Common Sense Digest
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When it comes to legislative proposals, ballot initiatives, or economic trends that could have a lasting impact on Coloradans and the state’s economy, where do you turn for unbiased facts and objective analysis? The Common Sense Digest is our regularly occurring podcast featuring policy experts discussing Colorado’s most pressing issues. Debuting the 4th Tuesday of each month, Common Sense Digest’s lively discussions equip you with the most important tool to combat divisive partisanship and shrill rhetoric – Common Sense.
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & The Economy - September 26, 2023
In this special edition of of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, September 26, Common Sense Institute hosted its quarterly Eggs & The Economy Event. This edition featured discussion about Proposition HH: the Taxpayer Dilemma. The panel featured the following participants:
Kelly Caufield - CSI Executive Director (Host and Moderator)
Toby Damisch - Douglas County Assessor
Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner - President & CEO, Ready Colorado
Lang Sias - CSI's 2023 Mike A. Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow
And a special presentation called "The Scramble" featuring our Senior Economist Steven Byers, Ph.D.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Sep 13, 2023
Proposition HH Explained by Gov. Bill Owens and Chris Brown
On November 7, 2023 Colorado voters will approve or reject Proposition HH, Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measures. Proposition HH was referred to the ballot by the State Legislature following the passage of SB23-303.
As the title suggests, Proposition HH is a complex proposal. It modifies or reduces taxation rates and exemptions for multiple types of property while at the same time increases taxes by allowing the state to retain more tax revenue. It would distribute excess revenue to school districts and other government entities without new stipulations.
Proposition HH gives Coloradans a choice; trade some property tax relief, for a long-term increase in state taxes. Though any revenue forecast is uncertain, under normal economic conditions taxpayers would bear the full tax increases under Proposition HH even if the economy faced a sizeable downturn. While all Coloradoans benefit from TABOR refunds, only property owners would see direct benefits of the property tax decrease. Our full report can be found here.
Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes former Governor of Colorado Bill Owens, and CSI Vice President of Policy Research Chris Brown to the podcast to discuss Proposition HH, its origins, its espoused goals, what the implications are for the future of property taxes, TABOR, and school funding, and much more. Every Coloradan will be impacted by the passage or defeat of Proposition HH, which makes this episode a must-listen.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Bill Owens served as the 40th Governor of Colorado from 1999-2007 and is a member of GreenbergTraurig's Government Law & Policy Practice Group. Prior to his service as Governor, Bill was Colorado State Treasurer where he managed a $5 billion investment portfolio. He also served in the State Senate and State House. He focuses his practice in the areas of public policy, energy, infrastructure and water.
Chris Brown is the Vice President of Policy and Research for the Common Sense Institute.
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Sep 6, 2023
The Implications of and Solutions for Learning Loss featuring Lisa Graham Keegan
In this episode of the Common Sense Digest, we dive deep into the pressing issue of learning loss and its far-reaching impact on education — and the economy. Joining us is a renowned expert in the field, Lisa Graham Keegan, a results-driven school choice advocate and former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Lisa is welcomed by Host and Chairman of CSI Earl Wright. The latest NAEP report has sounded the alarm on the staggering learning loss resulting from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. So how do we recover academically and economically? Learn why Lisa proposes that removing barriers for education innovation can address these challenges head-on, benefiting parents, educators, and especially students.
Tune in to hear more about the economic ramifications of learning loss and to explore innovative solutions that might hold the key for the future of education in Arizona. Explore the intersection of education, economics, and innovation in this thought-provoking episode.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
NOTES:
* Earl Wright (host) and Lisa Graham Keegan (guest)
* LGK is a results-based, school choice advocate and former lawmaker
* NAEP — alarming learning loss from latest report
* “Students were not being educated, effectively, for a year.” (COVID policy failure)
* Losses were larger in low-income areas, already low-achieving areas
* Value comes from educators
* Remove constrains on education innovation for market to flourish
* The economics of education innovation
* Responding to AI
* Essential skills, things that are always true
* The business behavior of schools
* Expand, replicate, franchise
* Rethink drawing school districts
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Aug 22, 2023
Quantifying the Cost of Crime in Colorado featuring George Brauchler and Mitch Morrissey
Few people in Colorado have not directly experienced crime. From property offenses to violent crimes, every crime leaves a traumatized victim. Whether the wounds are physical, psychological, or financial, it is important to acknowledge the profound effects that a crime can have on its victims. At Common Sense Institute, our goal is to address the economic impact of crime while remaining conscious of the suffering that it causes. Our recent study, titled "The Cost of Crime and its Economic Impact on Colorado: Crime’s Impact on the Economy and Residents" can be found here.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Executive Director of CSI Colorado Kelly Caufield welcomes 2023 CSI Owens-Early Criminal Justice Fellows George Brauchler and Mitch Morrissey to the show to discuss the report and provide additional insights on the cost of crime in Colorado. They break down the resources necessary to reduce crime, explore in great detail how the cost of crime was calculated, figure the economic benefit of reducing crime to zero, and much more. Crime affects us all in terms of economic cost, the price of insurance, and quality of life, so this episode is one you'll want to listen to and share.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
George Brauchler is a 2023 CSI Owens-Early Criminal Justice Fellow and served as the elected District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (JD), Colorado’s most populous district, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties, from 2013-2021. As a state prosecutor, he handled the felony cases from the Columbine High School mass shooting case, the Aurora Theater (Batman) mass shooting case, and recently, the STEM Academy school mass shooting case.
Mitch Morrissey is also a 2023 CSI Owens-Early Criminal Justice Fellow and was the elected District Attorney of Denver, Colorado from November 2004 until January 2017. Prior to 2004, Mitch was a trial lawyer in the Denver District Attorney’s office. Mitch is internationally recognized for his expertise in DNA technology, applying that technology in criminal prosecutions, and working to ensure that DNA science is admissible in court. He has trained law enforcement officers and prosecutors throughout the United States, in the Middle East, in Central America, and Canada.
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Aug 2, 2023
The Economic Impacts of Colorado’s Sports and Tourism Industry featuring Kyle Dyer and Richard Scharf
Colorado boasts a wide array of natural beauty and tourist attractions which attracts millions of visitors to the state every year. Pristine nature, world-class skiing, and captivating sports teams all contribute to the robust inflow of tourists that Colorado welcomes. The revenue generated by the state’s diverse attractions supports a substantial share of Colorado’s economy and plays an indispensable role in sustaining its economic prosperity and highlighting its invaluable ecological and societal assets. Because each depends upon the others to contribute to Colorado’s high quality of life, the sports, recreation, and tourism sectors are interconnected—to account for the impact of tourism, the impacts of recreation and sports must also be included.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Guest Host and CSI Executive Director Kelly Caufield welcomes Kyle Dyer, former news anchor and Head Honcho at Kyle Dyer Storytelling Richard Scharf, President & CEO of Metro Denver Convention & Visitors Bureau to discuss everything from skiing to Taylor Swift to Denver being the smallest metro area to have all 5 major sports teams. They discuss the importance of recruiting teams, conventions, visitors, and showing off what makes Denver the special place that it is. Oh, and the economic impact that comes with it! Our full study can be found here.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Jul 14, 2023
Protecting Arizona’s Economic Competitiveness featuring Danny Seiden and Courtney Coolidge
Every year in Arizona, legislators introduce hundreds of bills, most of which are never enacted. This year, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“Arizona Chamber”) identified 67 “Job Killer” bills which would have imposed substantial new taxes, costs, or administrative burdens on Arizona businesses. Ultimately, none of these bills were enacted, and the story has been similar for years. But this raises the question: what would happen to the state’s economy and business environment were some or even all these bills ultimately passed into law?
CSI Arizona has utilized the experience and research of our partners in Colorado to estimate the potential impacts on Arizona’s economic prospects of enacting some of the many policy ideas on this list. Bills like those studied here are being shopped at state legislature across the country, and many of them have been introduced annually at the Arizona Legislature. Though they have not moved in the past, the lesson of Colorado’s anti-business policy transformation over the past half decade shows that climates can change quickly. Our full report can be found here.
Our Executive Director and Guest Host Katie Ratlief welcomes Danny Seiden, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Courtney Coolidge, Vice President of Government Affairs, to the show to discuss the report, the job killers, and the past present and future of Arizona's economy.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Danny Seiden is President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Danny brings more than 16 years of experience in global public affairs and government relations, as well as handling complex legal matters in private practice and public sector service. Prior to joining the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Danny was general counsel to the Valor Global leadership team. He focused on helping achieve growth objectives as well as providing continued public affairs guidance in AZ, WA and other States.
Courtney Coolidge serves as the Vice President for Government Affairs at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prior to joining the Chamber, Courtney served as the Senior Director for State Relations at Arizona State University and the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Arizona Department of Public Safety where she oversaw legislative affairs, government relations, policy development and implementation. During her time at AZDPS she worked on several significant projects including the Arizona Border Strike Force, self-driving vehicle operations, and management of the Arizona Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Task Force.
