Highlights from the Legislature on Monday:
— The Senate voted 18-16 to back a tax break for businesses that rehire laid-off workers, sending it to the House. The measure (Senate Bill 133) nearly died because four Democrats joined with Republicans to vote against it but Sen. Gail Schwartz of Snowmass Village then switched her “no” vote to a “yes.”
— The Senate voted 21-12 to allow local governments and developers to sign deals to build affordable housing units. The bill states that such voluntary deals don’t violate the state’s ban on rent control. The House approved a different version of the measure (House Bill 1017) earlier and will now consider changes made in the Senate.
— The Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require the state to hire an independent contractor to monitor its child welfare system though some lawmakers said more reforms are needed to protect children. The measure (Senate Bill 171) now goes to the House. Because of budget cuts, the $339,000 annual cost would be covered by donations.
