Colorado Dems confirm: Cuts to AG’s office over health reform suit still on the table

DENVER–House Majority Leader Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, confirmed a Thursday morning Colorado Independent report that Democratic lawmakers were considering cutting from the budget long bill funds for the Attorney General’s office to try to put an end to the lawsuit filed by AG John Suthers on behalf of Colorado citizens questioning the Constitutionality of federal health reform legislation. Although no lawmaker introduced the proposed cut, Weissmann said the proposal remained under consideration.

‘Renewablepalooza’ rally for clean energy bills plays west steps of State Capitol Wednesday

With one week to go to pass six green-energy bills in the current legislative session, eight Democratic state lawmakers are holding a rally on the west steps of the State Capitol Wednesday at 1 p.m. – a sort of Renewabollapalooza for the New Energy Economy.

Budget reform bill sparks partisan fracas in Colorado Senate

Heated exchange preceded today’s debate on Colorado Senate Bill 228, which seeks to repeal the the so-called “6 percent solution,” the long-established and controversial cap on General Fund growth. The new bill would give lawmakers increased flexibility to decide how to allocate Colorado’s shrinking state budget.

Animated members of the Republican minority trolled the speaker’s podium this morning, taking turns calling out House Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) on his decision to move debate on the bill to later in the day and for threatening to invoke procedural gag rule 9-C, which would limit discussion to five hours.