Former Ambassador to Switzerland, Phil Winn, found himself at the center of a scandal surrounding his time at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) thirty-five years ago. Allegations of misconduct and influence peddling were made against former Reagan administration officials and prominent Republicans, including Winn. Despite denying any illegal activity, a congressional probe found that consulting fees totaling $6 million had been paid to individuals involved in HUD transactions.
Winn expressed his disappointment in not being able to do community work due to the ongoing scandal. He defended his work under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, stating that he had always aimed to do a good job. Winn also disputed reports that he and his partners had profited $160 million from low-income housing projects, claiming the number was inaccurate.
Fifteen years ago, the General Assembly in Colorado passed legislation increasing the state’s standards for renewable energy production. House Bill 10-1001 required utility companies to generate 30% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020, up from the previous 3% standard. This move was part of Gov. Bill Ritter’s goal to establish a “New Energy Economy” in Colorado and position the state as a leader in renewable energy.
The bill faced opposition, with Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry criticizing it as favoring special interests. However, supporters argued that the increase in renewable energy standards had already created 17,000 jobs statewide in the renewable energy and research sectors. Overall, the legislation aimed to transition Colorado towards a cleaner energy future while maintaining a balance with traditional sources like coal.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
