DISQUS

Wendy Norris · 2 years ago

a question to the major media Are you not represented by the Denver Newspaper Guild or the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists.

How could you get the basic facts of this story so wrong?

John H · 2 years ago

It was always a lousy bill The difference between an 'agency shop' and a 'union shop' seems semantic at best.  And accusing the media of swallowing everything that Dickie W. & the Repubs told them is far-fetched.  Maybe it was just a lousy bill, the Democratic version of Dave Schultheis' 'religion in the schools' bill.  Like Dave, 1072's supporters claimed that it was just a tiny little insignificant change-just rectifying historic wrongs blah blah blah.  The bill could have been amended to meet Republican complaints, but it was just rammed through.

stealthisbook · 2 years ago

Shockingly good reviews from the MSM Considering the widespread kudos that Ritter is getting, I suspect that there may be more going on.  In the long run this may be more helpful in that Ritter is now branded "pro-business" and that may help with his healthcare and energy agenda.  Given some time, Ritter and statehouse Dems may be able to pull off a larger labor bill having sacrificed this important but relatively minor point (Walmart and other favorite targets typically nip organizing efforts in the bud at or before the initial election, not the second election)

Jason Bane · 2 years ago

This was a bill that didn't do much But Republicans wisely made it into an us-against-them battle where they sided with business.

tmgt · 2 years ago

Clear-headed Jason,

I appreciate your analysis. IMO you are the most strategically astute progressive blogger.


Thanks for your always clear-headed ability to cut through the noise.

Jason Bane · 2 years ago

Thank you

JADodd · 2 years ago

The Fix Was In I think your analysis - and that of most of the bloggers and press - is all wrong. After reviewing all the circumstances, I have come to the conclusion that the fix was in from the beginning. By this, I mean that the Democratic leadership pushed the bill through with the understanding that Ritter would veto it. All of this was done in an attempt to convince the rank and file in the labor movement that the Democratic Party really supports labor.

First, we need to remember that the Democrats were in hot water with the rank and file in the labor movement over how they handled the Democratic National Convention. Democratic members of the legislature need the support of the rank and file more than Ritter. They needed to do something quickly to "demonstrate" that they support labor.

Out of virtually nowhere comes HB 1072. This bill was not even on the Colorado AFL-CIO's priority list according to their website. But, it was the perfect vehicle for the demonstation. It was simple. No complicated drafting - just draw lines through existing statutory text. HR 1072 was guaranteed to bring out the right wing and create the most controversy. Democrats could be seen as standing up to the business community and the right wing. So, they rammed it through.

Now it goes to Ritter. In his veto message, Ritter says he supports the bill in substance but doesn't "the way it was passed." A clear triumph of politics over policy. But, hey, Bill, have you ever heard of a telephone? Your party controls both houses of the legislature. Give Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald a call - I think they both have cell phones - and tell them to slow things down and allow the debate you say you cherish so dearly.

No, Ritter provided cover for the Democrats in the legislature.