatment for Children appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Establishing New Public Schools of Choice: An Alternative Pathway highlights the role of educational service agencies, specifically Colorado’s Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), in authorizing alternative public schools of choice. The Education reEnvisioned BOCES (ERBOCES) is noted for its creation of brick-and-mortar schools, offering children additional educational opportunities. Yet, ERBOCES faced a legal challenge The post Establishing New Public Schools of Choice: An A...| Independence Institute
The Founding-era doctrine of implied powers has been misunderstood during the modern era. Result have been an over-estimate of congressional power and confusion about the President’s authority. The post Implied Powers in the Constitution first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Implied Powers in the Constitution appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Don't take your kids to this production of the Barber of Seville. The post Review: Homo-eroticism and Other Problems in Central City’s “Barber of Seville” first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Review: Homo-eroticism and Other Problems in Central City’s “Barber of Seville” appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
New evidence supports Rob's theory that people around Joe Biden agreed to his debate with Donald Trump as a way of clearing the field for another Democratic nominee. The post The Sandbagging of Joe Biden – Part II first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Sandbagging of Joe Biden – Part II appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
It appears the court was trying to update the statute. But updating federal statutes is not the job of appointed-for-life judges. It is a job for democratically-elected members of Congress.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
The media’s narrative of a “6-3 conservative majority” is obviously defective. But it does serve a purpose . . . . The post The False Media Claim about the Supreme Court first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The False Media Claim about the Supreme Court appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Colorado has played a pivotal role in the history of nuclear research and technology. Being the first state to produce uranium and later having a near monopoly on the global radium trade, the Centennial state’s complex relationship with nuclear materials highlights both its contributions to the field and the resulting controversies. Despite Colorado’s significant impact The post A Critical Look at Nuclear Energy in Colorado: Overcoming Our Past to Secure Our Future first appeared on Indep...| Independence Institute
Colorado’s “free” school lunch program could finally be getting a well-deserved reality check, depending on what voters have to say about it come November. Governor Polis recently signed two bills concerning the state’s Healthy School Meals for All program (HSMA): House Bill 25-1274, which essentially asks voters to both de-TABOR existing revenue as well as The post Colorado voters get another bite at ‘free’ school lunch apple first appeared on Independence Institute. The post...| Independence Institute
Experts and professional associations always have been influenced by economic considerations. Today, few are immune from political pressure as well. The post Justice Clarence Thomas’s Wise Words About ‘Experts’ first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Justice Clarence Thomas’s Wise Words About ‘Experts’ appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Originally published on Reason.com Proponents of bans on standard firearms magazines claim that the bans do not affect lawful self-defense, and do impair mass shooters. Supposedly, victims will be able to escape or fight back during the “critical pause” when a mass shooter is swapping magazines. The claims are not plausible, as explained in an amicus The post How Magazine Bans Thwart Self-Defense first appeared on Independence Institute. The post How Magazine Bans Thwart Self-Defense app...| Independence Institute
The latest edition responds to new controversies surrounding an old document. The post “The Original Constitution”—Long-Awaited 4th Edition Arrives! first appeared on Independence Institute. The post “The Original Constitution”—Long-Awaited 4th Edition Arrives! appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The media claim that there is a firm 6-3 Supreme Court is untrue, as demonstrated by this freedom of religion case. The post The Supreme Court’s Unanimous Religious Freedom Ruling Explained first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Supreme Court’s Unanimous Religious Freedom Ruling Explained appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Originally published on Reason.com In Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, the Mexican government is suing several of the most popular American firearm manufacturers in an attempt to hold them liable for violence committed by Mexican drug cartels in Mexico. The Mexican government seeks billions of dollars in damages and the imposition of| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Here’s the political lesson, Colorado: Socialist and other leftist policies screw things up. Free market policies make life good. It seems to be a law of nature, like gravitation. The post Denver’s budget mess—the cost of “progressive” policies first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Denver’s budget mess—the cost of “progressive” policies appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The Supreme Court ruled against requiring members of "majority groups" to bear a higher burden to prove illegal discrimination. The post SCOTUS Nixes Discrimination Against Heterosexuals and White Males first appeared on Independence Institute. The post SCOTUS Nixes Discrimination Against Heterosexuals and White Males appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The fundamental problem with the President’s tariff orders is not that he interpreted the law too expansively. It is that the law may be unconstitutional. The post Are President Trump’s Tariff Orders Constitutional? first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Are President Trump’s Tariff Orders Constitutional? appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Courts and commentators sometimes try to change a law by adopting unusual methods of intepretation The post The Supreme Court’s ‘Ghost Gun’ Case: Judicial Amendment by ‘Interpretation’ first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Supreme Court’s ‘Ghost Gun’ Case: Judicial Amendment by ‘Interpretation’ appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Governor Polis recently signed into law a Joint Budget Committee (JBC) sponsored bill that changes the availability of two of the state’s most significant tax credits. House Bill 25-1335 was prompted by a pair of cautious forecasts conducted by the Legislative Council Staff (LCS) and the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) in The post House Bill 1335: Colorado’s sweetheart tax credits breaking the bank first appeared on Independence Institute. The post House Bill ...| Independence Institute
