Energy Policy, Property Taxes, and School Board Accountability

On the October 31, 2023 broadcast, Kim Monson examines how federal and state policies threaten energy independence with Laramie Energy CEO Bob Boswell. Independence Institute fiscal expert Ben Murrey breaks down why Proposition HH would actually raise taxes despite ballot language claiming otherwise. Three school board candidates from Widefield and Ignacio discuss declining academic proficiency and the need for greater accountability.

Federal Energy Policy Threatens American Prosperity

Start listening at 33:52 – Hour 1

Bob Boswell, CEO of Laramie Energy, warns that Biden administration policies restricting oil and gas development on federal lands pose a direct threat to American prosperity and global food security. Seventy percent of the world’s fertilizer comes from natural gas, he explains, making energy policy inseparable from the ability to feed a growing world population now at 8 billion and projected to reach 10 billion.

Boswell describes the regulatory assault as ideologically driven rather than practical. The administration claims to remove only non-prospective lands from development, but he points out that shale oil and gas formations considered worthless just 15 years ago now produce vast quantities of energy. Colorado faces some of the strictest regulations in the country, yet produces among the cleanest molecules. He argues that limiting resources drives up costs for lower-wage earners most severely.

“Energy underwrites the economy, and the economy is indicative of our quality of life and the prosperity of the public. So as you make those costs higher by limiting the use of resources, it actually hurts the quality of life.”

Bob Boswell, CEO, Laramie Energy

Proposition HH: A Tax Increase Disguised as Relief

Start listening at 71:49 – Hour 2

Ben Murrey, fiscal policy expert at the Independence Institute, exposes how Proposition HH represents one of the largest tax increases in Colorado history despite ballot language claiming to reduce property taxes. The nearly 50-page bill passed in the dead of night during the final week of the legislative session with no open debate, he says, with most Democrats told by leadership to vote for it without reading it.

The measure creates new property subclasses including owner-occupied versus non-owner-occupied residential categories, generating legal complications around proving primary residence. Murrey describes an experiment where Independence Institute president Jon Caldara submitted an identical citizen initiative to the title board, which produced completely different, more honest ballot language. The legislature, unlike citizens, writes its own ballot language with no oversight. Republicans have introduced a backup plan offering property tax relief, income tax cuts, and senior homestead exemption portability without raiding TABOR refunds.

“The legislature doesn’t need your permission to lower your property taxes. They could just do that with legislation. The only reason why HH is on the ballot is because they need your permission to raise your taxes. They need your permission to take your TABOR refunds.”

Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy, Independence Institute

Widefield School District Faces Academic Crisis

Start listening at 18:17 – Hour 1

School board candidates Dave Boyd and Tina West describe a district spending $137 million annually while achieving only 17% math proficiency among sixth graders and 41% reading proficiency overall. West, a 56-year resident who attended and worked in the district, resigned after the district spent $450,000 on mandatory unconscious bias training from an outside consultant while academic outcomes plummeted.

Boyd, a retired law enforcement officer with 33 years of experience who has been substitute teaching in the district for three years, says teachers have lost classroom authority while discipline problems go unaddressed. Students are sent to the dean’s office and returned to class without consequences. His wife retired after 30 years as a special education teacher in the same district. Both candidates emphasize transparency about how taxpayer money is spent and putting academic achievement first.

“We’re at about 41% proficient in reading and 17% proficient in math as a district. We spend a lot of money on it, but we’re not really seeing the results of that.”

Tina West, Widefield School Board Candidate

Ignacio School Board Candidate Focuses on Fundamentals

Start listening at 100:58 – Hour 2

Sheryle Hunter, a lifelong resident of the Ignacio area southwest of Durango, has spent 51 years in the community and wants to address chronically low academic achievement. The mother of six, grandmother, and great-grandmother graduated from Ignacio High School in 1974 and watched all her children complete their education there. Math, reading, and writing scores in Ignacio lag behind even Colorado’s generally poor statewide results.

Hunter believes a new approach to training and curriculum is essential. She wants children to graduate as confident, independent citizens capable of getting good jobs and contributing to their community. The five-candidate race will fill two open seats on the board.

“I want to better the education around here. The math, reading, and writing scores are so low in Ignacio. I think we need to take a new approach to the training and curriculum.”

Sheryle Hunter, Ignacio School Board Candidate