gov. john hickenlooper
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Hickenlooper signs rural broadband bills into law
With the stroke of a pen – or maybe 20 strokes from 20 pens – Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday signed into law three bills that could change rural broadband in Colorado as well as the economic future of rural communities that depend on it. In a series of bill signings, Hickenlooper, surrounded by lawmakers,…
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How EPA’s rollback of auto mileage rule would impact Colorado
The rollback of federal auto-mileage standards – expected by the Trump administration in the coming days – could erase some of the progress being made in Colorado on cutting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, according to analyses by environmental groups. “Having this rule yanked out from under us will send Colorado backward,” said Will…
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Colorado transportation funding bill clears Senate, House eyes backup plan
DENVER – The Colorado Senate passed legislation Wednesday to use sales tax money already in the state budget to fix up the state’s clogged, aging transportation system. After days of debate and amendments, Senate Bill 1 passed 35-0 and moves to the House, where Democrats have an eight-seat majority and a lot of ideas on how…
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State’s $28.9 billion budget for 2018-19 unveiled
DENVER – The Colorado House of Representatives on Monday rolled out House Bill 1322, the Long Appropriations Bill, which details a budget for the Colorado state government of $28.9 billion in 2018-19. The 595-page budget bill reflects $8.6 billion in the general fund from sales and income tax; another $2.3 billion in general funds exempt from…
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What to look for as lawmakers begin debate on Colorado’s 2018-19 state government budget
On Monday the House will begin working on the 2018-19 budget, as contained in the Long Appropriations Bill crafted by the Joint Budget Committee (JBC). The JBC has been working on the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year since November 1, when Gov. John Hickenlooper submitted his proposal. They wrapped up their final work…
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Hickenlooper lets nursing-degree bill become law without his signature
DENVER – A measure allowing Colorado’s community colleges to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) is becoming law – but not because Colorado’s governor signed it. House Bill 1086 is aimed at helping to alleviate the state’s acute shortage of nurses at a time when the population is growing, as are demands on Colorado’s medical…
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Colo. Ag Day brings smiles — and great food — to a weary Capitol
DENVER – No matter how stressful a legislative session it’s been, there’s one day every year at the state Capitol where everyone is friendly and happy and, well, full. Thursday was Colorado Agriculture Day at the state Capitol. It brings together lawmakers, ranchers, farmers, award-winning chefs, nonprofits, and lots of happy Capitol regulars to the…
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Rural broadband bill heads to governor
DENVER – The Senate Tuesday morning agreed to House amendments on Senate Bill 2, the bill to finance the buildout of rural broadband. With that resolved, the bill now heads to Gov. John Hickenlooper and a hoped-for signing. House amendments last week resolved several lingering issues. That included a lawsuit from Viaero Wireless that the…
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State revenue forecasts show uptick in economy, tax dollars
DENVER – The news about Colorado state revenues is either good, or very good, according to the number-crunchers at the state Capitol who keep an eye on Colorado’s revenue picture. In both cases, the news was good enough for Gov. John Hickenlooper to hike the amount of money he wants to put into transportation, both…
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Q&A with Scott Wasserman: ‘The best politics are centered around policy debates, not culture wars’
The Bell Policy Center is by many accounts the brain trust of Colorado’s center-left. Meet the brain-truster in chief, Scott Wasserman. Going on two years now as the think tank’s president, Wasserman helms an operation that provides a knowledge base and idea incubator for many of the state’s leading Democratic policy makers. But Wasserman doesn’t…