Seed Newsvine
HB 1135, which requires disputes between homeowner associations and their members to be decided by neutral parties and allows mediation to be used, sailed through the House on third and final reading Friday.
The bill by Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, which also requires HOAs to allow accommodations needed to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, passed 61-1.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Rep. Levy, Sen. Shaffer Introduce Juvenile Justice Reform Bill
A bill that would impose tighter limits on the kinds of criminal cases that can result in juveniles being tried in an adult court was introduced in the House Friday.
HB 1208, which is sponsored by Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, and Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, makes some notable changes in the state's laws relating to juvenile criminal liability.
Under current law, a child that is age 14 or older can be directly charged with a crime in adult court. The bill would raise that threshold to age 16 and also provides that vehicular homicide and vehicular assault charges against children of any age could no longer be directly filed in adult criminal court.
The bill also creates a process under which a child that has been charged with a crime in adult court can ask the judge to send the case to juvenile court and gives judges in adult court greater latitude to send a convicted child to juvenile detention in certain cases.
The bill is co-sponsored by many House Democrats, including Majority Leader Alice Madden of Boulder and Judiciary Committee chair Terrence Carroll of Denver. In the Senate, cosponsors include Majority Leader Ken Gordon, D-Denver, President Pro-Tem Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, and Appropriations Committee chair John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs.
Colorado law has provided that children age 14 or older can be charged and tried as adults in certain circumstances since 1973. In 1987 the General Assembly enacted a law that allowed children as young as 12 to be tried as adults.
The state has also recently taken a hard line on giving juveniles convicted as adults and sentenced to life in prison the opportunity for parole. In 1991 parole for life sentenced convicts was eliminated. In 2006 the General Assembly passed, and then-Gov. Bill Owens signed, a bill that reinstated parole for juveniles sentenced to life imprisonment after 40 years of confinement. It did not apply retroactively.
Recent studies show that teenagers are not as capable as adults of controlling their impulses due to the fact that their brains have not fully matured. This one is among the most notable.
In autumn 2006 the Denver Post ran a series of articles about teenagers serving life sentences in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain News ran a similar series in 2005.
The United States is one of only two nations that have declined to sign the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which bans the death penalty or a prison sentence of life without possibility of parole to persons convicted of a crime committed before the age of 18. The other non-signer is Somalia. 193 nations are parties to the Convention and an additional 140 are signatories obliged to follow its restraints on the treatment of juvenile offenders.
HB 1208, which is sponsored by Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, and Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, makes some notable changes in the state's laws relating to juvenile criminal liability.
Under current law, a child that is age 14 or older can be directly charged with a crime in adult court. The bill would raise that threshold to age 16 and also provides that vehicular homicide and vehicular assault charges against children of any age could no longer be directly filed in adult criminal court.
The bill also creates a process under which a child that has been charged with a crime in adult court can ask the judge to send the case to juvenile court and gives judges in adult court greater latitude to send a convicted child to juvenile detention in certain cases.
The bill is co-sponsored by many House Democrats, including Majority Leader Alice Madden of Boulder and Judiciary Committee chair Terrence Carroll of Denver. In the Senate, cosponsors include Majority Leader Ken Gordon, D-Denver, President Pro-Tem Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, and Appropriations Committee chair John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs.
Colorado law has provided that children age 14 or older can be charged and tried as adults in certain circumstances since 1973. In 1987 the General Assembly enacted a law that allowed children as young as 12 to be tried as adults.
The state has also recently taken a hard line on giving juveniles convicted as adults and sentenced to life in prison the opportunity for parole. In 1991 parole for life sentenced convicts was eliminated. In 2006 the General Assembly passed, and then-Gov. Bill Owens signed, a bill that reinstated parole for juveniles sentenced to life imprisonment after 40 years of confinement. It did not apply retroactively.
Recent studies show that teenagers are not as capable as adults of controlling their impulses due to the fact that their brains have not fully matured. This one is among the most notable.
In autumn 2006 the Denver Post ran a series of articles about teenagers serving life sentences in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain News ran a similar series in 2005.
The United States is one of only two nations that have declined to sign the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which bans the death penalty or a prison sentence of life without possibility of parole to persons convicted of a crime committed before the age of 18. The other non-signer is Somalia. 193 nations are parties to the Convention and an additional 140 are signatories obliged to follow its restraints on the treatment of juvenile offenders.
Military Relief Fund Bill Passes House
A bill that would extend the life of the state's Military Family Relief Fund has passed the House and is on the way to the Senate. The fund will expire this year if the bill is not enacted into law.
HB 1035, which is sponsored by Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, Rep. Spencer Swalm, R-Centennial, and Sen. John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs, was given final clearance by the House this morning. Carroll was the driving force behind the initial creation of the fund.
