Seed Newsvine
A Republican is now the speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives for the first time in six years.
Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, was unanimously elected speaker this morning. He was nominated by both majority leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument, and minority leader Sal Pace, D-Puelbo. No other legislator sought the post.
McNulty received the gavel from outgoing speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, and then gave his Democratic predecessor a hug.
After ascending the podium, McNulty thanked Carroll for his work over the last two years.
"Speaker Carroll, this chamber, the people Colorado, are better for your time as speaker," he said.
McNulty then led the chamber in its first bit of business for the new session, the adoption of a resolution setting forth the rules of the House.
McNulty is a third-term representative from Highlands Ranch.
Carroll leaves the House after serving the maximum four terms allowed by state law. He was the first African-American speaker of the House in state history and, for a time, served alongside the first African-American Senate president, Peter Groff of Denver.
Groff, also a Democrat, left the legislature in 2009 to take a post in the Obama administration.
Showing posts with label 68th General Assembly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 68th General Assembly. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
68th General Assembly opens today
Colorado's state legislature will convene for its sixty-eighth biannual session today.
The gathering of 65 representatives and 35 senators comes one day after the inauguration of a new governor, new state treasurer, and new secretary of state.
Republicans took control of the House of Representatives by one seat in the November election. Democrats, as they have since Jan. 2005, continue to hold the majority in the Senate.
Both the House and the Senate will convene today at 10 am. After certifying the election results and confirming the eligibility of all members, chief justice Michael Bender will swear in all the legislators.
Outgoing House speaker Terrence Carroll, D-Denver, will preside over that part of the opening day. He will relinquish the gavel when his successor is formally elected by House members.
The gathering of 65 representatives and 35 senators comes one day after the inauguration of a new governor, new state treasurer, and new secretary of state.
Republicans took control of the House of Representatives by one seat in the November election. Democrats, as they have since Jan. 2005, continue to hold the majority in the Senate.
Both the House and the Senate will convene today at 10 am. After certifying the election results and confirming the eligibility of all members, chief justice Michael Bender will swear in all the legislators.
Outgoing House speaker Terrence Carroll, D-Denver, will preside over that part of the opening day. He will relinquish the gavel when his successor is formally elected by House members.
Bills may be introduced, but committee hearings on proposed legislation will not commence until tomorrow.
Traditionally, the first day of the legislative session focuses on ceremonial and organizational resolutions.
Democrat Brandon Shaffer, a former Navy officer and a lawyer, is president of the Senate. Shaffer, 39, represents Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, and Louisville in the chamber. He is halfway through his second and final term in the Senate, having been first elected in 2004.
The majority leader is John Morse of Colorado Springs. A Democrat in a district that leans toward the GOP, the former Fountain police chief was re-elected to his second term in a close race last autumn.
Morse also worked as an emergency medical technician and as a certified public accountant earlier in his career. He has lived in the Colorado Springs area for more than 30 years and holds both M.B.A. and Ph.D degrees.
The Republican leader in the Senate is Dana "Mike" Kopp of Littleton. Kopp, 32, is an Army veteran. A Ranger, he is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, the first American-led war against Iraq's former Baathist regime.
Kopp is starting his second and last term in the Senate.
Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch, a former aide to retired U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard and a lawyer who used to work for the state Department of Natural Resources, will become the new House speaker.
The Republican, 37, will lead a GOP majority of one seat. Today marks the start of his third of four possible two-year terms as a representative.
The House majority leader is Amy Stephens of Monument. Republican Stephens, 53, is a former employee of Focus on the Family and a former member of the governor's Commission on the Welfare of Children. She won her seat in 2006 and is starting her third term today.
Minority leader Sal Pace represents Pueblo. Pace, 34, got his start in politics working for former U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa. He was first elected in 2008.
Pace has a masters degree in American political theory and teaches government as an adjunct faculty member at Colorado State University-Pueblo.
Both chambers rely on a number of committees to consider legislation before it comes to a vote on the floor. The state constitution requires that all bills be given a committee hearing.