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Jun 21, 2023
SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & the Economy - June 13, 2023
In this special edition of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, June 13, Common Sense Institute hosted Eggs & the Economy which featured an in-depth conversation from the State House to the walls of local government. The panel featured the following participants:
Kelly Caufield - CSI Executive Director (Host and Moderator)
Stephanie Piko - Mayor of Centennial
Chief Paul Pazen - CSI Criminal Justice Fellow
Adam Paul - Mayor of Lakewood
And a special presentation called "The Scramble" featuring our Senior Economist Steven Byers, Ph.D.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Jun 16, 2023
A Comprehensive Look at Public Safety and Fighting Crime in Colorado featuring Paul Pazen
It’s no secret that Colorado has been hit with a crime wave. Skyrocketing crime rates, fentanyl deaths, and the number one rank in the country when it comes to auto thefts, are all factors that have put Colorado’s economic future at risk and made Coloradans less safe.
Public safety plays a critical role in the economic vitality of a community. Increasing population, attracting new businesses, generating a workforce, and bolstering the ability to attract tourism are all directly related to real and perceived safety challenges. If people are not safe, they cannot learn, work, or enjoy their communities. Ultimately, high crime rates result in a failure to thrive. Our recent report "The Fight Against Crime in Colorado: Policing, Legislation, and Incarceration," poses the question: Why has Colorado become less safe? A comparison of policing and crime rates in the two largest cities in Colorado, Denver and Colorado Springs, uncovers distinctly different trends in policing and police resources that have produced differing outcomes.
2023 Public Safety Fellow Chief Paul Pazen is the former Chief of Police in Denver, Colorado where he rose through the ranks of the department up to his appointment in 2018 as the Chief. He joins Chairman and Host Earl Wright to discuss his report, what contributing factors have led to the increase in crime, what can be done about it, and how the community can play an active role in supporting those who protect us.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
During his tenure as Police Chief, Paul Pazen (retired) led the creation and expansion of innovative solutions to address complex public safety issues. These programs include spearheading the creation of the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program, Outreach Case Coordinators (case managers) and the Domestic Violence Prevention Program. He directed a significant expansion of the mental health clinician Co-Responder Program, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), the implementation of a forward-thinking use-of-force policy and training curriculum.
Chief Pazen graduated magna cum laude from Colorado State University – Global with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, holds a Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute (NEI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (FBINA) and the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) through the Police Executive Research Forum. Chief Pazen served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Veteran of the Gulf War.
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Jun 2, 2023
CSI Mid-Year Wrap-Up featuring Lang Sias, George Brauchler and Kelly Caufield
As we near the year's midpoint, we take time to reflect on what we've accomplished and discuss where we go from here. It has been a busy year for Common Sense Institute, which means there is plenty of fertile ground to cover as we discuss the legislative session, touch on our studies and reports, and look ahead to election season and beyond.
Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes 2023 Mike A. Leprino Fellow Lang Sias, 2023 CSI Owens-Early Criminal Justice Fellow, and Kelly Caufield, Executive Director of Common Sense Institute for a spirited and wide-ranging conversation about an abundance of topics. Some of the issues touched on include crime (with a particular focus on auto theft and sentencing), housing, economic development, competitiveness and workforce, education, TABOR, the "fair work week," PERA, and many others. This episode is loaded and our panel of experts dive deep into the issues most directly affecting Coloradans.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Lang Sias is the 2023 CSI Mike A. Leprino Fellow is a former Colorado State legislator, attorney and Navy and Air National Guard fighter pilot. As a Colorado State Representative from 2015-2019, Lang represented House District 27 in Jefferson County. The ranking member on the business committee, Lang also served on the education, public health and health exchange oversight committees, and was a member of the legislative tax simplification task force and the JeffCo school safety task force. Over 85% of the bills Lang sponsored were bipartisan. He focused on solving problems in the areas of education, health care and small business, and on government transparency and accountability. He played major roles in passing legislation expanding public school choice, increasing healthcare transparency and reforming the public pension system to benefit retirees and taxpayers. Lang currently serves on the legislative subcommittee that oversees Colorado’s state pension fund. He was the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2018 and State Treasurer in 2022.
George Brauchler is the 2023 CSI Owens-Early Criminal Justice Fellow, and served as the elected District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (JD), Colorado’s most populous district, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties, from 2013-2021. As a state prosecutor, he handled the felony cases from the Columbine High School mass shooting case, the Aurora Theater (Batman) mass shooting case, and recently, the STEM Academy school mass shooting case.
Kelly Caufield is the Executive Director of Common Sense Institute. In this role, Kelly is the key management leader of CSI and oversees the administration, strategic plan, and programming for the organization. Kelly brings nearly 20 years of policy, research, and advocacy experience to CSI.
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May 23, 2023
Manufacturing Matters in Arizona featuring Steve Macias and Glenn Farley
Our recent report, The Economic Impact of Arizona’s Manufacturing Sector, demonstrates how the manufacturing sector has been one of the fastest growing parts of the Arizona economy over the past decade. In March, manufacturers added 2,000 jobs in Arizona (1st in the country), even as the overall labor market shrank. The manufacturing sector has for decades been a focus of public policy and public investment, but despite these efforts, the story of American manufacturing since the late 1970’s has been one of slow decline – at least in terms of employment and at least relative to the rest of the world. However, since 2017, the state and to some extent the country have been undergoing something of a ‘manufacturing renaissance’.
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes CSI Board Member and Co-Owner of Pivot Manufacturing Steve Macias and CSI Director of Policy & Research Chris Brown to the show to discuss how policies enacted at both the state and federal level have contributed to manufacturing growth, what obstacles remain, the complex puzzle of workforce development, and much more. What has contributed to Arizona's manufacturing renaissance? What challenges remain? Where do we go from here? All that and a lot more await you in this episode.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Steve Macias is a co-owner of Pivot Manufacturing and has been the President and CEO since the company’s inception in 2000. Pivot is a vibrant part of the manufacturing community that does machining and assembly work for a variety of companies, primarily in the defense industry. Pivot has grown significantly during the last several years by leveraging the excellent relationships the company has built with existing customers into new manufacturing opportunities. Those opportunities are currently translating to another growth period as Pivot is expanding their building footprint to accommodate future production.
Glenn Farley is CSI Arizona’s Director of Policy & Research. For the past eight years he has worked in the Office of the Arizona Governor, most recently as Gov. Doug Ducey’s Chief Economist and a policy advisor. In that role he advised on issues of tax, fiscal, and regulatory policy, and was one of the Governor’s lead architects of his two major tax reforms. Mr. Farley has also led the budget team that produced the Executive revenue forecasts and caseload spending numbers that have helped ensure the longest run of conservative, structurally balanced budgets in State history. Mr. Farley has a Masters in Economics from Arizona State University’s WP Carey College of Business, as well as a B.S. from Arizona State University.
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May 18, 2023
SPECIAL EPISODE: Coffee and Common Sense Arizona 5.2.23
In this special edition of Common Sense Digest Arizona, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, May 2, Common Sense Institute hosted Coffee & Common Sense: A Conversation About Arizona's Changing Economy.
We welcomed an expert panel to discuss how Arizona's economy has transformed over the last decade, what's driving this, and what obstacles will policymakers need to overcome to ensure it continues to thrive.
Hosted by CSI Director of Policy & Research Glenn Farley.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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May 2, 2023
The 2023 Colorado Legilsative Session featuring Jordan Sanchez and Jake Zambrano
The Colorado legislative session wraps up imminently. The budget for 2023-2024 has passed, which outlines state spending totaling $41.1 billion. It’s a number larger than the GDP of Libya, Bolivia, Uganda, Iceland and dozens of other countries. $41.1 billion also represents a 4.2% increase over last year and the largest budget in Colorado history. As the legislature works fast and furiously to finish out the session, much debate remains on top issues pressing to Coloradans, including housing, crime, workforce, to just name a few.
Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes Owner and Principal Lobbyist at Sanchez Policy Works, Jordan Sanchez, and CSI's Director of Legislative Services, Jake Zambrano to recap this year's legislative session, discuss emergent themes, unpack fiscal policy, and delve into the key issues faced. What should Coloradans focus most pressingly on? What issues remain? And fiscal cliffs has the body faced as they seek to move Colorado forward? All of these questions…
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Apr 21, 2023
Is Colorado as Economically Competitive As It Used To Be? featuring Loren Furman and Lang Sias
For much of the last two decades, Colorado has been very highly ranked among U.S. states for being business friendly. This has been reflected in state-by-state rankings extolling Colorado's relatively low tax rates, highly educated workforce, and high quality of life. These positive factors reinforced patterns that increased the size and scope of Colorado's business community and workforce.
In 2023, however, the outlook has changed. On the one hand, there are certainly reasons to be optimistic about Colorado's business environment as recent job and business formation data suggest that our economy has rebounded quickly from the pandemic and as is weathering the storm amidst the battle to lower inflation. CNBC recently ranked Colorado #4 on its list of Top States for Business for 2022. On the other hand, beneath these positive indications, there are signs that the direct and indirect costs of doing business in Colorado are beginning to threaten our state's competitive edge.