The case of Trump v. Wilcox may be the next step in restoring democratic control over the federal bureaucracy. The post Will the Supreme Court Restore Popular Control Over the ‘Deep State?’ first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Will the Supreme Court Restore Popular Control Over the ‘Deep State?’ appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
A response to how Israel-haters rewrite history. The post In the Wake of the Boulder Terror Attack, Rob Defends Israel first appeared on Independence Institute. The post In the Wake of the Boulder Terror Attack, Rob Defends Israel appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Identify a prominent piece of constitutional nonsense invented to promote unlimited federal power, and you can usually find Harvard people behind it. The post Harvard Had It Coming first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Harvard Had It Coming appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Biden’s profanity was both gratuitous and continual . . . But the worst part was how he moved in and out of la-la land. The post If You Want to See Something Horrible, Read Biden’s Special Counsel Testimony first appeared on Independence Institute. The post If You Want to See Something Horrible, Read Biden’s Special Counsel Testimony appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Kamala Harris and every member of Biden's cabinet need to be asked why they did not invoke the 25th amendment.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
People who want to know what the Montana Constitution actually means have a new tool available. The post Montana Constitution Documents Now Online first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Montana Constitution Documents Now Online appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Leftist politicians have picked up a word I applied to a ruling minority and are applying to the majority. The post “Oligarchy”—Calling the Kettle Black first appeared on Independence Institute. The post “Oligarchy”—Calling the Kettle Black appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
It's time for Colorado Public Radio to pull its snout from the federal trough. The post End Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting. first appeared on Independence Institute. The post End Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting. appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Vergil's poetry was an inspiration for the Founders and is the basis for all three mottos on the Great Seal of the United States. The post Vergil: Poet Laureate of the American Founding first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Vergil: Poet Laureate of the American Founding appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
SB 276 is not only dangerous, it's constitutionally absurd.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
The Colorado constitution as adopted in 1876 was admitted by all to be republican in form. But it imposed far more limits on the legislature’s financial powers than TABOR does. The post Colorado Lawmakers’ Absurd Proposal to Void TABOR first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Colorado Lawmakers’ Absurd Proposal to Void TABOR appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
This article outlines constitutional parental rights and why forcing transgender ideology on parents violates those rights. The post Explaining Constitutional Parental Rights vs. Colorado’s Transgender Naming Bill first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Explaining Constitutional Parental Rights vs. Colorado’s Transgender Naming Bill appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The person Obama appointed to censure so-called "disinformation" had a record of spreading disinformation of his own. The post The Leftist Who Wants to Government to Propagandize Spread His Own Anti-Constitution Propaganda first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Leftist Who Wants to Government to Propagandize Spread His Own Anti-Constitution Propaganda appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Colorado's legislative Bozos have decided to get clever---or what in Clownland passes for clever. The post Colorado’s “Progressive” Clowns Trample on U.S. Constitution first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Colorado’s “Progressive” Clowns Trample on U.S. Constitution appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
A constitutional lawsuit against TABOR would have no objective merit, but the Colorado Supreme Court's persistent hostility to TABOR might induce it to rule for the plaintiffs anyway.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
When the federal government certified the Colorado Constitution as "republican" in 1876, the Colorado constitution limited the legislature more than TABOR does. The post HJR 1023: Colorado lawmakers’ constitutional ignorance on display first appeared on Independence Institute. The post HJR 1023: Colorado lawmakers’ constitutional ignorance on display appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Despite Colorado’s $1.2 billion budget deficit, increasing regulatory woes, and a souring economic outlook, the state legislature continues to proliferate new legislation that promises to increase government size and spending. The 120-day 2025 legislative session is beyond the halfway point, and Colorado’s 35 senators and 65 representatives have introduced over 500 bills so far, with The post Legislative binge ongoing despite billion-dollar budget gap first appeared on Independence Inst...| Independence Institute
