thedenverpost--2020-08-30--State police, corrections officers excluded from personal liability portion of Colorado’s police ref

State police, corrections officers excluded from personal liability portion of Colorado’s police reform law

Colorado ’ s new police reform law was heralded as one of the most comprehensive police reform packages in the country , but it contains one key loophole , excluding hundreds of state-employed officers from facing personal liability for their actions because the potential hit to the state budget would have been too great .
The end result is a law that , according to local law enforcement officials , will be unevenly applied in order to protect the state from costs from the anticipated increased litigation the law will spur .
“ We ’ re very supportive of accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature considers the costs for any bill to the state , they also need to pay attention to that same cost to the local governments , ” said Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle , who testified about Senate Bill 217 for the County Sheriffs of Colorado .
“ What ’ s important is that as we consider additional measures , they are considered equally and it ’ s applied across the board.
” At issue is a provision within S.B .
217 that opens officers personally to civil litigation and leaves them vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgment against them .
Previously officers acting under government authority were largely immune to lawsuit awards , which taxpayers ultimately paid .
Other provisions of the law , including banning the use of chokeholds and carotid control holds , limiting when police are allowed to shoot at a fleeing person , and requiring body cameras do apply to state employees .
Concerns about including state officers began months earlier with a different bill – House Bill 1287 , sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper , a Delta County Republican who wanted state employees held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s constitutional rights .
That included state police officers .
The difficulty wasn ’ t the premise behind the bill , Soper said , but rather the financial hit the state would take .
The final tab was about $ 2 million in the first year and $ 3.2 million in the second , according to a state fiscal note prepared for legislators .
Risk management , an additional 40 claims a year for state lawyers , the costs to defend them , prisoner claims to exceed another 120 lawsuits , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court system all figured into the tally .
Soper said Reps. Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez , the Denver Democrats who sponsored the police reform bill S.B .
217 , were familiar with fiscal concerns related to his bill .
“ Using the data from my bill , they knew from the get-go that any fiscal hit would doom their chances , ” he said .
Herod said state officers were left out of the personal liability portion of the bill because it lacked support in Soper ’ s bill .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herod said .
“ Many other things were not in the bill because the support wasn ’ t necessarily there .
We said all along it wasn ’ t the end-all , but it ’ s a great place to start.
” Sen. Robert Gardner , R-Colorado Springs , was among a group of legislators who worked to amend the bill in the Democrat-controlled legislature and was angry to see that the “ skin-in-the-game ” provision wasn ’ t applied equally .
“ It ’ s wrong of us as a legislature to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subjected to a kind of liability , of financial risk , and the state ’ s not willing to incur that same risk or follow that same standard , ” said Gardner , who voted for the bill .
“ It ’ s wrong.
” Denise Maes , the public policy director for the ACLU of Colorado and a chief crafter of S.B .
217 , said proponents of the bill were trying to find a balance that set the right level of liability for officers and would help make victims whole .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy.
” Omitting state-employed officers – a list that also includes campus police , wildlife officers , revenue agents , and attorney general investigators – was an effort to “ not do too much , ” Maes said .
“ There was to be a fiscal note associated with the state patrol and state officers with an amount that was a bit more than the sponsors could swallow , ” Maes said .
“ We were OK with letting it go ( keeping state officers out of the personal liability portion of S.B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for the most interaction between the community and law enforcement , and that clearly is the sheriff and the local police officer.
” Several members of the law enforcement community are steamed that money was behind it all .
“ It was going to cost the state too much money , the liability was too much and it would have sabotaged the bill to keep it in .
Nothing costing the state money was going to pass , ” said Tom Raynes , executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys ’ Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job , the same ethical code , the same professional code , but they ’ re being treated differently ; you can ’ t include one and not the other.
” A spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol said the agency had no comment on the bill , its provisions or its impact .
The costs to municipalities to comply with S.B .
217 would be large no matter whether state-employed officers were included .
Body cameras will need to be worn by all officers – the state agencies included – within two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that videotape must be made by then as well .
“ When legislation is shot out of a canon like this , it takes some time to iron out and see what it means going forward , ” said Kevin Bommer , the executive director of the Colorado Municipal League .
“ How is a deputy ’ s job substantially different than a corrections officer at the state level ?
It makes no sense to me .
Our focus isn ’ t to say it ’ s not fair .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and make future overtures … for discussions of clean-up and reform .
”

Colorado’s new police reform law was heralded as one of the most comprehensive police reform packages in the country, but it contains one key loophole, excluding hundreds of state-employed officers from facing personal liability for their actions because the potential hit to the state budget would have been too great.
The end result is a law that, according to local law enforcement officials, will be unevenly applied in order to protect the state from costs from the anticipated increased litigation the law will spur.
“We’re very supportive of accountability and transparency, and think when the Legislature considers the costs for any bill to the state, they also need to pay attention to that same cost to the local governments,” said Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, who testified about Senate Bill 217 for the County Sheriffs of Colorado. “What’s important is that as we consider additional measures, they are considered equally and it’s applied across the board.”
At issue is a provision within S.B. 217 that opens officers personally to civil litigation and leaves them vulnerable for up to $25,000 of any judgment against them. Previously officers acting under government authority were largely immune to lawsuit awards, which taxpayers ultimately paid.
Other provisions of the law, including banning the use of chokeholds and carotid control holds, limiting when police are allowed to shoot at a fleeing person, and requiring body cameras do apply to state employees.
Concerns about including state officers began months earlier with a different bill – House Bill 1287, sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, a Delta County Republican who wanted state employees held accountable if they violated a citizen’s constitutional rights. That included state police officers.
The difficulty wasn’t the premise behind the bill, Soper said, but rather the financial hit the state would take. The final tab was about $2 million in the first year and $3.2 million in the second, according to a state fiscal note prepared for legislators. Risk management, an additional 40 claims a year for state lawyers, the costs to defend them, prisoner claims to exceed another 120 lawsuits, and the extra work on the state’s court system all figured into the tally.
Soper said Reps. Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, the Denver Democrats who sponsored the police reform bill S.B. 217, were familiar with fiscal concerns related to his bill. The two legislators supported the bill and voted against tabling it.
“Using the data from my bill, they knew from the get-go that any fiscal hit would doom their chances,” he said.
Herod said state officers were left out of the personal liability portion of her bill because it lacked support in Soper’s bill, but has not ruled out offering additional legislation to include state police.
“That portion was simply not supported,” Herod said. “Many other things were not in the bill because the support wasn’t necessarily there. We said all along it wasn’t the end-all, but it’s a great place to start.”
Sen. Robert Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, was among a group of legislators who worked to amend the bill in the Democrat-controlled legislature and was angry to see that the “skin-in-the-game” provision wasn’t applied equally.
“It’s wrong of us as a legislature to tell municipalities and counties that they are subjected to a kind of liability, of financial risk, and the state’s not willing to incur that same risk or follow that same standard,” said Gardner, who voted for the bill. “It’s wrong.”
Soper voted against S.B. 217 because it took on took on too many topics and favors bills that deal with one subject.
Denise Maes, the public policy director for the ACLU of Colorado and a chief crafter of S.B. 217, said proponents of the bill were trying to find a balance that set the right level of liability for officers and would help make victims whole. The goal was “to promote good policy.”
Omitting state-employed officers – a list that also includes campus police, wildlife officers, revenue agents, and attorney general investigators – was an effort to “not do too much,” Maes said.
“There was to be a fiscal note associated with the state patrol and state officers with an amount that was a bit more than the sponsors could swallow,” Maes said. “We were OK with letting it go (keeping state officers out of the personal liability portion of S.B. 217) because the movement was calling for the most interaction between the community and law enforcement, and that clearly is the sheriff and the local police officer.”
Several members of the law enforcement community are steamed that money was behind it all.
“It was going to cost the state too much money, the liability was too much and it would have sabotaged the bill to keep it in. Nothing costing the state money was going to pass,” said Tom Raynes, executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council. “They all have the same job, the same ethical code, the same professional code, but they’re being treated differently; you can’t include one and not the other.”
A spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol said the agency had no comment on the bill, its provisions or its impact.
The costs to municipalities to comply with S.B. 217 would be large no matter whether state-employed officers were included. Body cameras will need to be worn by all officers – the state agencies included – within two years and provisions to store all of that videotape must be made by then as well.
“When legislation is shot out of a canon like this, it takes some time to iron out and see what it means going forward,” said Kevin Bommer, the executive director of the Colorado Municipal League. “How is a deputy’s job substantially different than a corrections officer at the state level? It makes no sense to me. Our focus isn’t to say it’s not fair. We’re working to understand how to implement the law and make future overtures … for discussions of clean-up and reform.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Can Jared Bednar lead Avalanche to a Stanley Cup? Players from his first championship team have no d

Can Jared Bednar lead Avalanche to a Stanley Cup? Players from his first championship team have no doubt.

