Podcasts about Independence Institute

Chuck And Julie Show with Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden Colorado GOP Assembly Opt Out of Semi Open Primary and Lakewood Citizen-Led Referendum Guests, Ray Garcia and Karen Gordey Hundreds of Colorado Republicans overturn RINO Chair Horn's attempt to sabotage efforts to opt out of the disastrous semi open primary. Ray Garcia checks in with results from the chaotic State Assembly. In this episode of The Chuck & Julie Show, hosts Julie Hayden and Chuck Boniwell dissect the chaotic 2026 Colorado Republican State Assembly, highlighting a major grassroots victory regarding the primary election system. The program also features a deep dive into a landmark citizen-led referendum in Lakewood that successfully overturned high-density "upzoning" mandates despite significant opposition spending. The Colorado GOP State Assembly: Chaos and Grassroots Defiance The recent Colorado Republican State Assembly was characterized by significant logistical failures, with delegates waiting over four hours for credentials because badges and ballots were not prepared in advance. Despite these hurdles, the grassroots wing of the party achieved a major tactical win. Raymond Garcia, Chairman of the Colorado Hispanic Republicans, detailed how the assembly body moved to overrule the Executive Committee (ExCom). Specifically, the delegates overwhelmingly supported a motion to censure 15 ExCom members who had previously blocked legal efforts to opt out of Colorado's open primary system. This move authorizes attorneys Randy Corporon and John Eastman to proceed with a preliminary injunction aimed at preventing the Secretary of State from sending Republican primary ballots to unaffiliated voters for the June 2026 election. Legal Strategy and the "RINO" Establishment Conflict The discussion centered on the tension between "establishment" Republicans and the grassroots. Hosts argued that the current open primary system allows Democrats and unaffiliated voters to "meddle" in Republican selections, favoring candidates backed by "dark money" donors. Raymond Garcia and the hosts pointed out that since the open primary took effect in 2016, no Republican has won a statewide office in Colorado. The assembly also saw a contentious moment involving Kathleen Chandler of the Independence Institute, who was booed by the crowd after asserting that the ExCom knew better than the general body of delegates. Furthermore, logistical anomalies were reported in the governor's race, including a discrepancy of approximately 77–80 ballots compared to the number of credentialed voters. Lakewood's David vs. Goliath Referendum Victory Karen Gaudet of the Lakewood Citizens Alliance shared the results of a "two-to-one" victory in a special election held on April 7th. Citizens successfully overturned four city ordinances intended to "upzone" the entire city for high-density housing. The alliance faced a massive financial disadvantage, with the "No" side (supported by developers and prominent Democratic politicians) raising nearly 300,000 compared to the Citizens Alliance's 42,000. Despite this, the grassroots "ground game" of 84 volunteers secured more votes for the referendum than the mayor received in her own election. The victory is seen as a rejection of "social engineering" and a defense of single-family zoning and local "home rule" against state-mandated densification. National Security and Future Previews The show concluded with a brief discussion on President Trump's "economic war" strategy against Iran, specifically the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to cripple Iran's financial capabilities. The hosts also previewed an upcoming segment with Sue Moore of the Liberty Scorecard, who will address recent "libelous" comments made by gubernatorial candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer regarding the organization's integrity. The episode paints a picture of a resurgent grassroots movement in Colorado, successfully challenging both state-level party leadership and local municipal overreach. Whether through the "rabid" energy of the GOP Assembly or the "grit and determination" of Lakewood's suburban voters, the hosts emphasize that organized citizen action is currently outmaneuvering well-funded establishment interests.

