Dispensary rules await Ritter’s OK.
With one final, dizzying go-round, the state House gave the last OK to a bill regulating Colorado’s medical- marijuana industry Tuesday and sent it to Gov. Bill Ritter.
The approval means that both bills creating new rules for the booming medical-marijuana scene — one that clamps down on doctors who recommend marijuana to patients and another that enacts a licensing system for dispensaries — are now awaiting only Ritter’s signature before becoming law. Ritter is expected to sign the bills, though he has not publicly endorsed them.
Tuesday’s final OK for House Bill 1284 didn’t come without drama. The House initially voted to reject changes the Senate made to the bill and to try to negotiate a compromise in the legislative session’s closing hours. But after some arm-twisting by the bill’s debate-weary sponsors, the House voted 49-16 to accept the Senate’s changes and conclude the bill’s legislative journey.
Senate backs CSAP changes.
The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to replace comprehensive student tests with student assessments.
Under the measure, students would be given three assessments: one to see what they know; one to see what they learned during the school year; and one diagnostic test so teachers can tailor instruction.
Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster said the tests no longer will be called the Colorado Student Assessment Program, or CSAP.
Under the bill, educators will review recommendations from a committee set up by Gov. Bill Ritter to study changes in public education from kindergarten through college.
College tuition change moves ahead.
A bill giving Colorado colleges more flexibility to set tuition rates is on its way to the governor.
The Senate on Tuesday agreed to changes made by the House and readopted the bill.
Backers say the bill is needed because lawmakers will have to cut state funding by $300 million next year. Federal stimulus money that has propped up the budget will disappear. Lawmakers also plan to have to spend more on Medicaid in future years, leaving less money for higher education.
Dems pick new budget panelist.
Senate Democrats Tuesday elected Sen. Mary Hodge to replace Sen. Abel Tapia on the Joint Budget Committee.
Tapia, D-Pueblo, is serving his last term in the legislature and resigned his JBC seat so that a successor could be named.
In a caucus meeting of Senate Democrats, Hodge, D-Brighton, was elected over Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver. The two candidates locked up on a tie vote at first, and then Senate Democrats voted again. Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver, who was not present for the first vote, also cast a ballot later.
Hodge won the second vote.
“Drafting the budget is a thorny, complex task, but I am eager to take on this challenge,” Hodge said.
Compiled by Denver Post staff writers John Ingold, Tim Hoover, and The Associated Press.
