senate republicans
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Driving data adds nuance to Colorado’s safety concerns about transportation funding
One of the casualties of this year’s failing discussions about paying for transportation is the level of safety for those driving in Colorado. Colorado Department of Transportation executive director Shailen Bhatt never fails to mention it in speeches urging legislators to find solutions. Colorado traffic fatalities have surged 24 percent in two years to 605…
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Colorado Senate GOP turns sleuth in search of MIA budget bills
Look out, House Democrats! That’s Sen. Don Coram snooping around your front door for clues about the budget in the latest video from Colorado Senate Republicans. Senate Republicans just raised the stakes in the multi-media messaging game under the gold dome. How can Democrats respond? Perhaps with a video of Rep. Mike Foote of Lafayette in…
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Supporters of 12-month supply of contraceptives bill worried it will die in Colorado Senate
A bipartisan bill to allow women to obtain a year’s worth of prescription contraceptives passed the House with widespread support, but faces an uncertain future in the Republican Senate. House Bill 1186 was assigned to the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, a committee used by the majority party to kill unfavorable legislation. In…
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Senate Republicans: Budget debate is about priorities, not ‘cuts’
Majority Republicans in the Colorado Senate say it is unfair to frame upcoming budget talks as being about “cuts,” pointing out that spending continues to grow. A quarterly revenue forecast presented by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office on Friday indicated that lawmakers must trim about $700 million in order to pass a balanced budget based on…
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This week at the Capitol: time change, spankings, bar hours, public records
Here are the legislative committee hearings of note for the week ahead in the Colorado Capitol. Committee schedules are subject to change. The daily schedule is available on the legislature’s website. Monday House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources, 1:30 p.m., Room 271 House Bill1226 to make daylight saving time year-round standard, if voters approve in in 2018 and when…
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Legislative leaders walk a fine line in proposing a tax increase for roads
Legislative leaders on Thursday called a transportation funding plan that includes a sales tax increase “courageous” given potential blowback from voters and anti-tax groups. Senate Republican leadership stands directly in the crosshairs of conservative groups like Americans For Prosperity by backing the proposal. House Bill 1242 calls for a 0.62 percent sales tax increase on top…
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Transportation plan lands, and it includes a higher sales tax
Legislative leaders rolled out a tax plan Wednesday to pump about $677 million a year into Colorado’s ailing transportation system. The centerpiece agenda item for this year’s legislative session could cover everything from traffic relief to buses and bike paths. Voters in November would have to approve adding a 0.62 percent sales tax increase, on top…
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Senate Republicans’ mid-session video masters the soft sell
Senate Republicans are really getting the hang of these YouTube videos. Their latest masters the art of the soft sell. Told in a warm tone with quick edits and a punchy script, the majority party has put together a nice video about what they’re doing this session, including a recurring character, Sen. Owen Hill of Colorado Springs,…
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Republican leadership calls TABOR reform ‘interesting’ but not a priority
Senate Republican leadership on Tuesday described an effort to reform TABOR as “interesting,” though leaders say it is not representative of the majority of the caucus’ priorities. Senate President Kevin Grantham of Cañon City responded when asked about the proposal, which has sponsorship from two Republican lawmakers, Rep. Dan Thurlow of Grand Junction and Sen. Larry…
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Charter schools get warm treatment ahead of a bill’s hearing
You’ve seen them funny. You’ve seen them serious. Now Colorado Senate Republicans are tugging at your soft side for charter schools in their latest YouTube channel video. The video starring Sens. Kevin Priola, Bob Gardner and Owen Hill is first in a series called “GOP for You.” There was a lot to learn in two and…