Chuck And Julie Show with Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden Colorado GOP Assembly Opt Out of Semi Open Primary and Lakewood Citizen-Led Referendum Guests, Ray Garcia and Karen Gordey Hundreds of Colorado Republicans overturn RINO Chair Horn's attempt to sabotage efforts to opt out of the disastrous semi open primary. Ray Garcia checks in with results from the chaotic State Assembly. In this episode of The Chuck & Julie Show, hosts Julie Hayden and Chuck Boniwell dissect the chaotic 2026 Colorado Republican State Assembly, highlighting a major grassroots victory regarding the primary election system. The program also features a deep dive into a landmark citizen-led referendum in Lakewood that successfully overturned high-density "upzoning" mandates despite significant opposition spending. The Colorado GOP State Assembly: Chaos and Grassroots Defiance The recent Colorado Republican State Assembly was characterized by significant logistical failures, with delegates waiting over four hours for credentials because badges and ballots were not prepared in advance. Despite these hurdles, the grassroots wing of the party achieved a major tactical win. Raymond Garcia, Chairman of the Colorado Hispanic Republicans, detailed how the assembly body moved to overrule the Executive Committee (ExCom). Specifically, the delegates overwhelmingly supported a motion to censure 15 ExCom members who had previously blocked legal efforts to opt out of Colorado's open primary system. This move authorizes attorneys Randy Corporon and John Eastman to proceed with a preliminary injunction aimed at preventing the Secretary of State from sending Republican primary ballots to unaffiliated voters for the June 2026 election. Legal Strategy and the "RINO" Establishment Conflict The discussion centered on the tension between "establishment" Republicans and the grassroots. Hosts argued that the current open primary system allows Democrats and unaffiliated voters to "meddle" in Republican selections, favoring candidates backed by "dark money" donors. Raymond Garcia and the hosts pointed out that since the open primary took effect in 2016, no Republican has won a statewide office in Colorado. The assembly also saw a contentious moment involving Kathleen Chandler of the Independence Institute, who was booed by the crowd after asserting that the ExCom knew better than the general body of delegates. Furthermore, logistical anomalies were reported in the governor's race, including a discrepancy of approximately 77–80 ballots compared to the number of credentialed voters. Lakewood's David vs. Goliath Referendum Victory Karen Gaudet of the Lakewood Citizens Alliance shared the results of a "two-to-one" victory in a special election held on April 7th. Citizens successfully overturned four city ordinances intended to "upzone" the entire city for high-density housing. The alliance faced a massive financial disadvantage, with the "No" side (supported by developers and prominent Democratic politicians) raising nearly 300,000 compared to the Citizens Alliance's 42,000. Despite this, the grassroots "ground game" of 84 volunteers secured more votes for the referendum than the mayor received in her own election. The victory is seen as a rejection of "social engineering" and a defense of single-family zoning and local "home rule" against state-mandated densification. National Security and Future Previews The show concluded with a brief discussion on President Trump's "economic war" strategy against Iran, specifically the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to cripple Iran's financial capabilities. The hosts also previewed an upcoming segment with Sue Moore of the Liberty Scorecard, who will address recent "libelous" comments made by gubernatorial candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer regarding the organization's integrity. The episode paints a picture of a resurgent grassroots movement in Colorado, successfully challenging both state-level party leadership and local municipal overreach. Whether through the "rabid" energy of the GOP Assembly or the "grit and determination" of Lakewood's suburban voters, the hosts emphasize that organized citizen action is currently outmaneuvering well-funded establishment interests.