The fund, which is administered by the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, provides money to families of service members, including national guard members on active duty, deployed as a result of the attacks on the United States that took place Sept. 11, 2001.
The fund can be used to make up lost salary and increased expenses caused by the armed forces member's mobilization.
You can learn more about the Military Family Relief Fund here.
HB 1035, which is sponsored by Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, Rep. Spencer Swalm, R-Centennial, and Sen. John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs, was given final clearance by the House this morning. Carroll was the driving force behind the initial creation of the fund.
The fund, which is administered by the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, provides money to families of service members, including national guard members on active duty, deployed as a result of the attacks on the United States that took place Sept. 11, 2001.
The fund can be used to make up lost salary and increased expenses caused by the armed forces member's mobilization.
You can learn more about the Military Family Relief Fund here.
Turtle Bill Plods On
The student-inspired bill to designate the Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) as Colorado's official reptile passed a second reading in the House.
The debate on HB 1017 this morning was a humor-filled affair, with Rep. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, jokingly suggesting that "high altitude" lizards are being treated unfairly.
Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, drew laughter when he suggested that the turtle looks alot like well-known lobbyist and former legislator Steve Durham.
All of the comedy was accompanied by a large photo of the Western painted turtle projected onto the chamber wall.
But not everyone felt like laughing.
Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, said the bill amounted to an unnecessary effort to fill the state's "law books with embarrassing trivia."
Half the states now have officially-designated state reptiles. Colorado would be the 26th to provide the recognition.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster, a former teacher to whom the Adams County school kids who are leading the push on behalf of the turtle turned when they discovered the Centennial State lacks a state reptile.
The House is scheduled to consider HB 1017 on third and final reading Monday, Jan. 28.
The debate on HB 1017 this morning was a humor-filled affair, with Rep. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, jokingly suggesting that "high altitude" lizards are being treated unfairly.
Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, drew laughter when he suggested that the turtle looks alot like well-known lobbyist and former legislator Steve Durham.
All of the comedy was accompanied by a large photo of the Western painted turtle projected onto the chamber wall.
But not everyone felt like laughing.
Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, said the bill amounted to an unnecessary effort to fill the state's "law books with embarrassing trivia."
Half the states now have officially-designated state reptiles. Colorado would be the 26th to provide the recognition.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster, a former teacher to whom the Adams County school kids who are leading the push on behalf of the turtle turned when they discovered the Centennial State lacks a state reptile.
The House is scheduled to consider HB 1017 on third and final reading Monday, Jan. 28.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
State Reptile Bill Hits House Floor Friday
The student-created bill that would designate the Western painted turtle as Colorado's state reptile will get preliminary consideration by the House of Representatives Friday.
HB 1017, sponsored by Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster, previously passed a House committee with only Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, opposed.
If the House passes the bill tomorrow, it will have to survive a third reading in that chamber before moving on the Senate for consideration.
HB 1017, sponsored by Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster, previously passed a House committee with only Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, opposed.
If the House passes the bill tomorrow, it will have to survive a third reading in that chamber before moving on the Senate for consideration.
Senate Considers Foster Child Sibling Visit Bill Friday
The Senate will take up HB 1006, which would require social service agencies to permit a foster child to visit his or her siblings, Friday morning.
The bill previously passed the House unanimously.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Cheri Jahn, D-Golden, and Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver.
The bill previously passed the House unanimously.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Cheri Jahn, D-Golden, and Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver.
Morgan Carroll's HOA Bill Passes Committee
A bill that would require HOAs to assure that disputes with members are decided by a neutral party and authorize the use of mediation passed its first test in the House of Representatives Thursday.
HB 1135 drew no opposition on second and preliminary reading by the full chamber. It had sailed through the House Local Government committee with a unanimous vote Wednesday.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, and Sens. Bob Hagedorn and Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora.
The House is scheduled to vote on final adoption of the bill Friday. If approved, it will head to the Senate for consideration.
HB 1135 drew no opposition on second and preliminary reading by the full chamber. It had sailed through the House Local Government committee with a unanimous vote Wednesday.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, and Sens. Bob Hagedorn and Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora.
The House is scheduled to vote on final adoption of the bill Friday. If approved, it will head to the Senate for consideration.
Bill to Ban Remote Control Hunting Introduced
A bill that would prohibit the use of remote-controlled, computer-operated weapons in hunting was introduced Thursday.
HB 1200, sponsored by Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, applies to computers and software used to remotely control a weapon used in an effort to kill wildlife, including firearms and archery equipment.
It also prohibits computer-assisted remote hunting facilities, such as blinds, offices, rooms and weapons intended to facilitate remote-control hunting.
The bill specifies that a person who engages in remote-control hunting in the state commits a misdemeanor.
It does not apply to reasonable accommodations for disabled persons provided by the Department of Wildlife.
