POLITIGAB: Crank lands radio show

Two-time also-ran congressional candidate Jeff Crank has landed a spot on KVOR 740 AM radio. Cleverly called "The Jeff Crank Show," the hour-long talk show airs at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Crank said he will focus on politics but will discuss other matters as well. He ran unsuccessfully in 2006 and 2008 for the 5th Congressional District seat. He lost the Republican primary both times to Doug Lamborn.

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Two more citizen groups have joined a coalition opposed to repealing the Colorado Springs Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. They are the Colorado chapter of Americans for Prosperity, an advocacy group for smaller government, and Taxpayers for Budget Priorities, which wants the city government to turn over more functions to private contractors.

A citizen committee this week recommended that the City Council ask voters to repeal the TABOR amendment in the April 7 election. Committee members said a repeal is necessary because the city's amendment restricts the government's ability to respond to a financial crisis. Even if voters approved a repeal, a similar amendment to the Colorado Constitution by the same name would remain in place.

Other groups opposed to repealing the city's TABOR include Citizens for Cost-Effective Government, Local Liberty Action and Citizens for Your Right to Vote.

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City Council candidate Bernie Herpin this week announced endorsements from a long list of public officials including nearly every sitting member of the City Council. The only council member who didn't endorse Herpin was Randy Purvis, but Purvis said it was nothing personal. He said he's made it a practice to avoid endorsements in campaigns for the nine-member panel.

Herpin is running to represent City Council District 4, covering eastern and southeastern portions of the city. He'll face Robert Andrews II, Tony Carpenter and Regina Vigil. The election is set for April 7.

In addition to the council members, Herpin's announcement said his endorsements include Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, state Reps. Larry Liston, Mark Waller and Bob Gardner, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, caounty Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink, county commissioners Sallie Clark, Amy Lathen, Wayne Williams and Jim Bensberg, and Fountain Councilwoman Lois Landgraf. El Paso County Commissioner Dennis Hisey's name wasn't on the list, but he said later he had endorsed Herpin.