(April 17) – The House passed legislation today to ensure that an open and free internet is protected in Colorado. HB18-1312, sponsored by Reps. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Leslie Herod, D-Denver, to protect net neutrality and safeguard taxpayer money, passed on a 35-28 vote. Last year, the Trump administration rolled back Obama-era rules ensuring a
(April 16) – A bill to assure the long-term solvency of Colorado PERA, the retirement plan for teachers and government employees, was significantly amended in the House Finance Committee today. SB18-200, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader KC Becker and Rep. Dan Pabon, commits $225 million in new funding to reduce PERA’s liability and
(April 16) – The House Education Committee approved a bill sponsored by Speaker Cristana Duran and Rep. Faith Winter to address sexual misconduct in higher education by a vote of 7-6. Last year, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos rescinded Obama-era guidance for institutions of higher education on how they should address sexual assaults under the
(April 16) – A bill to create a Colorado insurance pool to provide paid medical leave to workers after childbirth, or to deal with their own serious illnesses of those of close family members, passed the House today. The family medical leave insurance program, sponsored by Reps. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, would
(April 13) – Rep. Jessie Danielson’s bill to better connect Coloradans to vocational and technical training opportunities passed the House on second reading today. “Colorado needs more trained workers and these apprenticeships pave a path to good-paying jobs in stable careers,” said Rep. Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “By creating more opportunities to find available vocational technical training and apprenticeships, we are
(April 12) – Rep. Mike Weissman’s bill to help ex-offenders make a successful transition to life on the outside won unanimous House Judiciary Committee approval today. A judge can issue what are called orders of collateral relief — exempting individuals from penalties other than incarceration, such as being denied a state-issued license to practice a
(April 12) – Reps. Joann Ginal and Dominique Jackson won voice-vote House approval today for their bill to add some transparency around skyrocketing prices for pharmaceutical drugs. Under HB18-1260, pharmaceuticals companies would be required to provide 90 days’ notice to the public when they increase the price of a drug by 10 percent over two
(April 12) – The House gave preliminary approval today to Rep. Jeni Arndt’s bill to create a stable funding stream for Colorado’s highly successful program to preserve and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. SB18-066, sponsored in the House by Reps. Arndt, D-Fort Collins, and Cole Wist, R-Centennial, extends the state lottery division through 2049. Lottery proceeds
(April 11) – Legislation by Rep. Chris Hansen and Rep. Leslie Herod to protect net neutrality, safeguard tax payer money, and ensure that an open and free internet is accessible to Coloradans, consumers, small businesses and entrepreneurs was approved by the State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee today by a vote of 6-3. “The decision
(April 11) – With nary a no vote this afternoon, the Joint Budget Committee resolved disagreements between the House and Senate on the state budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Today’s action by the JBC, which has three Democrats and three Republicans, was crucial to reconcile divergent versions of HB18-1322, aka the “long bill.”