Chairman an…
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Apr 6, 2023
What’s New in Housing? featuring Peter LiFari and Adam Burg
According to CSI Housing fellow Peter LiFari’s latest housing report, as of 2021, 80% of Coloradans live in a county with an aggregate housing supply shortage. As a result, home affordability has decreased by 85% since 2015. Now, as of 2022, Colorado is the 8th most unaffordable state for renters in the country. Governor Polis and leaders in the legislature on both sides of the aisle have named housing a top tier policy priority issue this year and long-awaited legislation addressing state land use was just introduced last week (SB23-213).
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes Peter LiFari, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Adam Burg, and CSI's Vice President of Policy & Research Chris Brown to discuss the recent developments in housing, what bills are before the state legislature, and ideas to make housing more affordable for Coloradans. There is no single silver bullet to solve the issue, but rath…
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Mar 28, 2023
Navigating the Benefits Cliff and Incentivizing Work in Colorado featuring Tamra Ryan and Juan Pena
In the coming weeks, CSI will release a report focused on how minimum wage policy and other benefits like Medicaid impact the state, employers, and workers. More than 1 of every 4 Coloradans, is currently on Medicaid. We believe this research that will help us better quantify the costs to the state’s growing budget and how we can ensure policy incentivizes work rather than trapping individuals in dependency and benefits from the government.
Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes new Economic Mobility Fellow Tamra Ryan and Chief Program Officer of Cross Purpose Juan Pena to the show to discuss these issues. In a loaded episode, the three discuss how the system unintentionally disincentivizes work, the dignity of work, and how to help our citizens avoid the "benefits cliff." Issues like these are complex, therefore a nuanced and deep discussion is warranted.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podc…
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Mar 24, 2023
The Economic Impact of Arizona’s Sports and Tourism Sector featuring Kim Sabow and Glenn Farley
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority estimated the impact of hosting the Super Bowl in 2015 to be $719.4 million. By all accounts, the upcoming 2023 event should be even larger. The entire sector of sports and tourism in Arizona, however, adds billions of dollars and thousands of jobs annually and independent of major events like the Super Bowl. This brief will give an overview of the impact the whole sports and tourism sector has on Arizona’s economy throughout the year and its prospects for future growth.
* $24.2 billion: Contribution of the sports and tourism sector to Arizona’s Real Gross Domestic Product in 2022 (6.4% of the state’s economy).
* $13.7 billion: Direct sales by Arizona’s hotels, casinos, performance venues, and other components of the state’s sports & tourism sector in 2022.
* 347,500: Number of people directly and indirectly employed by Arizona’s sports and tourism sector, or 11% of the state’s total workforce.
* 3.0%: Projected average an…
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Mar 14, 2023
SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & the Economy - March 7, 2023
In this special edition of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, March 7, Common Sense Institute hosted Eggs & the Economy which featured an in-depth conversation on the upcoming local election and the facts you need to know on issues that matter most - crime, housing, workforce and homelessness. The panel was moderated by Ed Sealover and features the following panelists:
Kelly Caufield - CSI Executive Director
Mitch Morrissey - CSI 2023 Early-Owens Criminal Justice Fellow
Tamra Ryan - Economic Mobility Fellow
Chris Brown - Vice President of Policy & Research
Peter Lifari - CSI Housing Fellow
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Feb 23, 2023
Is K-12 Education Moving Forwards or Backwards in Arizona? featuring Lisa Graham Keegan and Glenn Farley
For decades, the number one policy issue that’s been top-of-mind for most Americans is education. This comes as no surprise as our nation’s north star for leadership is sustainability: mentoring and empowering the next generation of leaders. And lately, Common Sense Institute Arizona has been delving into crucial issues revolving around education policy in the 2020 decade – especially after the ripple-effects of a global pandemic and subsequent political shifts in state legislatures across the nation. Please see our report School Facilities & The Accumulation of District Space Since 2007 for further reading.
Joining Host and Chairman Earl Wright on this episode to discuss whether our Southwest states, particularly Arizona, may be moving backwards as it relates to educational excellence is Lisa Graham Keegan, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at the Common Sense Institute Arizona and Glenn Farley, CSI Arizona's Director of Policy & Research. The conversation provides abundant…
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Feb 15, 2023
Evolving How We Transport Our Kids To School featuring Kelly Caufield and Jason Gaulden
The state of Colorado reimbursed $62 million to K–12 school districts for transportation costs last school year. This was just 21% of the $290 million it cost districts to get students to and from school. Some districts are working hard to modernize and streamline their services, but school transportation today does not look significantly different than it did 50 years ago. It’s hard to innovate when funding is so severely limited, and because the state plays no role in equalizing transportation funding based on need.
Our recent report Roadblocks in Getting Kids to School: Trends, Insights, and Recommendations for Improving Colorado’s School Transportation System foregrounds this episode of Common Sense Digest. Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes one of the report's authors, Jason Gaulden, and Executive Director of CSI Colorado, Kelly Caufield, to discuss this interesting dilemma. Listen in to hear more about the past, present and future of how we transport our students to sc…
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Jan 19, 2023
The 2023 Free Enterprise Report featuring Kelly Caufield, Chris Brown and Evelyn Lim
Colorado faces a crossroads as it emerges from a long economic winter and works to reopen businesses, support job creation, and regain a sense of normalcy for its residents. As restrictions loosen and people return to their everyday lives, Coloradans must grapple with how best to steer the state forward and continue to grow. The answer is the same as it has always been: embrace the principles of the free enterprise system. In times of immediate crisis, people naturally look to lawmakers for decisive action and leadership, but as the country moves onward, one constant throughout history has been that individuals working to provide for their families as well as businesses striving to meet the needs of their community—together, and free from intrusive oversight—lead to fuller bellies, bigger paychecks, and greater economic prosperity. A return to those principles can help lead the state through the challenges ahead and back to its full potential.
Joining Chairman and Host Earl Wright…
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Nov 29, 2022
The Bright Future of Common Sense Institute featuring Kelly Caufield and Katie Ratlief
Since its inception in 2010, Common Sense Institute's mission has been to examine the fiscal impacts of policies, initiatives, and proposed laws so that Coloradans are educated and informed on issues impacting their lives. CSI employs rigorous research techniques and dynamic modeling to evaluate the potential impact of these measures on the Colorado economy and individual opportunity.
We have grown and evolved since then, and our future is brighter than ever. Joining Host and Chairman Earl Wright are President & CEO Kristin Strohm, and two new incoming Executive Directors, Colorado’s Kelly Caufield and Arizona’s Katie Ratlief. Earl asks each of them how they see the past, present and future of CSI, what their plans are once implemented, and key issues they see affecting their respective states.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Kelly Caufield was the Vice Presiden…
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Nov 1, 2022
The Future of Water in Colorado and the West featuring Jennifer Gimbel and Eric Kuhn
As Colorado continues to grow, one of the key issues the state faces is the reliable availability of water. When investing in our state, developers, businesses, and even the general population all face apprehension with what the future may hold with this key life-giving resource. Water is the lifeblood of any community and how the resource is managed is a subject about which interested entities fight, negotiate, and discuss.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes Terry J. Stevinson fellows Jennifer Gimbel and Eric Kuhn to discuss the history, evolution and future of Colorado water. An old saying, incorrectly attributed to Mark Twain, says, "Whiskey's for drinking, water's for fighting." True enough, but the history, reality and path forward for water in Colorado and the West is much more nuanced and fraught than that. Tune in for more detail.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite pod…
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Oct 28, 2022
Fentanyl’s Impact on Arizona featuring Glenn Farley and Jobe Dickinson
With the decriminalization of the possession and use of illegal drugs in some jurisdictions, the surge in migrant encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the recent increase in fentanyl overdoses in Arizona, Common Sense Digest explores what impacts these events may have to law enforcement and the Arizona economy. With more than 2,000 fatal opioid overdoses occurring in Arizona in 2021, it is evident that there is a drug crisis in Arizona.