The first team Jared Bednar coached to a championship is gathered around a television inside a South Carolina beach house where grainy hockey video plays on the screen .
They ’ re re-watching Game 7 of the 2009 Kelly Cup finals — a 4-2 South Carolina Stingrays victory over the Alaska Aces that sparked Bednar ’ s coaching journey from the East Coast Hockey League to the NHL .
Initial proof for the Colorado Avalanche that Bedar might lead their franchise to the Stanley Cup .
“ We threw in the video and I bet we watched it no less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Matt Scherer , a former Stingrays forward ( 2007-12 ) , in reference to a 2019 team reunion .
“ We usually get to see Bedsy about once a year .
He ’ ll have a hangout weekend for all of the hockey guys during the summer .
Everybody tells the same old stories .
It ’ s awesome.
” The Avalanche awaits Game 4 against the Dallas Stars in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs , and if you ask Bednar , his rise to prominence as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen without the Stingrays .
“ The opportunity the ECHL gave me made that possible , ” Bednar said in January during his ECHL Hall of Fame induction speech .
Bednar ’ s South Carolina roots run deep .
In 1995 , as an ECHL defenseman , he was traded from the Huntington Blizzard to the Stingrays and played there for six seasons .
He still owns a home in Charleston .
Bednar embarked on his coaching journey in 2002 as a Stingrays assistant .
Five years later , they promoted him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a fearless and physical defender .
That aura carried over to the bench .
“ It was not lost on the players that he was a super-tough guy , ” Scherer said .
“ He was the sheriff.
” However , as the Stingrays made their climb through the 2009 ECHL playoffs , the nuance of Bednar ’ s coaching style blossomed from adversity .
South Carolina opened its first-round series with two losses against the Charlotte Checkers .
Things got worse .
In Game 3 , the Stingrays trailed 2-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bubbled over .
“ We come into the intermission and guys are hot .
They ’ re yelling .
It could be all over , ” said Johann Kroll , a former Stingrays defenseman ( 2008-12 ) .
“ Bedsy never really needed to raise his voice.
” Bednar ’ s calming influence , the same coolness Avalanche players have praised , produced focus and renewed energy .
The Stingrays rallied for a 4-2 victory .
“ Watching him coach , how he carried himself with the calm demeanor and no panic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took away , ” said Spencer Carbery , a former Stingrays forward ( 2008-10 ) , and current head coach of the Washington Capitals ’ AHL affiliate , the Hershey Bears .
“ Giving that off to the players is such an important element as a head coach .
I want them to have that same feeling that I had about Bedsy.
” Kroll , a financial adviser who lives in Charleston , added : “ Bedsy was always very honest .
If you weren ’ t playing the way he wanted you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , and the specifics .
I really appreciated that .
Later in my career , sometimes you didn ’ t know exactly where you stood .
But you always knew with Bedsy.
” The Stingrays kept their ‘ 09 playoff momentum rolling and reached the finals against Alaska , with an opportunity to win the Kelly Cup in Game 5 at home .
Instead , South Carolina dropped two straight , and the prospect of winning Game 7 in Anchorage didn ’ t appear likely .
“ Guys were hanging their heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the championship game , Bednar canceled practice .
He called for a team meeting .
Players gathered in their hotel lobby and were confused when Bednar asked them to walk outside .
The Stingrays went down the block to a local baseball field where Bednar asked them to sit on the bleachers .
Players said his message was brief : There ’ s nothing we don ’ t know about this team .
We don ’ t even need to watch video today .
You know that we ’ re the better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy that you don ’ t want to let down , ” Carbery said .
“ As a player , you want to do what ’ s asked of you and more .
I think that ’ s probably the best compliment I could pay him .
You want to find a way to get the job done for him because of who he was as a person and how he treated you.
” Kroll described Game 7 as a “ dogfight ” with both teams exhausted after commercial flights back and forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalies from the Game 6 loss and sat two high-prospect defensemen for ECHL lifers .
His chess moves worked .
“ It ’ s an unbelievable feeling , ” Bednar told the Charleston Post and Courier in 2009 after the Stingrays ’ 4-2 victory in Game 7 .
“ I am so proud of these guys for buying in 100 percent and laying it all on the line.
” Fast-forward to the present day .
Those who helped win Bednar ’ s first coaching championship are still in his corner with the Avalanche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all this postseason .
Plenty of washed-up Stingrays still keep in touch with their old coach .
And , they won ’ t be surprised if he ends up hoisting the Stanley Cup .
“ Watching the NHL playoffs , we ’ re fans , and I ’ d love to see them win it , ” Kroll said .
“ I ’ m not at all surprised by his continued success .
”

The first team Jared Bednar coached to a championship is gathered around a television inside a South Carolina beach house where grainy hockey video plays on the screen.
They’re re-watching Game 7 of the 2009 Kelly Cup finals — a 4-2 South Carolina Stingrays victory over the Alaska Aces that sparked Bednar’s coaching journey from the ECHL to the NHL. Initial proof for the Colorado Avalanche that Bednar might lead their franchise to the Stanley Cup.
“We threw in the video and I bet we watched it no less than 10 times in a 48-hour period,” said Matt Scherer, a former Stingrays forward (2007-12), in reference to a 2019 team reunion. “We usually get to see Bedsy about once a year. He’ll have a hangout weekend for all of the hockey guys during the summer. Everybody tells the same old stories. It’s awesome.”
The Avalanche awaits Game 4 against the Dallas Stars in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and if you ask Bednar, his rise to prominence as the Avs head coach doesn’t happen without the Stingrays. “The opportunity the ECHL gave me made that possible,” Bednar said in January during his ECHL Hall of Fame induction speech.
Bednar’s South Carolina roots run deep. In 1995, as an ECHL defenseman, he was traded from the Huntington Blizzard to the Stingrays and played there for six seasons. He still owns a home in Charleston.
Bednar embarked on his coaching journey in 2002 as a Stingrays assistant. Five years later, they promoted him to head coach. As a player, he was a fearless and physical defender. That aura carried over to the bench.
“It was not lost on the players that he was a super-tough guy,” Scherer said. “He was the sheriff.”
However, as the Stingrays made their climb through the 2009 ECHL playoffs, the nuance of Bednar’s coaching style blossomed from adversity.
South Carolina opened its first-round series with two losses against the Charlotte Checkers. Things got worse. In Game 3, the Stingrays trailed 2-0 after one period, and player frustration bubbled over.
“We come into the intermission and guys are hot. They’re yelling. It could be all over,” said Johann Kroll, a former Stingrays defenseman (2008-12). “Bedsy never really needed to raise his voice.”
Bednar’s calming influence, the same coolness Avalanche players have praised, produced focus and renewed energy. The Stingrays rallied for a 4-2 victory.
“Watching him coach, how he carried himself with the calm demeanor and no panic, that was one of the things I took away,” said Spencer Carbery, a former Stingrays forward (2008-10), and current head coach of the Washington Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. “Giving that off to the players is such an important element as a head coach. I want them to have that same feeling that I had about Bedsy.”
Kroll, a financial adviser who lives in Charleston, added: “Bedsy was always very honest. If you weren’t playing the way he wanted you to play, he would let you know, and the specifics. I really appreciated that. Later in my career, sometimes you didn’t know exactly where you stood. But you always knew with Bedsy.”
The Stingrays kept their ‘09 playoff momentum rolling and reached the finals against Alaska, with an opportunity to win the Kelly Cup in Game 5 at home. Instead, South Carolina dropped two straight, and the prospect of winning Game 7 in Anchorage didn’t appear likely.
“Guys were hanging their heads,” Scherer said.
The morning before the championship game, Bednar canceled practice. He called for a team meeting. Players gathered in their hotel lobby and were confused when Bednar asked them to walk outside.
The Stingrays went down the block to a local baseball field where Bednar asked them to sit on the bleachers. Players said his message was brief: There’s nothing we don’t know about this team. We don’t even need to watch video today. You know that we’re the better team.
“He’s a guy that you don’t want to let down,” Carbery said. “As a player, you want to do what’s asked of you and more. I think that’s probably the best compliment I could pay him. You want to find a way to get the job done for him because of who he was as a person and how he treated you.”
Kroll described Game 7 as a “dogfight” with both teams exhausted after commercial flights back and forth from Charleston to Anchorage. Bednar changed goalies from the Game 6 loss and sat two high-prospect defensemen for ECHL lifers. His chess moves worked.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Bednar told the Charleston Post and Courier in 2009 after the Stingrays’ 4-2 victory in Game 7. “I am so proud of these guys for buying in 100 percent and laying it all on the line.”
Fast-forward to the present day. Those who helped win Bednar’s first coaching championship are still in his corner with the Avalanche considered among the favorites to win it all this postseason.
Plenty of washed-up Stingrays still keep in touch with their old coach. And, they won’t be surprised if he ends up hoisting the Stanley Cup.
“Watching the NHL playoffs, we’re fans, and I’d love to see them win it,” Kroll said. “I’m not at all surprised by his continued success.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Rockies’ Nolan Arenado searches for swing amid challenging 2020 season

