Democrats hear rousing speech of support
Statehouse Democrats gathered for a group hug, er, strategy meeting, Tuesday afternoon and Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald gave a rousing speech to fire up the troops.
“Day to day, I think we look at all the heavy burdens when we try to solve problems and sometimes we forget the joy,” she said after hearing results of a union poll showing support for Democratic initiatives.
Still, politics was beckoning. Fitz-Gerald is facing a lawsuit over whether term limits bar her from running for re-election. As she grabbed the microphone to speak to the assembled Democrats, she quipped: “I’ll start singing in a minute. I’ve got depositions on my term-limit case.”
Republicans dine on humor at caucus
Republican Gov. Bill Owens and his legislative party mates didn’t make much news during their caucus lunch Tuesday, but there were a couple of good one-liners.
Owens told the lawmakers that Democratic Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald had given him a veto pen during his State of the State address. An hour later, she asked for it back because it belonged to a staffer.
“That’s a liberal, give away something they don’t even own,” quipped Sen. Greg Brophy of Wray.
Foes of seat-belt law worry about racism
Opponents of a mandatory seat-belt law argued Tuesday that it could lead to racial profiling.
While many in the legislature agree that seat belts save lives, some at a state Capitol forum Tuesday said there is concern that such a law would give biased police officers another reason to stop people of color.
A bill passed in 2001 requires all law-enforcement agencies to train officers about racial profiling. It also requires officers to hand out business cards with a number to call for complaints or commendations whenever a traffic stop is made without issuing a ticket.
Panel backs 350 military homes at Buckley
The House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on Tuesday gave preliminary approval for a deal with the U.S. Air Force that would allow for the construction of more than 350 houses for military families at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base. House Bill 1025 would authorize the state to share jurisdiction with the federal government over a parcel of land on the base.
New bills of note
House Bill 1128, sponsored by Colorado Springs Republicans Rep. David Schultheis and Sen. Doug Lamborn, would make it a felony to kill a fetus. The bill exempts abortions.
House Bill 1123, sponsored by Rep. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, would make running away from home a misdemeanor offense. Parents would have the option of dismissing the charge against their child on the first offense.
House Bill 1116, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Gwyn Green of Golden, would prohibit non-compete agreements with toll-road operators, creating what Green calls “gridlock by design” to force traffic onto toll roads.