HB 1200, sponsored by Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, applies to computers and software used to remotely control a weapon used in an effort to kill wildlife, including firearms and archery equipment.
It also prohibits computer-assisted remote hunting facilities, such as blinds, offices, rooms and weapons intended to facilitate remote-control hunting.
The bill specifies that a person who engages in remote-control hunting in the state commits a misdemeanor.
It does not apply to reasonable accommodations for disabled persons provided by the Department of Wildlife.
Bill to Loosen Police Duty to Write Accident Reports Introduced
Reps. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, and Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, have introduced a bill that would ease the obligation of law enforcement agencies to write reports of traffic accidents.
HB 1198 would raise the threshold required for a report prepared by a police officer from $1,000 to $3,500 in property damage. It makes clear that law enforcement officer-generated reports would be required if an accident causes injury or death, a police officer has reasonable cause to believe one or more of the involved drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if one or more of the drivers has a suspended or revoked driver license or lacks insurance or proof of insurance.
If the bill passes the law will require motorists involved in accidents with less than $3,500 in property damage, and which don't involve the other conditions specified above, to self-report to the state's database.
HB 1198 would raise the threshold required for a report prepared by a police officer from $1,000 to $3,500 in property damage. It makes clear that law enforcement officer-generated reports would be required if an accident causes injury or death, a police officer has reasonable cause to believe one or more of the involved drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if one or more of the drivers has a suspended or revoked driver license or lacks insurance or proof of insurance.
If the bill passes the law will require motorists involved in accidents with less than $3,500 in property damage, and which don't involve the other conditions specified above, to self-report to the state's database.
Clerks: Ritter Election Plan Will Cost Millions
The state's county clerks said Thursday that the cost of implementing Gov. Bill Ritter's plan to conduct 2008 elections by traditional paper ballots cast at polling places will cost at least $10 million.
A report published in the Rocky Mountain News says that counties have already spent almost $24 million to purchase the electronic voting machines and counting equipment needed to comply with a federal law enacted in 2002. About $9 million of that amount was paid for by the counties.
Only one county, Boulder County, uses the traditional polling place, paper ballot method of conducting elections. All other counties will face expenses either to acquire the necessary equipment, retrofit existing machines and/or rent polling places, pay election judges and print ballots.
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's Dec. 17 order decertifying electronic voting machines in counties across the state is being appealed by 50 counties and several equipment manufacturers.
A report published in the Rocky Mountain News says that counties have already spent almost $24 million to purchase the electronic voting machines and counting equipment needed to comply with a federal law enacted in 2002. About $9 million of that amount was paid for by the counties.
Only one county, Boulder County, uses the traditional polling place, paper ballot method of conducting elections. All other counties will face expenses either to acquire the necessary equipment, retrofit existing machines and/or rent polling places, pay election judges and print ballots.
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's Dec. 17 order decertifying electronic voting machines in counties across the state is being appealed by 50 counties and several equipment manufacturers.
Baker Confirmed to PUC
The Senate confirmed Gov. Bill Ritter's nomination of Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Thursday, overcoming virtually unanimous GOP opposition to the Environment Colorado executive director.
The vote was 21-13, with Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, joining the Democrats in voting "yes" on the nomination.
Under Baker's leadership Environment Colorado prepared and issued a report on ways in which Colorado could combat global climate change. The report urged the state to refrain from licensing new coal-fired power plants.
The vote was 21-13, with Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, joining the Democrats in voting "yes" on the nomination.
Under Baker's leadership Environment Colorado prepared and issued a report on ways in which Colorado could combat global climate change. The report urged the state to refrain from licensing new coal-fired power plants.
Gardner's Tough Anti-Strike Bill Defeated in Committee
The Republican bill aimed at blocking employees at any level of government in Colorado from going on strike was killed by a House committee Thursday.
HB 1187, which is co-sponsored by virtually all Republican legislators, was defeated, 7-4, by the Business & Labor Committee.
The bill would have permitted state judges to block strikes, by injunction and subjected violators of such court orders to felony criminal liability. It would also have allowed a court to impose fines of up to $10,000 per day on employee organizations involved in strike planning and which are involved in violating anti-strike injunctions.
HB 1187, which is co-sponsored by virtually all Republican legislators, was defeated, 7-4, by the Business & Labor Committee.
The bill would have permitted state judges to block strikes, by injunction and subjected violators of such court orders to felony criminal liability. It would also have allowed a court to impose fines of up to $10,000 per day on employee organizations involved in strike planning and which are involved in violating anti-strike injunctions.
Democratic Anti-Strike Bill Escapes Committee
A bill by Rep. Jim Riesberg to prohibit state workers from going on strike was passed by a House committee Thursday afternoon.
HB 1189, unlike the more expansive ban proposed by the GOP, does not apply to workers for any government entity other than the state. It makes violation a misdemeanor, instead of permitting felony criminal sanctions as would Rep. Bob Gardner's more hard-line measure.
