Democrats may control the Colorado statehouse, but they’re finding it’s easier to pass legislation when they team up with Republican allies.
The statistics will cheer the good-government types who revel in bipartisan cooperation.
Two years ago, when Republicans dominated both houses, 76 percent of the bills they sponsored without Democratic co-sponsors passed. Democrat-only bills had a passage rate of 58 percent, while bills cosponsored by a Republican and Democrat passed 69 percent of the time.
This year the tables are turned, with 70 percent of the bills sponsored by Democrats winning approval, while GOP-only bills have a passage rate of 59 percent.
Bipartisan bills have passed 78 percent of the time – the highest rate of the past three years, according to a study House Democrats expect to release today.
The figures bolster pre-session claims by House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and others of wanting to be more bipartisan. Colorado State University professor John Straayer observes, “I don’t think partisanship has vanished, but it has been muted a bit.”
Up in smoke
Senate Minority Leader Mark Hillman, a chief opponent of the proposed statewide smoking ban, is catching heat from Common Cause and others for taking $6,700 from tobacco companies and their “allies.” But a closer look at the Burlington farmer’s campaign records (which can be found at followthemoney.org) shows he received only $2,000 from tobacco companies out of $85,814.
The “allies” Common Cause refers to include pro-business groups like the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry ($1,000) and, strangely enough, the Colorado Restaurant Association ($1,000) – the lead proponent of the smoking ban.
Superintendent search
After delivering a rousing speech at Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper‘s Summit on Latino Academic Achievement last fall, people have been chattering about former Mayor Federico Pe a becoming the next superintendent of Denver Public Schools.
Pe a, now with Vestar Capital Partners, has been approached about the DPS job, but has no interest in it. However, Hickenlooper’s chief of staff, Michael Bennet, also has been talking with people in education circles about the job. He would be an unconventional choice, but so was outgoing superintendent Jerry Wartgow.
Bennet, a lawyer, was a business-turnaround specialist for Denver billionaire investor Philip Anschutz before joining the mayor’s office.And he’s no stranger to education. His father, Douglas Bennet, is president of Wesleyan University, a highly regarded school in Middletown, Conn. Hickenlooper is one its prominent alums.
The money trail
Marc Holtzman‘s Rolodex is the envy of even the most politically connected powerbrokers. So it came as no surprise when he announced he’s already amassed more than $500,000 for his bid to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Owens. His donors represent titans of industry (Qwest CEO Richard Notebaert); social conservatives (Colorado for Family Values founder Will Perkins); and even local celebs (John Elway).
But Peggy Fleming? Holtzman accepted $500 from the 1960s ice princess, and says she and her husband, Greg Jenkins, are family friends. No word yet on whether Dorothy Hamill will support his candidacy.
The first money collected in a race is often considered the easiest. That said, state Treasurer Mike Coffman ended his flirtation with being guv after raising only $88,000, knowing Rep. Bob Beauprez is now shaking the gubernatorial money tree, too.
Speaking of Beauprez, he was expected to spend this past weekend touring the West Slope. Not only is it hours away from his congressional district, it’s former Congressman Scott McInnis‘ stomping grounds. McInnis is considering a run for governor, as well.
“Maybe the former congressman will introduce him to some people while he’s over there,” Sean Murphy, Beauprez’s chief of staff, told The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction.
Don’t count on it.
Dan Haley (dhaley@denverpost.com) is a member of the Post’s editorial board.