Joining Host and Chairman in this conversation are report author and Director of Policy and Research of CSI, Glenn Farley, and President of the Border Security Alliance, Jobe Dickinson. To view the report, Fentanyl, Crime, and Arizona's Southern Border, please click here.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Glenn Farley is CSI Arizona’s Director of Policy & Research. For the past eight years he has worked in the Office of the A…
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Sep 28, 2022
The 2022 CSI Colorado Ballot Guide featuring Evelyn Lim and Chris Brown
From affordable housing to an income tax reduction, this November Colorado voters will face 11 different questions on their 2022 statewide election ballot. City & County of Denver residents will face 3 unique questions on their 2022 election ballot. Unfortunately wading through the ballot language of these measures does not always provide clear choices. Political ads and campaign rhetoric make casting a vote even more daunting. The 2022 Common Sense Institute Ballot Guide outlines the facts and provides an objective analysis of the economic impacts – without the spin. Based on economic models and comprehensive fiscal analysis, each issue is presented in a clear and concise manner that gives voters the information they need to make educated and informed decisions on each question.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes CSI's Vice President of Policy and Research Chris Brown and CSI 2022 Mike A. Leprino Fellow Evelyn Lim to discuss four measures…
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Sep 16, 2022
SPECIAL EPISODE: On the Road to $1 Billion in Vehicles Stolen
Common Sense Digest proudly presents this special episode titled "On the Road to $1 Billion in Vehicles Stolen: The Data Trends Behind Colorado’s Motor Vehicle Theft Crisis." This follows our recently released report of the same name found at the link. Despite the complexity of the issues surrounding motor vehicle theft, there is a crystal-clear trend in the Centennial state. Theft rates continue to rise, and Colorado maintains its unenviable distinction as the number one state in America for car theft. Common Sense Institute (CSI) Criminal Justice Fellows Mitch Morrissey and George Brauchler explore the data and trends through the first six months of 2022.
You will also hear from CSI Senior Economist Steven Byers and President of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, David Hayes.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Sep 15, 2022
Will Proposition 123 Help the Affordable Housing Issue in Colorado? featuring Peter LiFari and Chris Brown
Housing affordability is one of the hottest topics in Colorado, and is likely to remain so. On this November's ballot Colorado voters will decide on the fate of Proposition 123, titled, “Dedicate Revenue for Affordable Housing.” To discuss this measure Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes CSI's Vice President of Policy and Research Chris Brown, and CSI 2022 Housing Fellow to discuss what issue the measure hopes to solve, how it would be implemented, its potential limitations and much more.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Peter LiFari is the 2022 Housing Fellow & 2021 Terry J. Stevinson Fellow and is the Executive Director of Maiker Housing Partners, a socially conscious public housing authority based in Adams County, Colorado. In his role as Executive Director, LiFari leads a passionate team committed to ending the cycle of generational poverty by providing ind…
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Sep 13, 2022
Dollars and Data: Education Funding and Achievement featuring Jason Gaulden and Brenda Dickhoner
As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, it leaves in its wake declining public school student enrollment and achievement, local, state, and federal dollars continue to flow to Colorado school districts in ever-larger amounts. Despite this, student achievement made only a modest recovery in English Language Arts (reading and writing) in 2022 after a huge plunge in 2021, and fewer than four in 10 Colorado students can perform grade-level math proficiently.
To discuss these issues and much more including teacher pay and innovation in the classroom, our Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes CSI’s current and former education fellows. Brenda Dickhoner was CSI’s Mike A. Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow in 2021 and is now the President and CEO of education advocacy group Ready Colorado. Jason Gaulden, is this year's CSI Education Fellow and the author of the latest Dollars and Data report.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podca…
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Aug 19, 2022
The Impact of New Energy Codes on Colorado’s Fraught Housing Market Part 2
Following Part 1 of this series, we re-join Host and Chairman Earl Wright, CEO of the Colorado Association of Homebuilders and CEO of the HBA of Metro Denver, Ted Leighty, Founder of Confluence Companies Tim Walsh, and CSI 2022 Mike A. Leprino Fellow and report author Evelyn Lim. They continue their conversation about the state of the Colorado housing market, the goals of recently passed energy code legislation, the increased costs those new codes will result in for builders (and ultimately homebuyers and employers), and what challenges exist in implementing them.
Our recent report The Uncertain Future Cost of Colorado’s Energy Infrastructure and Housing Affordability, foregrounds this discussion as our experts dig into the cost of implementing recently passed legislation that requires the adoption of a new energy code for buildings as well as what electrification of the built environment could cost Coloradans.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, an…
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Aug 19, 2022
The Impact of New Energy Codes on Colorado’s Fraught Housing Market Part 1
The issue of housing is one we tackle repeatedly on Common Sense Digest because it touches every single Coloradan in some way and impacts the overall economic health and well-being of the state. Building off our recent report The Uncertain Future Cost of Colorado’s Energy Infrastructure and Housing Affordability, this first in a two-part series on Common Sense Digest discuss the cost of implementing recently passed legislation that requires the adoption of a new energy code for buildings as well as what electrification of the built environment could cost Coloradans.
Joining Host and Chairman Earl Wright are CEO of the Colorado Association of Homebuilders and CEO of the HBA of Metro Denver, Ted Leighty, Founder of Confluence Companies Tim Walsh, and CSI 2022 Mike A. Leprino Fellow and report author Evelyn Lim. In Part 1, the four discuss the state of the Colorado housing market, the goals of recently passed energy code legislation, the increased costs those new codes will result in f…
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Jul 22, 2022
SPECIAL EPISODE: Affordable and Accessible Child Care: Colorado’s Workforce Challenge
This special episode of Common Sense Digest is brought to you by Colorado Politics and the Denver Gazette and hosted by Common Sense Institute and EPIC.
The high cost of child care acts as a barrier for parents, particularly women, seeking to return to the workforce, exacerbating Colorado’s labor shortage. Join industry experts and policymakers in exploring ways to create better access to quality and affordable child care for working families.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Jun 24, 2022
What Makes a Great City? featuring Mayor John Suthers and Councilman Dustin Zvonek
The state of Colorado is facing a housing affordability crisis, inflation, dealing with soaring crime rates, and homelessness. The list of challenges Coloradans are facing is daunting. But across our great state local leaders are digging in, rising to the challenge and coming up with innovative ways to create opportunity for their residents.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes Mayor of Colorado Springs John Suthers and Aurora City Councilman Dustin Zvonek to the show to discuss how each municipality is approaching the complex and intermingling challenges of housing affordability, homelessness, crime, economic opportunity and much more. They share ideas, opportunities and roadblocks to the creation of cities in which we all thrive, prosper and find happiness in the face of wicked problems and entrenched thinking. It's a wide ranging and informative conversation featuring two leaders working to shape the future of two of Colorado's most promine…
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Jun 24, 2022
SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & the Economy - Affordability
The following is a special episode of Common Sense Digest. On June 21, 2022, Common Sense Institute hosted Eggs & The Economy, a quarterly symposium featuring guest speakers on a variety of public policy issues highlighting the most pressing issues Colorado is currently facing. Our most recent event featured discussed the issue of affordability in Colorado. This podcast captured audio from the event in full, and features remarks from Chairman of the Board Earl Wright, and the following panelists:
Senior Economist Steven Byers
Mike A. Leprino Fellow Evelyn Lim
Vice President of Policy & Research Chris Brown
Representative of Colorado’s 35th District Shannon Bird
Luigi Del Puerto, Managing Editor of Colorado Politics (Moderator)
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Jun 3, 2022
Unpacking the Colorado and Arizona Housing Markets with Glenn Farley and Steven Byers
Housing prices are frequently at the forefront of policy discussions because they impact so many other aspects of the economy. On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes CSI Arizona's Director of Policy & Research Glenn Farley, CSI's Senior Economist Steven Byers to discuss the housing markets in Arizona and Colorado, respectively. They dive deep into what led us to the current situation, attempt to forecast where things are headed, and prescribe their fixes for bringing the cost of housing down. Whether it's talent recruitment and retainment, the overall health of the economy, or personal wealth building, this is an episode that has implications for all.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Glenn Farley is CSI Arizona’s Director of Policy & Research. For the past eight years he has worked in the Office of the Arizona Governor, most r…
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Jun 2, 2022
The Wicked Problem of Fentanyl in Colorado featuring George Brauchler and Mitch Morrissey
In April of 2022, Common Sense Institute released a report titled Fentanyl’s Increasing Toll on the Colorado Economy which detailed the evolution of the opioid crisis, the 2019 legislation that exacerbated the problems of the opioid crisis, and highlighted the unique deadliness of fentanyl in particular.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes CSI's Criminal Justice Fellows George Brauchler and Mitch Morrissey to discuss these issues in much more depth. Mitch and George detail their extensive history in how drug possession cases were handled prior to 2019, discuss the problems they perceive the recently passed and signed HB22-1326 "Fentanyl Accountability And Prevention" to have, why they think the problem will get worse before it gets better and much more. This episode is a fascinating deep dive into the world of criminal justice, and drug laws specfically.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on…
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May 6, 2022
The Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging Workforce featuring Karen Brown and Alexa Eastburg
In celebration of Older Americans Month, Common Sense Digest explores the topic of Colorado’s aging workforce and the impact it will have on our state’s future. Older Americans Month is an annual event dating back to 1963, when President John F. Kennedy designated May as Senior Citizens Month, later renamed Older Americans Month, honoring older Americans, and celebrating their contributions to our communities and our nation. If you’d like to learn more about Older Americans Month, visit Administration for Community Living.
