Republicans have groused since January that the Democrat-controlled state Senate is moving at a snail’s pace to confirm Gov. Bill Owens‘ appointees. How slow is slow? Secretary of State Gigi Dennis has been in office for six months and still hasn’t been confirmed. But the governor’s office can’t blame the Democrats in this case. Owens didn’t submit the confirmation request to the Senate until March 14. The governor’s office admits it was an oversight. The executive order was done immediately, but an additional document was never sent to the Senate, said Dan Hopkins, Owens’ spokesman.
Dennis took office in September and recently decided not to run for a full term. She leaves in January, hopefully with a confirmation by then.
Parties less relevant
The state Republican Party is struggling to gain its footing seven months ahead of the fall elections and after a virtual makeover of its staff. GOP insiders say the party is trying to raise its profile, boost its finances and recruit good people, in particular a replacement for political director Dustin Olson.
Republican strategist Katy Atkinson said political parties have become less relevant since the 2002 voter-approved campaign finance limits. People would prefer to work for groups such as Trailhead, a so-called 527 group formed by Gov. Owens, Pete Coors and Bruce Benson, that raises money to support political candidates and causes. They’re the groups with the influence and muscle, Atkinson said.
“Right now, it’s more important to have the favor of Trailhead rather than anyone at the party,” Atkinson said. “If you really want to make a difference in state legislative races, you work for Trailhead, not the state party.”
Guv race a toss-up
The Crystal Ball political election guide from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics has changed its forecast for the Colorado governor’s race. “What once appeared to be a GOP advantage in Colorado has vanished, at least temporarily,” the Crystal Ball said in its most recent forecast. “Democrat Bill Ritter and Republican Bob Beauprez are locked in a see-saw battle that could go either way.”
No mention of the third gubernatorial candidate, Republican Marc Holtzman, who will face off with Beauprez in the August primary. Colorado is among 36 states electing governors this year.
Making change harder
Some lawmakers have tried for years to make it harder to change Colorado’s constitution. The latest effort by Republican Sen. Ron Teck is stalled in the Senate. But House Speaker Andrew Romanoff says he will keep trying. Romanoff is contemplating new legislation, modeled after a Nevada law, that would require voters to say yes in two consecutive general elections to amend the constitution. “That would give people time to reflect on the importance of the change,” Romanoff said. If approved the first time, the proposal would automatically be placed on the subsequent ballot so citizens wouldn’t have to seek petition signatures a second time.
Puns to die for
House Bill 1268 brought out plenty of deadpan puns last week in the Senate. The bill would allow a cemetery to reclaim an empty grave site after 75 years, with proper notice, if there is no activity or improvements. Numerous people buy plots, then move or forget they have them. If the cemetery reclaims it and resells it, and the rightful occupant comes along, the bill requires that the cemetery relocate the new arrival to an equally choice location.
Before the Senate took up the bill, Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, cracked, “I’m dying to hear the debate on this bill.” Piped in Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon: “I’m burying this bill at the bottom of the calendar.”
Gordon unearthed the measure long enough for the sponsor, Sen. Bob Bacon, to promote it with words like “grave,” “monumental” and “deep.” The Senate passed the measure with amendments.
Julia C. Martinez (jmartinez
jmartinez@denverpost.com) is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.