We Like Shooting - Ep 656 This episode of We Like Shooting is brought to you by: Gideon Optics (Code: WLSISLIFE) Night Fision (Code: WLSISLIFE) Die Free Co. (Code: WLSISLIFE) Rost Martin (Code: WLSISLIFE) Flatline Fiber Co (Code: WLS15) Second Call Defense Guests: David Warner – www.nextlevelarms.com www.nextlevelmfg.com Next Level Arms (@nextlevelarms)    Text Dear WLS or Reviews +1 743 500 2171  Public   Show Titles GunCon.net Tickets on sale now. Use code AGENCY171 GEAR CHAT [NickLynch] MP5 Speed Loader – Remix This is a remix of Jackmnb's speed loader designed for MP5, with the cartridge slot moved to allow dropping cartridges bullet-first from the back side. A chamfer has been added to facilitate faster and easier filling of the loader. Angles have been modified to enable printing without supports. Note MP5 Mag loader [Benelli] Lupo The Benelli Lupo is a bolt-action rifle highlighted in the ‘Art of Performance' video series for its proprietary barrel engineering. It features a three-step manufacturing process including vacuum heat treatment, electrochemical rifling, and cryogenic Crio treatment to achieve superior accuracy and consistency. The rifle's rigid chassis and harmonized action ensure minimal flex, precise alignment, and out-of-box performance. [Infinite Zero Targets] Rifle Zeroing Targets Infinite Zero Targets provides free printable rifle zeroing targets designed for precise firearm sighting. The page promotes these paper targets alongside the Ballistics Report app for ballistic calculations. No hardware technical gear such as optics or mechanical devices is detailed. Note (Nick) Sig P229 BULLET POINTS GUN FIGHTS No one stepped into the arena this week. GOING BALLISTIC Colorado HB 26-1144: Democrats Amend 3D-Printed Firearms Bill to Avoid Veto Colorado House Bill 1144 (HB 26-1144) targets the use of 3D printers to manufacture guns or gun parts, making it a crime in the state. Democrats revised the bill by removing a provision banning the distribution of digital printing instructions to secure passage and avoid a veto from Gov. Jared Polis. The amended version classifies first offenses as Class I misdemeanors and subsequent offenses as Class 5 felonies. Heeter v. James: Challenge to New York's Body Armor Ban Under the Second Amendment Heeter v. James is a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York challenging New York's body armor ban under the Concealed Carry Improvement Act as a Second Amendment violation. Plaintiffs argue body armor qualifies as an ‘arm' for self-defense, supported by historical precedents like Heller and Bruen, common civilian use, and lack of historical bans. The ban prohibits purchase, acquisition, or sale of protective body coverings by non-eligible civilians, with enforcement by state police. National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. v. Letitia James: SAF Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Protect Firearms Industry under PLCAA The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), along with NRA and Independence Institute, filed an amicus brief on March 30, 2026, in National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. v. Letitia James, challenging New York's law that circumvents the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). SAF argues that New York's statute enables abusive public nuisance lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and dealers, undermining PLCAA's protections against meritless litigation campaigns aimed at bankrupting the industry. The brief urges the Supreme Court to grant certiorari and reaffirm PLCAA's safeguards for lawful commerce and Second Amendment rights. Colorado House Bill 1144: 3D Gun Printing Ban Drops Digital Instructions Provision to Avoid Veto (Savage) Colorado's House Bill 1144 originally aimed to ban the manufacture of 3D printed guns and components like high-capacity magazines and receivers, as well as the sale or distribution of digital instructions for printing them. Lawmakers removed the provision on digital instructions after Gov. Jared Polis indicated he would veto the bill otherwise. The amended bill passed a preliminary Senate vote and is expected to be signed into law. Warren-Meeks Letter Demands Data on U.S. Semi-Automatic Firearm Export Licenses (Savage) U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY) sent a letter to the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security requesting detailed data on semi-automatic firearm export licenses approved since January 2025. They cite ATF data linking U.S. exports to 20% of crime gun traces in Central America and 37% worldwide outside North America, demanding info on licenses, recipients, and monitoring by April 13, 2026. This follows Biden administration pauses on certain exports and Warren's recent legislation targeting ammunition sales and military-grade weapons. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: Pro-Gun Control Policies with $30 Million Taxpayer-Funded Armed Security (Savage) Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson supports Illinois' restrictive gun control measures, including a ban on assault-style weapons upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2023, while employing an armed security detail of up to 150 Chicago Police Department officers. This security costs taxpayers approximately $30 million annually. The arrangement highlights a perceived double standard where officials enjoy armed protection amid public firearm restrictions. Rep. Fry Files Amicus Brief in NSSF v. James Seeking SCOTUS Review to Defend Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) (Savage) Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), leading 54 House colleagues, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) with Senate colleagues, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit's decision in NSSF v. James. The brief defends the PLCAA, a 2005 federal law preempting state liability suits against gun manufacturers for criminal misuse of firearms, against New York's public nuisance law. It argues the Second Circuit ruling undermines congressional intent and enables similar state circumventions. Armed Citizen Fights Off Attackers at Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover, Maryland (Savage) On March 28, 2026, an armed citizen at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Maryland, drew a firearm during an assault by three attackers outside Burlington Coat Factory, discharging it and wounding one in the wrist. The attackers fled, leading to a police chase and crash on I-97, resulting in three arrests. The incident highlights civilian self-defense in a Maryland jurisdiction.0 Michigan Lawyer Barton Morris Helps Non-Violent Felons Restore Gun Rights via Federal DOJ Program (Savage) A Michigan lawyer, Barton Morris, assists non-violent felons who have completed their sentences in petitioning for firearm rights restoration through a proposed U.S. Department of Justice program. Michigan state law currently prohibits these individuals, such as those convicted of drug offenses, drunk driving, or theft, from owning guns post-sentence. An example is Clarence Overstreet, who filed a petition after a past cocaine possession conviction to protect his family and hunt. Calce v. City of New York Calce v. City of New York challenges New York City's ban on civilian possession of stun guns and tasers in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (docket 25-861). The district court granted summary judgment to the city in March 2025, ruling plaintiffs failed to prove common use for Second Amendment protection. Oral arguments occurred, focusing on whether ‘common use' is a plaintiff burden under Bruen or shifts to the government. Ohio SB 392: Freedom to Carry Act Ohio Senate Bill 392, introduced on March 23, 2026, seeks to reform state weapons carry laws by expanding concealed carry beyond handguns to other deadly weapons, renaming licenses to concealed weapons licenses, and lowering the licensing age from 21 to 18. It permits licensed carry of concealed deadly weapons excluding ‘exclusive deadly weapons' defined as dangerous ordnance or federally/state-prohibited items, and allows loaded firearm possession in vehicles. The bill remains in the introduced stage amid Ohio's Republican legislative supermajorities. REVIEWS Review: The 5th cast member from Oregon From The 5th cast member If I visited each of the cast members. Sean First I would ask to see vault and when he took me to the gun vault I'd say no I mean the vault of money but you don't tell the other cast members about. Then we would take some time digging through all of the boxes of gear that he has been given by sponsors of the show over the years that he's never even opened or look at. Poring me a drink of something suspicious but claim it is some sort of Old world drink to see you. Sure few drinks probably want to show me a smooth child by balls which of course would scar me for life but they're really weird part would be with his pants down asking me if I want to play some hockey. Savige He would show me all of his communist compliant guns. Which wouldn't really actually be very many. Explain to me all of the conspiracy theories around the government in the state and federal. To ask if I wanted to join him secret group that was planning the next January 6th type event only he would call it January 7th as if that was enough secret seat to avoid being obvious. I received there believing I was just been trapped by an FBI informed. Aaron Quickly after meeting Erin he would want to show me the book he's been working on “the art of working” I'm genuinely act interested not to crushes dreams of becoming some sort of Tom Clancy. Then he would give me a 2 hour tutorial on how to use indeed. Followed by a house to get fired but still get the maximum unemployment benefits. Jarami I probably meet him at his gun store first. Shoot his “Part 2 because you wouldn't let me text the whole story. Nick