The General Assembly meets for 120 days each year.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New Sen. Aguilar gets committee assignments
The newest state senator got her committee assignments Monday.
Democrat Irene Aguilar of Denver, who was recently appointed to replace Denver mayoral candidate Chris Romer, will serve on three committees: Business, Labor and Technology, Health and Human Services, and Local Government and Energy.
She will be vice-chair of the Business, Labor, and Technology committee.
A physician and a mother of three children, including a developmentally disabled daughter, Aguilar was chosen in December by a Democratic vacancy committee to fill out the remainder of Romer's term representing Senate district 32. Romer had just been re-elected to his second term in the Senate in November.
Democrat Irene Aguilar of Denver, who was recently appointed to replace Denver mayoral candidate Chris Romer, will serve on three committees: Business, Labor and Technology, Health and Human Services, and Local Government and Energy.
She will be vice-chair of the Business, Labor, and Technology committee.
A physician and a mother of three children, including a developmentally disabled daughter, Aguilar was chosen in December by a Democratic vacancy committee to fill out the remainder of Romer's term representing Senate district 32. Romer had just been re-elected to his second term in the Senate in November.
Senate majority leader Morse takes committee chairmanship from embattled Williams
Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, has lost the chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee.
The veteran legislator was involved in a fatal car accident in Texas on Dec. 26, 2010, and majority leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, said that he thinks Williams needs the time to focus on her family and the aftermath of the incident.
She had been appointed to lead the committee after the November election.
Instead, Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, will lead it.
Williams, 65, is in her last term as a senator. She previously served four terms in the state House of Representatives.
The veteran legislator was involved in a fatal car accident in Texas on Dec. 26, 2010, and majority leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, said that he thinks Williams needs the time to focus on her family and the aftermath of the incident.
She had been appointed to lead the committee after the November election.
Instead, Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, will lead it.
Williams, 65, is in her last term as a senator. She previously served four terms in the state House of Representatives.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sen. White's wife will replace him
The new senator for district 8, which covers much of northwestern Colorado, will not have to look too far for advice on how to do the job.
Jean White, 60, was chosen by a Republican vacancy committee yesterday to replace her husband, Al White, in the state Senate.
Al White resigned recently after agreeing to lead the state Department of Tourism for Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper. He was in his first term in the Senate after serving eight years in the House of Representatives.
Jean White, 60, was chosen by a Republican vacancy committee yesterday to replace her husband, Al White, in the state Senate.
Al White resigned recently after agreeing to lead the state Department of Tourism for Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper. He was in his first term in the Senate after serving eight years in the House of Representatives.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Pace assigns minority Dems to committees
House minority leader-to-be Sal Pace announced Tuesday the assignment of his party's members to the chamber's committees.
The designations follow:
Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources
Rep. Randy Fischer, Fort Collins (ranking member)
Rep. Wes McKinley, Baca County
Rep. Su Ryden, Aurora
Rep. Ed Vigil, Alamosa
Rep.-elect Matt Jones, Louisville
Rep.-elect Roger Wilson, Glenwood Springs
Appropriations
Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Denver (ranking member)
Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Gunbarrel
Rep. Andy Kerr, Lakewood
Rep. Jim Riesberg, Greeley
Rep. Judy Solano, Brighton
Rep.-elect Dan Pabon, Denver
