Tag: Michael Johnston

On Amendment 66, the argument isn't whether our schools should be better funded. They should be. The real argument is about where to get the money, which quickly devolves into a spat about robbery, redistribution and socialism!

The measure asks voters to raise $950 million for our public schools, while keeping Colorado’s taxes among the lowest in the country. It’s a no-brainer.

Two very different energy bills were debated in committees today, with one aimed at making dramatic changes to the Governor’s Energy Office and the other proposing a system by which residential and business property owners can finance energy-efficiency improvement through their local electric utilities. House Bill 1312 (pdf), sponsored by Rep. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, calls for the reorganization of the Governor’s Energy Office, the brainchild of former Gov. Bill Ritter and his “New Energy Economy.” It was slated for debate in the House Agriculture Committee, where Democrats promised a fight.

Denver Mayoral Candidate James Mejia today issued a statement in support of SB 126, the Asset Bill which provides undocumented students access to higher education. He called for quick passage of the bill by the Colorado House of Representatives.

State Sens. Michael Johnston, D-Denver, and Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, on Wednesday introduced a bill that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Colorado colleges and universities. Dubbed ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow), the legislation is similar to a failed 2009 bill. Eleven other states have similar laws on the books, including nearby and neighboring Utah, Nebraska and Texas.

Colorado conservation groups this legislative session are promising to try and hold the line on environmental gains over the past several years while still advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in what they admit will be a challenging fiscal climate.

State Sen. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, announced today that she will introduce a bill that would grant in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.

Time Magazine, in its Oct. 25 issue, on sale now, named two Coloradans to its 40 under 40 list of rising political stars. State Sen....

SB 191, the teacher tenure bill that has divided traditional political allies and made for strange-bedfellows in the State Legislature this session, passed on...

Michael Johnston's win in the SD 33 vacancy committee election Monday night is just one of a handful of district party gatherings expected within the next few weeks to choose successors for state lawmakers departing for greener pastures.