We are past the half-way point of the First Regular Session of the Sixty-Sixth General Assembly. In the House we are working on bills that started in the Senate, and have a few new House bills as well. In the House we have passed legislation to energize our economy with renewable energy enhancements, “wind for Schools” and bringing biofuels to market. We have passed bills to conserve our precious Colorado resources by safeguarding our forest health, preserving water quality, and increasing the rainy day fund. We are working on bill to strengthen our schools and curb the costs of health care.

Smoke Free Casinos (HB 1269) hit a snag in the Senate when Senator Hagedorn (yes, he is a smoker) ran an amendment to require no smoking everywhere in Colorado. The Senate was asleep at the wheel, as the title was too tight to fit any amendment. Please ask your friends and colleagues to call their Senators to stomp out the amendment and pass the bill once and for all.

To watch a bill we have been working on for years get signed by our Governor was just terrific fun – as you may know, Governor Ritter signed SB 60 (affectionately known as EC in the ER) yesterday in front of a crowd of supporters. He signed about 7 copies with a different pen so that Sen. Boyd, myself and several groups could all have a copy of the signed bill and a pen! Can’t wait to frame this one!

The 208 Blue Ribbon Commission announces today that it received 28 letters from groups around the State indicating that these groups intend to submit a proposal to the Commission. You can read about it at http://www.colorado.gov/208commission/ later today! This is such exciting news and I look forward to seeing what ideas are submitted.

Hope to see you at the House District 3 meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m.,

Wishing you a Happy and safe St. Pat’s Day!

cspence's blog