The key moment of Nolan Arenado ’ s 2020 season just might have come last Sunday in Los Angeles .
He arrived at Dodger Stadium stuck in one of the worst slumps of his career ; one amplified by the truncated 60-game season .
After 26 games , the Rockies ’ star third baseman was hitting .218 , with no extra-base hits on the road .
Most disconcerting , Arenado , typically one of the best clutch hitters in baseball , owned a .067 average with runners in scoring position .
Nolan was not being Nolan .
And the Rockies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was time for Arenado to take the day off .
“ With Nolan , like a lot of hitters , his timing is off , he ’ s a little jumpy in the box ; some of the things that happen to hitters , ” Black explained , adding that Arenado was missing the sweet spot and popping balls up instead of driving them into gaps or over the wall .
Black also believed that Arenado was carrying too much weight on his shoulders .
“ I think , more than anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his role on this club is to do great things , ” Black said .
“ That ’ s something he ’ s always done .
But sometimes that pressure that players put on themselves works against you.
” Understand that Arenado hates not playing .
Before the season began , he had even talked about his desire to be on the field for all 60 games .
Ultimately , however , he understood that riding the bench for one game would be a good thing in the long run .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t pick up a bat , ” Arenado said .
“ I kind of tried to stay clear of it and get away from it for a bit .
I didn ’ t swing , I stayed away and I tried to clear my head.
” What ’ s remarkable is that Arenado did not even pick up a bat !
As teammate and friend Charlie Blackmon once said , “ Sometimes , Nolan just needs a hug .
I mean , sometimes he can ’ t walk down the hallway without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing with his bat.
” The day off in Los Angeles appears to have been an elixir .
As the Rockies opened a four-game home series against San Diego on Friday , Arenado had boosted his average to .248 after going 5-for-14 during the Rockies ’ three consecutive wins at Arizona .
He notched consecutive multi-hit games for the first time this season and he went 4-for-5 with runners in scoring position after starting the season 2-for-31 .
“ Yeah , I had some good at-bats , ” he said .
“ Hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and continue to be ready to hit.
” All-star shortstop Trevor Story chuckled at the idea that Arenado ’ s slump will linger or the notion that Arenado needs to make major changes to how he approaches baseball .
“ He ’ s one of the best players in the game and he holds himself to a high standard , ” Story said .
“ His standard of working and preparing is second to nobody .
He hasn ’ t played as well as he wanted to start the season , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the clubhouse or prevented him from being a friend or being a good teammate .
“ He ’ s been there , he ’ s been present .
So props to him for that .
Baseball is a tough game and everybody struggles at some point , but I think his leadership is incredible and I ’ m proud to call him a teammate .
There is nobody I would rather play with.
” Still , Arenado ’ s self-induced pressure ratcheted up this year , and not just because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoffs .
His lucrative contract and his future in Colorado remain issues , even if they are on the backburner right now .
A tumultuous relationship between Arenado and Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich boiled over during the offseason even though Arenado had signed an eight-year , $ 260-million contract in February 2019 .
Arenado had publically expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the team after the Rockies finished 71-91 last season .
“ How do I evaluate this team ?
We ’ re behind , ” he told The Denver Post in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to lose close to 90-some games .
And that wasn ’ t the plan when I signed , that wasn ’ t the goal.
” Arenado can opt out of his contract after the 2021 season , which helped fuel trade rumors that began to heat up in early December at baseball ’ s winter meetings and continued to gain momentum during the offseason .
Then , after Bridich told The Post in January that he was putting the brakes on trade talks with other teams in regard to Arenado , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt “ disrespected ” by Bridich .
Spring training opened with the GM and the third baseman coexisting , albeit on chilly terms .
Then came the coronavirus pandemic and a halt to the season .
When the Rockies came back together for summer camp at Coors Field in mid-July , Arenado was in mid-season form , driving home runs deep into the seats during intrasquad games .
Though the Rockies sprinted out of the gate with an 11-3 record , Arenado struggled at the plate , hitting .185 with a .614 OPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 games .
That ’ s not what the Rockies needed , or expected , from a player , who , since 2014 , had led the major leagues in RBIs ( 682 ) and tied for the most go-ahead RBIs ( 161 ) .
Arenado , at 29 , is still seeking a more balanced approach to the game he so dearly loves .
“ There ’ s a double-edged sword , ” Black said .
“ What makes him so great is his intensity and his passion and his desire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against you.
” Black said he ’ s told Arenado many times to “ exhale and relax and have fun.
” “ I ’ ve told him , ‘ You ’ re still going to play with an energy and a passion and a strong will … relaxing a bit is not going to hurt you , ’ ” Black said .
“ Other coaches have had conversations with him .
“ But this is just how he is wired .
It ’ s how he ’ s built .
The desire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homer guy , a five-time all-star , and a perennial Gold Glover and Silver Slugger .
So it ’ s hard to change that type of will.
” Rockies corner infielder Josh Fuentes , Arenado ’ s first cousin , was called up to the big-league club Aug. 20 and made two starts at first base in Arizona .
Fuentes said he has no desire to change his cousin , but he does try to take his edge off .
“ I definitely try to keep it light around Nolan , ” Fuentes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make Nolan laugh.
” Arenado said he “ cherishes ” the time he spends on the field with Fuentes , whom Arenado sees as his kid brother .
And he was thrilled to see his cousin across the diamond from him in Arizona .
The fact that Arenado busted out against the Diamondback with Fuentes joining him in the starting lineup is probably just coincidence .
But Fuentes does try to put the game in perspective .
“ Nolan will come up to me and talk about the pitchers and about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So I ’ ll listen and try to help .
But he has so many people talking to him about the game , I want to be someone he can come to and be himself .
“ And that ’ s the biggest thing about baseball .
Just be yourself , have fun and go play .
”

The key moment of Nolan Arenado’s 2020 season just might have come last Sunday in Los Angeles.
He arrived at Dodger Stadium stuck in one of the worst slumps of his career; one amplified by the truncated 60-game season.
After 26 games, the Rockies’ star third baseman was hitting .218, with no extra-base hits on the road. Most disconcerting, Arenado, typically one of the best clutch hitters in baseball, owned a .067 average with runners in scoring position.
Nolan was not being Nolan. And the Rockies were floundering.
Manager Bud Black decided it was time for Arenado to take the day off.
“With Nolan, like a lot of hitters, his timing is off, he’s a little jumpy in the box; some of the things that happen to hitters,” Black explained, adding that Arenado was missing the sweet spot and popping balls up instead of driving them into gaps or over the wall.
Black also believed that Arenado was carrying too much weight on his shoulders.
“I think, more than anything, Nolan feels that, personally, his role on this club is to do great things,” Black said. “That’s something he’s always done. But sometimes that pressure that players put on themselves works against you.”
Understand that Arenado hates not playing. Before the season began, he had even talked about his desire to be on the field for all 60 games. Ultimately, however, he understood that riding the bench for one game would be a good thing in the long run.
“The day off in L.A., I didn’t pick up a bat,” Arenado said. “I kind of tried to stay clear of it and get away from it for a bit. I didn’t swing, I stayed away and I tried to clear my head.”
What’s remarkable is that Arenado did not even pick up a bat! As teammate and friend Charlie Blackmon once said, “Sometimes, Nolan just needs a hug. I mean, sometimes he can’t walk down the hallway without stopping three times to take a dry swing with his bat.”
Under pressure Going into the 2020 season, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado led the majors in RBIs (682) and was tied for the most go-ahead RBIs (161) since 2014. That production has declined dramatically midway through the abbreviated 60-game season, although Arenado bounced back with three go-ahead RBIs and two game-winning RBIs this week against Arizona. Here’s a look at the numbers heading into Colorado’s weekend series against the Padres: Year GA RBIs GW RBIs RISP BA OPS 2013 15 9 .248 .706 2014 16 8 .281 .828 2015 30 17 .373 .898 2016 31 22 .356 .932 2017 32 22 .385 .959 2018 30 13 .317 .935 2019 22 8 .329 .962 2020 6 2 .167 .776
The day off in Los Angeles appears to have been an elixir.
As the Rockies opened a four-game home series against San Diego on Friday, Arenado had boosted his average to .248 after going 5-for-14 during the Rockies’ three consecutive wins at Arizona. He notched consecutive multi-hit games for the first time this season and he went 4-for-5 with runners in scoring position after starting the season 2-for-31.
“Yeah, I had some good at-bats,” he said. “Hopefully, I continue to have good at-bats and continue to be ready to hit.”
All-star shortstop Trevor Story chuckled at the idea that Arenado’s slump will linger or the notion that Arenado needs to make major changes to how he approaches baseball.
“He’s one of the best players in the game and he holds himself to a high standard,” Story said. “His standard of working and preparing is second to nobody. He hasn’t played as well as he wanted to start the season, but he hasn’t let that affect him in the clubhouse or prevented him from being a friend or being a good teammate.
“He’s been there, he’s been present. So props to him for that. Baseball is a tough game and everybody struggles at some point, but I think his leadership is incredible and I’m proud to call him a teammate. There is nobody I would rather play with.”
Still, Arenado’s self-induced pressure ratcheted up this year, and not just because of the 60-game sprint to try and make the playoffs. His lucrative contract and his future in Colorado remain issues, even if they are on the backburner right now.
A tumultuous relationship between Arenado and Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich boiled over during the offseason even though Arenado had signed an eight-year, $260-million contract in February 2019. Arenado had publically expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the team after the Rockies finished 71-91 last season.
“How do I evaluate this team? We’re behind,” he told The Denver Post in mid-September last year. “We’re going to lose close to 90-some games. And that wasn’t the plan when I signed, that wasn’t the goal.”
Arenado can opt out of his contract after the 2021 season, which helped fuel trade rumors that began to heat up in early December at baseball’s winter meetings and continued to gain momentum during the offseason. Then, after Bridich told The Post in January that he was putting the brakes on trade talks with other teams in regard to Arenado, the third baseman responded, saying he felt “disrespected” by Bridich.
Spring training opened with the GM and the third baseman coexisting, albeit on chilly terms. Then came the coronavirus pandemic and a halt to the season. When the Rockies came back together for summer camp at Coors Field in mid-July, Arenado was in mid-season form, driving home runs deep into the seats during intrasquad games.
Though the Rockies sprinted out of the gate with an 11-3 record, Arenado struggled at the plate, hitting .185 with a .614 OPS and only five RBIs in his first 14 games. That’s not what the Rockies needed, or expected, from a player, who, since 2014, had led the major leagues in RBIs (682) and tied for the most go-ahead RBIs (161).
Arenado, at 29, is still seeking a more balanced approach to the game he so dearly loves.
“There’s a double-edged sword,” Black said. “What makes him so great is his intensity and his passion and his desire to perform. At times that can work against you.”
Black said he’s told Arenado many times to “exhale and relax and have fun.”
“I’ve told him, ‘You’re still going to play with an energy and a passion and a strong will … relaxing a bit is not going to hurt you,’ ” Black said. “Other coaches have had conversations with him.
“But this is just how he is wired. It’s how he’s built. The desire and want-to are what makes him a 40-plus homer guy, a five-time all-star, and a perennial Gold Glover and Silver Slugger. So it’s hard to change that type of will.”
Rockies corner infielder Josh Fuentes, Arenado’s first cousin, was called up to the big-league club Aug. 20 and made two starts at first base in Arizona. Fuentes said he has no desire to change his cousin, but he does try to take his edge off.
“I definitely try to keep it light around Nolan,” Fuentes said. “My whole thing is to make Nolan laugh.”
Arenado said he “cherishes” the time he spends on the field with Fuentes, whom Arenado sees as his kid brother. And he was thrilled to see his cousin across the diamond from him in Arizona.
The fact that Arenado busted out against the Diamondback with Fuentes joining him in the starting lineup is probably just coincidence. But Fuentes does try to put the game in perspective.
“Nolan will come up to me and talk about the pitchers and about how he felt,” Fuentes said. “So I’ll listen and try to help. But he has so many people talking to him about the game, I want to be someone he can come to and be himself.
“And that’s the biggest thing about baseball. Just be yourself, have fun and go play.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Yes on Amendment B: The Gallagher Amendment is unworkable, inflexible and ready for repeal

