Penry’s record is consistent with no-tax agenda
By Paula Noonan 
| July 16, 2009 | 5:01 AM
After Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, announced his bid for Colorado governor Saturday, he immediately set off on a tour of the state to spread his no-tax message.
“I’m running for governor to get this economy back on its feet — to get moms and dads working again — and prove that the state can invest in schools, roads, public safety and other priorities without asking for a new tax or a new fee with the dawning of each new day,” Penry said in his announcement speech.
Penry’s no-tax agenda is consistent with his votes in the 2009 legislative session. He voted “no” on House Bill 1342 to eliminate the sales tax exemption on cigarettes; “no” on HB 1366 to eliminate the Colorado capital gains income tax; “no” on HB 1072 on forming library districts; “no” on HB 1346 to use Recovery and Reinvestment Finance Act money in Colorado; and “no” on Senate Bill 259, the state’s Long Bill establishing the budget.
Even so, Penry’s not the most conservative legislator in the Statehouse by any means. In a survey of bills across a variety of issues, Penry is slightly more conservative than the most moderate Republicans — Don Marostica, R-Loveland, and Al White, R-Steamboat Springs — and substantially more moderate than the GOP’s most conservative legislator, Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs.
On Tuesday, Penry tweeted, “Driving across E. Colorado. It’s amazing how beautiful of a state we have!”
He has not yet explained how he would, without raising new revenues, balance the state budget and its huge deficits while also investing in schools, roads and public safety.
Compare Penry’s votes with other legislative leaders’ at coloradocapitalwatch.com.
governor, josh penry, senate minority leader, statehouse, taxes
