If the tax increase is approved by voters, it will become effective in January 2014
DENVER– Gov. John Hickenlooper will soon have the opportunity to sign into law an education bill that calls for a $1.1 billion statewide tax increase and significantly alters the state funding formula for public schools. The bill originated in Hickenlooper’s “To Be Determined” initiative last year followed by his State of the State address in January. Read more »
The bill would allow for the issuance of driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants who produce evidence of residency in Colorado
DENVER– A bill to grant Colorado driver’s licenses and identification cards to illegal immigrants is expected to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate on Friday. Proponents claim that the measure will make the state’s roads safer. Opponents argue it’s a step toward amnesty – and a security risk.
It’s unclear if Governor Hickenlooper will veto the bill opposed by small business owners.
DENVER – In the name of civil rights, Democrat Senators passed a bill Friday that would make small businesses vulnerable to paying enormous attorney fees to defend discrimination lawsuits – even those deemed frivolous. Read more »
The bill would raise taxes on candy, soft drinks, takeout food containers and direct mail advertisements
DENVER– A bill that would expand – not repeal – the “Dirty Dozen” taxes signed into law by former Gov. Bill Ritter could be on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s desk in a matter of days.
Democrats claim the bill helps business by simplifying tax collection – Republicans counter it’s an unconstitutional tax increase to generate more than $2.7 million for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District in metro Denver counties. Read more »
A Senate panel defeated a proposal to stiffen laws against driving under the influence of marijuana on Monday
aforero / Foter
DENVER– When Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 to legalize marijuana and regulate it like alcohol, few envisioned the challenge ahead. And some believe that challenge will become a lot tougher after members of the Senate Judiciary Committee snuffed a bill to set DUI drug limits for marijuana on Monday because it can’t be measured like alcohol. Read more »
Critics say the bill could subject small businesses to frivolous lawsuits and kill jobs
DENVER – The House passed a bill that would subject small businesses to thousands of dollars in costs for defending and potentially paying damages for employee discrimination lawsuits. The Democrats, however, expressly scrapped a Republican legislator’s amendment to subject state and municipal governments to the same standard. Read more »
The bill assumes position will be filled by an existing employee
The House narrowly passed a bill Friday to empower Gov. John Hickenlooper to appoint a “climate change” czar – an unfunded position that could be under the Colorado Energy Office – to study and promote policy to counter global warming.
The bill passed on a 33 to 30 vote with three Democrats joining Republicans in opposition. Read more »
The House approved the measure on a bipartisan vote of 49 to 13
DENVER – A bill to transform Fort Lyon, a federal-owned property, into a rehab for drug and alcohol addicted homeless individuals passed the House this week on a vote that split both Democrats and Republicans. Read more »
Senate Bill 252 passed on a 18 – 17 vote, with Democrat Sens. Lois Tochtrop and Mary Hodge joining Republican Senators in opposition
DENVER – A controversial bill to increase mandated renewal energy to 25 percent squeaked through the Senate Tuesday by a one-vote margin after a marathon debate over the bill’s impact on rural Coloradans.
Though pitched as cost effective clean energy, Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass Village) said the measure will reduce the state’s carbon footprint and counter climate change. Read more »
Tri-State’s Chairman Rick Gordon said the mandate would cost between $2 and $4 billion
DENVER – The Democrat-controlled Senate will likely approve legislation Monday to include methane gas recapture from coal mines and synthetic gas produced by waste in state’s list of renewable energy sources. But that measure is attached to an expensive hike in the state’s renewable energy standard, one whose cost will be borne largely by rural Coloradans. Read more »
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