“A little less conversation, a little more action please. All this aggravation ain’t satisfactioning me.”
– Elvis Presley
Even Elvis could take satisfaction in the legislature’s accomplishments this year. The 2005 session was the most action-oriented in recent memory. We passed laws to make our economy stronger, our schools more successful, our families safer, and our health care more affordable.
Some highlights:
A stronger economy. After nearly two years of debate, we crafted a solution to Colorado’s fiscal crisis. The Economic Recovery Act (Referenda C and D on the November ballot) will enable us to invest in our schools and colleges, fix crumbling roads and bridges, and provide health care for our most vulnerable citizens – all without increasing tax rates.
More successful schools. We restored funding for preschool and full- day kindergarten. We took steps to reduce the number of high-school dropouts and prepare students for college. And we passed a plan to repair or replace the most dangerous and dilapidated school buildings.
Safer families. We stiffened the penalties for identity theft and allowed consumers to request a security freeze on their credit reports. We cracked down on underage drinking. And we adopted a measure to protect children from Internet pornography.
More affordable health care. We improved coverage for prenatal care and child immunizations. We joined a multistate purchasing pool and created a clearinghouse to reduce the price of prescription drugs. And we expanded access to drug and alcohol treatment and mental health services.
We completed our work ahead of schedule and under budget. For the first time in 16 years, the General Assembly adjourned early. Considerable credit goes to House Majority Leader Alice Madden and her Senate counterpart, Ken Gordon. Both ran fair and efficient floor operations.
The key to our success: a bipartisan commitment to solving problems. Most Democrats and Republicans came to the Capitol not to pick fights but to get things done.
The Economic Recovery Act is a prime example. Gov. Bill Owens bravely weathered a storm of criticism in his own party to hammer out an agreement. Nearly three-quarters of the legislature signed on, along with virtually every major business organization in Colorado.
Referenda C and D represent a compromise in the best sense of the word: All of us got something we wanted; nobody got everything. That describes the legislative session as well. No lawmaker, no lobbyist, not even the governor achieved all of his or her goals. Welcome to democracy.
Pundits have spilled a lot of ink in an attempt to portray this year’s session as either anti-labor or anti-business. These labels, like most, miss the mark. A strong economy – our top priority this year and next – is good for labor and business.
It’s tempting to paint every gain for one group as a loss for another – tempting, but inaccurate. Better schools, safer roads and bridges, and more affordable insurance benefit employers and employees alike. Building a sturdy infrastructure and a skilled and healthy workforce is the best way to restore Colorado’s leadership in job growth.
Legislators agreed on a number of other important issues, including the allocation of tobacco tax revenues, the oversight of nursing homes for veterans, and a process for resolving water disputes. The most successful bills this year were those sponsored by a Democrat in one chamber and a Republican in the other. That marks a sharp change from the last two years, in which GOP- led bills enjoyed by far the highest passage rate.
Sadly, this outbreak of bipartisan bonhomie drew few headlines. Collegiality and cooperation offer little entertainment value.
A handful of more theatrical lawmakers did their best to fill the gap. For some, the threat of gay marriage still loomed large. One legislator identified a constitutional ban on same-sex unions as the top domestic issue of the decade – a surprising choice over homeland security, health care and the economy.
Most of our constituents have other priorities. They are more concerned about their household budget. They want “a little more bite and a little less bark, a little less fight and a little more spark.”
That’s just what this session delivered.
Andrew Romanoff (romanoff@coloradohouse.org) is the speaker of the House, the first Democrat to hold that post since 1975.