Let ’ s talk for a moment about the good , the bad and the really bad of The Gallagher Amendment .
First , the good .
As the values of homes , particularly on Colorado ’ s Front Range , have exploded , the Gallagher Amendment has naturally pumped the breaks on the commiserate property tax increases that go along with the increased assessed value of those homes .
The amendment requires that residential property not account for any more than 45 % of the revenue generated by property tax in the whole state of Colorado .
Because in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial property values , the taxation rate for residential property has been ratcheted down .
The effect has been a lower tax rate for homeowners which has helped to soften the blow of the tax increases incurred by the growth in property value .
The ratchet has been fairly drastic .
When Colorado voters put The Gallagher Amendment into place in 1982 the assessment rate for residential property was 29 % .
Today the rate is 7.2 % , and unless voters repeal the amendment it will likely drop another percentage point or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 6 % .
Which brings us to the bad .
Not all jurisdictions have seen the exploding property tax values that have justified the lower tax rate .
So while overall property tax collections in the state have increased by 53 % in the last 5 years , in some areas , the amendment has actually resulted in lower tax revenue for rural Colorado cities , counties , fire districts , schools , etc .
The state backfills the school districts when their revenues don ’ t equal state-wide averages , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state money to help offset the residential property rate reduction .
This could mean cuts to services in this time of crisis .
How big are the cuts going to be ?
Current estimates say the state could be forced to backfill schools as much as $ 450 million in the next fiscal year if voters don ’ t pass Amendment B and stop the large tax rate reduction .
Rural cities , counties and special taxing districts could be devastated .
“ I ’ m from rural Western Colorado and Gallagher has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rep. Matt Soper , R-Delta , told The Editorial Board last week .
“ A good example would be the Plateau Valley Health Clinic , which is actually a special district hospital .
They are almost entirely funded from their mill , and they have had a good payer mix over the last couple of years from oil and gas , but oil and gas has now left that part of the state and they are very worried what the future looks like .
And here ’ s the reality they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ask for a mill increase which means higher taxes on rural Colorado.
” Soper is one of four sponsors of the bill at the Colorado General Assembly to put the question on the ballot .
The others are Rep. Daneya Esgar , D-Pueblo , Sen. Jack Tate , R-Centennial , and Sen. Chris Hansen , D-Denver .
The bill passed with broad bipartisan support too with 74 out of 100 lawmakers supporting asking voters to repeal the amendment .
Why is there such a mix of urban , suburban , rural , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The answer is the really bad part .
When small and rural jurisdictions get hit hard by a drop in property tax rates , they go to voters to have them increase the local mill levy .
If the voters say no , then services get cut .
If the voters say yes , the burden for that tax increase disproportionately hits businesses large and small .
That ’ s because while the residential tax assessment rate has gone down , the commercial property tax rate has stayed at 29 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local tax rate ) really hurts businesses , many of whom are on the cusp already as they wait for the economy to rebound following coronavirus lockdowns .
We understand Colorado taxpayers my feel nervous about ceding a powerful tool that has kept property taxes relatively low in Colorado compared to other states .
However , the unintended double whammy on businesses at this juncture in history is untenable .
We urge voters to support Amendment B .
And we can all take solace and comfort in the fact that lawmakers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment rate without a vote of the people because the Taxpayer ’ s Bill of Rights is very much still intact .
Any increase in assessment rate and any increase in local mill levy will still come before Colorado voters for approval , and that is a strong check on Colorado ’ s tax burden .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Editor’s note: This represents the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board, which is separate from the paper’s news operation.
Let’s talk for a moment about the good, the bad and the really bad of The Gallagher Amendment.
First, the good. As the values of homes, particularly on Colorado’s Front Range, have exploded, the Gallagher Amendment has naturally pumped the brakes on the commensurate property tax increases that go along with the increased assessed value of those homes.
The amendment requires that residential property not account for any more than 45% of the revenue generated by property tax in the whole state of Colorado. Because in the past decade residential values have out-stripped commercial property values, the taxation rate for residential property has been ratcheted down.
The effect has been a lower tax rate for homeowners which has helped to soften the blow of the tax increases incurred by the growth in property value.
The ratchet has been fairly drastic. When Colorado voters put The Gallagher Amendment into place in 1982 the assessment rate for residential property was 29%. Today the rate is 7.2%, and unless voters repeal the amendment it will likely drop another percentage point or two in the next year to less than 6%.
Which brings us to the bad. Not all jurisdictions have seen the exploding property tax values that have justified the lower tax rate. So while overall property tax collections in the state have increased by 53% in the last 5 years, in some areas, the amendment has actually resulted in lower tax revenue for rural Colorado cities, counties, fire districts, schools, etc.
The state backfills the school districts when their revenues don’t equal state-wide averages, but none of those other taxing districts get state money to help offset the residential property rate reduction. This could mean cuts to services in this time of crisis.
How big are the cuts going to be?
Current estimates say the state could be forced to backfill schools as much as $450 million in the next fiscal year if voters don’t pass Amendment B and stop the large tax rate reduction. Rural cities, counties and special taxing districts could be devastated.
“I’m from rural Western Colorado and Gallagher has definitely disproportionately affected us out here,” Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, told The Editorial Board last week. “A good example would be the Plateau Valley Health Clinic, which is actually a special district hospital. They are almost entirely funded from their mill, and they have had a good payer mix over the last couple of years from oil and gas, but oil and gas has now left that part of the state and they are very worried what the future looks like. And here’s the reality they are going to go back to the voters and ask for a mill increase which means higher taxes on rural Colorado.”
Soper is one of four sponsors of the bill at the Colorado General Assembly to put the question on the ballot. The others are Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, Sen. Jack Tate, R-Centennial, and Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support too with 74 out of 100 lawmakers supporting asking voters to repeal the amendment.
Why is there such a mix of urban, suburban, rural, Republican and Democratic support for this measure?
The answer is the really bad part.
When small and rural jurisdictions get hit hard by a drop in property tax rates, they go to voters to have them increase the local mill levy. If the voters say no, then services get cut. If the voters say yes, the burden for that tax increase disproportionately hits businesses large and small. That’s because while the residential tax assessment rate has gone down, the commercial property tax rate has stayed at 29%. An increase in the mill levy (the local tax rate) really hurts businesses, many of whom are on the cusp already as they wait for the economy to rebound following coronavirus lockdowns.
We understand Colorado taxpayers my feel nervous about ceding a powerful tool that has kept property taxes relatively low in Colorado compared to other states. However, the unintended double whammy on businesses at this juncture in history is untenable. We urge voters to support Amendment B.
And we can all take solace and comfort in the fact that lawmakers cannot ever increase the state property tax assessment rate without a vote of the people because the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights is very much still intact. Any increase in assessment rate and any increase in local mill levy will still come before Colorado voters for approval, and that is a strong check on Colorado’s tax burden.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-08-31--PHOTOS: Denver-Aurora March Against Racism & Police Violence

