Legislative News

Redistricting causes commotion at Capitol

3/11/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

House Republicans on Friday introduced a bill on judicial instructions for congressional redistricting that is causing a stir at the capitol and raising concerns that it could impact the work of the bipartisan committee on redistricting.

Civil unions bill passes first Senate hurdle

3/11/2011
By Ernest Luning
The Colorado Statesman

A Senate panel on Monday gave initial approval to a bill that would create civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado over objections the proposal defies a constitutional ban on gay marriage enacted by voters five years ago.

Initiative proposes tax hikes

3/4/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

Democratic legislators this week unveiled separate tax proposals intended to find a way out of the $375 million budget cut Gov. John Hickenlooper proposes for K-12 education.

DU study: State budget woes never-ending

3/4/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

A legislative-commissioned study released last week by the University of Denver shows the state faces an enormous structural imbalance, and that even a recovery from the recession won’t be enough to resolve the state’s budget problems.

Steadman and Ferrandino: Bring back tax amnesty

3/4/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

Two Colorado lawmakers Wednesday said bringing back a 2003 tax amnesty idea, while not original, is creative and could bring in $15 million for K-12 education.

Hickenlooper signs first bills as governor

3/4/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

Gov. John Hickenlooper marked the beginning of March with his first bill signing as the state’s 42nd governor. Hickenlooper signed seven non-controversial bills during Tuesday’s ceremony, ringed by 30 lawmakers and dozens of staff and supporters.

Bill introduced for civil unions for same-sex couples

Will Cupid get McNulty’s heart on this issue?
2/18/2011
By Ernest Luning
The Colorado Statesman

State Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, on Monday introduced a bill to establish civil unions in Colorado, creating a state-sanctioned relationship for same-sex couples. And because the legislation debuted on Valentine’s Day, a supporter of the bill dressed as Cupid delivered construction-paper “links of love” to legislators during the lunch hour, meant to demonstrate support from around the state for the proposal.

Employee partnerships order still on the books

2/11/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

The second attempt by Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, to kill a 2007 executive order on employee partnerships fell by the wayside Monday. The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee killed his Senate Bill 11-038 on a 3-2 party-line vote. However, Mitchell got a bit of encouragement for one facet of his concerns over the largest state employee union, Colorado WINS, from the Senate President Pro Tem.

Mesa State bill moves forward

2/11/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

Democrats mounted a furious effort this week to defeat a bill that could allow Mesa State College to opt-out of the state personnel system.

Employee partnerships: What they do and what they don’t do

2/11/2011
By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

The employee partnership agreements were authorized by Gov. Bill Ritter on Nov. 2, 2007 through Executive Order D 028 07. The order allowed classified state employees to choose a union that would represent them on workplace issues, such as efficiency, safety, or training, through “negotiating units” for each of the state’s job groups or agencies.