The bill passed 6-5, with all Republicans and Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, opposed.
Carroll said she would not support the bill because she did not think that state workers' right to strike should be taken away.
Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, indicated that he was not enthusiastic about the bill but nevertheless voted "yes."
Gov. Bill Ritter has argued that his executive order granting state employees the right to collectively bargain on a limited range of issues precludes strikes. But he has also said that he will sign a strike ban bill.
HB 1189, unlike the more expansive ban proposed by the GOP, does not apply to workers for any government entity other than the state. It makes violation a misdemeanor, instead of permitting felony criminal sanctions as would Rep. Bob Gardner's more hard-line measure.
The bill passed 6-5, with all Republicans and Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, opposed.
Carroll said she would not support the bill because she did not think that state workers' right to strike should be taken away.
Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, indicated that he was not enthusiastic about the bill but nevertheless voted "yes."
Gov. Bill Ritter has argued that his executive order granting state employees the right to collectively bargain on a limited range of issues precludes strikes. But he has also said that he will sign a strike ban bill.
Bruce Censure Approved
The House took up the Bruce censure resolution at about 9:20 am today.
The resolution says Bruce "acted inappropriately" and that he "failed to uphold the honor and dignity of the House of Representatives." It also says Bruce "failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing or accept responsibility for his wrongdoing" in kicking Rocky Mountain News photographer Javier Manzano.
Co-sponsor Paul Weissman explained what a censure means. "He helped himself to the edge. He can choose to be like Wiley Coyote and flop off or he can choose to walk himself back," said Rep. Paul Weissman, D-Louisville, a co-sponsor of the resolution. "There was some discussion, frankly, about expelling Rep. Bruce. We were short of that, but it was pretty close."
GOP co-sponsor Steve King of Grand Junction was blunt in his statement in support of the resolution. "We need to lead by example," said King. "Violence cannot be tolerated in this house."
Bruce responded by comparing himself to the lead character in the 1930s movie, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," in which a politician punches reporters.
"He prevails only by collapsing during a filibuster defending his honor," said Bruce. "I'm not going to collapse here and I'm not going to filibuster, but I have given each member seven pages of reasons why this resolution itself is an overreaction to a nudge of an unruly photographer who twice broke his promise to me."
Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, dismissed Bruce's comparison.
"You're not Jimmy Stewart," said White. "This is not a 1939 movie. This is today. Your actions were wrong."
Bruce denied he overreacted to the "photographer's betrayal of his promise."
"I heard here for many years that the most important thing is for people to keep their word," Bruce said. "I made a mistake. I trusted a journalist and I won't do that again."
Bruce criticized the photographer for failing to abide by journalistic ethics. "When my eyes were closed, he broke his promise," said Bruce. "He caused the disruption of the prayer, not me."
He also said his assault on Manzano was no different than the ordinary, friendly physical contact between legislators that happens frequently at the Capitol.
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, expressed opposition to the resolution but denied he was defending Bruce's actions. "I would caution us in rushing down this road of censure as opposed to a rebuke or something less than that because I think we are setting a low bar for this action that has never been taken in this body previous to this time," said Lundberg.
The resolution was approved by the House, 62-1.
The House later rejected a motion by Bruce to have his version of events included in the permanent record of the chamber. Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, told the chamber that he was concerned that Bruce's narrative was not accurate.
Bruce is the first member of the Colorado General Assembly censured by a chamber of the legislature in the history of the state.
The resolution says Bruce "acted inappropriately" and that he "failed to uphold the honor and dignity of the House of Representatives." It also says Bruce "failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing or accept responsibility for his wrongdoing" in kicking Rocky Mountain News photographer Javier Manzano.
Co-sponsor Paul Weissman explained what a censure means. "He helped himself to the edge. He can choose to be like Wiley Coyote and flop off or he can choose to walk himself back," said Rep. Paul Weissman, D-Louisville, a co-sponsor of the resolution. "There was some discussion, frankly, about expelling Rep. Bruce. We were short of that, but it was pretty close."
GOP co-sponsor Steve King of Grand Junction was blunt in his statement in support of the resolution. "We need to lead by example," said King. "Violence cannot be tolerated in this house."
Bruce responded by comparing himself to the lead character in the 1930s movie, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," in which a politician punches reporters.
"He prevails only by collapsing during a filibuster defending his honor," said Bruce. "I'm not going to collapse here and I'm not going to filibuster, but I have given each member seven pages of reasons why this resolution itself is an overreaction to a nudge of an unruly photographer who twice broke his promise to me."
Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, dismissed Bruce's comparison.
"You're not Jimmy Stewart," said White. "This is not a 1939 movie. This is today. Your actions were wrong."
Bruce denied he overreacted to the "photographer's betrayal of his promise."