Economic and Business Development
Rep. John Soper, Thornton (ranking member)
Rep. Joe Miklosi, Denver
Rep. Max Tyler, Golden
Rep.-elect Deb Gardner, Boulder
Rep.-elect Angela Williams, Denver
Rep.-elect Roger Wilson, Glenwood Springs
Education
Rep. Judy Solano, Brighton (ranking member)
Rep. Andy Kerr, Lakewood
Rep. Cherylin Peniston, Westminster
Rep. Sue Schafer, Wheat Ridge
Rep. Nancy Todd, Aurora
Rep.-elect Millie Hamner, Frisco
Finance
Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Gunbarrel (ranking member)
Rep. Daniel Kagan, Englewood
Rep. John Kefalas, Fort Collins
Rep. Jeanne Labuda, Denver
Rep.-elect Crisanta Duran, Denver
Rep.-elect Dan Pabon, Denver
Health and Environment
Rep. Jim Riesberg, Greeley (ranking member)
Rep. John Kefalas, Fort Collins
Rep-elect Rhonda Fields, Aurora
Rep. Beth McCann, Denver
Rep. Cherylin Peniston, Westminster
Rep. Sue Schafer, Wheat Ridge
Judiciary
Rep. Claire Levy, Boulder (ranking member)
Rep. Daniel Kagan, Englewood
Rep. Su Ryden, Aurora
Rep.-elect Crisanta Duran, Denver
Rep.-elect Pete Lee, Colorado Springs
Local Government
Rep. Ed Casso, Commerce City (ranking member)
Rep. Beth McCann, Denver
Rep. John Soper, Thornton
Rep.-elect Rhonda Fields, Aurora
Rep.-elect Pete Lee, Colorado Springs
State, Veterans, and Military Affairs
Rep. Nancy Todd, Aurora (ranking member)
Rep. Lois Court, Denver
Rep. Claire Levy, Boulder
Rep. Joe Miklosi, Denver
Transportation
Rep. Max Tyler, Golden (ranking member)
Rep. Randy Fischer, Fort Collins
Rep. Matt Jones, Louisville
Rep.-elect Deb Gardner, Boulder
Rep.-elect Millie Hamner, Frisco
Rep.-elect Angela Williams, Denver
Capitol Development
Rep. Ed Vigil, Alamosa
Audit
Rep. Joe Miklosi, Denver
Rep.-elect Deb Gardner, Boulder
Nine new Democratic members are joining the House, joining 23 veteran legislators in the caucus.
The Democrats will have 32 seats in the House when the 68th General Assembly opens Jan. 12. That is one fewer than the Republicans.
Democrats continue to control the state Senate, as they have since Jan. 2005.
The designations follow:
Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources
Rep. Randy Fischer, Fort Collins (ranking member)
Rep. Wes McKinley, Baca County
Rep. Su Ryden, Aurora
Rep. Ed Vigil, Alamosa
Rep.-elect Matt Jones, Louisville
Rep.-elect Roger Wilson, Glenwood Springs
Appropriations
Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Denver (ranking member)
Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Gunbarrel
Rep. Andy Kerr, Lakewood
Rep. Jim Riesberg, Greeley
Rep. Judy Solano, Brighton
Rep.-elect Dan Pabon, Denver
Economic and Business Development
Rep. John Soper, Thornton (ranking member)
Rep. Joe Miklosi, Denver
Rep. Max Tyler, Golden
Rep.-elect Deb Gardner, Boulder
Rep.-elect Angela Williams, Denver
Rep.-elect Roger Wilson, Glenwood Springs
Education
Rep. Judy Solano, Brighton (ranking member)
Rep. Andy Kerr, Lakewood
Rep. Cherylin Peniston, Westminster
Rep. Sue Schafer, Wheat Ridge
Rep. Nancy Todd, Aurora
Rep.-elect Millie Hamner, Frisco
Finance
Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Gunbarrel (ranking member)
Rep. Daniel Kagan, Englewood
Rep. John Kefalas, Fort Collins
Rep. Jeanne Labuda, Denver
Rep.-elect Crisanta Duran, Denver
Rep.-elect Dan Pabon, Denver
Health and Environment
Rep. Jim Riesberg, Greeley (ranking member)
Rep. John Kefalas, Fort Collins
Rep-elect Rhonda Fields, Aurora
Rep. Beth McCann, Denver
Rep. Cherylin Peniston, Westminster
Rep. Sue Schafer, Wheat Ridge
Judiciary
Rep. Claire Levy, Boulder (ranking member)
Rep. Daniel Kagan, Englewood
Rep. Su Ryden, Aurora
Rep.-elect Crisanta Duran, Denver
Rep.-elect Pete Lee, Colorado Springs
Local Government
Rep. Ed Casso, Commerce City (ranking member)
Rep. Beth McCann, Denver
Rep. John Soper, Thornton
Rep.-elect Rhonda Fields, Aurora
Rep.-elect Pete Lee, Colorado Springs
State, Veterans, and Military Affairs
Rep. Nancy Todd, Aurora (ranking member)
Rep. Lois Court, Denver
Rep. Claire Levy, Boulder
Rep. Joe Miklosi, Denver
Transportation
Rep. Max Tyler, Golden (ranking member)
Rep. Randy Fischer, Fort Collins
Rep. Matt Jones, Louisville
Rep.-elect Deb Gardner, Boulder
Rep.-elect Millie Hamner, Frisco
Rep.-elect Angela Williams, Denver
Capitol Development
Rep. Ed Vigil, Alamosa
Audit
Rep. Joe Miklosi, Denver
Rep.-elect Deb Gardner, Boulder
Nine new Democratic members are joining the House, joining 23 veteran legislators in the caucus.
