DENVER—Highlights from the Colorado Legislature on Tuesday:
— Lawmakers ended a stalemate on the 2011 budget as Democrats and Republicans agreed to a spending plan that reduces K-12 education cuts from $332 million to $250 million and eliminates sales taxes on agricultural products and software. The Senate Appropriations Committee planned to start work on the appropriately titled “long bill” on Thursday, aiming to have the measure settled and to the House by early next week.
— The House gave final approval to a bill that would require 30 minutes of daily physical activity for elementary school students (House Bill 1069). It is now up to Gov. John Hickenlooper to decide whether to sign the bill.
— Hickenlooper and former Gov. Bill Ritter announced that 11 Colorado cities will host the USA Pro Cycling Challenge from Aug. 22-28. The race will be televised on NBC and VERSUS.
— Ritter was at the Capitol for the unveiling of his portrait. Ritter was Colorado’s 41st governor.