"I heard here for many years that the most important thing is for people to keep their word," Bruce said. "I made a mistake. I trusted a journalist and I won't do that again."
Bruce criticized the photographer for failing to abide by journalistic ethics. "When my eyes were closed, he broke his promise," said Bruce. "He caused the disruption of the prayer, not me."
He also said his assault on Manzano was no different than the ordinary, friendly physical contact between legislators that happens frequently at the Capitol.
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, expressed opposition to the resolution but denied he was defending Bruce's actions. "I would caution us in rushing down this road of censure as opposed to a rebuke or something less than that because I think we are setting a low bar for this action that has never been taken in this body previous to this time," said Lundberg.
The resolution was approved by the House, 62-1.
The House later rejected a motion by Bruce to have his version of events included in the permanent record of the chamber. Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, told the chamber that he was concerned that Bruce's narrative was not accurate.
Bruce is the first member of the Colorado General Assembly censured by a chamber of the legislature in the history of the state.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Baker PUC Nomination Hits Senate Floor Tomorrow
Environmentalist Matt Baker's nomination to serve as a member of the Public Utilities Commission will be considered by the Senate Thursday.
Baker's nomination was endorsed by a Senate committee earlier in the week, despite Republican charges that he is opposed to the use of coal to meet the state's electricity needs.
Republican Senate leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs has also charged that Baker lacks the technical expertise to be an effective member of the PUC. Baker has a history degree.
Given the margin of the Democratic majority in the Senate, and a vote for Baker in committee by Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, it is likely that Baker will be confirmed.
Baker's nomination was endorsed by a Senate committee earlier in the week, despite Republican charges that he is opposed to the use of coal to meet the state's electricity needs.
Republican Senate leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs has also charged that Baker lacks the technical expertise to be an effective member of the PUC. Baker has a history degree.
Given the margin of the Democratic majority in the Senate, and a vote for Baker in committee by Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, it is likely that Baker will be confirmed.
Sunday Liquor Sale Bill Up For Hearing Soon
A bill that would end a seven decade-plus old ban on Sunday liquor sales in Colorado will soon be considered by a Senate committee.
SB 82, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Viega, D-Denver, is a reprise of a similar bill floated three years ago. However, according to a report in the Rocky Mountain News, the coalition of independent liquor store owners that opposed it then is now willing to support the change in state law.
A hearing on the bill will soon be scheduled by the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee.
SB 82, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Viega, D-Denver, is a reprise of a similar bill floated three years ago. However, according to a report in the Rocky Mountain News, the coalition of independent liquor store owners that opposed it then is now willing to support the change in state law.
A hearing on the bill will soon be scheduled by the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee.
Ritter, Legislators Want Paper Ballot-Only Elections in '08
Gov. Bill Ritter, flanked by legislative leaders, announced at a press conference this afternoon that he thinks the state should conduct traditional polling place, paper ballot elections this year.
The governor's stance places him at odds with the preferences of county clerks, who have said they would like elections this year to be conducted via mail ballots.
Paper ballots "ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past," said Ritter.
Ritter also sent a letter to county clerks laying out his opinion on how elections should be administered in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 decision by Secretary of State Mike Coffman to decertify electronic voting machines.
"While we understand that some clerks may have preferred a different outcome, we will continue to work with you to ensure a successful election process," Ritter wrote.
Coffman mildly criticized Ritter's decision following the press conference.
"The clerks are the ones who administer elections, and it is only fair that we defer to their judgment," said Coffman, who nevertheless agreed that the governor and legislature have the right to make the rules.
House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, will sponsor legislation aimed at writing Ritter's preference for traditional polling place, paper-ballot elections into law.
The governor's stance places him at odds with the preferences of county clerks, who have said they would like elections this year to be conducted via mail ballots.
Paper ballots "ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past," said Ritter.
Ritter also sent a letter to county clerks laying out his opinion on how elections should be administered in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 decision by Secretary of State Mike Coffman to decertify electronic voting machines.
"While we understand that some clerks may have preferred a different outcome, we will continue to work with you to ensure a successful election process," Ritter wrote.
Coffman mildly criticized Ritter's decision following the press conference.
"The clerks are the ones who administer elections, and it is only fair that we defer to their judgment," said Coffman, who nevertheless agreed that the governor and legislature have the right to make the rules.
House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, will sponsor legislation aimed at writing Ritter's preference for traditional polling place, paper-ballot elections into law.
Bruce Censure to be Read Today
The clerk of the House will read the resolution of censure against Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, this afternoon, commencing the process under which the members of that chamber will decide whether to punish Bruce for kicking a photographer last week.
The debate on the resolution will occur Thursday. House leadership decided not to require Bruce to stand in the well of the House while the resolution is read and to dispense with the special committee's recommendation that Bruce be required to apologize to the House as a whole.