The Democrats will have 32 seats in the House when the 68th General Assembly opens Jan. 12. That is one fewer than the Republicans.
Democrats continue to control the state Senate, as they have since Jan. 2005.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Rep. Weissman to serve as House Dems' chief of staff
The House Democratic caucus has chosen a legislator with long experience at the capitol to serve as its chief of staff for the 68th General Assembly.
Rep. Paul M. Weissman, D-Louisville, will lead the new minority party's team of employees, and provide strategic guidance to members of the caucus, after serving four terms in the House and one in the Senate between 1993-97.
Weissman, 46, is term-limited in the House.
"I feel like we snagged the big one!," minority leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, said in a statement. "Paul has managed the Blue Parrot restaurant in Louisville for years, and he understands how to run government like a business, with an eye on the bottom line and balancing the budget. He is widely respected in the Capitol and among stakeholders for his commitment to bi-partisanship. His deep understanding of the issues and of legislative process, and his integrity and ethics make him a natural fit. It doesn't hurt that like all good bartenders, he has a great sense of humor and an ability to listen to others."
Rep. Paul M. Weissman, D-Louisville, will lead the new minority party's team of employees, and provide strategic guidance to members of the caucus, after serving four terms in the House and one in the Senate between 1993-97.
Weissman, 46, is term-limited in the House.
"I feel like we snagged the big one!," minority leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, said in a statement. "Paul has managed the Blue Parrot restaurant in Louisville for years, and he understands how to run government like a business, with an eye on the bottom line and balancing the budget. He is widely respected in the Capitol and among stakeholders for his commitment to bi-partisanship. His deep understanding of the issues and of legislative process, and his integrity and ethics make him a natural fit. It doesn't hurt that like all good bartenders, he has a great sense of humor and an ability to listen to others."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Statehouse Dem spokeswomen leaving for private sector jobs
The Democratic caucuses in the state Senate and House of Representatives will have new chief media relations officers next year.
Veteran House Democratic spokeswoman Katie Reinisch and Democratic Senate caucus spokeswoman Abigail Vacanti are returning to the private sector.
Reinisch and her husband aim to become entrepreneurs. They plan to open a frozen yogurt franchise in Denver, Reinisch said in an e-mail message.
"After four wonderful sessions in the majority, working for the inspiring Speakers Romanoff and Carroll and with top-notch bosses Kelly Nordini, Will Coyne and Jen Walmer, I had decided months ago that if we lost the majority in the House, I would leave," Reinisch said.
"There's many reasons why: I'm too old and spoiled to lose the clout of the majority, to face a one-third pay cut in the minority, and to have to cut back programs I believe in so that we can continue to balance the budget," she continued.
Reinisch said that her and her husband want to "leave something for our teenage girls to build upon."
"And we hope we will have more money and time for philanthropy, especially with ASAP which brings Denver volunteers to Tanzania to work alongside locals building schools," she explained. "Our whole family is returning this summer for our second ASAP trip."