The Grizzly Creek fire grew overnight Monday to 32,060 acres , 50 square miles , but fire crews were able @ @ @ @ @ up to 44 % Tuesday morning from 33 % the day before .
Denver Post @ @ @ @ @ these images during a flight for aerial photography on Monday , August 24 , 2020 @

Eli Imadali, Special to The Denver Post
A man named Charles, who declined to give his last name, raises his fist at the front of the March Against Racism & Police Violence from Aurora to Denver on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020.


thedenverpost--2020-08-31--Rockies acquire right-hander reliever Mychal Givens to bolster back of bullpen

In a move designed to prop up its bullpen for a possible playoff run , the Rockies on Sunday acquired veteran right-hander Mychal Givens from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for prospects Tyler Nevin and Terrin Vavra , plus a player to be named later , the Rockies announced .
Givens , 30 , the Orioles ’ second-round pick in 2009 as a shortstop , was converted to a pitcher and arrived in the majors in late 2015 to join the Baltimore bullpen .
He is effective against right-handed batters and throws a 96-98 mph fastball , complemented by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proven big-league relief pitcher who will definitely help us , ” manager Bud Black said Sunday after San Diego beat the Rockies 13-2 , scoring eight runs and hitting four home runs off the bullpen .
“ We ’ re excited to have him .
I know the guys in the clubhouse were excited to see the name .
He ’ s a good one .
We ’ ll use him in the back end of the game to help us win .
He ’ s done that in the past.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the East Coast , there is a chance he would be available to pitch for the Rockies Monday night against the Padres at Coors Field .
Givens , who ’ s had up-and-down seasons with the Orioles and spent some time as a closer , has not had a save chance in 2020 , but has been used as a set-up man .
He ’ s been very effective in that role , allowing only two runs in 13 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 1.000 WHIP .
In his career with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 3.32 ERA , 129 walks and 406 strikeouts across 296 appearances .
“ This isn ’ t the first time that we ’ ve actually asked on Mychal Givens over the past few years , ” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said .
“ What he has done in the past fits into our ( plans for ) later innings .
There ’ s a lot of experience there , a lot of production .
“ The numbers , everybody can see .
But the way that he does it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanics , which is intriguing here ( in Colorado ) .
We ’ re excited to bring this caliber of a pitcher into the fold .
The fact he is around at least through next year for us was a factor as well in terms of desire for his services.
” The Rockies lost right-hander Scott Oberg , their best reliever , for the season because of blood clots in his right arm .
And veteran closer Wade Davis , coming off a bad 2019 season , remains on the injured list with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relievers have performed well this season , most notably right-hander Daniel Bard , Colorado ’ s bullpen had an overall ERA of 5.81 entering Sunday afternoon ’ s game .
Nevin , 23 , a first-round pick ( 38th overall ) by the Rockies in 2015 and the son of former major leaguer Phil Nevin , has a career .286/.362/.441 in five minor league seasons playing first base , third base and left field .
Vavra , 23 , has played primarily shortstop .
He was named the South Atlantic League MVP with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 79 runs scored , 10 home runs , 32 doubles , one triple and 52 RBIs .
Vavra was selected by Colorado in the third round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Minnesota .
“ I don ’ t know what the other offers were from other teams , ” Bridich said when asked about giving up two highly-rated prospects .
“ I do know that ( Givens ) was popular in terms of this ( trade ) deadline .
You add an all-star type of pitcher , generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high premium.
” Marquez , Colorado ’ s opening-day starter , needs to start pitching like a No .
1 .
He ’ s coming off a so-so performance at Arizona — three runs on six hits over five innings .
In the start prior to that , he got rocked for 10 runs on 10 hits over five innings .
Marquez is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in three starts at home this season .
He is 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA in five games ( four starts ) vs. the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something of an emergency starter , as his last start came during a doubleheader Thursday against the Mariners .
He gave up six runs on four hits and two walks while striking out none over two-thirds of an inning .
Richards threw only 17 of his 33 pitches for strikes and gave up a pair of home runs .
Trending : Raimel Tapia went 2-for-5 Sunday from the leadoff spot .
After starting the season 2-for-16 at the plate , he ’ s started 16 of the Rockies ’ last 17 games since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double , two triples and seven RBIs .
At issue : Right-handed reliever Jairo Dias saw his ERA rise to 4.97 after giving up two runs on three hits in one inning Sunday .
Right-handers are batting .464 against him ( 13-for-28 ) .
Pitching Probables Tuesday : Giants RHP Kevin Gausman ( 1-2 , 4.54 ) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray ( 2-3 , 5.45 ) , 6:40 p.m. , ATTRM Wednesday : Giants RHP Logan Webb ( 2-3 , 4.75 ) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland ( 2-1 , 3.43 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Off

In a move designed to prop up its bullpen for a possible playoff run, the Rockies on Sunday acquired veteran right-hander Mychal Givens from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for prospects Tyler Nevin and Terrin Vavra, plus a player to be named later, the Rockies announced.
Givens, 30, the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2009 as a shortstop, was converted to a pitcher and arrived in the majors in late 2015 to join the Baltimore bullpen. He is effective against right-handed batters and throws a 96-98 mph fastball, complemented by a hard slider.
“He’s a proven big-league relief pitcher who will definitely help us,” manager Bud Black said Sunday after San Diego beat the Rockies 13-2, scoring eight runs and hitting four home runs off the bullpen. “We’re excited to have him. I know the guys in the clubhouse were excited to see the name. He’s a good one. We’ll use him in the back end of the game to help us win. He’s done that in the past.”
Though Givens faces a long travel day from the East Coast, there is a chance he would be available to pitch for the Rockies Monday night against the Padres at Coors Field.
Givens, who’s had up-and-down seasons with the Orioles and spent some time as a closer, has not had a save chance in 2020, but has been used as a set-up man. He’s been very effective in that role, allowing only two runs in 13 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 1.000 WHIP. In his career with the Orioles, Givens is 20-17 with a 3.32 ERA, 129 walks and 406 strikeouts across 296 appearances.
“This isn’t the first time that we’ve actually asked on Mychal Givens over the past few years,” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said. “What he has done in the past fits into our (plans for) later innings. There’s a lot of experience there, a lot of production.
“The numbers, everybody can see. But the way that he does it is a little bit different in terms of his mechanics, which is intriguing here (in Colorado). We’re excited to bring this caliber of a pitcher into the fold. The fact he is around at least through next year for us was a factor as well in terms of desire for his services.”
The Rockies lost right-hander Scott Oberg, their best reliever, for the season because of blood clots in his right arm. And veteran closer Wade Davis, coming off a bad 2019 season, remains on the injured list with a strained right shoulder. While some relievers have performed well this season, most notably right-hander Daniel Bard, Colorado’s bullpen had an overall ERA of 5.81 entering Sunday afternoon’s game.
Nevin, 23, a first-round pick (38th overall) by the Rockies in 2015 and the son of former major leaguer Phil Nevin, has a career .286/.362/.441 in five minor league seasons playing first base, third base and left field.
Vavra, 23, has played primarily shortstop. He was named the South Atlantic League MVP with low-A Asheville last season after hitting .318 with 79 runs scored, 10 home runs, 32 doubles, one triple and 52 RBIs. Vavra was selected by Colorado in the third round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Minnesota.
“I don’t know what the other offers were from other teams,” Bridich said when asked about giving up two highly-rated prospects. “I do know that (Givens) was popular in terms of this (trade) deadline. You add an all-star type of pitcher, generally, you’ve got to pay a high premium.”
On Deck
Padres RHP Garrett Richards (1-2, 5.17 ERA) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (2-4, 4.50)
7:40 p.m. Monday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet, ESPN
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Marquez, Colorado’s opening-day starter, needs to start pitching like a No. 1. He’s coming off a so-so performance at Arizona — three runs on six hits over five innings. In the start prior to that, he got rocked for 10 runs on 10 hits over five innings. Marquez is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in three starts at home this season. He is 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA in five games (four starts) vs. the Padres at Coors Field. Richards is something of an emergency starter, as his last start came during a doubleheader Thursday against the Mariners. He gave up six runs on four hits and two walks while striking out none over two-thirds of an inning. Richards threw only 17 of his 33 pitches for strikes and gave up a pair of home runs.
Trending: Raimel Tapia went 2-for-5 Sunday from the leadoff spot. After starting the season 2-for-16 at the plate, he’s started 16 of the Rockies’ last 17 games since Aug. 11, slashing .361/.466/.443 with a double, two triples and seven RBIs.
At issue: Right-handed reliever Jairo Dias saw his ERA rise to 4.97 after giving up two runs on three hits in one inning Sunday. Right-handers are batting .464 against him (13-for-28).
Pitching Probables
Tuesday: Giants RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.54) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (2-3, 5.45), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Giants RHP Logan Webb (2-3, 4.75) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-1, 3.43), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Off


thedenverpost--2020-08-31--Stars put Avalanche game away from elimination with pair of offensive outbursts

