Colorado’s 120-day legislative session has hit its midpoint this weekend. With Democrats in charge of the Senate, Republicans in the majority in the House and Democrat John Hickenlooper in the governor’s office, here’s a look at the session.
House yes, but . . .
Bills passed in the House but likely to die in the Senate
Vehicle-registration late fee: Reduces the current mandatory late fee of a maximum of $100 to a flat $10 to be imposed at the discretion of the county clerk.
Concealed carry: Removes the requirement that a person go through training and get a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Mesa State College: Allows classified employees to hold an election on whether they want to be part of the state personnel system.
Senate yes, but . . .
Bills passed or expected to pass in the Senate but likely to die in the House
Civil unions: Gives same-sex couples many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage. The House sponsor believes he has enough support to get the measure passed on the floor, but the question is whether the bill gets sent to a House “kill” committee. Conventional wisdom at this point says it will.
Tuition: Gives in-state tuition to illegal immigrants in certain circumstances.
Civil rights: Concerns the creation of remedies in employment discrimination cases brought under state law.
All together now
High-profile bipartisan efforts
Ballot referendum: Asks voters in 2012 to decide whether to raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments from a majority to 60 percent.
Sports concussions: Requires coaches of youth sports to learn about brain injuries and to immediately remove athletes suspected of having concussions from competition.
Dual jobs: Allows Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia to hold another position in state government, in this case, director of the Department of Higher Education.
Redistricting: Special legislative committee, with five Democrats and five Republicans, will redraw congressional boundaries to make sure each district has about the same number of people.
Dead and gone
Arizona-style immigration: Would have allowed police to arrest illegal immigrants without a warrant if law enforcement had probable cause to believe they were in the country illegally. (Killed by the GOP sponsor.)
Collective bargaining ban: Would have outlawed collective bargaining or employee partnerships. (Killed in Senate committees.)
Hospital provider-fee reversal: Would have reversed a 2009 law imposing a fee on hospitals in order to draw down federal funds to help offset Medicaid costs. (Killed by the GOP sponsor.)
FASTER repeal: Would have repealed the measure increasing vehicle registration fees that raise money for bridge and road repairs. (Killed in Senate committee.)
Pay as you go: Would have required lawmakers to identify revenue or cuts to pay for new programs or tax credits and exemptions before receiving appropriations approval. (Died in House committee on a party-line vote.)
Yet to be fought
The budget: The legislature needs to deal with a $1.1 billion shortfall when crafting next fiscal year’s budget. Fights are expected over how large the state’s general fund reserve should be and how deep cuts to K-12 education and colleges should be.
Redistricting: While a select committee was pitched as a means to bringing bipartisanship to the normally contentious process, a Republican redistricting bill introduced last week infuriated Democrats, who said it undermined the unfinished work of the committee.
Surprises
Unpredictable stuff that turned into big stories
Republicans down on extra subsidies for school breakfasts.
It was an issue of only $125,000, but a Republican vote against supplemental funding for a subsidy on school breakfasts turned into one of the session’s early partisan blow-ups amid accusations of Scrooge-like behavior.
Secretary of State Scott Gessler.
The newly elected Republican’s revelation that he planned to moonlight for his old law firm — an elections law firm with business before the Secretary of State’s office — brought a conflict-of-interest furor that died only after he said he was calling off the deal. Meanwhile, Gessler has tussled with Democrats over his plans to keep a $4 million surplus in his office instead of freeing it up to help balance the state budget.
Hickenlooper goes to bat for craft brewers.
The annual brawl over whether anyone besides liquor stores can sell full-strength beer was launched with a new vigor after it was revealed Gov. John Hickenlooper had reversed a beer-testing regulation to help his former micro-brewer colleagues.
Fight for Fort Lyon.
The governor’s announcement he would close the prison, Bent County’s second-largest employer, created an uproar in southern Colorado and has the administration looking for ways to delay the Aug. 31 closure.
Neckwear.
The governor’s decision to dress business casual rather than wear ties on most days has provided plenty of light-hearted humor and even a push by former House Speaker Terrance Carroll for “tieless Tuesdays.”
Lynn Bartels and Tim Hoover
