Quip of the day
“What I’m trying to figure out is, how do I deal with an illegal immigrant who smokes, is a sexual predator and owns a pit bull?”
– Sam Mamet, executive director of the Colorado Municipal League, cracking wise about several of the hot-button issues being debated at the Capitol.
Owens to don black and gold
After the Denver Broncos’ playoff loss Sunday, Gov. Bill Owens made good on his bet with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell when he announced Monday that he will be sending 10 pounds of buffalo burgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home state.
As the loser, Owens will pick a day next week to wear a Steelers jersey around the Capitol.
“I’ll be looking for one of those days on my schedule when I am secluded in the office doing paperwork all day,” he said in a statement.
Reporting hospital infections
Hospitals would face sanctions for not reporting when patients come down with any of three common infections under House Bill 1045, which cleared the Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.
“Hospital-acquired infections are costing our nation’s health care system more than $5 billion annually,” said sponsor Rep. Bob McCluskey, R-Fort Collins. “We have an opportunity to save our state millions of dollars in unnecessary medical costs while, at the same time, making Colorado a safer place to receive medical care.”
“Cash funds” payback loses
There has been an effort to force the state to pay back money it took from “cash funds” during the economic downturn of the early 2000s. Senate Democrats killed the idea but not without an argument.
Sen. Ron May, R-Colorado Springs, wanted the state to return $308 million to funds based on fees collected from businesses.
Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D- Jefferson County, chided May because his plan would divert Referendum C money away from schools, colleges and health care programs. May opposed Referendum C.
“That’s Referendum C money that you didn’t think we needed,” Fitz-Gerald said.
May shot back: “This has nothing to do with Referendum C.” Senate Bill 104 died on a 4-3 vote in the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
Amber Alerts for the elderly
A Senate committee initially approved Senate Bill 57, which would allow law enforcement officials to declare an Amber Alert for missing elderly people who have Alzheimer’s or other mental incapacities.
New bill of note
House Bill 1184 would raise the property- tax exemption for senior citizens from 50 percent of the first $200,000 value of a home to 50 percent of the first $350,000 value.