Two brief stretches buried the Avalanche on Sunday .
Impressively rallying from a horrible first period and 3-0 deficit , the Avs scored the only two goals of the second period and had all the momentum .
Then , beginning with Tyson Jost ’ s tripping penalty 5:32 into the third period , the roof caved in — just like it had within five minutes of the first period — and the Dallas Stars again owned the Avs in Edmonton .
The Stars emerged 5-4 winners in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series to take a commanding 3-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advance to the conference finals with a victory in Monday ’ s Game 5 at Rogers Place .
The Avs scored the last two goals of the game , but the latter came with just 3.6 seconds remaining .
“ It just feels like they score in bunches right now .
They ’ re very opportunistic , ” Avs center Nathan MacKinnon said of the StarS .
“ Obviously , some of that ’ s on us .
When they get one they get two or three right now .
We got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , the series isn ’ t over .
We ’ re going to be ready for Game 5.
” Trailing 3-2 but having dominated the second period and early in the third , Jost tripped Stars defenseman John Klingberg against the end boards in Dallas ’ zone — 200 feet from Colorado ’ s net .
Roope Hintz scored Dallas ’ third power-play goal with two seconds remaining on Jost ’ s penalty , and on the next shift 32 seconds later , Avs star rookie defenseman Cale Makar made a rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of goalie Pavel Francouz ’ s crease , where Denis Gurianov tapped it in to extend Dallas ’ lead to 5-2 .
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin scored his second goal of the game , and the playoffs , shortly thereafter , but Colorado couldn ’ t further solve goalie Anton Khudobin until the final seconds when Vladislav Namestnikov struck .
“ We got to shake it off .
I thought we played good enough to win , ” MacKinnon said .
“ We outshot them every game but one this series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads .
We ’ ve scored plenty of goals.
” The Avalanche ’ s poor puck management in the first period led to two failed power plays and its first shot of the game came with just 94 seconds left in the frame .
The Avs stormed back to get within a goal with an excellent second period .
They outshot the Stars 17-8 and got goals from Nichushkin and Makar .
The tallies came at 13:24 and 19:34 of the frame — the latter on a 5-on-3 power play shortly after Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessed penalties at 19:23 .
Makar , who took a cross-crease pass from Nathan MacKinnon and one-timed the puck past Khudobin , assisted on Nishushkin ’ s rebound goal with a shot from the point .
Makar had a team-high five shots through two periods , and MacKinnon was unusually quiet with just one .
The NHL playoff scoring leader , however , extended his club-record playoff points streak to 12 games ; he has points in every game .
Colorado came out flat — partly because the Stars checked everything in white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hot potato against Dallas ’ blood-and-guts attack , making poor passes and far too many turnovers to create sustained possession in any area of the ice .
So their first shot on Khudobin didn ’ t occur for the first 18:26 of the game .
They finished with five shots in the first period , coming in the final 90 seconds , but Khudobin stood strong .
Dallas , meanwhile , was sharp and opportunistic in the opening frame .
It got a gritty goal in the paint at 6:18 from Klingberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed like a routine shot in his chest .
Then the Stars got power-play goals from Radek Faksa and Jamie Benn at 8:33 and 10:45 — both coming with the Avs ’ Nazem Kadri in the penalty box for roughing on Corey Perry and high-sticking on Benn .
Dallas went 2-for-2 on the power play in the first period .
The Avs also had two chances but didn ’ t produce a shot on either opportunity .

Two brief stretches buried the Avalanche on Sunday, putting its playoff hopes in dire straits.
Rallying from a horrible first period and a 3-0 deficit, the Avs got to within 3-2 heading into the third period and had all the momentum. Then, beginning with Tyson Jost’s tripping penalty 5:32 into the third, the roof caved in — just like it had within a five-minute stretch of the first period — and the Dallas Stars were again in charge in Edmonton.
The Stars emerged 5-4 winners in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Dallas can send Colorado home and advance to the conference finals with a victory in Monday’s Game 5 at Rogers Place.
The Avs, who took seven penalties and allowed three power-play goals, scored the last two goals of the game — the latter with 3.6 seconds remaining.
“It feels like they score in bunches right now. They’re very opportunistic,” Avs center Nathan MacKinnon said. “Obviously, some of that’s on us. When they get one, they get two or three right now. We got to limit that. You know, the series isn’t over. We’re going to be ready for Game 5.”
Trailing 3-2 but having dominated the second period and early play in the third, Jost tripped Stars defenseman John Klingberg against the end boards in Dallas’ zone — 200 feet from Colorado’s net. Roope Hintz scored Dallas’ third power-play goal with two seconds remaining on Jost’s penalty. On the next shift 32 seconds later, Avs star rookie defenseman Cale Makar made a rare turnover and inadvertently placed the puck at the top of goalie Pavel Francouz’s crease, where Denis Gurianov tapped it in to extend Dallas’ lead to 5-2.
Francouz, who seemed to struggle most of the game, was pulled for third-string goalie Michael Hutchinson at that point.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin scored his second goal of the game, and the playoffs, shortly thereafter, but Colorado couldn’t further solve goalie Anton Khudobin until the final seconds when Vladislav Namestnikov struck.
“We got to shake it off. I thought we played good enough to win,” MacKinnon said. “We outshot them every game but one this series. We’ve had lots of leads. We’ve scored plenty of goals.”
The Avalanche’s poor puck management in the first period led to two failed power plays and its first shot came with just 94 seconds left in the frame. By then they trailed 3-0.
The Avs stormed back to get within a goal with an excellent second period. They outshot the Stars 17-8 and got goals from Nichushkin and Makar. The tallies came at 13:24 and 19:34 — the latter on a 5-on-3 power play shortly after Dallas’ Jamie Oleksiak and Blake Comeau were assessed penalties at 19:23.
Makar, who took a cross-crease pass from MacKinnon and one-timed the puck past Khudobin, assisted on Nishushkin’s rebound goal with a shot from the point. Makar had a team-high five shots through two periods, and MacKinnon was unusually quiet with just one.
Colorado came out flat — partly because the Stars checked everything in white. The Avs played the puck like a hot potato against Dallas’ blood-and-guts attack, making poor passes and far too many turnovers to create sustained possession in any area of the ice. Their first shot on Khudobin didn’t occur for the first 18:26 of the game. They finished with five shots in the first period, coming in the final 90 seconds, but Khudobin stood strong.
Dallas, meanwhile, was sharp and opportunistic in the opening frame. It got a gritty goal in the paint at 6:18 from Klingberg after Francouz couldn’t smother what seemed like a routine shot in his chest. Then the Stars got power-play goals from Radek Faksa and Jamie Benn at 8:33 and 10:45 — both coming with the Avs’ Nazem Kadri in the penalty box, the first for roughing on Corey Perry and the second for high-sticking on Benn.
Dallas finished 3-of-6 on the power play.
“It’s the penalties that we’re taking and their power play is feeding their offense and their energy right now,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “We take a couple penalties early and they capitalize on them.”
He added: “I give our team credit for battling back and scratching and clawing through the second period, but, I say it all the time — catch up hockey is losing hockey. We got to have a better start than that and (fewer) penalties.
“They’re too dangerous. We got to stay out of the box.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-31--United Airlines says it will drop widely scorned ticket-change fees

United Airlines says it listened to customers and is dropping an unpopular $ 200 fee for most people who change a ticket for travel within the United States .
“ When we hear from customers about where we can improve , getting rid of fees is often the top request , ” United CEO Scott Kirby said in a video posted Sunday .
United ’ s move will put pressure on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines to drop their change fees , also $ 200 on domestic travel .
Delta and American said they are waiving change fees for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s end .
Southwest Airlines does not charge change fees , a policy which its CEO says has helped it gain more business .
United said that it eliminated change fees for people who buy a standard or premium economy ticket for U.S. travel .
United also said that it will extend a broad waiver of change fees — including for international travel — through Dec. 31 .
Customers who pay the lowest fares , called “ basic economy , ” can also change tickets free because of the extended waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will let customers fly standby for free on other flights the same day as their booked flight .
The moves come as United and other airlines try desperately to lure people back to flying despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. air travel has recovered modestly since April , but passenger traffic remains down about 70 % from a year ago .
The four largest U.S. airlines lost a combined $ 10 billion from April through June .
Airlines shared $ 25 billion in federal payroll aid under pandemic relief legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
United has warned 36,000 employees that they could be furloughed in October .
It received $ 5 billion in taxpayer money to keep workers on the payroll through September .
Consumer groups have long complained about the array of fees that airlines impose for things that were once part of the fare .
Change fees draw particular scorn because , critics say , they far exceed airlines ’ costs of changing or canceling tickets with a few keystrokes .
Fees on checked bags and ticket changes gained widespread use during an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , airlines have added fees on seats with more legroom , priority boarding and other amenities .
They contributed to a highly profitable run that lasted for a decade , broken only by the pandemic .
Now airlines are slashing flights and shrinking work forces to cope with the travel slump .
The United CEO acknowledged that airlines facing tough times have often “ made difficult decisions to survive , sometimes at the expense of customer service.
” Kirby said United is looking to serve customers better this time .
Since 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.5 billion in change fees .
Last year , it took in $ 625 million , third behind Delta and American , according to Transportation Department figures .
In Washington , several lawmakers have launched periodic campaigns to outlaw change fees .
In 2018 , the Senate approved a bill to prohibit “ unreasonable ” fees for changing or canceling tickets , but the measure was scuttled in negotiations with the House .
___ David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter .

United Airlines says it listened to customers and is dropping an unpopular $200 fee for most people who change a ticket for travel within the United States.
“When we hear from customers about where we can improve, getting rid of fees is often the top request,” United CEO Scott Kirby said in a video posted Sunday.
United’s move will put pressure on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines to drop their change fees, also $200 on domestic travel. Delta and American said they are waiving change fees for travel affected by the virus through the year’s end. Southwest Airlines does not charge change fees, a policy which its CEO says has helped it gain more business.
United said that it eliminated change fees for people who buy a standard or premium economy ticket for U.S. travel.
United also said that it will extend a broad waiver of change fees — including for international travel — through Dec. 31. Customers who pay the lowest fares, called “basic economy,” can also change tickets free because of the extended waiver announced Sunday.
And starting in January, it will let customers fly standby for free on other flights the same day as their booked flight.
The moves come as United and other airlines try desperately to lure people back to flying despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. U.S. air travel has recovered modestly since April, but passenger traffic remains down about 70% from a year ago.
The four largest U.S. airlines lost a combined $10 billion from April through June. Airlines shared $25 billion in federal payroll aid under pandemic relief legislation and are lobbying for $25 billion more.
United has warned 36,000 employees that they could be furloughed in October. It received $5 billion in taxpayer money to keep workers on the payroll through September.
Consumer groups have long complained about the array of fees that airlines impose for things that were once part of the fare. Change fees draw particular scorn because, critics say, they far exceed airlines’ costs of changing or canceling tickets with a few keystrokes.
Fees on checked bags and ticket changes gained widespread use during an industry downturn in 2008. Since then, airlines have added fees on seats with more legroom, priority boarding and other amenities.
They contributed to a highly profitable run that lasted for a decade, broken only by the pandemic. Now airlines are slashing flights and shrinking work forces to cope with the travel slump.
The United CEO acknowledged that airlines facing tough times have often “made difficult decisions to survive, sometimes at the expense of customer service.” Kirby said United is looking to serve customers better this time.
Since 2010, Chicago-based United has scooped up nearly $6.5 billion in change fees. Last year, it took in $625 million, third behind Delta and American, according to Transportation Department figures.
In Washington, several lawmakers have launched periodic campaigns to outlaw change fees. In 2018, the Senate approved a bill to prohibit “unreasonable” fees for changing or canceling tickets, but the measure was scuttled in negotiations with the House.
___
David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter.


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has long leveraged connections, dollars

WASHINGTON — During its search for a new postmaster general , the U.S .
Postal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates screened by an outside company .
Not on the list : Louis DeJoy , who ultimately got the job .
Instead , in what Democrats call a breach of protocol and blatant cronyism , DeJoy ’ s name was added as a contender by the board member leading the search , John Barger .
He was acting on behalf of the board ’ s chairman , Robert “ Mike ” Duncan , a former Republican National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife through work on a White House advisory group .
DeJoy , Barger and Duncan were prominent donors to President Donald Trump and other Republicans .
How exactly DeJoy was hired is among the questions Congress is trying to unravel as lawmakers scrutinize a series of operational changes at the Postal Service that have resulted in widespread mail delays and fears that the agency will not be able to handle an expected surge in mail-in ballots this fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Democrats say they also want to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Mnuchin , who met with Duncan and other Republicans on the agency ’ s board while the selection of the new postmaster general was underway .
The Trump administration denies any impropriety in the selection of DeJoy , a former supply chain CEO who is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades not to be a career postal employee .
Mnuchin has said he had no involvement , though his heightened interest in the Postal Service has raised questions given Trump ’ s focus on mail-in voting .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to DeJoy , revealing a driven businessman who turned his father ’ s trucking company into a national logistics operator , clashed with labor unions and forged political connections that eased his path into lucrative government contracting .
His prolific giving to organizations and GOP candidates , including $ 1.2 million to Trump , has also drawn a spotlight to the transactional appearance of some of his contributions .
His wife , Aldona Wos , is a prominent donor as well , and has been nominated by Trump to serve as ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The records reviewed by the AP reveal a pattern of DeJoy ’ s family winning coveted opportunities after making generous contributions .
In one instance , DeJoy ’ s son , Andrew , secured a slot on Duke University ’ s tennis team in 2014 while his parents wrote a series of large checks to the school ’ s athletic department .
The team was ranked 14th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and drew a host of top national and international prospects .
But Andrew DeJoy was not one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freshman months after the season started .
“ It was a dream of mine since I was very little , but I wasn ’ t expecting to play , ” Andrew DeJoy said in an interview published by the school ’ s athletic department in 2015 .
“ I just emailed the coach and said I was willing to work hard over the summer if there was spot .
Luckily … In the fall , things just worked out.
” In the years before Andrew DeJoy enrolled , the family ’ s foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duke .
But in 2014 they escalated their giving with a $ 737,000 contribution , according to tax records .
The money helped finance the Blue Devil Tower , a massive glass-encased addition to the school ’ s football stadium , which includes the DeJoy Family Club , a “ first-class ” banquet hall overlooking the field with space for 600 people .
During Andrew DeJoy ’ s second year on the team , his family gave another $ 462,000 to Duke .
The donations continued during the rest of his tenure at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.2 million .
Duke athletic department spokesman Art Chase declined to comment .
A representative of the family ’ s foundation did not respond to a request for comment .
It wasn ’ t the first time the family tapped its largess before receiving positions of importance .
Wos , DeJoy ’ s wife and a physician who immigrated to the U.S. from Poland , was appointed President George W. Bush ’ s ambassador to Estonia after she helped raise over $ 200,000 for his 2004 campaign .
Granting ambassadorships is a common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She donated more than $ 35,000 to Trump ’ s reelection before he announced that he would nominate her to be his next ambassador to Canada .
Louis DeJoy also saw his federal work pick up while his wife served as Bush ’ s envoy to Estonia .
Between 2003 and 2009 , his company New Breed Logistics was awarded contracts worth $ 59 million , according to federal spending data During the 2012 governor ’ s election in North Carolina , DeJoy , Wos and more than 60 employees of New Breed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 165,000 to the campaign of Republican Pat McCrory .
The donations were made at a time when contribution limits prevented individual contributors from giving more than $ 8,000 to a candidate in an election cycle .
“ They ’ ve never asked for anything for their involvement , ” said McCrory , adding that DeJoy and Wos are also generous philanthropists and “ don ’ t just write checks ” and “ put their sweat equity behind everything they do.
” Wos was selected in 2013 to serve as the head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Human Services under McCrory , where she had a rocky tenure until stepping down in 2015 .
Her time there included the troubled roll out of a new computer system , which delayed the issuance of food stamps , sent Medicaid cards containing private information to the wrong recipients and put government funding in jeopardy .
There are also questions about DeJoy ’ s relationship with labor while in the private sector , given that he now oversees an agency where many of his 650,000 workers are unionized .
New Breed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple times by federal regulators for violating labor laws .
In 1994 , the National Labor Relations Board found the company was “ motivated by anti-union animus ” when it quietly hired nonunion employees at a California facility , a finding upheld by a federal appellate court .
The company was also ordered to pay $ 22,000 in back wages to 23 workers in North Carolina in 2006 after it was cited for 40 labor and hour violations , records show .
In 2015 , a federal appellate court upheld a $ 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay to four workers who were fired after reporting sexual harassment by a supervisor in 2008 .
The company had fought the claim for years , seeking to lower the amount it was required to pay .
Though DeJoy was a Trump donor , it remains unclear exactly how he emerged as the top contender to lead the Postal Service .
Mnuchin has denied that he or other Treasury Department officials played a role in recruiting or suggesting DeJoy to the Postal Service board of governors , which is comprised of Trump appointees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York , Mnuchin that he was “ surprised ” to learn DeJoy was a finalist .
Still , Mnuchin has been keenly interested in postal operations since at least 2018 , when Trump named him to lead a task force to evaluate ways to stem billions of dollars in losses at the agency .
A December 2018 report urged removal of current price caps for mail and packages not deemed as “ essential postal services.
” David C. Williams , a former Postal Service inspector general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the board of governors in April after it became clear DeJoy would be hired , said Mnuchin was using a multibillion-dollar line of credit with the Postal Service as leverage to take effective control over labor agreements , prices and contracts with Amazon and other large shippers .
“ The Treasury was using that responsibility to make demands that I believed would turn the Postal Service into a political tool , ending its long history as an apolitical public infrastructure , ″ Williams told the Congressional Progressive Caucus at a forum last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” issued in response to Williams ’ s claims , the Treasury said it plays an important role overseeing federal loans to the Postal Service .
Outstanding loans to the agency stand at $ 14.4 billion , with $ 10 billion more in lending authority included in an economic rescue law approved by Congress in March .
That loan should be finalized in coming weeks .
In its fact sheet , the Treasury said Mnuchin ’ s dealings with the board of governors were routine and part of his obligation as the Postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S. David Fineman , a former chairman of the board of governors , described Mnuchin ’ s involvement with the service as “ unprecedented ” and said many questions remain about why drastic changes were put in place so soon after DeJoy became postmaster general .
“ You put together this piece and you put together that piece and it just doesn ’ t add up , ” Fineman said .
DeJoy “ didn ’ t strike me as a serious candidate , ” Williams said , calling DeJoy ’ s initial job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped him finish a number of sentences before he got stuck ” during one interview , Williams recalled .
Barger disputed that .
“ Louis DeJoy — after all of our interviews and our vetting and deep dives into his background — showed himself to be an uncommonly strong leader , ” he told the Los Angeles Times .
DeJoy won unanimous , bipartisan support from the board of governors when he was hired in May .
Rep. Gerald Connolly , D-Va. , said Mnuchin should testify before Congress — under subpoena if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy ’ s hiring and the operational changes .
DeJoy “ should never been hired , ” Connolly said .
“ We don ’ t need a Trump donor at the Postal Service.
” The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York .

