House Speaker Terrance Carroll and former Speaker Andrew Romanoff are both Denver Democrats, but their leadership styles on the House floor couldn't be more different.
CarrollState of Colo.
Romanoff ran a tight ship. It was not out of the ordinary for him to gavel people on the floor for talking too loud during the third readings of bills. When Carroll took over this year, however, Carroll's approach was much more relaxed. Under his leadership, the House floor is a little bit messier. One Capitol staffer, who spoke to Face The State off the record, described it as "louder" and "more chaotic" under Carroll. Even though Carroll is more easy going than his predecessor, on more than one occasion he's gotten frustrated with the conduct of his colleagues.
Carroll’s frustration at the decreased respect in the House first became apparent last month, when he issued a memo demanding that "all lobbyists, governor's staff, executive staff, visitors, Capitol staff and press" use representatives' proper titles. Then, just yesterday, he pulled out the House rule book and lectured the chamber about appropriate announcements at the beginning of the daily session. Some members of the House were using that time to introduce special guests from organizations like rural electric co-ops instead.
While Carroll attempts to back peddle and establish more order in the House, maybe he shouldn't. Does the chamber need to be whisper-quiet in order to pass a bill? After all, Colorado does have a citizen legislature.