“Stand Your Ground” bill advances
They’re calling it the “Stand Your Ground” or “Make My Day Better” law.
Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, managed to snag a Democrat’s vote to get his extension of the “make my day” law through a House committee Wednesday.
The bill says you can kill someone without penalty at your business if the person instills a “reasonable fear of imminent death or serious bodily injury.” Colorado’s “make my day” law applies only to home invasions.
Committee members struck a part of the proposal that would have extended the self-defense legislation to vehicles.
In the instant when “someone comes crashing through their door,” people should not have to wonder, “Will I be charged with a crime, or can I actually protect myself?” Gardner said.
Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said he worries the legislation would encourage more violence between business owners and angry customers.
Panel OKs English competency bill
A bill that would make English competency a high school graduation requirement squeaked by a Senate committee Wednesday.
The proposal from Sen. Chris Romer, son of former Colorado Gov. and Los Angeles schools Superintendent Roy Romer, lets school districts decide how students prove competency.
If kids aren’t learning English, “we’re not going to teach them math, we’re not going to teach them science, and we’re not going to teach them social studies,” Romer said.
Romer’s bill passed on a 4-3 vote. Romer, D- Denver, had support from the three Republicans on the committee and only one member of his party.
The detractors argued the legislation, which has no money attached, is yet one more “unfunded mandate” forced on school districts.
“I’m struggling with how you find the money,” said Sen. Sue Windels, an Arvada Democrat who leads the Senate Education Committee.
Romer said he hoped funding would follow if the bill passes; otherwise districts would have to reorganize their budgets.
“If the constant message out of this building is we can’t, then shame on us,” Romer said. “When we say we can, the public is going to open their checkbook and follow.”
Highlights from Wednesday
The House gave initial approval to a proposal (House Bill 1055) that would require school districts slashing teacher salaries to also cut administrator salaries.
The House gave initial approval to a measure (House Bill 1174) that would continue the concealed- weapons registration database.
Law enforcement officials testified it helps them determine who has the right to carry a gun. Opponents said lawmakers promised to eliminate the database after five years.
Denver Post staff writer Jennifer Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