The debate on the resolution will occur Thursday. House leadership decided not to require Bruce to stand in the well of the House while the resolution is read and to dispense with the special committee's recommendation that Bruce be required to apologize to the House as a whole.
Vote Solution to be Unveiled Today
Gov. Bill Ritter and legislative leaders will hold a news conference early this afternoon to announce a plan for running the autumn elections.
This morning, at an oversight hearing conducted by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Mike Coffman said he would support a proposal to conduct an all-mail election in November.
He also said the legislature should any counties desiring to permit in-person paper balloting in addition to mail balloting to do so.
There are several proposals aimed at resolving the voting quandary pending in the General Assembly.
These include HB 1155, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, which would allow Coffman to re-test the electronic voting machines that were decertified for use last month.
HB 1155 was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Jan. 17. It now moves to the House floor for the first of two votes needed to move the bill on to the Senate.
In addition, Gordon indicated before the start of the session that he would introduce a bill to permit use of traditional paper ballots, and possibly an all-mail election process, in order to sidestep Coffman's Dec. 17 decertification order.
This morning, at an oversight hearing conducted by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Mike Coffman said he would support a proposal to conduct an all-mail election in November.
He also said the legislature should any counties desiring to permit in-person paper balloting in addition to mail balloting to do so.
There are several proposals aimed at resolving the voting quandary pending in the General Assembly.
These include HB 1155, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, which would allow Coffman to re-test the electronic voting machines that were decertified for use last month.
HB 1155 was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Jan. 17. It now moves to the House floor for the first of two votes needed to move the bill on to the Senate.
In addition, Gordon indicated before the start of the session that he would introduce a bill to permit use of traditional paper ballots, and possibly an all-mail election process, in order to sidestep Coffman's Dec. 17 decertification order.
Todd's Dissection Alternative Bill to Get Hearing
The House Education Committee will soon hear a bill by Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, that would require public schools to give students who object to harming an animal the opportunity to do projects, other than dissection or similar procedures, that would achieve the classroom educational goals.
HB 1149, the Student Dissection Choice Act, is co-sponsored by several other former or present teachers serving in the House, including Reps. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster and Judy Solano, D-Thornton. Republican Rep. Larry Liston of Colorado Springs is also a co-sponsor.
The bill would apply to a living or dead animal and require schools to notify students and parents three weeks in advance of any planned dissection, vivisection, incubation, capture or any other action that would result in harm or death to an animal.
The House Education Committee is scheduled to conduct a hearing on HB 1149 Monday, Jan. 28 at 1:30 pm.
HB 1149, the Student Dissection Choice Act, is co-sponsored by several other former or present teachers serving in the House, including Reps. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster and Judy Solano, D-Thornton. Republican Rep. Larry Liston of Colorado Springs is also a co-sponsor.
The bill would apply to a living or dead animal and require schools to notify students and parents three weeks in advance of any planned dissection, vivisection, incubation, capture or any other action that would result in harm or death to an animal.
The House Education Committee is scheduled to conduct a hearing on HB 1149 Monday, Jan. 28 at 1:30 pm.
Reptile Bill Passes Committee
HB 1017, the bill that would designate the Western painted turtle as Colorado's state reptile, was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs committee yesterday. Every member of the committee except Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, voted "yes," including conservative Republicans Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs and Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud.
If designated as an official Colorado mascot, the Western painted turtle would join the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Colorado blue spruce, columbine, Greenback cutthroat trout, Lark bunting, aquamarine, rhodochrosite, yule marble, the stegosaurus, blue grama grass, "Rocky Mountain High" and the square dance in being the subject of such recognition.
GOP Attacks on Ritter Union Order Underway
Republican lawmakers, who promised to try to nullify Gov. Bill Ritter's executive order allowing government employees to collectively bargain for certain workplace conditions, have filed bills that would reverse the order and ban strikes by state employees.
SB 86, which is sponsored by Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, would prohibit altogether the "employee partnership agreements" authorized by Ritter's order. That bill has been assigned to the State, Veterans & Military Affairs committee, where the likelihood of it surviving for a trip to the Senate floor is slim. Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, chairs the committee, with Chris Romer of Denver and Sue Windels of Arvada the other Democrats.
Mitchell's bill is sponsored in the House by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma.
Over in the House Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, introduced HB 1187, which would ban strikes by public employees. Moreover, it would prohibit any public employee, which includes people working for cities and towns, counties, school districts, special district or municipal, quasi-municipal or public corporation, from "directly or indirectly inducing, instigating, encouraging, authorizing, ratifying or participating in a strike."
The bill also provides that any public employer, which includes the above-listed entities, is not to "authorize, consent to or condone" a strike or "pay or agree to pay any public employee during any day in which a public employee participates in a strike."
