Much ink has been spilled over Gov. Bill Owens’ 44 vetoes this year – he fell three short of last year’s record high of 47. But, in his final year as governor, Owens also signed 386 bills approved by the Democratic-controlled state legislature, and let another nine become law without his signature.
His deadline to act was Wednesday, and by Thursday Democrats were saying the legislature passed the session with “flying colors” but that the governor “needs improvement.” Make no mistake, his vetoes will be used as campaign material by both parties this fall as Democrats try to promote what they could do with a Democratic governor and legislature, while Republicans will point out how a veto can be a needed check on the party in power.
Politics aside, Owens this week wrapped up an otherwise workman-like, successful legislative session by signing several key bills.
One important measure, however, Owens allowed to become law without his signature. Senate Bill 51 closes a legal loophole that allowed elected officials to take unlimited amounts of cash from lobbyists – or anyone – under the guise of defraying office expenses. The law now prohibits all cash gifts to lawmakers’ “office accounts” and limits in-kind donations to $50.
The law should help clean up politics in Colorado. And, Owens also appropriately urged lawmakers to find a way to better assist rural legislators who have significant expenses during the session. We’d add that all lawmakers should have moderate expenses covered by the state.
Owens also signed Rep. Morgan Carroll’s House Bill 1149, which will expand reporting requirements for lobbyists. While we had hoped a stronger lobbyist reform bill would have emerged, this is a good start, since lobbyists now will need to be more forthcoming about the legislation they are pushing.
We were also delighted to see Owens sign House Bill 1281, which calls for a feasibility study to see if a clean, efficient coal-burning technology known as IGCC, or integrated gasification combined cycle, can be used at Colorado’s high altitudes. If so, it could lead to the first such clean-coal plant in our state.
Owens also signed SB 170, which allows centralized vote centers to be used by counties and for voters to cast provisional ballots electronically. They’re important revisions and clarifications to election rules.
For all of the partisan jabbing and ethical missteps, Colorado lawmakers and Gov. Owens can be proud of a productive and mostly bipartisan session.
