Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, found himself on the outs with his own party last session for siding with Democrats on key budget issues and his sponsorship of Senate Bill 228, which eliminated the 6 percent growth cap on general government spending.
Face The State recently caught up with Marostica, who was appointed to serve on the legislature's Long-Term Fiscal Interim Committee.
State Sen. John Morse is fighting for your soul, whether you like it or not.
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FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver. Will union interests fracture over Gov. Bill Ritter's 2010 re-election? And is state Sen. John Morse getting a little over-eager in his fight for Colorado's budgetary "soul"?
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By Andrew Ripemoff
In an effort to duplicate the wildly successful California budget process, Governor Bill Ritter signed into law on Tuesday a bill repealing Colorado’s Arveschoug-Bird Amendment.
In his inaugural address, Pres. Barack Obama dedicated himself to "remaking America." State Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, is similarly fired up to shake Colorado to its core. Everyone seems to be thinking big these days.
As the state legislature debates Senate Bill 228, a bill seeking to eliminate the 6 percent growth limit on the state’s General Fund, questions are already arising about whether the lawmakers can make such a move without voter approval. Also at hand is the issue of whether or not a lawsuit would arise should the bill pass this session.
State Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, has angered his Republican colleagues by signing on as the co-sponsor of a Senate Bill 288, a measure that will eliminate the Arveschoug-Bird Amendment, which caps general fund growth at 6 percent each year. House Minority Leader Mike May said the move undermines the caucus and puts transportation dollars at risk. He is absolutely right.
Republicans are alleging that one of their own has turned on basic party principles by co-sponsoring a bill they say will allow for irresponsible growth of Colorado’s general fund.
A bill proposing to increase fees in order to support domestic violence service agencies was heard Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If passed, the bill would designate a percentage of funds specifically for organizations that provide domestic abuse services for military members and veterans.
The state’s $604 million budget shortfall isn’t discouraging backers of proposed legislation that would increase Colorado's vehicle registration fee by $1 for emergency medical services. In fact, they have been doubling their lobbying efforts.
In the wake of a projected $100 million state budget shortfall, two state lawmakers are poised to run a bill that will ask for a $1 increase in vehicle registration fees to help fund access to ambulances and other emergency medical services throughout rural parts of the state.
By Andrew Ripemoff
It’s been just over a week since the legislature has adjourned and yet, somehow, someway, the sun still rises every morning.