The bill grants district courts the authority to enjoin strikes or "threatened" strikes and subjects employees who violate the court order to punishment for felony contempt of court, including a period in which they would be banned from public employment. It also directs school boards to move immediately to fire teachers who continue striking, or planning for a strike, in defiance of a court order.
HB 1187 has drawn co-sponsorship from 22 other House Republicans. It is sponsored in the Senate by Nancy Spence of Centennial, with co-sponsorship from every other GOP Senator except Steve Ward of Littleton, who is serving on activy duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq.
Gardner's bill is not the only one on the subject.
Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Fort Collins, has a competing measure that imposes less severe consequences on public employees who involve themselves in a work stoppage.
HB 1189 applies only to employees in the state personnel system. It forbids them from inciting, encouraging or participating in a strike, work stoppage, slowdown or interruption. The bill does not change current law that forbids state government from locking out employees while a labor dispute is ongoing. HB 1189 does not specify penalties for a violation of its prohibition or indicate whether a violation would be criminal in nature and, if so, whether it would be a felony or misdemeanor.
The bills introduced by Gardner and Riesberg have been assigned to the House Business Affairs & Labor committee. Hearings will be held on both bills Thursday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 pm.
SB 86, which is sponsored by Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, would prohibit altogether the "employee partnership agreements" authorized by Ritter's order. That bill has been assigned to the State, Veterans & Military Affairs committee, where the likelihood of it surviving for a trip to the Senate floor is slim. Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, chairs the committee, with Chris Romer of Denver and Sue Windels of Arvada the other Democrats.
Mitchell's bill is sponsored in the House by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma.
Over in the House Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, introduced HB 1187, which would ban strikes by public employees. Moreover, it would prohibit any public employee, which includes people working for cities and towns, counties, school districts, special district or municipal, quasi-municipal or public corporation, from "directly or indirectly inducing, instigating, encouraging, authorizing, ratifying or participating in a strike."
The bill also provides that any public employer, which includes the above-listed entities, is not to "authorize, consent to or condone" a strike or "pay or agree to pay any public employee during any day in which a public employee participates in a strike."
The bill grants district courts the authority to enjoin strikes or "threatened" strikes and subjects employees who violate the court order to punishment for felony contempt of court, including a period in which they would be banned from public employment. It also directs school boards to move immediately to fire teachers who continue striking, or planning for a strike, in defiance of a court order.
HB 1187 has drawn co-sponsorship from 22 other House Republicans. It is sponsored in the Senate by Nancy Spence of Centennial, with co-sponsorship from every other GOP Senator except Steve Ward of Littleton, who is serving on activy duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq.
Gardner's bill is not the only one on the subject.
Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Fort Collins, has a competing measure that imposes less severe consequences on public employees who involve themselves in a work stoppage.
HB 1189 applies only to employees in the state personnel system. It forbids them from inciting, encouraging or participating in a strike, work stoppage, slowdown or interruption. The bill does not change current law that forbids state government from locking out employees while a labor dispute is ongoing. HB 1189 does not specify penalties for a violation of its prohibition or indicate whether a violation would be criminal in nature and, if so, whether it would be a felony or misdemeanor.
The bills introduced by Gardner and Riesberg have been assigned to the House Business Affairs & Labor committee. Hearings will be held on both bills Thursday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 pm.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Steve Johnson to Leave Senate?
Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, has decided to run for a seat on the Larimer County Commission this autumn, according to a report in the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
Johnson, who was re-elected to his second term in 2006, says he will not resign his Senate seat unless he is elected commissioner.
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, was a candidate for the Senate seat now held by Johnson in 1998. He is likely to seek appointment to the slot if Johnson resigns after the November election and a vacancy committee must fill the District 15 seat until the November 2010 election.
Johnson is a member of the Joint Budget Committee and possibly his party's leading expert on the state budget in the General Assembly.
Johnson, who was re-elected to his second term in 2006, says he will not resign his Senate seat unless he is elected commissioner.
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, was a candidate for the Senate seat now held by Johnson in 1998. He is likely to seek appointment to the slot if Johnson resigns after the November election and a vacancy committee must fill the District 15 seat until the November 2010 election.
Johnson is a member of the Joint Budget Committee and possibly his party's leading expert on the state budget in the General Assembly.
Military Family Relief Fund Extension Passes House Committee
HB 1035, which would extend the life of the state's military family relief fund, was endorsed by a House committee this morning.
The bill, which would extend the life of a fund used to help families that suffer financial hardship when an armed forces member is deployed overseas, was approved by the House Finance Committee, 8-3.
Republican Reps. Doug Bruce and Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs and Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud voted "no."
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, and Spencer Swalm, R-Centennial and Sen. John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs.
The bill, which would extend the life of a fund used to help families that suffer financial hardship when an armed forces member is deployed overseas, was approved by the House Finance Committee, 8-3.
