Legislature going out on 'high note'
Dems, GOP take credit for 2008 legislative legacy
By Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published May 6, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky/2007
House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, spots a leaky roof during a tour of Strasburg High School.
The Democrats in charge of the legislature say they will close this year's session either today or Wednesday, satisfied they've made strides in education, health care, the economy and protecting the environment.
"I'm going out on a really high note," said House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, who is term-limited. "I feel like every box I'm interested in has been checked."
Republicans took credit for several of the ideas that became the legacy of this session. They also claimed victory for stopping a couple proposals that went against their principles.
Democrats took control of both the House and Senate four years ago. They picked up the governor's office in 2006 and strengthened both legislative majorities while they were at it. The result of all that momentum was a decidedly Democratic agenda this year, focused on education, the environment, health care and a "new energy economy."
For the most part, Democrats were successful passing the cornerstones of that plan.
House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, with help from State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, got legislation passed allowing the state to borrow up to $1 billion to repair and rebuild the state's crumbling schools.
'Good year to be a kid'
"I think this was a really good year to be a kid in Colorado," said Romanoff, who also is term-limited.
Democrats working with the governor's budget office found money to provide health care coverage to 50,000 of the state's 150,000 uninsured children over the next three years.
Rep. Judy Solano, D-Brighton, got a "net metering" bill passed, requiring power companies to credit customers who produce their own wind and solar power.
And Gov. Bill Ritter found broad support for a package of proposals on the business-development front.
Two of the session's major pieces of legislation were bipartisan efforts co-sponsored by Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and other Republicans.
Penry tipped his hat to the governor "for recognizing good ideas and embracing them."
Those bills will fund higher education building projects and realign the state's K-12 educational content standards with the aim of better preparing students for college.
The spirit of bipartisan cooperation was a change from some years past. House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, said the approach was intentional.
"Being in the minority is not a skill I want to have forever, but you can legislate from the minority side and you can have influence," he said. "I think we were able to show that on several occasions."
Republicans took credit for scuttling at least two plans that would have loosened restrictions on the state's ability to collect and spend money.
A bill by Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, to increase car registration fees to pay for critical transportation projects died under Republican pressure.
The GOP also blocked a proposal introduced by Romanoff late in the session to overhaul the Colorado Constitution by lifting the revenue limits mandated by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights and to repeal Amendment 23's requirement that the state increase education spending annually regardless of the economy.
Citizens initiative
Romanoff on Monday officially pulled his bill from consideration, saying he will now try to collect the signatures required to place it on November's ballot as a citizens initiative.
Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, said he is certain Romanoff won't get the signatures he needs. "The only difference between Elvis and that idea is that Elvis may be alive somewhere," he said.
Also dead is McElhany's proposal to toll Interstate 70 to fund road construction. Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, kick-started that debate with a similar "congestion-based pricing" proposal to unclog I-70 during ski season rush hour.
While both plans died before making it out of the Senate, they were indicative of the failure of lawmakers to gain ground on transportation issues.
bargec@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5059
The highlights
EDUCATION * SB 218: Reallocates to higher-education construction projects hundreds of millions of dollars from federal mineral leases on land the state owns * SB 212: Realigns K-12 content standards to better prepare students for college * HB 1335: Allows the state to loan up to $1 billion to repair Colorado's crumbling schools
ENVIRONMENT HB 1160: Requires power companies to credit customers for producing their own wind and solar power HB 1353: Prevents fraud and misuse of the state's conservation easement program
HEALTH CARE SB 160: Provides coverage to 50,000 of the state's 150,000 uninsured children during the next three years. HB 1407: Forces insurance companies to pay benefits HB 1228: Allows commissioner of insurance to collect damages for misled consumers HB 1389: Allows state Division of Insurance to deny unjustified insurance rate hikes
ECONOMY HB 1225: Eliminates the business personal property tax for small businesses HB 1001: Makes $26.5 million available in grants to incubate bioscience technologies and jobs
TRANSPORTATION Not much accomplished. Two plans to toll Interstate 70 were killed. A vehicle registration and rental car fee-hike proposal died. Democrats acknowledge they must do something about state's "quiet crisis" next session.
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May 6, 2008
7:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
Why is it these elected people think they deserve this time off? If anything,, they need to redouble their efforts to get MORE Health Care to those in trouble. Gas is out the roof. Etc Etc Etc...
Here is a good plan...
A) If you miss more then one Vote. You lose that months pay.
B) Your Pay is based on the median income of those you represent.
C) Work Year round. No need to stop now. Unless we get to stop paying you!
Vote MarineGrunt in '12!!!
May 6, 2008
8:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
I guess I do not understand...
Why would I care less about those without proper health care? What good does that do anyone? Why would you even bring that up?
Please explain.
May 6, 2008
9:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
SPUD writes:
"I'm going out on a really high note," said House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, who is term-limited. "I feel like every box I'm interested in has been checked."
I thought our legislators were elected to serve the best interest of Colordo and its citizens, not checking your own "special interest" boxes. In the past I have not been in favor of term limits. But with these types of attitudes, it is probably good that Ms. Madden is leaving!
May 6, 2008
9:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
I vote for MarineGrunt.
May 6, 2008
9:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
farsidefan writes:
Grunt,
Trust me, we don't need these people around any longer than possible during the session. In the "old" days, I don't think there was a date limit that ended the session. It would drag on into June. Basically, they didn't accomplish anymore than they do now.
Actually, during the time off, most of them do come to the Capitol to serve on interim type of committees.
The whole idea behind a "citizens" legislature is to set it up so that if a legislator has a business, they can get back to it for six months of the year.
Grunt, if you miss a day because you are sick should we not pay you for the month ?
