Colorado Capitol Watch has provided the contribution reports for all of the candidates running for the Colorado Senate in the 2008 election.  Click here to scroll through the candidates or feel free to search for them by name.  The State Representatives’ campaign contributors will be coming very very soon…

4.15.08 PEN

Colorado’s State Geologist, Dr. Vince Matthews, Is Bearish on Natural Resources Outlook

The world, the United States, and Colorado face a looming and alarming shortage of natural resources, stated Dr. Vince Matthews, the Colorado State Geologist in a joint State House and Senate briefing on Tuesday. The gloomy picture reflects competition for resources across the globe, particularly from China and India. (more…)

4.10.08 PEN

Conservation Easement Tax Credit Bill Sparks Heated Debate between Ranching Advocates and Tax Dogs

Land owners will jump through more hoops when they take advantage of the Conservation Easement Tax Credit offered to protect lands for wildlife and from development. “This bill will put the nail in the coffin of those who have taken advantage of the conservancy program,” said Representative Alice Madden(D), House sponsor of HB08-1353. (more…)

4.9.08 PEN

Pro Life Picketers Must Reduce Bloody Fetus Signs and Keep Moving with SB08-192

Pro Life advocates picketing residential neighborhoods, who have thrown fetus dolls onto neighborhood yards and sent threatening letters, will have to reduce the size of their mutilated fetus picket signs if SB08-192 gets through the House of Representatives. The bill, already passed by the Senate, cleared its first hurdle in the House when the Judiciary Committee, after substantive debate on 1^st amendment and privacy rights, came down for privacy in your own home. (more…)

38 House members give Rep. Doug Bruce a stick in the eye with sales tax bill

Communities across the state can raise their sales taxes above the state’s 6.9% statutory limit with passage of SB08-128. Over the vociferous protest of Representative Doug Bruce(R), the author of the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, SB08-128 eliminating the state’s sales tax cap passed the House of Representatives 38-26 Tuesday. (more…)

4.8.08 PEN

Should the State Legislature Tell the Judiciary How to Set Bail?

A bill to set bail at $50,000 for persons accused of drunk driving and eluding police in a vehicle, in the same incident, is a test of the House’s commitment to the constitution’s separation of powers, according to Representatives Morgan Carroll(D) and Doug Bruce(R). HB08-1377, sponsored by Representative Steve King(R) and Senator Josh Penry(R), tells judges to set the $50,000 bail bond, although the bill was amended to also tell judges to use their discretion in these cases. (more…)

4.3.04 PEN

School districts across the state will develop safety plans consistent with the federal government’s National Incident Management System to ensure that all first responders at all schools know what to do in emergencies.  SB08-181, sponsored by Representative Tom Massey(R) and Senator Tom Wiens(R), addresses many of the problems confronted by Columbine and Platte Canyon High School staff when those schools faced extreme situations including murder of school children. (more…)

4-2-08 PEN

Senate Republicans jumped out of the shoot fast on HB08-1375, the appropriations “Long Bill,” attacking Senate Democrats and Governor Ritter for a budget they claim doesn’t account for the inevitable “Ritter Recession.” Senator Moe Keller(D) and Senator John Morse(D) quickly countered that no one person has created a recession, and today’s economic environment has resulted from reckless spending led by federal Republicans under President George W. Bush’s administration. (more…)

E.B. White, intrepid chronicler of the life of pigs in Charlotte’s Web, would applaud the passing of SB202 in the House Ag Committee on Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by Representative Kathleen Curry(D) and Senator Jim Isgar(D), gives pregnant sows a group housing set up, allowing them room to live comfortably with their piglets. Veal calves are provided housing in which they can stand, lay down, and turn around without touching their living quarters. (more…)

Governor Ritter’s Education Revolution Receives Raves from Capitol

3.27.08 PEN

Education will get more than a makeover with SB08-212, a bill to align state education standards with 21st century demands and to revolutionize how education is delivered to students pre/k-12.

“This bill is revolutionary,” said Dr. Jane Urschel of the Colorado Association of School Boards at a Senate Education Committee Hearing today.  “It will bring together Ben Franklin’s view that education should prepare kids for useful work, and Jefferson’s view that there are laborers and learned people, and laborers are taught to labor and learned people are taught to live their aspirations.  This bill will help kids learn useful skills and give them the capacity to live their aspirations.” (more…)