DENVER—Your weekly look at what’s coming up at the Colorado Legislature:
BUDGET TIME
While most of the attention this year has focused on contentious issues like new firearm restrictions, the time has arrived for the one thing lawmakers are absolutely accomplish during the session: Passing a balanced budget. The Senate will take up the process Monday. Legislators will be meeting and dissecting numbers before a floor debate expected Wednesday. The general fund that lawmakers control has been growing and is now at $8.3 billion, allowing for more funding for schools, colleges and construction projects.
GUN DEBATE CONTINUES
House lawmakers take up two gun bills on Thursday that have already cleared the Senate. One eliminates online training for concealed-permits and requires that classes be taken in person. The other bill expands a ban on gun ownership for people convicted of certain domestic-violence offenses. The bill are being heard and voted on in committee.
SUPPORT FOR ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Republicans and Democrats are taking another look at how the state funds programs to help students who are learning English as a second language. A House committee on Monday will take up a bill that would recreate the state program and provide additional funding to educators teaching English-language learners.
CLEMENTS FUNERAL
Lawmakers will begin work later than usual on Monday so they can attend the funeral of Colorado Department of Corrections Chief Tom Clements, who was gunned down at his home on Tuesday. The House and the Senate will convene at 1 p.m.
MARIJUANA AUDIT
State auditors are releasing a report Tuesday that looks at how Colorado’s medical marijuana system is working. The report will have details related to the troubled Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, which regulates dispensaries and pot growers.