Dan discusses the importance of independent election audits with his guest, Jon Caldera. They dive into the issue of the Secretary of State's office auditing itself, which has raised concerns about the accuracy and honesty of elections. Jon shares his insights on how outside audits can boost public trust in the electoral process. They also touch on the recent case of Tina Peters, a Colorado election official, and the potential implications of her situation. The conversation explores the need for transparency and accountability in elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're taking a deep dive into the Supreme Court's latest Second Amendment case. The Court spent nearly two hours debating the merits of US v. Hemani. They were trying to figure out whether the modern ban on drug users, even just those who smoke weed, is relevantly similar to Founding Era laws related to "habitual drunkards." The back-and-forth seemed to create some interesting splits among the justices and scrambled the Court's usual ideological coalitions. To analyze the fallout from oral arguments, we have the Independence Institute's David Kopel back on the show. He has been one of the most influential Second Amendment scholars over the past 30 years, being cited in cases from the Supreme Court on down the federal judiciary. He filed a brief with the National Rifle Association arguing that the justices should side with Hemani in his challenge to the ban. Kopel said he was a bit surprised at how oral arguments seemed to go for Hemani. He had expected greater pushback from more of the justices, especially the liberal bloc. He said the majority of the Court appeared skeptical of the law's constitutionality. However, he said it is always possible that a justice doesn't vote the way their questions might imply. It's possible the liberals side with the government or Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, who were most skeptical of Hemani, end up going the other way. Still, he concluded that whatever the Court does in the case, it'll likely have a major impact just on the basis of how fresh Second Amendment jurisprudence is at this moment.Special Guest: David Kopel.

TABOR FAILED TO STOP THE BLOAT OF GOVERNMENT And I've got Nash Herman, policy analyst for the Independence Institute on at 1 to talk about his new paper Leviathan by Loophole: the Growth of Colorado's State Government After TABOR where he tells us how politicians just did an end around TABOR and grew government anyway.

OUR POWER OUTAGE TRAINING HAS JUST BEGUN And Amy Oliver, who is the co-host of Power Gab on Independence Institute's IITV here, has written a fantastic explainer on the way our monopoly electric company is just getting warmed up when it comes to NOT supplying power. Read it here and get ready for your head to explode when I talk to Amy about it at 1.

This week, we're taking a big-picture view of the Supreme Court's upcoming slate of Second Amendment cases. That's because this slate will be the biggest yet. Now, sure, that still only means they have two Second Amendment claims to consider. But that's more than ever before, and it comes just a few months after many gun-rights activists thought the Court was wavering on the deciding key cases. So, to discuss what we should make of this Supreme Court term, we've got Independence Institute research director David Kopel back on the show. He is one of the leading scholars in the gun-rights movement, and his work helped develop and legitimize the individual right theory of the Second Amendment. He has been cited in numerous Supreme Court gun opinions and is an odd-on favorite to be quoted again this year. Kopel argued it is notable that the Supreme Court is taking up more Second Amendment cases than ever before. He said there are outcomes that could dramatically alter the legal landscape for gun-carry or people who smoke marijuana and own guns. However, he also noted that narrow rulings could still alter the course of Second Amendment caselaw, given the Court's infrequent involvement in the issue to date. Kopel said every word a Supreme Court justice utters or writes in the course of deciding these two cases will be pored over by the lower courts for years to come. Special Guest: David Kopel.

Chauncey Billups is charged in a stunning FBI bust alleging he conspired with the mafia in a rigged poker game scheme designed to rip off players he lured into participating. Dan wonders how Chauncey got wrapped up with organized crime in the first place.David Kopel, Research Director for Independence Institute, joins Dan to discuss the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court taking up a case on whether individuals who regularly use marijuana can own guns. Supreme Court considers gun ownership for marijuana smokers | AP News

Jon Caldara, President of the Independence Institute, fills in for Dan on a very dark Wednesday which saw Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk killed by an assassin's bullet on the campus of Utah Valley University. Laura Carno, Executive Director of FASTER Colorado, joins the show to discuss the Evergreen High School shooting, which left two students severely wounded and the suspected gunman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She emphasizes how resistant JeffCo Public Schools have been to instituting armed staff members in school buildings and establishing those settings as 'hard targets' rather than green-lighting them for violent attacks as 'gun-free zones.'

Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, joins Dan to discuss his latest op-ed for The Gazette: First safe and clean, then a new stadium. The issue at hand is whether to build, and how to fund, a new stadium for the Denver Broncos.Rep. Jeff Hurd (R, CO-3) has introduced a bill to protect Pope Leo XIV's U.S. citizenship amid legal questions tied to his role as pope and head of state. The Holy Sovereignty Protection Act would bar revoking citizenship from any American elected pope.CatholicVote on X: "Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) has introduced a bill to protect Pope Leo XIV's U.S. citizenship amid legal questions tied to his role as pope and head of state. The Holy Sovereignty Protection Act would bar revoking citizenship from any American elected pope. https://t.co/8xY4vYBEam" / X

Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute is pressed into duty filling in for Dan on Monday and declares the program a 'No Caplis' zone.Jimmy Sengenberger, The Gazette joins Jon with immediate reaction to a verdict in the Mike Lindell case, with a jury finding the My Pillow CEO liable for defamation and awarding former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer $2.3 million in damages.

