Seed Newsvine
The House approved amendments Friday to a bill that would prohibit off-road vehicle use on federal lands in the state unless those lands are designated by the federal management agency for that purpose and sent the measure to Gov. Bill Ritter.
HB 1069 makes violation of federal rules governing ORV access on BLM, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge lands a misdemeanor and grants Colorado law enforcement officers authority to enforce those rules.
Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, the chair of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, sponsored the bill. The Senate sponsor was Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
House Panel Okays Sunday Liquor Sales Bill
A House committee approved Thursday a bill that would open the door to Sunday sales of liquor in Colorado.
The vote was 8-3. The committee rejected as out of order an amendment by assistant minority leader David Balmer, R-Centennial, that would have permitted convenience stores to sell full-strength beer.
Under current law grocery stores can sell 3.2 beer.
Several convenience store owners testified in opposition to SB 82.
The bill now moves to the House floor. It has already passed the Senate.
The vote was 8-3. The committee rejected as out of order an amendment by assistant minority leader David Balmer, R-Centennial, that would have permitted convenience stores to sell full-strength beer.
Under current law grocery stores can sell 3.2 beer.
Several convenience store owners testified in opposition to SB 82.
The bill now moves to the House floor. It has already passed the Senate.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Study: Colorado 4th Highest Prison Spender in U.S.
A new study shows that Colorado spends a higher percentage of public money on prisons that 46 other states.
The study, conducted by the Pew Center on the States, says that Colorado spends 8.8 percent of its general fund revenues on corrections. Oregon, Florida and Vermont are the only states that spend a higher proportion of revenues on corrections than does the Centennial State.
The study also concluded that Colorado spends 78 cents on corrections for every dollar the state spends on higher education and that Colorado spent more than a half-billion dollars on prisons in 2006.
The study, conducted by the Pew Center on the States, says that Colorado spends 8.8 percent of its general fund revenues on corrections. Oregon, Florida and Vermont are the only states that spend a higher proportion of revenues on corrections than does the Centennial State.
The study also concluded that Colorado spends 78 cents on corrections for every dollar the state spends on higher education and that Colorado spent more than a half-billion dollars on prisons in 2006.
Levy's Juvenile Justice Bill Up for First Vote by House Friday
A bill that opens the door for more juveniles to be charged with crimes directly in juvenile court, and reduces the ability of prosecutors to compel trial in adult court, will be considered by the House Friday.
HB 1208 is sponsored by Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder.
HB 1208 is sponsored by Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder.
School Nutrition Bill Clears Senate
A bill that would require the state's school districts and charter schools to sell only those beverages that meet science-based, nationally-recognized nutritional standards gained final approval by the Senate Thursday.
SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, is an attempt to combat childhood obesity. The bill would direct the state Board of Education and the Charter School Institute to set rules establishing what nutritious beverages can be sold on campuses.
If enacted, the bill's provisions would go into effect for the 2008-2009 school year. Its terms would cover sale of beverages after regular school hours, such as when students are engaged in extracurricular activities. It would apply to sales of beverages in school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and at fundraising activities conducted on school campuses.
The bill passed on a 20-13 vote, with Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, the only Republican in support. All Democratic Senators, except Paula Sandoval of Denver, voted for the bill. Sandoval and Republican Nancy Spence of Centennial were absent, though Spence voted against the bill in committee.
SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, is an attempt to combat childhood obesity. The bill would direct the state Board of Education and the Charter School Institute to set rules establishing what nutritious beverages can be sold on campuses.
If enacted, the bill's provisions would go into effect for the 2008-2009 school year. Its terms would cover sale of beverages after regular school hours, such as when students are engaged in extracurricular activities. It would apply to sales of beverages in school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and at fundraising activities conducted on school campuses.
The bill passed on a 20-13 vote, with Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, the only Republican in support. All Democratic Senators, except Paula Sandoval of Denver, voted for the bill. Sandoval and Republican Nancy Spence of Centennial were absent, though Spence voted against the bill in committee.
Bruce Again Says "No" To Honoring Public Servants
This morning the House approved SJR 12, which commemorates the 47th anniversary of the Peace Corps. After it was approved by voice vote, sponsor Rep. Jeanne Labuda, D-Denver, asked that the entire roll call of the House be listed as co-sponsors.
Among those refusing to agree to co-sponsor the resolution was Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs.
This is the second time in the past several weeks that Bruce has declined to support or co-sponsor a resolution honoring those who serve the nation. On Feb. 13 he declined to vote for or co-sponsor a resolution honoring active duty members and veterans of the armed forces.
The only other two members of the House to decline to be listed as co-sponsors of the resolution were Rep. Joel Judd, D-Denver, and Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.
Among those refusing to agree to co-sponsor the resolution was Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs.
This is the second time in the past several weeks that Bruce has declined to support or co-sponsor a resolution honoring those who serve the nation. On Feb. 13 he declined to vote for or co-sponsor a resolution honoring active duty members and veterans of the armed forces.
The only other two members of the House to decline to be listed as co-sponsors of the resolution were Rep. Joel Judd, D-Denver, and Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.
Link to Recent Radio Profile of Speaker Romanoff
We forgot to post a link to the Feb. 13 radio-broadcast profile of House speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver. The profile, prepared by Bente Birkeland, shows a bit of the fourth-term representative's personal life and includes some discussion of his future plans.
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