Author: John Tomasic
-
In home stretch, legislative session as bumpy as a Colorado roadway
—
by
Kevin Grantham sat deep in his chair, his left foot, shod in a large cowboy boot, resting on his right knee, the Capitol press corps arrayed in front of him brought by text messages sent out near 10:00 p.m. the night before. It was Thursday morning, just two-and-a-half weeks ahead of the end of the…
-
#Coleg Week 16: Transportation-hospital fee moments of truth, fueling stations by Xcel, repealing Columbus Day, rolling coal…
—
by
Two-and-a-half weeks till closing time, and there’s plenty of business left to conduct in this building. All eyes will be watching transportation-funding House Bill 1242. It’s being heard Tuesday in the Senate Finance committee. It’s one of the big-deal top-priority bills of the session, and it seems doomed. Will there be amendments? Will someone have…
-
Colorado bill to force candidates to release tax returns not winning GOP support
—
by
House Democrats passed a bill Friday that would require presidential and vice presidential candidates to release the latest five years of their tax returns in order to appear on voter ballots in Colorado. House Bill 1328, sponsored by Democratic Reps. Edie Hooton from Boulder and Chris Hansen from Denver, joined a list of similar bills…
-
Boulder County planning for the era after drilling moratorium ends
—
by
Plans on how to approach new oil and gas development are proceeding in Boulder County as the May 1 expiration date for the county’s drilling moratorium draws near. The County Commission Friday announced a public meeting on the topic to be held Tuesday, April 25. In a statement, the commissioners announced they plan to “discuss…
-
Video: Neville, Leonard rush into void with think-tanky transportation proposal
—
by
Conservative state lawmakers, anticipating the death next week of a grand-bargain $3.5 billion transportation-funding bonding plan, are championing an alternative. Their proposal might be a long shot, but if ever were to experience a moment, this might be it. State Republican lawmakers Sen. Tim Neville from Littleton and Rep. Tim Leonard from Evergreen are touting…
-
Pro-ballot initiative coalition targets Amdt 71, will sue secretary of state
—
by
The Colorado ballot initiative that made it more difficult for residents in the state to pass ballot initiatives has drawn a lawsuit. The Coalition for Colorado Universal Health Care and ColoradoCareYes — groups tied to the failed ballot initiative last year that would have established public health care in the state — plan to file…
-
Capitol staffers totally used to watching people gather to talk weed
—
by
The booming sound from the Civic Center pro-pot 4/20 rally, where thousands gathered Thursday to celebrate Colorado’s legal weed, forced a hastily called state House press conference into a windowless side room. On the floor of the House lawmakers were debating Senate Bill 17, which would allow residents suffering from PTSD and with a recommendation…
-
For what it’s worth, Caldara says he’s going forward on transportation initiative
—
by
As news rippled around the Capitol on Thursday morning that the future of legislative leadership’s grand bargain transportation bill was growing dimmer by the hour, Jon Caldara snacked at the cafe across the street, scrolling through a list of transportation ballot initiatives filed Wednesday by the contracting community and that closely mirror teetering House Bill…
-
After hours of pained testimony, homeless ‘right to rest’ bill fails on bipartisan vote
—
by
State House Democrats joined Republicans late Wednesday night to vote down a bill that has made waves in various versions the last three years for championing the civil rights of the state’s homeless population. After nearly six hours of emotional testimony, the “Right to Rest Act,” House Bill 1314, sponsored by state Democratic Reps. Joe…