GREEN ENERGY IS EXPENSIVE AND UNRELIABLE ENERGY And Amy Oliver Cooke writes about it here for Complete Colorado. This is my favorite part:Environmentalists appealed to consumers by saying wind and solar would save ratepayers money. From the outset, Governor Polis refused to provide a detailed cost analysis of his plan while rejecting Independence Institute's 2017 projection that the transition could cost $45 billion. Polis insisted the Institute's estimates were inflated and modeled a plan that wasn't even his. Yet, Polis never offered an alternative figure, saying, instead, he knows it will be less.Fast forward to 2024. The Colorado Energy Office's (CEO) Ascend Analytics report offered an acknowledgment and a sobering warning: Polis's wind, solar, and battery-only system would require 69,000 megawatts of new capacity by 2040 and still “barely meet reliability targets.” At $61 billion, it's also the most expensive scenario studied. That figure doesn't even include the billions of dollars needed for transmission costs. The total system cost will be far greater.Once again, the Institute did the math. The total system cost for Polis' plan, including storage, necessary overbuild, backup, property taxes, and utility profits, new wind and solar costs $280–$319 per megawatt-hour, compared to $32 for existing coal and $40 for gas. Wind and solar costs aren't just expensive—they're economically destabilizing.Amy is on the show to discuss at 1pm, but you really should watch her great show with Jake Fogelman called Power Gab here.

In the first hour of today's edition of The Dan Caplis Show, Dan talks to Dave Kopel, of the Independence Institue, about Jared Polis' decision to sign SB25-003 (Colorado's latest gun ban bill) into law. Caplis will talk about what this means for Americans and for Polis's political career.

LEARN THE RIGHT WAY TO ENGAGE WITH GOVERNMENT In a class on how to be more involved taught by my friend Kathleen Chandler from the Independence Institute. From the website:The Citizen's Guide to Civic Involvement workshop will help you see where and how you can make a difference in your community. This practical class will give you ideas and point you in a productive direction. Stop complaining and take back your country by taking back your community.If you are tired of feeling powerless and ready to take action, sign up for the class here. Kathleen joins me at 1pm to talk about it.

This week, we're taking a close look at the Supreme Court's ruling in Bondi v. VanDerStok. To do that, we have the Independence Institute's David Kopel on the show. Kopel has written extensively on gun policy and been cited repeatedly at the Supreme Court. So, there are few people better qualified to dissect what the VanDerStok ruling means. Kopel argued the decision upholding the ATF's "ghost gun" kit ban is relatively narrow, but still likely applies to more than just the Polymer80 "buy build shoot" kits discussed at length by the majority. He also explained why the majority decided the case as a facial challenge and why he, along with Justices Thomas and Alito, disagrees with the use of that standard. He said the Trump Administration could have tried to intervene in this case, but didn't move fast enough. However, he argued that it can still try to undo the rule despite the decision. Kopel also gave his view on where the balance of the court lies on gun issues and whether there's a reliable way to read what they might do with other pending gun cases. Get a 30-day free trial for a subscription to The Dispatch here: https://thedispatch.com/join-offer-reload/?utmsource=thereload&utmmedium=partnerships-podcast&utm_campaign=0125 Special Guest: David Kopel.

DID THE DEMS JUST PASS ANOTHER UNCONSTITUTIONAL GUN BILL? I've got Dave Kopel from the Independence Institute on to discuss at 1 today, as he is the guy who studies this stuff all day long. By the way, Dave Kopel is Research Director of the Independence Institute; an Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute, in Washington; and a Senior Fellow at the University of Wyoming College of Law Firearms Research Center. His website is davekopel.org. He writes frequent for the Volokh Conspiracy law blog, hosted by Reason magazine. So he knows what he's talking about.

Jon Caldara, President of the Independence Institute, joins Dan to brag about his new, taxpayer-subsidized Nissan Leaf purchase.He also discusses his eye-opening interview with Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly about gang infiltration in and around Denver - including intelligence from outside Colorado suggesting Tren de Aragua has been given the green light to shoot at police officers.Independence Institute on X: "Gangs taking over apartment complexes? According to Sheriff Weekly of Douglas County @dcsheriff it's happening. Jon Caldara sits down with Sheriff Weekly for an explosive Devil's Advocate you don't want to miss. #coleg #copolitics #TrendeAragua https://t.co/o6cpaHjsIB" / XLora Thomas joins Dan to discuss her early resignation from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, citing mistreatment and harassment from fellow officials.Douglas County commissioner resigns over alleged harassment | News | coloradopolitics.com

Jon Caldara, President of the Independence Insitute fills in for Dan and leads off with his tedious airport experience in Montreal where protesters were blocking traffic.

