Failed computers pay off in end
Secretary of State Gigi Dennis told state lawmakers Wednesday that the state got back more than it spent on a failed voter-registration computer system.
The state had paid $1.5 million toward a $10.5 million contract when the company was fired in November. Dennis said the state recovered that money – plus an additional $500,000 to cover the costs of state employees who had worked on the system. “That’s a good deal,” said Sen. Deanna Hanna, D-Lakewood. “How did you do that?”
“We are fierce negotiators,” Dennis said.
Still, the state does not have the computer system required by federal guidelines. It’s in the process of drafting a new bid.
Sex-abuse bill waits on another
The deadline for passing bills out of the chambers in which they originated expired Wednesday with one glaring omission: Senate Bill 143.
The measure to open a two-year window for lawsuits against institutions that covered up the crimes of sex abusers was still in the Senate.
Some opponents were speculating the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, doesn’t have the votes to pass it. But Fitz-Gerald said she is waiting for a related House bill to catch up.
House Bill 1090, sponsored by Rep. Gwyn Green, D-Golden, would allow lawsuits against public and private institutions in cases of sex abuse.
Fitz-Gerald said it is necessary to pass that bill first to address concerns raised by the Catholic Church that only private institutions are targeted by her bill.
“I am trying to answer their concerns,” she said.
Deadlines for passing bills can be waived by leadership, and Fitz-Gerald said she waived the deadline to allow Green’s bill to catch up.
3 specialty license plates backed
A House committee passed legislation Wednesday for three new specialty license plates.
The Colorado Kids First (Senate Bill 100), Bronze Star (Senate Bill 28) and Support the Troops (Senate Bill 80) license plates all passed the transportation committee 10-0. They now go to the appropriations committee.
