It's clear that the state Republican Party is keeping a list of controversial bills to be used as political ammunition at campaign.

That's nothing new. Both parties do it every year, trotting out those proposals and bad-sounding votes at campaign time.

What's unusual is that this year we're getting a sneak preview of the GOP's growing stockpile in press releases blasting the Democrats and highlighting a "Silly Bill of the Week."

Among the Republican favorite targets to date (Quotes are from state GOP chairwoman Diane Tebelius):

-A bill to establish a state income tax ("introduced...the first week of the session")
-A bill (HB 1473) making it easier for felons to have their voting rights restored. ("Week Two of the Democrats' election reform agenda is to make sure to count as many felon votes as you can!")
-A bill (HB 1360) to allow taxpayers to finance some judge elections. ("...Not a priority for voters")
-And Rep. Maralyn Chase's bill (HB 1524) which would require new holiday lights to be efficient light-emitting diodes, instead of traditional power-sucking incandescents. ("Representative Chase should be better known as the Grinch who stole your Christmas lights.")

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