The Supreme Court handed down its first Second Amendment ruling in two years on Friday. It's also the first case where The Court applied the test it developed in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. Those facts alone mean US v. Rahimi will hold a great deal of influence on gun cases across the nation. So, we've got one of the top pro-gun scholars in the country on the show to break down what The Court did and didn't hold. Independence Institute's David Kopel has been at the forefront of the Second Amendment fight for decades, with citations in federal court decisions coast to coast and at the Supreme Court itself. He also filed a brief in Rahimi that appears to have significantly influenced the majority's thinking. Kopel lays out the good, bad, and ugly of the ruling that upheld the domestic violence restraining order gun ban. He said he wasn't surprised The Court upheld Rahimi's conviction, given a lower court found him dangerous. He also agreed with some of the warnings about how the majority loosened the standard for the Bruen test that Justice Clarance Thomas included in his lengthy dissent. However, Kopel said he was overall pleased with the Rahimi decision's outcome. He argued it gave credence to future challenges to the same law by defendants who don't have the same lengthy criminal record as Rahimi did. He also predicted how the case might impact other Second Amendment cases pending in the lower courts. Special Guest: David Kopel.

Enjoy this 10-minute highlight from Luke's marijuana legalization debate with top Colorado libertarian Jon Caldara, head of the Independence Institute. The full episode can be found on SAM's YouTube Channel. Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:https://learnaboutsam.org/https://gooddrugpolicy.org/https://thedrugreport.org/On X: https://twitter.com/learnaboutsamhttps://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicyhttps://twitter.com/KevinSabethttps://twitter.com/LukeNiforatosOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

Rod Arquette Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, May 16, 20244:20 pm: Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow joins Rod to discuss the dustup in the community over a proposed Northern Corridor highway, aimed at reducing congestion in St. George, that would run through the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.4:38 pm: Erika Sanzi, Director of Outreach for Parents Defending Education joins Rod for a conversation about the widespread use of “restorative justice” disciplinary practices in American schools, which focus on conversations between offender and victim rather than traditional punishments like suspension.6:05 pm: Steve Malanga, Senior Editor of the Manhattan Institute's City Journal joins Rod for a conversation about some cities and states are spending billions on housing projects that, in the end, won't help solve the housing affordability crisis.6:20 pm: George C. Upper III, Contributing Editor for the Western Journal, joins Rod to discuss his recent report about how Joe Biden's administration is planning to issue ID cards for illegal immigrants across the U.S.6:38 pm: Robert Natelson, Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Independence Institute joins Rod for a conversation about his article in The Epoch Times about how RICO laws should be used against organizers of pro-Hamas lawlessness.

Jon Caldara is once again in for Dan and welcomes in his colleague from the Independence Institute, Director of Policy Jake Fogelman, on why Governor Jared Polis is squarely responsible for scheduled gasoline price hikes at the pump due to prohibitive fees and taxes on the production and sale of fossil fuels.

Jon Caldara (in for Dan) explains how difficult it is to get issue proposals before voters on the ballot, the time and resources it requires, and why it's so important for organizations like his Independence Institute to do the hard work that gets it done.

Ben Murrey ('12)Director of Policy at the Common Sense Institute Making an Impact in the World of PoliticsBen Murrey (‘12) is the Director of Policy at the Common Sense Institute, a role he recently started. At Hillsdale, Murrey majored in Politics and promised never to work in politics, but after graduation took a job working on Ted Cruz's Senate campaign. He shares his experience starting as a campaign volunteer and continuing in his career working at multiple levels and realms of state and national politics. His previous roles included a Legislative Correspondent and Aid for Senator Cruz and Fiscal Policy Center Director for the Independence Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of Iowa's homegrown star, Caitlin Clark, began her college basketball career playing in empty arenas at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she competes in sold-out arenas wherever she goes—and for good reason. During her 4-year college career, Clark has broken countless records on the court and brought an unprecedented level of excitement to women's basketball. Meanwhile, Iowa has felt her impact inside and outside of the arena. The athlete's talent and celebrity has led to soaring attendance at games, and larger crowds generate more economic activity. Our recent study, Clarkonomics: The Impact of Caitlin Clark & Hawkeye Women's Basketball on Iowa's Economy is not the first to explore the economics of Clark's superstardom, but it takes a unique approach. Past reports and news coverage have highlighted the money behind Clark's brand deals, ticket sales, and media coverage, along with other anecdotes of economic impact. In contrast, this report takes a data-drive approach to quantifying the impact of Iowa women's basketball and Caitlin Clark's extraordinary college career on the economy of the state of Iowa. To discuss this report, and all things Caitlin Clark, our Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes Ben Murrey, CSI Iowa Director of Policy & Research. They discuss the real economic impact Caitlin Clark's remarkable talent and career have had, why she is representative of Iowa as a whole, 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. Ben Murrey is Iowa Director of Policy and Research with the Common Sense Institute where he leads the research efforts of CSI Iowa to provide insightful, accurate and actionable information about the impact of public policy on Hawkeye families, businesses and communities. Prior to joining CSI in January of this year, Ben spent over a decade in political and public policy roles at the state and federal levels. After earning his degree at Hillsdale College, he joined Ted Cruz on the campaign trail, first as a grassroots field director overseeing 45 rural east Texas counties and later as assistant director of operations. He went on to serve seven years as a legislative staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas and Washington, D.C. Most recently, he served as fiscal policy center director at Independence Institute, a free market think tank in Colorado. In addition to leading reports on a range of fiscal, tax and economic issues, Ben's writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, National Review, Real Clear Policy and more. His work has contributed to public policy change at the state and federal levels that advanced sound tax policy and free enterprise.