ASAP is an acronym for The Africa School Assistance Project.
According to a report in the Denver Post, Vacanti will join a public relations firm.
Vacanti was unavailable for comment as this article was posted.
The story by the Post's Jessica Fender indicates that the House Democratic caucus' chief of staff, Jen Walmer, is also leaving her job.
Veteran House Democratic spokeswoman Katie Reinisch and Democratic Senate caucus spokeswoman Abigail Vacanti are returning to the private sector.
Reinisch and her husband aim to become entrepreneurs. They plan to open a frozen yogurt franchise in Denver, Reinisch said in an e-mail message.
"After four wonderful sessions in the majority, working for the inspiring Speakers Romanoff and Carroll and with top-notch bosses Kelly Nordini, Will Coyne and Jen Walmer, I had decided months ago that if we lost the majority in the House, I would leave," Reinisch said.
"There's many reasons why: I'm too old and spoiled to lose the clout of the majority, to face a one-third pay cut in the minority, and to have to cut back programs I believe in so that we can continue to balance the budget," she continued.
Reinisch said that her and her husband want to "leave something for our teenage girls to build upon."
"And we hope we will have more money and time for philanthropy, especially with ASAP which brings Denver volunteers to Tanzania to work alongside locals building schools," she explained. "Our whole family is returning this summer for our second ASAP trip."
ASAP is an acronym for The Africa School Assistance Project.
According to a report in the Denver Post, Vacanti will join a public relations firm.
Vacanti was unavailable for comment as this article was posted.
The story by the Post's Jessica Fender indicates that the House Democratic caucus' chief of staff, Jen Walmer, is also leaving her job.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Senate Republican leader announces committee assignments
The Republican party did not win a majority in the state Senate in this month's election, but the addition of several new GOP members to the General Assembly's upper chamber will cause some changes in the body's committee assignments.
Minority leader Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, announced those changes today. Here, listed by committee, are the Republican members for the 68th General Assembly:
Business Affairs, Labor & Technology
Sen. Al White, R-Hayden - Ranking Member
Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray - Ranking Member
Harvey
White
Finance
Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs - Ranking Member
Brophy
Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker
Judiciary
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud - Ranking Member
K. King
Scheffel
Education
Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial - Ranking Member
K. King
Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley
Local Government & Energy
Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango - Ranking Member
Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs
Sen. Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City
State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Cadman - Ranking Member
Grantham
Health & Human Services
Mitchell - Ranking Member
Lundberg
Roberts
Transportation
Renfroe - Ranking Member
King
Spence
Appropriations
Harvey - Ranking Member
Grantham
Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs
White
Audit
K. King
Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction
Legislative Council
Kopp
Cadman
Renfroe
Scheffel
Legal Services
Brophy
Roberts
Capital Development
Renfroe
Joint Budget Committee
Lambert
Cadman will serve as assistant minority leader, while Scheffel will be the GOP caucus chair. Renfroe will be the minority whip.
Minority leader Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, announced those changes today. Here, listed by committee, are the Republican members for the 68th General Assembly:
Business Affairs, Labor & Technology
Sen. Al White, R-Hayden - Ranking Member
Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray - Ranking Member
Harvey
White
Finance
Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs - Ranking Member
Brophy
Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker
Judiciary
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud - Ranking Member
K. King
Scheffel
Education
Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial - Ranking Member
K. King
Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley
Local Government & Energy
Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango - Ranking Member
Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs
Sen. Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City
State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Cadman - Ranking Member
Grantham
Health & Human Services
Mitchell - Ranking Member
Lundberg
Roberts
Transportation
Renfroe - Ranking Member
King
Spence
Appropriations
Harvey - Ranking Member
Grantham
Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs
White
Audit
K. King
Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction
Legislative Council
Kopp
Cadman
Renfroe
Scheffel
Legal Services
Brophy
Roberts
Capital Development
Renfroe
Joint Budget Committee
Lambert
Cadman will serve as assistant minority leader, while Scheffel will be the GOP caucus chair. Renfroe will be the minority whip.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Hodge to chair JBC, says Greeley Tribune
Sen. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, will be next chairperson of the Joint Budget Committee.
