Highlights from the Legislature on Friday:
— The Senate voted 20-14 to give final approval to a measure (Senate Bill 108) that would raise vehicle registration fees to pay for bridge and road repairs. The bill would also impose a $2 daily fee on all car rentals and open the door to tolling on existing highways if surrounding communities back the idea. Gov. Bill Ritter said he would sign the bill Monday.
— The Senate delayed debate on another measure (Senate Bill 228) which would eliminate spending limits in the state budget. Right now, the state’s general fund budget, which covers items like public schools, prisons and higher education, can grow by only 6 percent each year. Anything that’s left over, if revenues are high enough, goes to transportation. The bill would wipe out those requirements and allow lawmakers to decide where to spend state tax dollars. Many Republicans oppose the move and Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, asked that the 38-page bill be read at length in protest. After about a half hour of reading, Kopp agreed to withdraw his request and Democrats said the bill would be debated Monday instead.
— The House wasn’t in session. Members took Thursday and Friday off to return home in the middle of the legislative session. The break follows the passage of most of the House’s bills on to the Senate and vice versa.