This essay traces the history of Article V research. Professor Robert G. Natelson is the Independence Institute's Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence and Head of the Article V Information Center. His work has been cited as high as the Supreme Court level. Download this Essay The Law of Article V book by Robert Natelson

Would amendments proposed by an Article V convention really make a difference? History says, "Yes!" Learn more by listening to this essay by Professor Robert G. Natelson, who is the Independence Institute's Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence and Head of the Article V Information Center. His work has been cited as high as the Supreme Court level. Download "The Lamp of Experience: Constitutional Amendments Work" The Law of Article V book by Robert Natelson

Fearful speculations about the Article V convention process ignore what scholarly research has revealed. Professor Robert G. Natelson is the Independence Institute's Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence and Head of the Article V Information Center. His work has been cited as high as the Supreme Court level. Download "The Myth of a Runaway Amendments Convention" The Law of Article V book by Robert Natelson

Rod Arquette Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, January 11, 20244:20 pm: Paul Gottfried, philosopher and historian, joins Rod for a conversation about his piece for The Blaze on how the left will go nuts if Donald Trump is elected.4:38 pm: Susan Crabtree, White House and National Political Correspondent for Real Clear News joins Rod to discuss some of the items covered by Donald Trump during his town hall on Fox News last night.6:05 pm: Steve Moore, an Economist at FreedomWorks, joins Rod for their weekly conversation about politics and the nation's economy.6:20 pm: Edward Ring, a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Greatness, joins the program for a conversation about his piece on how wealthy elites are controlling from both parties, therefore creating one large uniparty.6:38 pm: Robert Natelson, Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Independence Institute joins Rod for a conversation about his piece for The Epoch Times on how states can respond to illegal immigration.6:50 pm: Robert VerBruggen, a Fellow with the Manhattan Institute, joins Rod to discuss his piece for the City Journal on how new studies are casting doubt on the narrative that systemic racism is playing a role in prison sentences for crime.

Conspiracy Theory Thursday news and opinion and later Constitutional Law Prof Rob Natelson with the Independence Institute discusses his 5 part series in Epoch Times on how Texas can WIN the battle with FedGov about the border.

We respond to breaking news, as former President Donald Trump has been barred from running for President by the Colorado Supreme Court. Constitutional Scholar and former UM professor Rob Natelson joined us from Colorado’s Independence Institute less than 24 hours […] The post Trump & the CO Primary, with Rob Natelson first appeared on Voices of Montana.

George welcomes Joshua Sharf - Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy with the Independence Institute and regular contributor to Complete Colorado to the show to discuss Israel/Hamas, Ukraine/Russia, and Jared Polis' '26 plan to add more high-density housing based around transit and a train from Ft. Collins to CO Springs that nobody asked for See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ONLY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN SAVE US FROM PROPERTY TAXES NOW And I'm talking to Independence Institute's Kathleen Chandler about this column on how to do that today at 12:30. I'm lucky that I live in Douglas County where they already moved to lower home valuations by 4% to bring down property tax bills (if the Democrats at the state don't prevent them from doing so). If your property tax bill is worrying you you need to pay attention to this interview and get to work!

Thank you for listening to the 39th episode of "This Week's Economy." Today, I cover: 1) National: -Why the new U.S. jobs report is not as strong as some say -Inflation rates have moderated but still remain well above the Fed's 2% target -Federal Reserve paused again with its federal funds rate target in the range of 5.25-5.5%, supporting a boost in the stock market and likely lower mortgage rates 2) States: -Sustainable Colorado Budget was released that I authored with Ben Murrey at Independence Institute, which provides a path forward for the Centennial state to return to its TABOR roots and buy down the income tax -School choice challenges face Texas as many state leaders are against it 3) Other: -Don't miss my latest LPP episode with Jennifer Huddleston discussing problems with regulating technology, including AI -One of my latest op-eds argues why China is not our biggest threat -Argentina's new president makes significant strides that could set an example for the U.S. Please share this episode on social media and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com). Click the link to enter a giveaway for a complimentary subscription to my Substack newsletter and a free copy of "The Soul of Civility" by Lexi Hudson by simply making a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you can get all of the paid benefits: https://gleam.io/1TiJl/let-people-prosper-substack-newsletter-subscription-free-copy-of-the-soul-of-civility-by-lexi-hudson

