Driver’s license rules
The Colorado Senate rushed Wednesday to pass House Bill 1314, a measure that gives the Department of Revenue extra time to adopt permanent rules for granting Colorado driver’s licenses and identification cards.
The emergency rules expire today. The bill, which passed the Senate on an initial vote, gives the department until July 1.
Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, argued that the deadline should be extended only one month to give lawmakers a chance to review the permanent rules. The Senate rejected that effort. A final Senate vote on the bill is expected today.
Iraq-troop resolution
Democratic leaders in the Senate are backing a resolution criticizing President Bush’s decision to send more troops to Iraq.
The resolution, introduced Wednesday, includes the statement: “It is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States’ current foreign policy.”
Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, said 14 of the Senate’s 20 Democrats support the measure so far but no Republican members have signed on. Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, thought war criticism would hurt troop morale.
Nearly halfway done
Wednesday, the 50th day of the 120-day legislative session, was the deadline for House bills to pass the House and Senate bills to pass the Senate.
Capitol lawmakers approved a litany of measures under the wire, including:
