With eight days left in the 2010 session, Colorado lawmakers still face some of the biggest and thorniest issues they will consider this year.
They must sort out regulations on medical-marijuana dispensaries, decide whether to scale back teacher tenure, consider expanding gambling to help fund higher education, determine whether colleges should be allowed to increase tuition significantly and resolve the issue of payday loans.
Add to that a debate over allowing grocers to sell full-strength beer and liquor, a fight over slashing a property-tax break for seniors, efforts to allow rafters the right to float through stretches of river on private property and deciding whether it should be harder to amend the state constitution.
And don’t forget about bills that deal with congressional redistricting and campaign finance.
“There is still a great deal of heavy lifting left to do here at the end of session,” said Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs.
He said it has been strange to hear House leaders suggest lawmakers might adjourn the session early instead of going all the way through May 12, the constitutionally set end date.
“I’m like, ‘What planet are you living on?’ ” said Morse, who does not think an early finish is in the cards.
House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, agreed.
“We’ll go right down to the end,” he said. “Difficult subjects take a while to work out, so they end up getting done at the end.”
Legislature2010 The home stretch
House and Senate leaders from both parties said key contentious pieces of legislation include:
Senate Bill 191
What it does: It would tie teacher evaluations more closely to students’ academic performance and make it easier for teachers to lose tenure.
Where it stands: The fight is mostly among Democrats, some of whom think it is too harsh on teachers. The bill has passed the Senate and is on its way to the House.
SB 3
What it does: It would allow colleges to raise tuition 9 percent a year without waiting for legislative approval and boost it even higher if the Colorado Commission on Higher Education signs off on it. The idea is to charge affluent students full price and offer heavy financial aid to low- and middle-income students.
Where it stands: The bill has significant bipartisan support, but there is also skepticism on both sides. The bill is waiting to be considered on the Senate floor.
SB 109, HB 1284
What they do: The bills, respectively, would regulate doctors who qualify patients to use medical marijuana, and regulate the dispensaries.
Where it stands: The House and Senate are still working out the doctor-patient bill in a conference committee, and the dispensary bill has passed the House and awaits consideration by the Senate.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4
What it does: It asks voters to amend the state constitution to allow video keno games in Colorado, with the proceeds going to colleges.
Where it stands: There is bipartisan support for the measure but also significant opposition. The bill has passed a Senate committee and is headed to the floor.
HB 1351
What it does: It would put significant new restrictions on payday loans.
Where it stands: The measure barely cleared the House and Senate, but the Senate reworked the bill, meaning the House still must approve the changes.
HB 1408
What it does: It would repeal current requirements that courts consider a ranked list of factors when considering the fairness of congressional redistricting maps.
Where it stands: The bill passed the House with limited opposition from Republicans but might face a stiffer battle in the Senate.
Tim Hoover, The Denver Post
Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626 or thoover@denverpost.com
On the agenda
Teacher standards
Passed Senate, on way to House
College tuition
9% annual hike waiting in Senate
Medical marijuana
Dispensary rules passed the House
Video keno
Headed to the Senate floor
Payday loans
Senate changes go back to House