TODD SHEPHERD JOINS DAWN LIVE AT 10:05 AM EST... Todd Expands on his latest articles.... Delaware County Council considering five percent real estate tax increase to cover years of new spending Philadelphia School District walks back professional development course on the so-called ‘genocide' in Gaza Todd Shepherd is Broad + Liberty's chief investigative reporter. He began his reporting career in radio, working as an anchor and reporter for KOMA in Oklahoma City and KOA in Denver. At KOA he was a three-time regional Edward R. Murrow award winner. He spent eight years as the investigative reporter for the Independence Institute in Colorado, a free-market-based think tank. Shepherd has covered national politics for the Washington Examiner and the Washington Free Beacon, and most recently was editor of Delaware Valley Journal. Send Todd tips at tshepherd at broadandliberty.com, or use his encrypted email at shepherdreports at protonmail.com. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

Thank you for listening to the 31st episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights on key economic and policy news. Please share thie episode on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com). Today, I cover: 1) National: Economic uncertainty from dysfunction in Congress, home sales slide to the slowest since 2010, and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicates extended pause in interest rate hikes; 2) States: Texas continues to debate passing Universal School Choice, and data on California and New York's spending shows that increased state spending does not necessarily decrease poverty or improve schools, and; 3) Other: Recap of last week's excellent podcast with guest Ben Murrey from Independence Institute discussing the importance of maintaining Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, and a sneak peek of my upcoming podcast episode with special guest Texas State Representative Brian Harrison.

Today, I'm joined on episode 66 of the "Let People Prosper" show by Ben Murrey, director of the Independence Institute's Fiscal Policy Center: We discuss: 1) What he learned about the transactional nature of relationships on Capitol Hill during his 7 years working in D.C. alongside U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX); 2) What Republicans can learn from Democrats about collaborating together for the greater good; and 3) How Colorado's Proposition HH on the ballot now, which would reduce tax refunds and further weaken the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), and why legislators should instead pass Sustainable Colorado Budgets and use surpluses to reduce and eliminate total income taxes. If you enjoyed the show, please rate it 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media. For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, please check out my website (www.vanceginn.com) and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com).

POLIS'S GREEN DREAM IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE Our fake libertarian Governor is very wealthy so he probably doesn't care if his power bill skyrockets as he pursues a goal of 100% renewables by 2050 but the rest of us will. A new study from Jake Fogelman at the Independence Institute says it will cost more than $318 BILLION to get there and guess who pays those bills? You guessed it, us. Read about it here and I'm trying to get Jake on the show to discuss.

PROP HH MUST DIE And I'm going to keep having Ben Murrey from the Independence Institute on until it does. Today we're going to talk about renters getting screwed the hardest and ask why is this on the ballot if it's a tax decrease? He's on at 1.

PROPOSITION HH IS A BIG FAT LIE And the Independence Institute's Ben Murrey explains how the shady as hell ballot language is fooling people into thinking this is something it clearly is not. You need to not only pay attention to this TABOR stealing nonsense that will bring an embarrassingly small amount of relief this year while robbing us of our TABOR refunds forever. I've got Ben at 1 today to talk about it.

Thirty years ago, Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) was meant to strictly limit spending and taxes. That's not how it's worked out. Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute details for the benefit of other states how TABOR opponents wore it down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's show rundown: It's voting season...there is no more voting day, its a whole season. Why does it take forever to count these darn votes? Mark introduces us to a returning guest Ted Harvey, and we get a reminder about a little of what he is up to. Ted's PAC stop joe.com is where he is spending a lot of his time now days. He is doing every hit he can to help with the November election to make sure we take back the Majority. The Left is at war with us, we are NOT at war with them, thats a huge problem. We may think they are wrong, but they want us dead. If a conservative speaks up or talks against the Left's thought - they DOJ goes after these people. The DOJ doesn't even to claim to be non partisan any more. They are telling you they will come after you at your local school board meeting if you want to ask questions about why we have to have boys in girls bathrooms. https://www.stopjoe.com/ Ted Harvey, Chairman Retired Colorado State Senator Ted Harvey has always had a passion for protecting the Constitution and the unborn, while promoting the free-market principle which have resulted in America's unmatched exceptionalism. At the age of 22, Ted received a political appointment to serve in the White House of President Ronald Reagan, which ignited his passion for traditional conservatism. After returning home, Ted quickly became involved in Colorado politics, working as a staffer in the Colorado State House and then as the Program Director of the Independence Institute, a Denver-based think tank. Ted also served as the District Office Manager for Representative Joel Hefley (R-CO). In December 2001, through a vacancy election, Ted was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives and became a conservative champion inside the State House. He was re-elected in both 2002 and 2004, and then elected to the Colorado State Senate in 2006 and 2010. Ted's patriotic work continues today. He was a founding member and Chairman of the Stop Hillary PAC, re-named the Committee to Defend the President following the election of President Trump in 2016. It was one of the largest pro-Trump super PACs in the country: Under Ted's leadership, the Committee spent more than $20 million in Independent Expenditures to support Republican causes, while contributing over $509,000 directly to Republican candidates and incumbents. Ted has been elected as a Colorado delegate to four of the last five Republican National Conventions including 2016 and 2020. Ted will continue leading the charge, now as the opposition to Biden-Harris' reckless liberal policies under the re-branded name, the Committee to Defeat the President. Follow Ted Harvey on Twitter: @TedHarvey