To understand the dynamics that will influence the 2016 legislative session, it helps to take a deep look at the 2015 term — and in particular, the new power brokers, Senate Republicans.
In Sunday’s newspaper, the Denver Post shared an analysis of voting patterns that revealed a conservative split in the Senate GOP caucus and the emergence of a so-called “Colorado Freedom Caucus.” (.)
Here’s a look at three graphics that help explain the Colorado legislature ahead of the session that convenes Wednesday. The analysis looked at 367 bills that won approval in both chambers and went to the governor in the 2015 session.
The differences between the House and Senate are stark, as these two charts show.
A look at voting patterns in the Colorado House in the 2015 session. (Graphic by John Frank)
A look at the voting patterns in the Colorado Senate in the 2015 legislative session. (Graphic by John Frank)
And the telling statistic is the split between the chamber leaders and the party members that cast the most dissenting votes.
A look at the split in each chamber between the leader and the party member that cast the most “no” votes against legislation. (Graphic by John Frank)
