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McDaniel out as RNC chair after Super Tuesday ‘honoring tradition’, she says
Approved, National, THE HILL

McDaniel out as RNC chair after Super Tuesday ‘honoring tradition’, she says

By BRETT SAMUELS | The Hill Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel will resign from her post March 8, she said early Monday, as former President Trump looks to shuffle the organization’s leadership as he closes in on the party’s presidential nomination. “It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve the Republican National Committee for seven years as Chairwoman to elect Republicans and grow our Party,” McDaniel said in a statement. “I have decided to step aside at our Spring Training on March 8 in Houston to allow our nominee to select a Chair of their choosing,” she continued. “The RNC has historically undergone change once we have a nominee and it has always been my intention to honor that tradition.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE HILL...
Cyberattack on health tech firm cripples U.S. military pharmacies worldwide, some commercial pharmacies
Approved, National, Stars & Stripes

Cyberattack on health tech firm cripples U.S. military pharmacies worldwide, some commercial pharmacies

By WYATT OLSON | Stars & Stripes A cyberattack Wednesday on one of America’s largest health care technology companies has left U.S. military pharmacies worldwide unable to fill prescriptions, the Defense Health Agency said Thursday. “A reported cyberattack on the nation’s largest commercial prescription processor, Change Healthcare, has affected military clinics and hospitals worldwide,” DHA said in a statement. Change Healthcare disconnected its systems on Wednesday to protect patient information, according to the agency. “This is impacting all military pharmacies worldwide and some retail pharmacies nationally,” DHA said. READ THE FULL STORY AT STARS & STRIPES
Oil, gas industry to fight stricter environmental bills in Colorado legislature
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Oil, gas industry to fight stricter environmental bills in Colorado legislature

By Joe Mueller | Colorado Politics Business leaders joined leaders of Colorado’s petroleum and natural gas industries in denouncing a wave of legislation creating higher environmental standards and phasing out drilling. “These concepts range from banning any development for any industry that requires an air permit in up to 50% of the state to tracking and limiting how much you can drive your car,” Kait Schwartz, director of the American Petroleum Institute Colorado, said during a press conference on Thursday. “Ideas like this are harmful to the Colorado economy and many of of them are bad for the environment.” Two Senate bills, 24-165 and 24-166 introduced Thursday, would tighten emission rules along with new enforcement of air quality standards and penalties. If ...
Rep. Buck calls in House resolution for President Biden to be removed through 25th Amendment
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Rep. Buck calls in House resolution for President Biden to be removed through 25th Amendment

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice President Joe Biden’s days in office would be numbered if a measure introduced Monday by U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, is successful. His resolution calls upon Vice President Kamala Harris to gather members of the President’s cabinet to declare Biden “incapable of executing the duties of his office” under the 25th Amendment. It would lead to Harris immediately assuming office as the acting President. “The time has come for the Vice President and the Cabinet to put our country first and move forward on invoking the 25th Amendment,” Buck told The Hill. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Silt, has additionally told the Rocky Mountain Voice she will file for articles of impeachment soon if Republicans don’t act as a result of investigations into...
Protect Kids Colorado launches to protect kids, strengthen families through citizens ballot initiatives
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Protect Kids Colorado launches to protect kids, strengthen families through citizens ballot initiatives

By Erin Lee | Guest Columnist Colorado is one of 24 states to have a Citizens Ballot Initiative process. Coloradans, that means “We the People” have a process by which to make law. Article V, Section II, Item 2.0, of the Colorado Constitution clearly lays out the people’s process by stating: “The first power hereby reserved by the people is the initiative…” The FIRST power.  The United States and Colorado Constitutions were founded on the principles of individual rights and “We The People” maintaining those fundamental and inalienable rights. It’s the reason the American experiment has been and can continue to be the most successful Constitutional Republic in the world.   As Coloradans are becoming increasingly aware, our state leadership is off the rails. The laws co...
Concealed carry keeps growing in Colorado; over twenty-five thousand new permits in 2023
Approved, completecolorado.com, State

Concealed carry keeps growing in Colorado; over twenty-five thousand new permits in 2023

By Mike Krause | Complete Colorado DENVER– While majority Democrats in the state legislature push for new restrictions on the lawful carrying of concealed handguns, new data shows 25,218 Colorado adults subjected themselves to the scrutiny already required to become new concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders in 2023, while another 36,291 renewed existing permits.  That’s according to a County Sheriffs of Colorado annual report, published earlier this month. While that number trails a permitting surge during Covid lock-downs and rioting related to the police killing of George Floyd (over 37,000 in 2020 and more than 41,000 in 2021), it’s still larger than the 23,250 permits issued in pre-pandemic 2019.  In the five-year period from 2019-2023, just ov...
In Douglas County address, Lt. Col. West urges Republicans to fight for liberty, not amongst selves
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In Douglas County address, Lt. Col. West urges Republicans to fight for liberty, not amongst selves

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice DENVER – The present state of Colorado is a microcosm of happenings in states across the nation, and Republicans must react to preserve liberty, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West (ret.) told those gathered here Sunday at the Douglas County Republican Party’s Lincoln Dinner. “Colorado is very important for the rest of the nation,” he said. “What is happening in Colorado is what you see happening in states across the nation. The left targeted Denver, Boulder and now Colorado Springs. A strong, red state went purple and then blue.” West served a term in Congress from 2011-2013 in Florida’s 22nd District and also as chairman of the Texas Republican Party from 2020-2021, following a decorated 21-year military career including deployments to Kuwait...
Under Prop. 123, Colorado has allocated millions in funds this year to governments and housing organizations
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Under Prop. 123, Colorado has allocated millions in funds this year to governments and housing organizations

By Tatiana Flowers | Colorado Sun State leaders have already distributed millions of dollars this year to dozens of local governments and housing organizations that have pledged to build affordable units across Colorado in the coming years. The state departments of local affairs and economic development and the Colorado Housing Finance Authority, for example, have awarded nearly $80 million to local governments and housing organizations that plan to build affordable units using funds solely from Proposition 123. Voters approved the ballot measure in November 2022 and it requires participating local governments to plan to build at least 3% more affordable housing every year for the next three years.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado’s public defenders say they need 200 more attorneys to provide effective counsel
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado’s public defenders say they need 200 more attorneys to provide effective counsel

By Brian Eason | Colorado Sun Colorado needs three times the number of public defenders it employs today to meet new workload standards for criminal defense, according to a national study backed by the American Bar Association. For next budget year, which starts July 1, Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender is asking for 70 more attorneys and 58 new support staff, including paralegals and investigators, at a total cost of $14.7 million. That’s still far less than 230 new attorneys the office says it needs — let alone the 700-plus hires it would take to triple current staffing levels to meet the study’s recommendations. But even the partial request was enough to shock members of Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN...
Sen. Kirkmeyer details ‘bad bills’ and killed Republican initiatives in address to Weld County
Approved, Local, Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sen. Kirkmeyer details ‘bad bills’ and killed Republican initiatives in address to Weld County

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice GREELEY – The tools in the Republican toolbox for members of the Colorado House and Senate are few, limited by the majorities enjoyed by the Democrat party, Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer told attendees here Saturday evening at the Weld County Republican Party’s Lincoln Dinner. In a presentation she termed a Republican “State of the State” address, she detailed the inability to even play defense on bad bills, and asked Republicans to help in future legislative sessions by electing more conservatives. “We are in the minority, and it sucks,” Kirkmeyer said. “We have 12 Republicans in the Senate and 19 Republicans in the House. Democrats have a super majority in the House.” The loss of a couple of seats in the Senate could put Democrats in a supe...