Paying based on median income would really put the screws to the rural legislators and make it impossible to serve.
Then you would have a "big city" legislature that is not truly representative of the state.
May 6, 2008
9:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
ZachR writes:
MarineGrunt, et al,
Your knowledge of the legislature is amazing.
First off, the median in Colorado is ~$52k/year. The legislators make 30k/year. You would actually be giving them a raise if you wanted to base it off median income.
Second, in the constitution (since its inception) the legislative session is 120 calendar days. Finishing a day early relieves the state of about 30k (based on the cost/day for the special session in '06). They legislature has been working until the late hours the last couple weeks, trying to get everything wrapped up, and save the tax-payers some $$. The last two years they've finished 3 days early and that savings goes right back in the general fund.
May 6, 2008
10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
farsidefan writes:
Zach,
Not to be picky, but I thought the 120 day session was passed sometime in the late 80's early 90's. I don't remember if it was placed on the ballot for a vote or if the legislature passed it. I think it was the former.
You are spot on with your analysis.
May 6, 2008
10:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
ZackR... then I guess they would get a raise! And if the median income went up.. then I guess they would get another raise. Some incentive to raise the standard of living in the State was what I was after. Thank you for glossing over that and not even trying to think about what I was going for there! Well done...
I KNOW why they serve as they do. The "so called", (many moons ago) leaders where needed to go home and tend to herds and fields that needed sowing. That later changed to committees and so forth, when most of the farmers and ranchers were no longer serving in local government. Again, while trying to show us how big of a brain you have (and the ability to use Google), you missed the part where I implied that I believe they should WORK YEAR ROUND FOR THE SAME PAY!!! Better in big letters? This way we get people interested in serving their community, rather then their self interests!
You ability to read a post, analyze what was said and form a intelligent response is amanzing as well, Zach!
May 6, 2008
12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
ZachR writes:
Not sure what 'amanzing' is, but thank you.
Raise the standard of living? Colorado is in the top 20% for median income, for a state our size with its agriculture base, that's pretty good.
Isn't basically serving for a third of the year, forgoing whatever other occupation & salary you could make, in the state's best interest, not their own? I'm sure on both sides of the aisle the members could serve their self interest and find a higher paying, more rewarding job.
Also, I did mis-speak before, the session was reduced in '89 from 140 days to 120. Thanks farsidefan!
I'm sorry your gas is so expensive, perhaps look to decrease your demand?
May 6, 2008
1:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
The bike requires no gas. But the continued raise in food and other essential items is what really concerns me. How will my lower demand help this situation? Does your gas cost less?
And a single typo... petty at best.
You have something against raising the level of income in the State? Why should we not shoot for the top 10%?
Not sure if your aware, but there is a group of folks that try to have the elected officials in power vote in a manner that would favor them greatly. We call this a "Lobby". This "lobby" likes to use money, vacations, jewelery, favors (of all kinds!) and all other sorts of neat and exciting things to achieve there desired end result. Now I admit, there is great amounts of money to be made in the private sector and the pay for being a Colorado State Senator is not at the top of any income list. The real juicy center to being a Senator is all the tax free goodies listed above. Not to mention most use the State as a spring board to Federal service. So, to say that everyone in the chambers is there to serve the public and has the peoples will at heart has be disproved many many times. And your more then welcome to google the # of elected officials currently serving in Federal Prison for taking gifts for the "lobby".
Funny you chose these two points to base your side of the discussion on. Any chance you want to talk about it as a whole or just keep the pieces you feel comfy enough you can talk about?
May 6, 2008
1:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
farsidefan... I see your point. And granted, no I do not wish to miss a months pay for missing one "event". My job does not have health care on the line, road maintenance, school funding, prisons that need maintains, untold bills for snow removal, crime, up coming Dem. Convention, homeless families that cannot feed their children or send them to school and a whole long laundry list of other some-what important issues that currently face us all. My pay is not derived from Tax payers pockets, either.
That is why I would like to see them there for EVERY vote. That way we know our Rep's. is voting in a manner that is consistent with the voters in their area.
May 6, 2008
2:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
ZachR writes:
Your pay is not derived from taxpayers pockets? Who do you think funds the Marines?
One typo? Not to be petty, but there are a few more mistakes in your last sentence too. That's not really my concern though, I was just returning the sarcasm. I'm sure I have more than my fair share of typos.
My gas does not cost less, in fact just like everyone else I see the inflated prices due to the increased price of food. However increasing the supply side is not the answer. Our (not yours or mine, since you ride a bike, and I generally take the bus or bike) insatiable demand for gasoline that is driving up the prices. If you go back to any first level undergrad economics materials, any good with a finite amount of supply and an increasing demand is going to see a price increase. I'm not trying to argue with you on these points though, as it is apparent we probably agree.
However, I think your disdain for the legislators is unfounded. I'm not going to 'google' politicians in jail for accepting bribes from lobbies, I will take your word on it. However this refutes your earlier assertion that they are ALLOWED to take these gifts. They are not. Amendment 41 (however poorly written) denies any gift from a lobbyist, or any other gift to a public servant over $50. These legislators are teachers, lawyers, bartenders, a Lieutenant Colonel, etc.
I am merely trying to defend the fact that the aren't a corrupt body of lazy, tax-squelching, megalomaniacs. I really appreciate the time and sacrifice that they put into to each session, and wouldn't want anything but a citizen legislator. I think when you get politicians who make it that their career is when you get the corruptness you often see on the federal level.
Looking at the voting record this term the only two legislators that missed any number of votes were Sen Ward, and Rep Rice, who were both serving in Iraq at the beginning of session and unable to vote. Should we eliminate their January pay?