Opinion / Straight From The Senate
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Closing actions of the session
The Senate and the House were going back and forth on the Fentanyl Bill right up until the waning minutes of the 2022 session. Earlier I had recorded a "yes" vote for the Senate... — Updated 5/17/2022
Environmental regulations on building construction
HB-1362 BUILDING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, as in how buildings and building products affect greenhouse gas emissions. This bill, when passed, imposes state requirements on what has... — Updated 5/10/2022
Collective bargaining for county employees
A big bill that hasn't received much public attention but of great interest to your county commissioners, sheriffs and the rest of the county elected officials is SB22-230. With a... — Updated 5/3/2022
Good bills that should have passed (but didn't)
As we approach the final rush of bills, this might be a good time to look at a few that died a quick and undeserved death. In the good bill that should have passed category was my... — Updated 4/26/2022
Update on the numbers, fentanyl bill, and a resolution honoring veterans
Three weeks until the end of the session; yes, we are all counting, and for good reason. The bill count changes daily, but as of last Thursday a total of 574 bills had been... — Updated 4/19/2022
Making sense of the budget
The state operates on a fiscal year, so our just-approved budget of something over $36 million will kick in July 1. You may see or hear other amounts like the $37.2 million that the... — Updated 4/13/2022
News on noteworthy bills
Several bills of note made their way through the Senate this past week. The most debated bill in Colorado's history, HB22-1279, the "Abortion Bill" passed the Senate and is headed... — Updated 3/29/2022
Updates on elections and bills
While I usually don't discuss politics in these updates, getting on the ballot and then winning matters or there won't be any more updates "Straight from the Senate." County... — Updated 3/22/2022
Halfway and the pace picks up
The Legislature is more than half way through the Second Session of the 73rd General Assembly. What that means with the bill count approaching 500 is more time in committee... — Updated 3/15/2022
A bill that provides a clean slate
My bill, SB22-099, called the Clean Slate bill, is about how we deal with people that have a nonviolent crime in their past, paid all fines, fees, restitution, completed all... — Updated 3/1/2022
Consumer Debt Protection Bill
An interesting bill came through the Finance Committee last week. SB22-086, The Homestead Exemption and Consumer Debt Protection Act. Basically, this bill is for the protection of... — Updated 2/22/2022
Half a Loaf and Some Good Bills This Week
Passed my Catalytic Convertor Bill out of committee this past week but not before the supply side portion of the bill was amended out. Still a good bill but does not give any... — Updated 2/15/2022
Confirmation Hearings and Killed Bills
If the first few weeks is any indicator of how the session will go, Transparency will be a casualty of the 2022 session. Not only did my bill requiring the Office of Saving People... — Updated 2/8/2022
SMART Act hearings wrap up
It is appropriate that the same week we wrap up our SMART Act hearings I have a committee hearing on my bill to add "The Office of Saving People Money on Health Care" to that list.... — Updated 2/1/2022
The Opening Gavel
This first report from the Senate is a bit behind schedule, but it's been that kind of a session so far. Opening day was pretty much as expected, speeches from leaders in both... — Updated 1/25/2022
Legislative session wrap-up
It was an honor representing Senate District 2 at the capitol again this past session. Many bills were passed unanimously, many more in a true bipartisan manner, and unfortunately... — Updated 6/16/2021
Tax relief, or sleight of hand?
SB21-293 CONCERNING PROPERTY TAXATION and another 100 words or so make up the title to a recently introduced bill that would temporarily lower the mill levy and create more classifi... — Updated 6/9/2021
Marijuana concentrates under review
A brief history of marijuana in Colorado: medical marijuana was passed by voters in 2000 followed by recreational in 2012. Both were constitutional amendments and have some conflict... — Updated 6/1/2021
Transportation or Fee Bill?
SB21-260, the much-hyped Transportation bill, finally saw the light of day. I've maintained all along this was a fee bill and not a transportation bill, and apparently the Senate Pr... — Updated 5/25/2021
Transportation or Fee Bill?
SB21-260, the much-hyped Transportation bill, finally saw the light of day. I've maintained all along this was a fee bill and not a transportation bill, and apparently the Senate Pr... — Updated 5/18/2021
Drug Affordability Review Board
The Senate had a long debate last Thursday and Friday on SB-175, the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board bill. No doubt the sponsors' hearts are in the right place, but...... — Updated 5/11/2021
Budget reconciliation and new bills
The budget came back from conference committee this past week, and as always many of the amendments placed on the budget during hearings in the Senate and House had been stripped... — Updated 5/5/2021
Mental health bills worth the effort
You may have seen or heard that the governor signed two mental health bills this past week. Mental health bills are nothing new; we've seen them every year in my tenure in the... — Updated 4/27/2021
Updates at session's halfway mark
Good news: SB-182, the bill that would not allow law enforcement on school grounds except for the most serious crimes died in committee. The sponsors realized there was more wrong w... — Updated 4/21/2021
Budget Week, or how to spend $34.1B
Remember that this time last year we were all watching the COVID graph climb higher each day and listening to experts take their best guess as to what the future held. So last year... — Updated 4/14/2021
