Colorado legislators pushed today to wrap up their work early before next week’s deadline to adjourn, but statehouse leaders said a lot of work remains to be finished.
Among the issues still awaiting action:
– A crackdown on underage drinking combined with a safe haven for minors who call for help for someone who’s had too much to drink.
– Keeping unhealthy food out of school vending machines.
– Hate-crime protection for gays, lesbians and the disabled.
Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, said some lawmakers were hoping to finish Monday, two days early, but that would be difficult.
“There is always something that will have to get done,” she said.
Members of the House and Senate have worked late this week, trying to wrap up their work. On Thursday, the House worked until nearly midnight.
House Minority Leader Joe Stengel, R-Littleton, suggested the legislature could save taxpayers $90,000 if it adjourned Wednesday, but that didn’t happen.
Several lawmakers said the rush to end early is hurting the process.
“I think closing early for the sake of closing early is a false economy. The goal should be good legislation, not finishing early,” said Rep. John Witwer, R-Evergreen.
Sen. Ron Teck, R-Grand Junction, said tempers are fraying and lawmakers are getting tired.
“This is like Olympic cycling, where they go slow around and around the track and on the last lap, they peddle like hell,” Teck said.
Late Thursday, majority Democrats and GOP Gov. Bill Owens reached a compromise in a dispute over new pollution rules that threatened to force lawmakers into a special session.
Democrats were poised to reverse the rules, which they say are too lax. Owens said lawmakers were intruding on the business of the executive branch.
Under the compromise, state officials will review the outcome of air pollution lawsuits in other states and change Colorado rules to conform with the court rulings.
In exchange, lawmakers agreed to let the current rules continue for now.
