LONGMONT, Colo.—The top Democrat in the Colorado Senate said Wednesday the party will pick up the cost of a $4,300 team-building retreat for Democratic lawmakers that was originally paid for by the state.
Senate President Brandon Shaffer of Longmont was criticized for billing the state for the two-day event because no Republicans were invited.
The Longmont Times-Call quoted Shaffer on its Web site as saying that having the Democratic caucus pay for the retreat “was the best thing to do.”
Shaffer said earlier he organized the retreat amid complaints that legislative committee leaders were disrespectful to the public and other lawmakers.
All the chairmen and chairwomen are Democrats because the party controls the Senate as well as the House.
Shaffer initially defended the expense but said he made a mistake by excluding Republican lawmakers.
Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, has said Colorado Democrats were acting like national Republicans before they lost control of Congress.
“Unemployment is the highest in nearly a generation, state workers are being furloughed, and we’re writing checks for team-building seminars? Wow,” Penry said.
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Information from: Daily Times-Call,