Municipal-Level Tax Credit Scholarships: A Way to Build on Existing Success, authored by Senior Education Fellow Ross Izard, examines the potential of a municipal-level tax credit scholarship program to mitigate the disruption families experience when transitioning their children from private or faith-based preschool to higher grades. Such a program would build upon existing Colorado programs, such The post Municipal-Level Tax Credit Scholarships: A Way to Build on Existing Success first app...| Independence Institute
Below are multiple interactive charts that display data collected from Colorado General Assembly fiscal reports from the 2025 regular legislative session. The state legislature is beyond the midpoint of the 120-day regular session, which started in January and ends in May. The data below presents the FTE/fiscal impact of every proposed legislation introduced in the| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Some of Colorado’s largest electric utilities are starting to sound the alarm over the pace, expense, and grid reliability implications of meeting the state’s decarbonization mandates. Xcel Energy, the state’s largest electricity provider, is increasingly worried about its ability to reliably deliver power to ratepayers under current regulatory constraints, according to a recent letter sent The post Colorado Utilities Signal Pain Ahead for Energy Transition first appeared on Independenc...| Independence Institute
The Founders' law books make it very clear what the Constitution means by "high Misdemeanor." The post Impeachment: Is Judge Boasberg Guilty of a “High Misdemeanor?” first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Impeachment: Is Judge Boasberg Guilty of a “High Misdemeanor?” appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The doctrine of allegiance is crucial for understanding the Alien Enemies Act, but it also is crucial for understanding the Constitution itself. The post Alien Enemies, Alien Friends, and the Concept of “Allegiance” first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Alien Enemies, Alien Friends, and the Concept of “Allegiance” appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Some state universities abusing their trust use the popularity of their sports teams as political "cover." The post CU no longer serving its purpose as a state university first appeared on Independence Institute. The post CU no longer serving its purpose as a state university appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Thus far, the Trump cuts have been only a tiny fraction of recent federal employment increases. The post Is Trump Really Cutting the Size of Government? first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Is Trump Really Cutting the Size of Government? appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Since 2009, Colorado regulation and government spending have exploded, and every branch of state government seems to have taken on an authoritarian tinge.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Freedom of the press is as much for ordinary citizens as journalists, so the law should not discriminate against ordinary citizens. The post Special privileges for journalists contrary to ‘freedom of press’ first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Special privileges for journalists contrary to ‘freedom of press’ appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Making up new ways to interpret the Constitution is unfaithful to the document. If the Founders had known people would do that, they would have written it differently. The post Defending the Founders’ Interpretation of the Constitution first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Defending the Founders’ Interpretation of the Constitution appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
It is well known by now that Colorado’s budget is on an unsustainable path. While there’s considerable disagreement about what is driving the issue and what the solution might be, one thing is for sure: trying to lay blame on the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) is just pure deflection. As I have written previously, The post Colorado’s spending joyride on a collision course with reality first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Colorado’s spending joyride on a collis...| Independence Institute
While Colorado's electric grid has been in flux for years, 2024 may come to be remembered as the turning point for Colorado's energy future.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Even we don't restore the Constitution's spending limits, the courts have power to stop waste like "promoting DEI in Serbia." The post A Rule for Curbing Wasteful Spending first appeared on Independence Institute. The post A Rule for Curbing Wasteful Spending appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
New legislation has been introduced that is crucial towards creating a more sustainable state budget, as well as putting broad-based income tax relief for Coloradans ahead of special interest loopholes. Senate Bill 25-138, sponsored by Sen. John Carson, a Republican from Douglas County, improves on a similar bill passed last year by first reducing the The post Senate Bill 138: Putting broad-based tax relief ahead of special interests first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Senate B...| Independence Institute
The Founders predicted what would happen when a group takes over from a disabled President. The post The Constitution and the Betrayal by Biden’s People first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Constitution and the Betrayal by Biden’s People appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The Colorado House Energy and Environment Committee passed HB25-1040, “Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource,” to the House floor on an 8 to 5 vote. Testimony went long and late into the evening. I couldn’t stay the entire time and submitted my written testimony online. I’ve provided it below, along with brief explanations| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