The Greeley Tribune reported the appointment in today's paper.
Hodge was chosen unanimously by the other members of the bipartisan panel, which writes the state's budget.
Other members of the JBC during the 68th General Assembly will include co-chair Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen; Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver; Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs; Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, and newly-elected Rep. John Becker, R-Fort Morgan.
The majority party in both chambers chooses two members each of the committee, while the minority parties choose one member each.
The Greeley Tribune reported the appointment in today's paper.
Hodge was chosen unanimously by the other members of the bipartisan panel, which writes the state's budget.
Other members of the JBC during the 68th General Assembly will include co-chair Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen; Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver; Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs; Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, and newly-elected Rep. John Becker, R-Fort Morgan.
The majority party in both chambers chooses two members each of the committee, while the minority parties choose one member each.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Speaker-designate McNulty names new House committee chairs
Incoming House speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, named new committee chairs Tuesday while stirring some controversy by changing the names of several of the panels.
The announcement follows last week's designation of a leadership team for the ascendant House GOP caucus.
"In these appointments, you will see a wide range of experience and leadership skills and a recognition of Colorado's geographic diversity," McNulty said in a statement.
The new committee chairs, and the committees they will lead, are:
* Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources - Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling
* Appropriations - Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen
* Economic and Business Development - Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs
* Education - Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs
* Finance - Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland
* Health and Environment - Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood
* Judiciary - Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs
* Local Government - Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran
* State, Veterans, and Military Affairs - Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton
* Transportation - Rep. Glenn Vaad, R-Mead
The names of three committees were changed.
McNulty dropped the word "labor" from the name of the committee to be chaired by Liston and the word "energy" from the name of the committee to be chaired by Vaad. He also dropped the words "human services" from the name of the committee to be chaired by Summers.
New House Democratic leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, criticized the name changes.
“These are troubling deletions,” he said in a statement. “With the removal of the words like labor and human services, I’m concerned that working families and the neediest among us, including children who require protective services, are being shunted aside for special interests.”
The House GOP caucus announced Nov. 4 that Rep. Amy Stephens of Monument will be the majority leader in the 68th General Assembly. Rep. Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, will be the assistant majority leader, while Rep. B.J. Nikkel, R-Loveland, will be majority whip. Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock, will be the majority caucus chair.
The Republican minority leader during the past several legislative sessions, Mike May of Parker, will leave the legislature in January due to term limits. May's assistant minority leader, David Balmer of Centennial, was re-elected this month but will not be part of the GOP's leadership team when the next legislative session begins.
Photo of Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, courtesy Wikimedia.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pace chosen as House Democratic leader; Todd, Levy, Hullinghorst will also be on leadership team
State House Democrats, fresh off an election that appears to have stripped them of their majority in the chamber, chose a Pueblo legislator as their new caucus leader.
Rep. Sal Pace, who was re-elected Nov. 2 to his second term, will be the Democrats' floor general. He defeated the current assistant majority leader, Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, in a vote held today.
The current speaker, Rep. Terrence Carroll, D-Denver, and majority leader, Rep. Paul Weissman, D-Louisville, are term-limited and will not return for the 68th General Assembly.
Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, will be assistant caucus leader, while Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, will be whip.
Rep. Dicky Lee Hullinghorst, D-Boulder, will serve as deputy whip.
Rep. Lois Court, D-Denver, D-Aurora, will be the Democrats' caucus chair in the next legislative session. Her assistant chair will be Rep. Su Ryden, D-Aurora.
The outcome of the election for a House seat in Jefferson County remained in doubt as of Thursday, as a margin of approximately 200 votes separated district 29 frontrunner Robert Ramirez from incumbent Democrat Debbie Benefield.
If Ramirez prevails, the GOP's claimed majority will be official.
Photos of Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, and Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, courtesy Wikimedia.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)