Gov. Bill Owens this year might not break his 2005 record of 47 vetoes. But he’s getting close, having vetoed 32 bills as of Tuesday and issued four partial vetoes. In the process, he has helped create an agenda for the governor’s race and for the 2007 legislature.
Owens has vetoed several consumer bills, including a measure designed to lower some prescription drug prices, a bill to require more oversight of state contracting and a measure giving the state more flexibility in setting air-quality standards. He also vetoed a bill that would have protected homosexuals from employment discrimination.
Several of the vetoed measures have surfaced before, and Democrats who back them are likely to raise the vetoes as a campaign argument for keeping Democrats in control of the legislature and putting a Democrat in the governor’s office.
Owens also vetoed a different version of the prescription-drug bill last year, despite both legislative and public concern about soaring health care costs and high-priced prescriptions. This year’s bill would have enabled Colorado to pool its purchasing power with other states when buying drugs. Not surprisingly, drug manufacturers strongly opposed the bill. The new governor and new legislators, whatever their party, will need to recognize next year that drug costs are a piece of unfinished business.
We have yet to hear from the governor on important government-reform legislation such as the lobbyist disclosure bill and legislation banning state lawmakers from taking cash gifts from lobbyists for office expenses. Colorado is one of five states that fails to limit cash gifts to lawmakers, and we urge Owens to close the loophole. He also should sign several bipartisan bills that will help curb illegal immigration.
We were glad to see Owens sign several bills Tuesday that will strengthen existing laws against identity thieves and sexual predators.
The governor also announced that he will approve a bill to toughen laws on making methamphetamine.
Owens also signed bills designed to more closely monitor mortgage brokers and protect homeowners from foreclosure schemes. “Mortgage and foreclosure fraud are among the most cynical crimes imaginable,” Owens said in signing House Bill 1323 and Senate Bill 71. But we hope the governor also signs the more critical House Bill 1161, which would regulate mortgage brokers and require them to undergo background checks.
Owens’ deadline to act is June 7.