This post summarizes what earlier posts at this site have said about the states' power to curb illegal immigration. The post May the States Block Illegal Immigration? first appeared on Independence Institute. The post May the States Block Illegal Immigration? appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Colorado legislators are discovering first-hand the impossibility of having their cake and eating it too. The Joint Budget Committee continues to meet with dozens of departments to reconcile an approximately $750 million budget shortfall in 2025, with some absurdly claiming that deficit is purely a result of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) at work. The post Colorado Legislature’s Over-Spending Problem Explained first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Colorado Legislatur...| Independence Institute
The University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business recently released their 60th annual Business Outlook for 2025, and, despite a moderate outlook in 2025, the report includes some disturbing trends in the Colorado economy. Let’s take a look at some of what’s going wrong. Troubling trends As pointed out by Denver Post business writer Aldo Svaldi, Colorado was the| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Is spying constitutionally-protected "freedom of speech" or "freedom of the press" because it is conducted by an internet application?| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
The incentives behind the campaign are obvious. The ERA is poorly drafted and vague (which is why it was rejected). If it became part of the Constitution, the result would be legal chaos. Activists know they would be able to feed off that chaos . . . .| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Biden was unique in scoring poorly not just on one or two of the factors academics use for demoting presidents, but on several.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
Since Colorado “progressives” have decided to blow up the long-standing Labor Peace Act, the rest of us have an opportunity to replace it with something better.| Independence Institute - Think Freedom
The Founding-era evidence on this point is both massive and uncontradicted. The post An Amendments Convention is a “Convention of the States”—the Evidence Continues to Pile Up first appeared on Independence Institute. The post An Amendments Convention is a “Convention of the States”—the Evidence Continues to Pile Up appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Two new SCOTUS decisions make it clear NPV violates the Colorado Constitution. The post Constitutional trouble for Colorado’s National Popular Vote scheme first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Constitutional trouble for Colorado’s National Popular Vote scheme appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The court is not enforcing the Montana Constitution at all. The court is rewriting it. The post Montana Supreme Court Isn’t Enforcing the State’s Constitution, but Rewriting It first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Montana Supreme Court Isn’t Enforcing the State’s Constitution, but Rewriting It appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Most Presidents near the bottom of survey lists are there principally because of a failure on one or two survey criteria . . . What is striking about the Biden presidency is its failure over a wide range of criteria. The post The Biden Presidency: The Worst in History? first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Biden Presidency: The Worst in History? appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Montana's experience shows that when abuse of power begins, citizens must counteract it quickly. Failure to respond only makes the problem worse. The post The Lesson from Montana: Stop Judicial Usurpation Before It Becomes Too Late first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Lesson from Montana: Stop Judicial Usurpation Before It Becomes Too Late appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Newly released electric vehicle sales data has Colorado policymakers patting themselves on the back for a job well done. The reality of the state’s vehicle market is slightly more complicated. According to a recent report from the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, electric vehicles made up 25.3 percent of all new cars sold The post Unpacking Colorado’s Electric Vehicle Triumphalism first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Unpacking Colorado’s Electric Vehicl...| Independence Institute
From the standpoint of those who favor freedom and constitutional government, the new presidential administration will be better than the last, but lasting change will require adoption of constitutional amendments proposed by a convention of the states. The post Some Constitutional Takeaways from the 2024 Presidential Election first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Some Constitutional Takeaways from the 2024 Presidential Election appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
The Electoral College is a necessary part of a wider presidential election system, which in turn is the result of many factors, not just a few. The post The Electoral College in Context first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Electoral College in Context appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
During the 1970s, a handful of liberal writers with privileged media access spread disinformation about the amendment process, apparently to protect an activist Supreme Court. The post Busting the Myths About Article V Conventions first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Busting the Myths About Article V Conventions appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Eighteenth Century social history helps us understand why the Constitution was written as it was. The post Insights into the Constitution from English Social History first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Insights into the Constitution from English Social History appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
John Lansing, Jr. used the New York Bill of Rights as one basis for the proposed constitutional amendments consulted by James Madison. The post How the New York Bill of Rights Helped Lead to the U.S. Bill of Rights first appeared on Independence Institute. The post How the New York Bill of Rights Helped Lead to the U.S. Bill of Rights appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
