Chris Romer isn’t following voluntary spending limits in his campaign for the state Senate. But his Democratic opponents, Jennifer Mello and Rep. Fran Coleman, are. The three are vying for the Denver seat being vacated by Sen. Dan Grossman.
Last week, Mello and Coleman were advised by the secretary of state’s office that since Romer isn’t adhering to the limits, they have 10 days to opt out, too. Both will keep their original agreements.
The voluntary spending cap for the race is $90,000 apiece.
“Voters were clear on Amendment 27 that they want to keep the cost of campaigns under control,” said Mello. “I think it’s ridiculous to spend more than $90,000.” Amendment 27, passed in 2002, limits individual contributions in legislative and statewide campaigns and sets voluntary spending limits for candidates.
“I’m disappointed in Romer,” said Coleman. “Democrats advocated campaign finance reform.”
Romer, son of the former governor, said he hopes to register 10,000 new Democratic voters during his campaign. “Registering new Democratic voters will be expensive and intensive,” said Romer. “My concern is that a spending cap would severely limit (my) goals and objectives.”
Romer had no estimate on how much he might spend.
Generation gap on smoking
Could it be that a proposed smoking ban got tangled up in a generational divide last week in the Senate?
Democratic Sen. Dan Grossman, the 37-year-old sponsor of the anti-smoking bill, thought so. The average age of the five senators – Andy McElhany, Dave Owen, Ron Teck, Lois Tochtrop and Jack Taylor – who argued the loudest in favor of exempting casinos, taverns, bingo halls and racetracks from the bill was 66.
“It’s not just because they’re older. But they grew up in an era when smoking was condoned and even viewed as glamorous,” Grossman said. “My generation has come to understand it’s something less than benign and certainly not glamorous.”
The gap between the 21 senators who ultimately voted in favor of the weaker bill and the 14 who opposed it was nine years. Supporters averaged 52 years of age; opponents, 61.
Backup plan for Dems
Democrats are quietly mapping a strategy and searching for a possible replacement in the event Sen. Deanna Hanna is expelled, resigns or is recalled from her Lakewood seat. Rep. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, said she has been approached by several Democrats who would like to see her take Hanna’s seat. “It’s been suggested, but I haven’t been officially asked,” said Boyd, who is term limited from the House in 2008.
An ethics panel is investigating whether a complaint against Hanna should be dismissed or whether she should be punished for demanding – in writing – $1,400 in campaign fund “reparations” from the Colorado Association of Realtors after it endorsed her opponent in the 2004 election. Voters in Hanna’s district filed initial papers Friday to begin a recall.
CSU political scientist John Straayer said Democrats risk losing their 18-17 majority even before the November elections if a recall gains momentum. “They have to be thinking this out. It’s a critical seat. They have to hold that seat,” Straayer said.
Here a bill, there a bill
Lawmakers are burning up the legislative bill room this year. As the midway point of the 120-day session nears, lawmakers are already 58 bills ahead of last year.
Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald warned recently that “the late-bill gravy train is over, folks.”
Last year, Democratic leaders at the legislature were focused on a possible budget crisis and held the line at 494 bills. This year, says Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, “we’re getting back to the normal array of different issues facing Colorado.”
That’s a matter of opinion.
Julia C. Martinez (jmartinez@denverpost.com) is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.