Republican Reps. Doug Bruce and Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs and Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud voted "no."
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, and Spencer Swalm, R-Centennial and Sen. John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs.
Peniston's State Reptile Bill Goes to Committee; Turtles Common Choice
Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster, will ask a House committee Tuesday to approve her bill designating the Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) as Colorado's official state reptile.
Designation of the turtle would not be a particularly unique gesture, however.
25 other states have officially designated reptiles. Among the lucky creatures are a number of different turtles, including the Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis), Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), Ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata), Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Three-toed box turtle (Terrapene Carolina triunguis), Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and Gopher tortoise (genus including four species)
Illinois and Michigan have designated the species Painted turtle as their state reptiles. The Western Painted turtle is one of four subspecies of that species and is, as the name indicates, native to most of the American west.
If HB 1017 is enacted into law, Peniston might owe a debt of thanks to the kids who helped her come up with it.
The Adams County lawmaker says middle school children in her district suggested designation of the turtle. According to a report in the Rocky Mountain News, the kids weren't excited about picking a rattlesnake.
"Originally they thought they’d have a rattlesnake, but they were worried that people might think they were being too mean,” Peniston told the Rocky.
Designation of the turtle would not be a particularly unique gesture, however.
25 other states have officially designated reptiles. Among the lucky creatures are a number of different turtles, including the Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis), Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), Ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata), Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Three-toed box turtle (Terrapene Carolina triunguis), Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and Gopher tortoise (genus including four species)
Illinois and Michigan have designated the species Painted turtle as their state reptiles. The Western Painted turtle is one of four subspecies of that species and is, as the name indicates, native to most of the American west.
If HB 1017 is enacted into law, Peniston might owe a debt of thanks to the kids who helped her come up with it.
The Adams County lawmaker says middle school children in her district suggested designation of the turtle. According to a report in the Rocky Mountain News, the kids weren't excited about picking a rattlesnake.
"Originally they thought they’d have a rattlesnake, but they were worried that people might think they were being too mean,” Peniston told the Rocky.
Taylor Grills Baker, But Ritter PUC Pick Approved by Committee
Environment Colorado executive director Matt Baker, nominated by Gov. Bill Ritter for a seat on the Public Utilities Commission, faced skeptical questioning from Republicans on the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee Monday.
Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, accused Baker of being "anti-coal."
Environment Colorado has urged the state to halt the construction of new coal-fired power plants and to shut down oldest such facilities in Colorado.
Baker said he is pragmatic about coal and does not think it is practical to expect that state authorities could force the closure of the Hayden and Craig coal-fired plants in the "foreseeable future."
Taylor and Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, were the only opponents of Baker's confirmation on the seven-member committee. Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, voted with the Democrats to recommend approval of the nomination by the full Senate.
Baker was director of the campaign in support of Amendment 37, which imposed renewable energy standards on the state's public utilities and rural electric cooperatives that did not obtain a membership vote exempting them.
Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, accused Baker of being "anti-coal."
Environment Colorado has urged the state to halt the construction of new coal-fired power plants and to shut down oldest such facilities in Colorado.
Baker said he is pragmatic about coal and does not think it is practical to expect that state authorities could force the closure of the Hayden and Craig coal-fired plants in the "foreseeable future."
Taylor and Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, were the only opponents of Baker's confirmation on the seven-member committee. Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, voted with the Democrats to recommend approval of the nomination by the full Senate.
Baker was director of the campaign in support of Amendment 37, which imposed renewable energy standards on the state's public utilities and rural electric cooperatives that did not obtain a membership vote exempting them.
Levy's Judge Assignment Bill a Reaction to Boulder Land Seizure Controversy?
Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, has introduced a bill that would forbid district judges from hearing any case in which a current or former judge of the same court is a party.
HB 1193 may well be a reaction to the controversy involving an adverse possession claim by former Boulder County district judge Richard McLean and his wife Edith Stevens, which was decided favorably to the ex-jurist by a former colleague on the bench.
Levy took some mild criticism in the autumn because Stevens had been associated with her election campaign. It appears, though, that her sponsorship of another bill aimed at updating and tightening the state's adverse possession statute and this proposed legislation indicates that she may be uncomfortable with, or even opposed to, the outcome in the Kirlin case.
HB 1193 does not yet have a Senate sponsor. It has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
HB 1193 may well be a reaction to the controversy involving an adverse possession claim by former Boulder County district judge Richard McLean and his wife Edith Stevens, which was decided favorably to the ex-jurist by a former colleague on the bench.
Levy took some mild criticism in the autumn because Stevens had been associated with her election campaign. It appears, though, that her sponsorship of another bill aimed at updating and tightening the state's adverse possession statute and this proposed legislation indicates that she may be uncomfortable with, or even opposed to, the outcome in the Kirlin case.
HB 1193 does not yet have a Senate sponsor. It has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)