Highlights from the Colorado Legislature on Friday:
— The Senate gave preliminary approval to a midyear spending plan that trims almost $217 million in general fund spending. Republicans complained that Democrats balanced the budget in large part by skimming taxes from drilling and mining, called severance taxes, from local governments.
— The Senate confirmed another Cabinet appointment—James Davis for the Department of Public Safety.
— The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill to forbid county clerks to ask additional proof a vehicle is used for agricultural purposes, beyond what the state requires.
New bills:
— Creates criminal penalties for harming unborn children (House Bill 1256).
— Requires forensic autopsies in certain deaths (House Bill 1256).
— Extends the practice of using waste tire fees for a higher education research fund (House Bill 1259).