CI-128, if enacted, could be used as a legal wedge for child mutilation and the invasion of women’s sports by biological males. The post Major Problems in Montana’s CI-128 (the Abortion Initiative) first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Major Problems in Montana’s CI-128 (the Abortion Initiative) appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Over the last few years, Colorado’s property tax system has been the subject of considerable debate and efforts toward reform. Rapidly rising residential property values and a structure that gave relief to residential owners, but not commercial property owners, pushed the issue to the fore of the state’s fiscal discussion. The post Review of Colorado’s Property Taxes and Model Policy first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Review of Colorado’s Property Taxes and Model Pol...| Independence Institute
By Nash Herman In a frenzy to counter proposed Initiatives 50 and 108, Colorado legislators successfully passed new property tax legislation during the August special session. HB24B-1001, the “deal bill,” was created to convince the creators of 50 and 108 to remove the two initiatives from the November ballot. Unsatisfied with the property tax bill The post Another Special Session on Property Taxes: What Changed? first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Another Special Session o...| Independence Institute
If the Framers had believed the Constitution would be construed by any rules other than those then prevailing, they would have worded it very differently. The post Direct Taxes and the Founders’ Originalism first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Direct Taxes and the Founders’ Originalism appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Before the Jewish people started returning to Palestine, Mark Twain visited and saw a sparsely-populated place of human misery. The post What Palestine Was Like Before It was the State of Israel first appeared on Independence Institute. The post What Palestine Was Like Before It was the State of Israel appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Campus intolerance and indoctrination began long ago. The post University Propaganda first appeared on Independence Institute. The post University Propaganda appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
What the Supreme Court's rejection of the "Chevron Doctrine" means for Colorado and other Western states. The post Video: Rob Natelson on the Supreme Court’s Overruling the “Chevron Doctrine” first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Video: Rob Natelson on the Supreme Court’s Overruling the “Chevron Doctrine” appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Justice Gorsuch responds to the "legal realist" view that encourages judicial activism. The post Justice Gorsuch Takes on the “Legal Realists” first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Justice Gorsuch Takes on the “Legal Realists” appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
A federal court of appeals has upheld the right of Texas to defend itself against illegal immigration by erecting a barrier in the Rio Grande River. The post United States v. Abbott and State War Powers first appeared on Independence Institute. The post United States v. Abbott and State War Powers appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Although some judges and other writers have been confused about direct and indirect taxes, when the Constitution was adopted the definitions were, as John Marshall said, "clearly understood." The post The Constitutional Line on Direct Taxes first appeared on Independence Institute. The post The Constitutional Line on Direct Taxes appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Term limits on the Supreme Court are justified, but must be balanced by term limits on Congress. The post Biden’s Supreme Court Term Limits Proposal first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Biden’s Supreme Court Term Limits Proposal appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
"Another possibility is an October Surprise—an “emergency” designed to manipulate the election." The post Why Harris? (And About October Surprises) first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Why Harris? (And About October Surprises) appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
Executive Summary Coloradans have several options to try to address rising property taxes in 2024. The state legislature passed SB24-233 with bipartisan support at the end of the 2024 legislative session. Voters could choose to keep SB24-233 or eschew the bill for either or both Initiatives 50 and 108. Despite being a better alternative The post 2024 Property Tax Reform: The Choices Before Colorado Voters first appeared on Independence Institute. The post 2024 Property Tax Reform: Th...| Independence Institute
Governor Jared Polis has been a consistent advocate for eliminating the state income tax, or at least “buying it down” through the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) surplus. This year, Polis claimed that legislation passed in 2024 did “deliver on that promise” to reduce the income tax rate, but Independence Institute’s research finds that legislation The post How New 2024 Tax Expenditures Undermine TABOR first appeared on Independence Institute. The post How New 2024 Tax Expenditu...| Independence Institute
The Education Policy Center has educated Colorado school board members about policy issues since 2005. Ways Forward on Five Key School District Policies is a publication designed to give school board members a starting point when considering five impactful policy changes. Each school district is unique and requires a tailored approach; therefore, numerous policy variations The post Ways Forward on Five Key School District Policies first appeared on Independence Institute. The post Ways Forwar...| Independence Institute
Their commitment to “democracy” reminds me of how they cheered when the Supreme Court overruled 30 consecutive state referenda to impose same-sex marriage on the country. The post “Our Democracy” and the Sandbagging of Joe Biden first appeared on Independence Institute. The post “Our Democracy” and the Sandbagging of Joe Biden appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
In light of the evidence, it is astounding that confusion over the Constitution’s categories of direct and indirect taxes still persists. The post More Evidence that “Direct Taxes” include Levies on Wealth and Income first appeared on Independence Institute. The post More Evidence that “Direct Taxes” include Levies on Wealth and Income appeared first on Independence Institute.| Independence Institute
