The debate over what to do about Amendment 41 is neverending. Here are a few of the latest snippets, from the floor of the House of Representatives today:
“Some of us have doubts about the constitutionality of 1304 but there’s only one way to find out, and that is to ask,” says House Minority Leader Mike May. “Lets use our power to ask the other branch [the Supreme Court], ‘is this constitutional?’ To not ask is not a prudent course for us, regardless of our opinion.”
“Ultimately we’re seeking the voters’ blessing,” says House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.
“Today I must have gotten up with the word ‘no’ in front of me,” says Rep. Kevin Lundberg.This week the leadership in the House of Representatives hashed out a so-called compromise over what to do about implementing the Ethics in Government amendment that voters overwhelmingly passed in November, which lawmakers have been feuding over ever since.
The new plan, in a nutshell, would tweak the language from the amendment to clarify that the children of government employees could indeed receive scholarships. Nobel prize winners would indeed be able to accept their cash awards. HB1304, which, among other things, clarifies Amendment 41’s language, sets up an ethics commission and specifies it will only take effect if the Colorado Supreme Court deems it constitutional, would need to pass the House of Representatives and then receive preliminary approval by the Senate. The Supremes then have the option of agreeing to review it –
