— “Education is the cornerstone of our economy and it dictates how we will move Colorado forward in the 21st century.”—Gov. Bill Ritter, introducing a plan to align public education with college admission requirements.
— “It’s inspiring to stand here with you at the start of a new legislative session. Actually, it’s a little like fly fishing. Fly fishing is about hope and possibilities.”—Ritter on the beginning of the 120-day session.
— “… We aren’t going to come up with big fixes in (transportation, health care and education) all at once. It would be a fool’s errand to even try. We must make steady progress across the board, doing what we know is right and what we can afford.”—Ritter on his agenda.
— “It seems to me he’s in full retreat from the blue ribbon committees he appointed.”—Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs.
— “It was difficult to tell from the governor’s speech how he plans to address many of the key issues facing the state, including health care, transportation, illegal immigration and higher education.”—House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker.
— “The governor gave a bright, sunny forecast for the Colorado economy.”—Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition, on Ritter’s plan to increase support for solar energy.
— “Small business only asks that whatever Gov. Ritter’s New Energy Economy might portend, it results in more green in the landscape and not less from the all-too-thin wallets of mom-and-pop firms and their employees.”—Tony Gagliardi, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business.