Pertinent to this discussion is the recent CSI report: Colorado’s Future: The Impact of an Aging Workforce. Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes the report's co-authors, Karen Brown, CEO and Ambassador of iAging and Aging2.0 Denver Chapter and Alexa Eastburg, Research Analyst with Common Sense Institute. They discuss their remarkable findings about the current labor shortage, the projected increase in older workers, what the government, corporations and in…
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May 2, 2022
The Outstanding Debts of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and PERA featuring Loren Furman and Chris Brown
The topic of the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund has come up many different times in CSI’s work, including a previous episode of this show. Yet despite the tremendous amount of attention on the issue from external parties and business leaders, Colorado remains 1 of only 9 states with an outstanding federal loan balance to the US treasury, that was used to support the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund which went insolvent in August of 2020. That balance is just over $1B.
In 2020 legislators chose to not make the $225M payment to PERA required under SB18-200. A current bill under consideration proposes to make up for that missed payment plus the lost investment returns. Though not as substantive a transfer as we discussed in previous episode, this would go far in reducing some of the pending risk to taxpayers and PERA members. (found here).
With the 2022 legislative session winding down, Common Sense Digest welcomes Loren Furman, President & CEO of the Colorado…
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Apr 8, 2022
The Realities and Pitfalls of the Presumed Energy Transition featuring Chris Wright and Evelyn Lim
A substantial portion of United States policymakers and citizens tout an accelerated "energy transition" away from fossil fuels. But what does this mean? What would it entail? What are the costs associated with such a transition? And is a transition even practical or realistic? Even if the United States (or the world) were to transition away from fossil fuels entirely for electricity generation, in what other ways do fossil fuels play an integral role in modern living? These questions and many more are answered in this episode of Common Sense Digest.
Chairman and Host of Common Sense Institute Earl Wright welcomes Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Liberty Oilfield Services Chris Wright and 2022 Mike A. Leprino Fellow & 2021 Terry J. Stevinson Fellow Evelyn Lim to the show to discuss the multiple factors at play regarding an energy transition. The three touch on issues including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the state of permitting and exports in the United States…
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Mar 29, 2022
SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & the Economy on Crime
On March 29, 2022, Common Sense Institute hosted Eggs & the Economy. Eggs & the Economy is a quarterly symposium featuring guest speakers on a variety of public policy issues. At each event, CSI highlights the most pressing issues Colorado is currently facing. This is an opportunity for CSI to share current research, as well as hear from dignitaries and the experts working on them. The purpose of this event is to inform lawmakers and Coloradans so that they can make informed decisions with fact-based research.
At this quarter's event, we dove into the crime wave hitting Colorado and featured a panel of experts to discuss its many aspects. This podcast captured audio from the event in full, and features remarks from President & CEO of CSI Kristin Strohm, and the following attendees:
George Brauchler, Criminal Justice Fellow
Mitch Morrissey, Criminal Justice Fellow
Dave Hayes, Police Chief, City of Louisville
Jon Haubert, Publisher, ColoradoBiz Magazine (Moderator)
Thanks to our ge…
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Mar 21, 2022
The Key Issues Facing Arizona as CSI Expands featuring Glenn Farley
In Part 1 of our series about Common Sense Institute's expansion into Arizona (Common Sense Institute Announces Its Expansion Into Arizona), we discussed why Arizona was chosen for expansion, introduced you to our Board Chair and Strategic Advisor, and discussed briefly some of the issues facing Arizona.
In Part 2, Chairman and Host Earl Wright is joined primarily by Glenn Farley, former Chief Economist for Governor Doug Ducey. Glenn discusses with Earl everything from drought to workforce development to housing prices as he provides a snapshot of the opportunities and challenges of Arizona's present and future. He also discusses the need for non-partisan, evidence-based research in crafting sound public policy. It is a stimulating conversation that will provide any listener with a solid understanding of the lay of the land of Arizona.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
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Mar 8, 2022
Common Sense Institute Announces Its Expansion Into Arizona
Common Sense Institute is proud to launch its expansion into Arizona! After the 2020 election, Arizona was identified as a top swing state target for expansion due to the state’s history of electing common sense leaders and new challenges like incredible growth in the population and economy. Due to many members of the CSI Board having connections in Arizona, additional synergies were realized quickly. CSI also seeks to fill a void in Arizona where no other non-partisan think tank exists that can offer the legislature, policymakers and populace cutting-edge research. CSI has played that role in Colorado, and we look forward to doing so in Arizona.
Joining Chairman and Host Earl Wright are Scott Martin, who will serve as CSI Arizona Board Chair, and Daniel Scarpinato, CSI Arizona's Strategic Advisor. On the first of a two-part series, Scott and Daniel talk about the origins and need for establishing CSI Arizona. The two discuss the opportunities and challenges of the state, the curren…
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Mar 3, 2022
The Causes and Impacts of Inflation featuring Steven Byers, Ph.D. and Chris Brown
The United States is on the path of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while experiencing inflation at levels not seen in the past 40 years. Colorado has not been immune from these effects. The factors contributing to high inflation are multitudinous, and Coloradans find themselves in the difficult position of finding their increase in earnings cancelled out by loss of purchasing power.
Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes Chris Brown, Vice President of Policy & Research for CSI, and new team member Steven Byers, Ph.D., who joins as Senior Economist, to the show to discuss the multiple facets of both inflation and Colorado's general economic situation. The three discuss what has led to inflation including global issues such as the supply chain, and discuss Colorado's interesting trends in issues such as taxable sales. The issues are complex to unpack, which is why CSI leads the way with unparalleled research and actionable insights for business leaders and elected officials.
Than…
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Feb 11, 2022
What To Expect from the 2022 Colorado Legislative Session featuring Jake Zambrano and Chris Brown
The 2022 Colorado Legislative Session is underway where Democratic legislators retain a strong majority in both houses. As the majority party, they intend to embark on an extensive list of priorities which reflects the state of Colorado’s economy, social issues hotly contested, and the major successes and failures of last year.
Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes two guests to discuss a multitude of issues pertinent to this year's session. Jake Zambrano is Common Sense Institute's Director of Legislative Services and a very experienced observer of the Capitol, and Chris Brown is CSI’s Vice President of Policy & Research. Together, the three of them discuss how the state budget is set, what will likely happen with the one-time windfall of money from the federal government, and the priorities of legislators. They touch on everything from PERA to inflation to local control to the role of the free market and a lot more. It's an illuminating conversation that will have you informed…
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Dec 17, 2021
SPECIAL EPISODE: The 1st Annual Free Enterprise Summit
Common Sense Institute hosted The 1st Annual Free Enterprise Summit on December 14, 2021. The inaugural event featured the release of "Colorado's Free Enterprise Report" and "The Rankings Book: 2022 Edition." The release is the first of its kind reference for Colorado and compiles a wide range of economic and policy indicators that measures Colorado's rank compared to other states in order to measure success and determine areas for improvement.
This episode captures the full audio from the event and features remarks from Chairman Earl Wright, President & CEO Kristin Strohm, Vice President of Policy & Research Chris Brown, and the panel discussion that follows. Our panel featured the following attendees:
J.J. Ament, President & CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Loren Furman, President & CEO of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Debbie Brown, President of the Colorado Business Roundtable
Tom Brook, President & CEO of Denver South
Dave Davia, Executive Vice President & CEO o…
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Dec 17, 2021
Colorado Crime Wave: Origins and Solutions featuring George Brauchler and Mitch Morrissey
Common Sense Institute's recent report, “The Colorado Crime Wave: An Economic Analysis of Crime and the Need for Data Driven Solutions” was a first-of-its-kind report that put a cost on crime within the state of Colorado. Shockingly, that cost burden, borne by both victims and society, was more than $27B in 2020. Underlying this enormous cost, are concerning trends both in the rate of crime, and the outcomes of our criminal justice system, across our courts and corrections system.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright is joined by CSI Criminal Justice Fellows and report co-authors, Mitch Morrisey and George Brauchler to discuss what policy decisions led to Colorado leading the nation in many forms of crime, dig into the details of how crime in Colorado actually functions, and offer recommendations for turning the tide.
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts…
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Dec 10, 2021
The University of Colorado‘s Business Economic Outlook featuring Dr. Richard Wobbekind and Brian Lewandowski
While the initial economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic have subsided, the lockdowns and economic restructuring which resulted have yielded to worldwide supply-chain deficiencies, slower-than-expected economic growth, and a strong sense of uncertainty and unease in the world of business. Despite all this, forecasts point to continued economic growth and labor market recovery and many economists are optimistic about the immediate future.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest two of the leading authors and producers of the University of Colorado’s annual Business Economic Outlook report, Brian Lewandowski and Dr. Rich Wobbekind join Chairman and Host Earl Wright to discuss the report's publication, its findings, and its intent to “provide...professionals across nearly every industry in the state with a forecast of Colorado’s economy by sector.”
Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts…
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Nov 19, 2021
How is Colorado‘s Economic Recovery Going? featuring Patty Silverstein and Chris Brown
It has been a full year-and-a-half since the onset of the worst economic downturn in our state’s history, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pace of economic recovery has been much stronger than in prior recessions, there are many headwinds that indicate the recovery could be slowing. Lower levels of monthly job growth, increasing inflation risk, disruptions to global supply chains and labor shortages nearly everywhere you look, are all contributing to an uncertain future and timing of full-recovery.
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, joining Host and Chairman Earl Wright are Patty Silverstein, Chief Economist at Development Research Partners and Chris Brown, Vice President of Policy and Research with the Common Sense Institute. Patty dives into her extensive research on the topic and discusses the impact of federal relief money given to individuals, businesses, and governments on the recovery, which segments of the economy are most challenged (and which on…
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Oct 22, 2021
Colorado‘s Proposition 119 Seeks a LEAP in Out of School Learning Enrichment featuring Michael Johnston and Doug Robinson
Proposition 119: Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress, or LEAP, will appear on Colorado’s November ballot and proposes a phased 5% additional tax on recreational marijuana to fund out of school learning enrichment opportunities for eligible Colorado children. LEAP prioritizes low-income students and allows parents to decide which learning enrichment program or programs best fit their child’s educational needs.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman of Common Sense Institute Earl Wright welcomes Michael Johnston and Doug Robinson to discuss the measure's origin, its need, and how it would function. He asks them tough questions on how progress would be measured, if the legislature could modify Proposition 119 if it passes since it's a statute, and what they hope this measure will accomplish.
Thank for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Mike Johnston is the…
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Oct 8, 2021
The Unusual Journey of Property Tax Reduction and Proposition 120 in Colorado featuring Michael Fields and Chris Brown
On this November's Colorado ballot, voters will decide the fate of Proposition 120: “Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction.” Proposition 120 proposes to permanently reduce the statewide property tax assessment rate for several classes of property.
What is interesting is that something unprecedented happened in advance of this ballot measure appearing before voters. The ultimate impact of the measure hinges on whether 2021 legislation Senate Bill 21-293: “Property Tax Classification and Assessment Rates” passed by the state legislature after the ballot initiative was submitted, will remain law. Senate Bill 21-293 reclassified property types, and because of this Proposition 120’s proposed assessment rate reductions would apply only to multi-family and commercial lodging property, respectively.
To unpack why the legislature passed a bill in direct response to a ballot measure that had not even appeared on the ballot yet, the multitude of ways impacts could shake out if both b…
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Oct 1, 2021
Toward a Student Centered Method of Education Funding featuring Dr. Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner and Dr. Terry Croy Lewis
With the school year back into full swing, it feels only natural to turn our attention to a topic frequently on the minds of all Coloradans, school funding. On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman Earl Wright is joined by CSI Mike A. Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow Dr. Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner and Dr. Terry Croy Lewis, Executive Director of the Charter School Institute.
The three discuss a salient funding issue affecting charter schools across the state, dive into what the “Legislative Interim Committee on School Finance” is up to, and preview the forthcoming update to the school finance report that Common Sense Institute produces called “Dollars and Data.”
Thank for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.
Dr. Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner has spent her career working in education policy at the national and state level. She is currently the Mike A. Leprino Free Enterp…
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Aug 6, 2021
The Economic Footprint of Homelessness in Metro Denver featuring Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner and Kristin Strohm
Common Sense Institute (CSI) has partnered with several local organizations and leaders to conduct a three-phase project to understand the many challenges and types of homelessness. Through a multi-faceted approach, CSI and its partners hope to identify the systemic issues that contribute to a person’s experience with homelessness and find the network of people and organizations working to make change. Bringing clarity and identifying the leverage points in these systems will support all who seek to tackle this challenge by providing critical information about where to invest their time, energy, and money to address the homelessness crisis.
One of the report's authors, Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner, Ph.D, along with CSI President Kristin Strohm, join our Host and Chairman Earl Wright to discuss Phase 1 of the report, which can be found here.
Homelessness remains a pressing issue for the Metro Denver region. COVID-19 increased the visibility of the issue with shelters closing due the pan…
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Jul 19, 2021
Regulating Our Commutes Through the Employee Trip Reduction Plan featuring Sandra Solin and Tom Brook
In 2019 the Colorado state legislature passed a new law establishing significant greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Those targets include a statewide reduction in greenhouse gas emission of 50% from the 2005 baseline by 2030, and an 80% reduction from the 2005 baseline by 2050. The 2019 bill, known as HB-1261 ‘The Climate Action Plan to Reduce Pollution’ and many other related bills that have passed since then, have authorized new forms of regulation with the intent of meeting the state’s new greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, Chairman and Host Earl Wright is joined by two important guests to talk about just one of these new regulations currently making its way through the rulemaking process. The ‘Employee Trip Reduction Program’ or ETRP, would regulate your commute to work in an attempt to take single-occupancy vehicles off the road.
Sandra Solin is the Founder and Head of Capitol Solutions and has been at the center of…
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Jul 9, 2021
How Will Colorado Spend its Federal Stimulus Money and How Should It? featuring Brenda Dickhoner and Chris Brown
In 2020 and 2021 Colorado received more than $65 billion in federal aid money. The bulk of this money came in the form of direct stimulus payments to citizens and loans like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), but a substantial portion of the funds went to state coffers, and notably $2.5 billion went to K-12 education.
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, Chairman and Host Earl Wright is joined by CSI’s Mike A. Leprino Fellow, Brenda Dickhoner, who recently authored a report on how that money was allocated, what it was spent on, and money that remains to be allocated. You can view that report at this link on our website. Also joining the show is CSI's Vice President of Policy and Research Chris Brown who has spent substantial time this year tracking the various federal spending bills and their impacts on Colorado.
They answer and discuss the questions that should be on all Colorado citizens' minds: Where did that money go? Where will it go? Who is accountable for its allocati…
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Jun 25, 2021
From Conflict to Compassion: A Colorado Housing Development Blueprint for Transformational Change
Housing is a basic human need and with the affordability crisis we face, the future of many families and the competitiveness of our state are truly at stake.
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, we welcome Peter LiFari, Executive Director of Maiker Housing Partners, the Adams County Housing Authority, and Evelyn Lim, Former Region 8 Administrator at the US Housing and Urban Development, and current Director of Policy and Research at the American Cornerstone Institute to discuss housing affordability. Peter and Evelyn are this year’s Terry J. Stevinson Fellows and their report on housing affordability is the culmination of months of work and stakeholder conversations.
They join CSI Chairman and Host Earl Wright in a wide-ranging conversation about the causes of and solutions to the affordable housing crisis in Colorado. Earl asks probing, challenging questions of our guests, and Peter and Evelyn despite coming from differing ideological perspectives, offer concrete, implementable…
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Jun 4, 2021
The Past, Present and Future of TABOR featuring Michael Fields and Dustin Zvonek
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, we take a deep dive into a major law unique to Colorado, and why it is relevant today, nearly three decades after being voted in by Coloradans in 1992. That's right, we're discussing the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, commonly referred to as TABOR.
In recent years, we have seen direct attempts through our state’s ballot process to strike TABOR entirely. At present, TABOR is being challenged from multiple angles and our Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes two guests to discuss why TABOR matters, what makes it unique, and what challenges lie ahead for it.
Joining Earl is, first, Michael Fields, Executive Director of Colorado Rising Action, a 501(c)(4) that fights "for limited government, lowering taxes, fighting government over-regulation that stifles freedom, affordable and accessible health care, free enterprise, and a strong national security." Also joining is Dustin Zvonek, current candidate for Aurora City Council, a small business owner, f…
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May 7, 2021
Is Help on the Way for PERA’s Unfunded Liability? featuring Earl Wright, Amy Slothower and Zachary Christensen
Colorado’s Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) contains more than $30 billion of unfunded liability, which represents a potential disaster for Colorado taxpayers. The federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) is estimated to deliver an additional $3.9 billion to the state government, which, along with government revenue that is forecasted to grow to $936 Million above pre-pandemic levels in the next fiscal year budget, there is a unique opportunity for Colorado to make bold investments in its future and pay down some debt, likely including the large unfunded liabilities of PERA.
Common Sense Institute President & CEO Kristin Strohm takes over hosting duties on this edition of Common Sense Digest and has the unique privilege of turning the tables on our usual host, CSI Chairman Earl Wright, who brings unique insight into the PERA discussion. Also joining us is Amy Slothower, Project Director for Secure Futures Colorado, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to pub…
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Apr 30, 2021
The Crisis of the Colorado Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund featuring J.J. Ament and Chris Brown
The Colorado Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund was not built to handle the crushing demand of a global health emergency that impacted virtually every aspect of our daily lives. The program finds itself running a deep deficit, and fraudulent claims have overwhelmed the system. What to do about it?
Join Host and Chairman of Common Sense Institute Earl Wright as he welcomes J.J. Ament, Chief Executive Officer of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Chris Brown, Director of Policy and Research with Common Sense Institute, as they discuss the status of the trust fund, what’s led to its current situation, and diagnose what needs to happen to ensure its viability. Are potential tax increases on the way for businesses? What will the state do with money from the federal government? And what can you do about it to stay involved? All of this and more are covered in the latest episode of Common Sense Digest. Please be sure read our report on the issue here.
Thank you for liste…
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Apr 9, 2021
Trying to Fix a Broken Education Finance System featuring Dr. Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner and Leslie Colwell
Colorado’s education funding system is broken in several ways: inequitable revenue collection, an inefficient and outdated allocation formula, and a retirement system that costs the state nearly a billion dollars annually just to pay down the $30 billion in unfunded liability. On this edition of Common Sense Digest, Brenda Bautsch-Dickhoner, Ph.D., the Mike A. Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow at Common Sense Institute and current Boardmember of the Charter School Institute and on the Governor’s Education Leadership Council and Leslie Colwell Vice President of Education Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign which leads the Campaign’s work to improve education in the state of Colorado discuss this broken system and how to fix it. One such solution is HB21-1164 which helps the system start on a path of correction by addressing the patchwork system of property taxes on the revenue side. The extra revenue raised by this bill could help alleviate some of the budgetary pressur…
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Mar 4, 2021
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions for Colorado Buildings featuring Kathie Barstnar and Dave Davia
As cities, states, the United States, and the international community consider ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the latest episode of the Common Sense Digest focuses on initiatives instituted or under consideration in our own backyard.
Recently, the state launched its “Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap.” The roadmap outlines potential state actions which would help to comply emission reduction targets set in 2019 legislation, HB19-1261. The overall targets are a 26% reduction by 2025, a 50% reduction by the year 2030 and 90% reduction by 2050, all relative to emission levels in 2005. Currently, state GhG emissions are somewhere between 10% and 15% below 2005 levels, and the latest projections, inclusive of recent policy changes indicate more policy changes will be required to achieve the state’s targets.
Our built environment, including commercial, residential and industrial buildings is now squarely in the sights of regulators and policy makers.To unpack the…
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Mar 2, 2021
Revisiting the Public Option for Healthcare featuring Sally Pipes and Chris Brown
As Colorado once again considers a public option for healthcare coverage, the Common Sense Digest considers and discusses in depth the likely impacts a public option for healthcare coverage would have on our system, our state budget, and our quality and access to healthcare services.
Joining our Host and Chairman Earl Wright are Chris Brown, Director of Policy and Research with the Common Sense Institute, and Sally Pipes, President and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute, whose mission is to champion freedom, opportunity, and personal responsibility for all individuals by advancing free-market policy solutions. Ms. Pipes addresses national and international audiences on health care. In April 2018, she received an honorary Ph.D from Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy for her work on health care reform. She has written a multitude of books, written for a vast number of publications, and is an internationally recognized expert on healthcare policy.
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Feb 4, 2021
Understanding and Attempting to Solve Homelessness with Mayor Mike Coffman and Kate Barton
Homelessness is a complex, contentious, and multifaceted issue with multiple causes, and advocates on all sides of the issue advocating for different solutions and approaches. On this edition of the Common Sense Digest, we discuss the homelessness issue in-depth with two people working on it from two very different angles. Kate Barton is the Senior Vice President, Executive Office and Special Projects for the Downtown Denver Partnership, a fast-moving, forward thinking, non-profit business organization with the foundational belief that every day is our chance to make the city a little better. They also founded The Business Coalition on Homelessness, which was founded in 2019 by the Downtown Denver Partnership and business leaders to bring the resources, leadership, and voice of business together to collectively work with public and private sector partners, stakeholders, and the City to find and deliver solutions to homelessness. Mike Coffman is the Mayor of Aurora, and last month compl…
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Jan 25, 2021
Women in the Workforce and the She-cession featuring Heidi Ganahl and Nicole Riehl
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an outsize impact on women in the workforce, resulting in what has been dubbed a “She-cession.” On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Heidi Ganahl, Founder of Camp Bow Wow and SheFactor.She is also a fellow board member of CSI, and a CU regent, as well as Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC). EPIC is the business community’s nonpartisan voice for early childhood care and education, and has recently launched a new initiative that aims to help solve the child care issue. The two join Earl Wright, our Host and Chairman to discuss entrepreneurship, the rate of women leaving the workforce, early childhood education, motherhood and much more. A robust economy and a full workforce does not happen without vigorous participation from women, and this episode provides insights into what has led us here, and offers recommendations on how we rectify the situation. Thank you for listening to the Common Sense D…
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Dec 17, 2020
The Colorado Road to Recovery Initiative featuring Debbie Brown, Liz Peetz & Dave Davia
A global pandemic and corresponding economic crisis have brought about a time of severe disruption. Business and our way of life have been transformed. While we are faced with unprecedented challenges, we have also been presented with unique opportunities to shape our future with purpose.
The Colorado Business Roundtable and Common Sense Institute have provided a forum to formulate and influence public policy through collaboration and research in response to the pandemic’s economic realities called The Colorado Road to Recovery Initiative. On this edition of Common Sense Digest, Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes Debbie Brown, President and CEO of the Colorado Business Roundtable, Dave Davia the Executive Vice President & CEO at Rocky Mountain MCA, and Liz Peetz, the Vice President of Government Affairs at Colorado Association of REALTORS®. They discuss some of the recommendations of the Road to Recovery Initiative and provide their thoughts on the health of Colorado’s econom…
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Dec 16, 2020
Speaker of the House KC Becker and Colorado Concern CEO Mike Kopp Discuss the 2020 Special Session and Preview 2021
Common Sense Institute wants to ensure you are equipped with as much knowledge as possible as 2020 gratefully comes to a close and we look ahead to 2021. On this week’s episode of the Common Sense Digest, Speaker of the House KC Becker and President & CEO of Colorado Concern join Chairman of CSI Earl Wright to discuss the 2020 Special Session providing analysis on what went well and where opportunities still exist. They then discuss the uniqueness of finding compromise in Colorado in an increasingly polarized world and discuss what the 2021 Legislative Session could look like. KC Becker is the 39th and current Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. She is a Democrat representing Colorado’s 13th House District, which includes parts of Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, and Jackson counties. She has represented the district since 2013. Mike Kopp is the President and CEO of Colorado Concern, an alliance of top business executives with a mission of enhancing the Centennia…
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Nov 13, 2020
The Next Chapter in Oil and Gas Setbacks featuring Lynn Granger
In the aftermath of Colorado Senate Bill 181, passed in 2019, the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission has undertaken a bounty of rulemakings. Among them is a reconsideration of setbacks from both buildings and wildlife areas. On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Chairman Earl Wright is joined by Chris Brown, our Director of Policy and Research, who has led many reports on a range of policy and economic issues facing the state of Colorado including measuring the economic and fiscal impacts of Proposition 112, the 2,500-ft setback for new oil and gas drilling that appeared on the ballot in 2018. Also joining is Lynn Granger, Executive Director of API-Colorado, a statewide organization focusing on energy priorities in the state, including hydraulic fracturing and energy infrastructure. They discuss the process of the new rulemakings as well as their potential impacts. Thank you for listening to the Common Sense Digest. Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favor…
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Oct 30, 2020
A Front line of COVID-19 Impacts: A Restaurateur and a County Commissioner
With Colorado poised to issue another round of restrictions for businesses due to spikes in positive COVID-19 cases, CSI invites two people whose roles find them impacted directly by the shutdowns.
Ginger Graham is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company focused on fighting diabetes and obesity. During her tenure at the company, they were listed on the Nasdaq 100 and were rated as one of the Top 10 places in the industry for scientists to work. In addition, Ginger taught classes in entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School and has written for Harvard Business Review. Today she serves on several public and private company board of directors and she consults to first-time CEOs in the areas of leadership, strategy, board-effectiveness, and organization-building. Recently she launched Ginger and Baker, a café, restaurant, market, and so much more, in Fort Collins, CO.
Lora Thomas is a Douglas County Commissioner. Lora spent 26 year…
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Sep 30, 2020
CSI Previews the 2020 Colorado Ballot with Ed Sealover and Lynn Bartels
With the 2020 election a few short weeks away, and in keeping with our mission of injecting a dose of common sense into Colorado’s policy discussions, we’re pleased to bring you a discussion of this year’s Colorado ballot with two of Colorado’s premier political journalists.
Joining this edition of Common Sense Digest is Ed Sealover who covers government (and several other beats) for the Denver Business Journal, and Lynn Bartels, formerly a reporter who covered all things politics for The Denver Post, and now a columnist for Colorado Politics. The two discuss many of the measures on the 2020 ballot, with special focus on Propositions 117 and 118, as well as Amendment B.
Thank you for listening to the Common Sense Digest. Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcatcher.
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Sep 15, 2020
Statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave: What Would Proposition 118 Cost Colorado?
Colorado legislators have grappled with the idea of creating a state-run paid family and medical leave program designed to aid workers when a worst-case scenario becomes reality. Yet they have never been able to come to consensus on how that program would function, largely due to its questionable economics.
On this edition of Common Sense Digest, Chairman Earl Wright is joined by Lisa Strunk, Development Research Partners Fellow with the Common Sense Institute, Chris Brown, Director of Policy and Research with Common Sense Institute, and Loren Furman, Senior Vice President State and Federal Relations at the Colorado Chamber. They discuss in detail the history of this proposed program, the findings of CSI’s recent study of the ballot measure, and the potential economic consequences of its passage.
Thank you for listening to the Common Sense Digest. Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcatcher.
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Sep 10, 2020
The Economy, Jobs and Sales Tax: How Is Colorado Doing 6 Months Into the Pandemic?
Colorado continues to grapple with COVID-19, its effects on our health and safety, the impacts to our children’s education, and our economy. Making sense of all the data can be overwhelming, which is why the Common Sense Digest is here for your listening pleasure.
Filling in for Chairman Earl Wright, President and CEO Kristin Strohm chats with Director of Policy and Research Chris Brown about a number of economic indicators. In a brisk half hour, Kristin and Chris discuss jobs and unemployment (including how the pandemic has more profoundly impacted women, and in particular, mothers), the difference in year-over-year sales tax collections, and why the pandemic has hit some communities harder than others. If you’re looking for a smart, concise summary of how the state is responding to the economic challenges of the pandemic, you are but a click away from this tremendous episode.
Thank you for listening to the Common Sense Digest. Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on y…
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Jul 31, 2020
Digging Into the Data on Charter Schools
As we approach the end of summer and grapple with what school will look like in the Fall and beyond, we thought it prudent to examine the differences between charter schools and traditional public schools.
Our Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes CSI Education Fellow Dr. Brenda Bautsch Dickhoner and Dan Schaller, President of the Colorado League of Charter Schools. Topics covered include how Colorado charter high school graduation rates compare to non-charter high schools, and how charter schools may have closed the education gap with students of color. You can find further information on these topics and more in Brenda’s latest report: Digging Into the Data on Charter Schools: An In-Depth Look at Graduation Rates.
Thank you for listening to the Common Sense Digest. Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcatcher.
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Jul 22, 2020
A Common Sense Strategy for the Continued Viability of Colorado’s Transportation Network
As Colorado deals with one of the most severe economic downturns in our history, the future of Colorado’s transportation infrastructure remains a topic of concern and of interest to us all. Our Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes the 2020 Common Sense Institute Terry J. Stevinson Fellows, Ben Stein and Henry Sobanet, to discuss their recently released report, titled: A Path Forward A Common Sense Strategy for the Continued Viability of Colorado’s Transportation Network.
Terry Stevinson is a founding and current board member at CSI, and conceived of this fellowship as an opportunity to bring together two individuals, to research a key public policy issue facing the state of Colorado and present along with it, achievable solutions. Ben Stein and Henry Sobanet have extensive background in both the public and private sector that informs their approach to this topic.
Thank you for listening to the Common Sense Digest. Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite…
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Jun 23, 2020
A Historic Session To Go with a Historic Year: Impacts on Business & 1st Property Tax Reform in Decades
With the 2020 legislative session now behind us, we thought it prudent to take a look back and assess the impacts of what was passed. We’re joined by Don Childears, CEO Colorado Bankers Association and Common Sense Institute Board Member and Bernie Buescher, Former Colorado Secretary of State & Legislator. Bringing their remarkable depth of knowledge, the two unpack this year’s session with great depth, nuance, and thought.
One of the outcomes of the session saw legislators refer a measure to the 2020 ballot that would repeal the Gallagher Amendment, a Constitutional Amendment that sets a formula for the mix residential property taxes and commercial property taxes at 45% of the total, and 55%, respectively. The repeal, if approved by voters, is designed to prevent schools, local governments, and the state from taking large financial hits due to the recession caused by our current global pandemic. Mr. Childears and Mr. Buescher discuss the creation of Gallagher, its unintended cons…
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Jun 17, 2020
The History, Future and Rebranding of Common Sense Institute featuring Buz Koelbel and Heidi Ganahl
The Common Sense Institute pays tribute to its history, looks ahead to its future, and goes in-depth about some of its many successes with two of its board members. Joining Chairman of the Board, and host, Earl Wright are Buz Koelbel, Vice Chairman of CSI and one of the organization’s Co-Founders, and Heidi Ganahl, a fellow Board Member.
Mr. Koelbel is president of Koelbel and Company, one of the longest continually operating real estate companies in Colorado. The company’s efforts are focused on the development of office parks and large-scale residential projects, residential construction, and real estate investment.
Ms. Ganahl is a Regent at the University of Colorado, Founder of Camp Bow Wow, and currently devotes her time to keeping the American dream alive by empowering women through her brand the SheFactor.
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May 25, 2020
The COVID Slide – The Impact of COVID-19 on Education featuring Luke Ragland and Brenda Bausch-Dickhoner
As the current school year winds down and comes to a close across the state, our attention turns to what schools will look like in the Fall. Joining Chairman of the Board on this week’s episode of Common Sense Digest are CSPR Education Fellow Dr. Brenda Bausch Dickhoner and Luke Ragland, President of Ready Colorado.
The three discuss the challenging issues associated with remote learning, ensuring equality of access for all students in the face of variability by district, school, and family situation, and how the state’s budget shortfall will impact education in the coming school year. Our guests unpack the problems and offer possible solutions to the issues that will confront all Colorado students mere months from now.
You can find some background for this discussion in Brenda’s latest article: Putting Students First: Strategies to Mitigate the COVID Slide on the CSPR website.
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May 19, 2020
Colorado’s Public Option for Healthcare Revisited featuring Dave Davia and Cameron Niakan
On this episode of the Common Sense Digest, we discuss the debate surrounding the proposed Colorado Public Option for Healthcare. Considering our healthcare system has never been tested the way it has during this unprecedented global pandemic, it’s worth considering and discussing in depth the likely impacts a public option for healthcare coverage would have on our system, our state budget, and our quality and access to healthcare services.
Joining our host, Chairman of Common Sense Policy Roundtable, Earl Wright, are Cameron Niakan with the consulting firm Guidehouse, who, along with CSPR Director of Policy and Research Chris Brown, have written an in-depth analysis of HB20-1349 in a report titled: “The Colorado Option Plan: Modeling the Impacts of Government Price Controls in Health Care.” Joining them is Dave Davia, CEO of Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors and CSPR Board Member. Dave is very involved with many public policy matters, and in this parti…
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Apr 20, 2020
Economic Recovery in the Wake of COVID-19 featuring Heidi Ganahl and Dan Nordberg
As COVID-19, along with its attendant health and economic consequences, continues to dominate our collective consciousness, this episode of Common Sense Digest shares the latest facts and figures concerning the continuing economic impact of COVID-19.
Joining us is the University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl, an entrepreneur, small business owner and a member of the CSPR Board of Directors to discuss all things education and the path to economic recovery. She discusses the impact on the University of Colorado system and shares the work of Job Creators Network in assisting businesses through the crisis.
Also on the show is Dan Norberg, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Region VIII Administrator based in Denver. In this role, he oversees the delivery of the agency’s small business programs and services in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Montana. He discusses the staggering number of loans the SBA processed as part of its Paycheck Protection P…
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Mar 30, 2020
COVID-19 in Colorado Featuring Rep. Colin Larson and Chris Brown
In this episode of the Common Sense Digest, our Chairman Earl Wright leads a discussion about the topic at the forefront of our collective consciousness: COVID-19. This week, CSPR released a new analysis, Observations on the Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Colorado. This analysis is part of an ongoing effort to model the data and better understand the economic impact on our economy and the state budget. You can read the full study, find resources, references and forthcoming analysis of the COVID-19 crisis at https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/covid19/.
Earl is joined, first, by Chris Brown the study’s author and Director of Policy and Research with the Common Sense Policy Roundtable who discusses the findings of his study. Earl is then joined by State Representative Colin Larson of District 22, which encompasses the southern Jefferson County communities of Bow Mar, Columbine, Dakota Ridge, Ken Caryl, and Littleton. Rep. Larson provides insight into the status of the 2020 legislative…
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Feb 25, 2020
Colorado’s Public Option Debate Featuring Rick Rush and Chris Brown
In the inaugural episode of the Common Sense Digest, our Chairman Earl Wright leads a discussion about one of the hottest issues facing state lawmakers; a proposed public option for health care. Joining Earl are the two authors of the most recent CSPR study, which was released this month. The study concerns the potential unintended consequences of a public option, and poses key questions that remain unanswered, yet should be crucial for the ongoing debate.
First is Rick Rush is the Managing Partner and founder of the health care consulting firm GERICK. Rick is a health care actuary with over 30 years of experience within the industry ranging from employee benefits consulting at Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson, to being a court-appointed rehabilitator/liquidator of insolvent HMOs, and most recently Executive Director of Actuarial Services at Kaiser Permanente Colorado.
Second is Chris Brown is the Director of Policy and Research with the Common Sense Policy Roundtable.
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