Members of a wealthy Pueblo family have given $10,000 of the roughly $12,000 in campaign contributions received by CO Tax Reforms, a political-issue committee that is supporting three ballot issues that would reduce taxes and limit government borrowing.
Ali Hasan, a fiscal conservative who lost a bid this spring to become the Republican nominee for state treasurer, contributed $5,000. His mother, Seeme Hasan, also contributed $5,000, according to interviews and campaign finance records.
Born in Pueblo in 1980 on the Fourth of July, Hasan is the son of Dr. Malik Hasan, a Pakistan-born neurologist who moved to Pueblo, Colorado, in the early 1970s with $32 in his pocket and subsequently built one of the largest health maintenance organizations in the country.
The Hasans are large contributors to Republican candidates and causes. In 2008, Seeme Hasan was appointed to the finance committee of the McCain-Palin campaign and raised $1 million, according to the Muslims for America website.
The Hasan Family Foundation, according to a Denver Post story, gave Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis $300,000 several years ago to write articles on water and do speaking engagements.
Some of his writings were found to be nearly identical to material written by Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory J. Hobbs, the Post revealed.
“I’m very shocked and upset over the entire matter,” said Ali Hasan. “Most of the foundation members were also upset. But we’re happy that he (McInnis) is going to pay the money back. The foundation took the water study very seriously. It was a missed opportunity.”
Hasan, a filmmaker and screenpay writer who lives in Beaver Creek, said in an interview this week he strongly supports Amendment 60, Amendment 61, and Proposition 101.
The three ballot issues would put an end to fees that Hasan alleges are essentially taxes, force local and state governments to live within their means, and greatly strengthen the 1992 Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, he said.
Hasan is not only a fervent supporter of TABOR, but also considers its author — Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce – one of his mentors and political heroes.
“He’s one of the finest conservatives since Ronald Reagan,” he said. “I love him like a family member and he loves me very much.”
Asked about the $4.1 million raised by opponents of Amendment 60, Amendment 61, and Proposition 101, Hasan said they are going to need the money to defeat the initiatives.
He said he was confident that three measures would be approved by voters. “These are incredibly popular issues,” he said.
Ali Hasan makes such idiotic statements. He was born with a silvre spoon, and has never had to earn an honest buck in his life.
Fortunately for Colorado, his family’s fortune could not buy him a state office in CO.
Do these people realize how these initiatives will hurt us all, especially our kids?
They certainly now how to get around campaign finance. Hey maybe they could offer another bogus scholarship for $300,000. What a joke!!!! With their money they do have to be apart of our communities they can pay for their own.
What? Ali just tied MR TABOR to three petitions, a connection Dougie went out of his way avoid! How dare you call him a beloved friend.