Former Sen. Steve Johnson Looks at CD-4

by: Colorado Pols

Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 13:50:58 PM MDT

Johnson was obviously pining for a potential challenge to Rep. Betsy Markey when he did some budget grandstanding a few months back. Johnson was always considered a moderate Republican who played well with others, and while that could make him a tough opponent for Markey, it also makes it tough for him to get out of a primary.

The Bailout is Wrong! Where's Our Bailout Money?

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 10:13:25 AM MST

Now we have the Larimer County Commissioners passing a resolution condemning the stimulus package in Congress and laughably - and arrogantly - acting as though our leaders in Washington should take their advice on the financial mess. "I hope the Senate will take this warning and move forward in a different manner," said Commissioner Tom Donnelly.

But the best, or worst, part of this story comes from Commissioner Steve Johnson, the former State Senator who used to be one of the more reasonable moderates in the legislature.

The commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing the $819 billion package of federal tax cuts and spending programs that passed the House of Representatives last week...

...Commissioner Steve Johnson, who wrote the resolution, said the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act carries too much "wasteful" spending and would add to the national debt, which already stands at $10 trillion. But he said the county will spend whatever money it gets if the bill passes...[Pols emphasis]

...In a telephone interview, Johnson said the county would use money from the stimulus package since its taxpayers would be helping to foot the bill.

"Once it's the law of the land, there's no reason why our citizens shouldn't benefit from it," he said.

That's real leadership, folks.

Weissman Considering Commissioner Run

by: Colorado Pols

Fri Jun 29, 2007 at 10:47:04 AM MDT

John Fryar of The Longmont Times Call Gazette Journal News Post reports that Democratic State Rep. Paul Weissmann is considering a run for Boulder County Commissioner:

As many as six other eastern Boulder County Democrats, though, are still courting their county party's vacancy committee members for support and votes next Monday night, when that panel meets to fill the seat opened by County Commissioner Tom Mayer's death Friday.

State Rep. Weissmann said in a Tuesday night e-mail that he'd talk with his wife about the possibility of adding his name to that list as he drives back to Louisville from their ninth wedding anniversary vacation to North Dakota and Montana.

"I am very familiar with the area that Tom focused on while a commissioner, human services," Weissmann wrote. "My legislative experience in that area helps."

Weissmann said he'll probably have made a decision by today about whether to seek the Boulder County Democratic Party vacancy committee's appointment.

While mostly irrelevant to those of you who don't live in Boulder County, Weissmann's potential move to the Commissioner's seat would create a void at the State House. Democrats are losing the bulk of their most experienced lawmakers on the House side in 2008, and Weissmann would be on the short list for leadership were he to remain.

Republican Sen. Steve Johnson has also said that he will run for Larimer County Commissioner next year and give up his Senate seat, which would leave the GOP without one of its most experienced lawmakers.

Johnson has indicated that the chance to earn a decent salary is at least part of the consideration for running for Commissioner (legislators make only $32,000). It's long past time that we raised salaries for legislators to a decent amount in order to draw from a strong pool of potential leaders, but it may be politically impossible.