With just over 50 days remaining in the legislative session, several high-profile items remain to be settled. Lawmakers need to work together to tackle the issues critical to Colorado.
At the top of the list is the $7 billion-plus general fund budget, known as the Long Bill, which is scheduled to be introduced on March 26. It will be the first budget containing Gov. Bill Ritter’s requests, but also will contain budget requests submitted by former Gov. Bill Owens. Ritter’s budget calls for treatment and other programs to fight prison recidivism, increased financial aid for college students and an overall review of government operations.
The annual School Finance Act promises to be more controversial this year with a proposal from Ritter to freeze property taxes as a way to generate more money for education. Lawmakers need to be patient and try to understand a complicated issue before making a decision.
Other key issues include Ritter’s effort to expand renewable energy in Colorado. A critical piece of legislation heading to Ritter’s desk proposes to double Colorado’s renewable energy standard to 20 percent by 2020. House Bill 1281 also sets the first renewable energy standard for all rural electric cooperatives. It is one of the cornerstones of Ritter’s energy plan.
Lawmakers also need to reach agreement on the thorny issue of developing transmission lines to deliver electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
Health care is a key issue, and Senate Bill 97 proposing to reallocate a portion of the money that Colorado receives annually from a court-ordered tobacco settlement is awaiting the governor’s signature. A large amount would go to the Colorado Health Sciences Center. The measure was controversial, and many Republicans opposed it because they fear it will take money from road improvements.
An attempt to fix the highly controversial voter-approved gift ban for legislators and government employees is in the works. And while the House has reached a compromise, the Senate hasn’t yet signed on. In the absence of court action, all sides need to reach some consensus so voters can try to clarify the law they passed last year.
Two bills aimed at further regulating mortgage brokers are also pending. The FBI recently ranked Colorado among the 16 states with the highest rate of mortgage fraud in the country. The state’s high foreclosure rates are due in part to fraudulent practices by brokers. Lawmakers need to sort this out and come up with appropriate legislation that will protect consumers.
