“I like your charts.”
Rep. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, having what another lawmaker called a “Forrest Gump” moment when King complimented Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, who was giving a presentation.
“This is how it starts. Pretty soon I’ll have to start wearing a star wherever I go.”
Rep. Alice Borodkin, D-Denver, to Rep. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, during a debate over an immigration proposal. Penry replied, “That’s repugnant.”
“Many of us bought him some pens or contributed to him to buy some pens. I want you to remember how important that veto is.”
House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, rallying his fellow Republicans behind Gov. Bill Owens.
“We’re acting like Congress, and I don’t like to act like Congress.”
Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, on a proposal to increase costs to local governments without funding them.
SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY
House reaches deal on fund
Members of the Colorado House of Representatives announced last week that they had reached a deal to create a rainy-day fund.
The deal lets two bills move forward.
Bill No. 1 calls for creating a rainy-day fund that could be used only when the state’s revenue does not increase by 4 percent from the previous year. And then, the money could be tapped only with the approval of two-thirds of the legislature and the governor.
The source of money for that fund would be from the general fund, but the amount would depend on how much money is available after spending for programs.
Bill No. 2 would require the state to sell bonds backed by expected revenues from tobacco companies under a legal settlement. Proponents estimate that such a sale would raise as much as $700 million. Of that money, $150 million would be channeled into the fund created by Bill No. 1.
That deal still has a rough road ahead. Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, said last week that voters did not approve Referendum C so that the state could put that money into a savings account. They approved the ballot measure to improve the state’s schools, universities and health care programs, she said.
LOOKING AHEAD
With less than a month until the final day of the legislative session, it’s crunch time at the Capitol. Lawmakers are hashing out the final details of the state budget. Fewer bills are being reviewed in committee because most of the action has shifted to the floor.
MONDAY
Schools and flags: The Senate is supposed to review the school-finance act, which was delayed last week. Gov. Bill Owens said the bill needed to be amended to include a provision that punishes schools that prohibit students from displaying the American flag. 10 a.m.
TUESDAY
CBMS: The Legislative Audit Committee meets to discuss the Colorado Benefits Management System, a computer system that encountered problems when it was launched in 2004. 7 a.m.
WEDNESDAY
Where’s the money? The Senate Appropriations Committee is in the midst of picking winners and losers among bills that add costs to state government. The state has about $10 million in the budget reserved for those programs. Fifteen bills are set for hearing at 7:30 a.m.
PERA reform: Lawmakers begin work on one of the top agenda items of the session – fixing the pension system for public workers. The Senate State Affairs Committee is scheduled to review Senate Bill 162, a comprehensive package of changes that revamps the board and modifies the benefits for employees. 1:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Bioscience: House Bills 1360 and 1361, which provide state support for bioscience research, are set for a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee. Upon adjournment of the Senate.