Matthew Daly, Brian Slodysko, Anthony Izaguirre

WASHINGTON — During its search for a new postmaster general, the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates screened by an outside company. Not on the list: Louis DeJoy, who ultimately got the job.
Instead, in what Democrats call a breach of protocol and blatant cronyism, DeJoy’s name was added as a contender by the board member leading the search, John Barger. He was acting on behalf of the board’s chairman, Robert “Mike” Duncan, a former Republican National Committee chairman who knew DeJoy and his wife through work on a White House advisory group. DeJoy, Barger and Duncan were prominent donors to President Donald Trump and other Republicans.
How exactly DeJoy was hired is among the questions Congress is trying to unravel as lawmakers scrutinize a series of operational changes at the Postal Service that have resulted in widespread mail delays and fears that the agency will not be able to handle an expected surge in mail-in ballots this fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats say they also want to learn more about the role of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who met with Duncan and other Republicans on the agency’s board while the selection of the new postmaster general was underway.
The Trump administration denies any impropriety in the selection of DeJoy, a former supply chain CEO who is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades not to be a career postal employee. Mnuchin has said he had no involvement, though his heightened interest in the Postal Service has raised questions given Trump’s focus on mail-in voting.
The Associated Press reviewed hundreds of pages of records related to DeJoy, revealing a driven businessman who turned his father’s trucking company into a national logistics operator, clashed with labor unions and forged political connections that eased his path into lucrative government contracting.
His prolific giving to organizations and GOP candidates, including $1.2 million to Trump, has also drawn a spotlight to the transactional appearance of some of his contributions. His wife, Aldona Wos, is a prominent donor as well, and has been nominated by Trump to serve as ambassador to Canada; her nomination is pending.
The records reviewed by the AP reveal a pattern of DeJoy’s family winning coveted opportunities after making generous contributions.
In one instance, DeJoy’s son, Andrew, secured a slot on Duke University’s tennis team in 2014 while his parents wrote a series of large checks to the school’s athletic department.
The team was ranked 14th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and drew a host of top national and international prospects. But Andrew DeJoy was not one of them when he joined as a walk-on freshman months after the season started.
“It was a dream of mine since I was very little, but I wasn’t expecting to play,” Andrew DeJoy said in an interview published by the school’s athletic department in 2015. “I just emailed the coach and said I was willing to work hard over the summer if there was spot. Luckily … In the fall, things just worked out.”
In the years before Andrew DeJoy enrolled, the family’s foundation donated several thousand dollars a year to Duke. But in 2014 they escalated their giving with a $737,000 contribution, according to tax records. The money helped finance the Blue Devil Tower, a massive glass-encased addition to the school’s football stadium, which includes the DeJoy Family Club, a “first-class” banquet hall overlooking the field with space for 600 people.
During Andrew DeJoy’s second year on the team, his family gave another $462,000 to Duke. The donations continued during the rest of his tenure at the school, totaling at least $2.2 million.
Duke athletic department spokesman Art Chase declined to comment. A representative of the family’s foundation did not respond to a request for comment.
It wasn’t the first time the family tapped its largess before receiving positions of importance.
Wos, DeJoy’s wife and a physician who immigrated to the U.S. from Poland, was appointed President George W. Bush’s ambassador to Estonia after she helped raise over $200,000 for his 2004 campaign. Granting ambassadorships is a common way presidents reward their top donors. She donated more than $35,000 to Trump’s reelection before he announced that he would nominate her to be his next ambassador to Canada.
Louis DeJoy also saw his federal work pick up while his wife served as Bush’s envoy to Estonia. Between 2003 and 2009, his company New Breed Logistics was awarded contracts worth $59 million, according to federal spending data
During the 2012 governor’s election in North Carolina, DeJoy, Wos and more than 60 employees of New Breed from eight different states routed more than $165,000 to the campaign of Republican Pat McCrory. The donations were made at a time when contribution limits prevented individual contributors from giving more than $8,000 to a candidate in an election cycle.
“They’ve never asked for anything for their involvement,” said McCrory, adding that DeJoy and Wos are also generous philanthropists and “don’t just write checks” and “put their sweat equity behind everything they do.”
Wos was selected in 2013 to serve as the head of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services under McCrory, where she had a rocky tenure until stepping down in 2015. Her time there included the troubled roll out of a new computer system, which delayed the issuance of food stamps, sent Medicaid cards containing private information to the wrong recipients and put government funding in jeopardy.
There are also questions about DeJoy’s relationship with labor while in the private sector, given that he now oversees an agency where many of his 650,000 workers are unionized. New Breed, the company he founded, was sanctioned multiple times by federal regulators for violating labor laws.
In 1994, the National Labor Relations Board found the company was “motivated by anti-union animus” when it quietly hired nonunion employees at a California facility, a finding upheld by a federal appellate court. The company was also ordered to pay $22,000 in back wages to 23 workers in North Carolina in 2006 after it was cited for 40 labor and hour violations, records show.
In 2015, a federal appellate court upheld a $1.5 million settlement the company was ordered to pay to four workers who were fired after reporting sexual harassment by a supervisor in 2008. The company had fought the claim for years, seeking to lower the amount it was required to pay.
Though DeJoy was a Trump donor, it remains unclear exactly how he emerged as the top contender to lead the Postal Service. Mnuchin has denied that he or other Treasury Department officials played a role in recruiting or suggesting DeJoy to the Postal Service board of governors, which is comprised of Trump appointees. In an Aug. 21 letter to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Mnuchin that he was “surprised” to learn DeJoy was a finalist.
Still, Mnuchin has been keenly interested in postal operations since at least 2018, when Trump named him to lead a task force to evaluate ways to stem billions of dollars in losses at the agency. A December 2018 report urged removal of current price caps for mail and packages not deemed as “essential postal services.”
David C. Williams, a former Postal Service inspector general who said he resigned as vice chairman of the board of governors in April after it became clear DeJoy would be hired, said Mnuchin was using a multibillion-dollar line of credit with the Postal Service as leverage to take effective control over labor agreements, prices and contracts with Amazon and other large shippers.
“The Treasury was using that responsibility to make demands that I believed would turn the Postal Service into a political tool, ending its long history as an apolitical public infrastructure,″ Williams told the Congressional Progressive Caucus at a forum last week.
In a “fact sheet” issued in response to Williams’s claims, the Treasury said it plays an important role overseeing federal loans to the Postal Service. Outstanding loans to the agency stand at $14.4 billion, with $10 billion more in lending authority included in an economic rescue law approved by Congress in March. That loan should be finalized in coming weeks.
In its fact sheet, the Treasury said Mnuchin’s dealings with the board of governors were routine and part of his obligation as the Postal Service’s largest creditor.
But S. David Fineman, a former chairman of the board of governors, described Mnuchin’s involvement with the service as “unprecedented” and said many questions remain about why drastic changes were put in place so soon after DeJoy became postmaster general.
“You put together this piece and you put together that piece and it just doesn’t add up,” Fineman said.
DeJoy “didn’t strike me as a serious candidate,” Williams said, calling DeJoy’s initial job interviews unimpressive. “Governor Barger actually helped him finish a number of sentences before he got stuck” during one interview, Williams recalled.
Barger disputed that. “Louis DeJoy — after all of our interviews and our vetting and deep dives into his background — showed himself to be an uncommonly strong leader,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
DeJoy won unanimous, bipartisan support from the board of governors when he was hired in May.
Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., said Mnuchin should testify before Congress — under subpoena if necessary — to explain his role in DeJoy’s hiring and the operational changes.
DeJoy “should never been hired,” Connolly said. “We don’t need a Trump donor at the Postal Service.”
_
The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.