The censure of Rep. Doug Bruce, while possibly the week’s most colorful event, was certainly not the most important. Here are other key developments that merit an update:

• On Monday morning, we in House District 3 had our first “coffee chat” of the session at Kaladi’s near DU. I was delighted to spend some time with you and hear about the issues that are on your mind. We will have several of these informal get-togethers this session. The next one will take place in Englewood, at a date, time and venue to be determined. Stay tuned!
• Also on Monday, the TV program “Colorado Open House” made its debut on Comcast channel 165. This is a great opportunity for citizens to observe the House of Representatives – live! – and better understand how this legislative body functions. I hope you will tune in and see us at work.
• Two of my bills passed out of committee this week. HB 1173 addresses management of institutional and foundation funds, as well as the intentions of donors to foundations, ensuring that the wishes of donors are preserved. And HB 1058 regulates athlete agents, so that student athletes are not promised a bill of goods that never materializes.
• On Thursday I presented the report of the Behavioral Health Task Force to the joint Health and Human Services Committees. The groundbreaking work of this task force will improve behavioral health care services for all Coloradans, making it easier for people to access services across the state in a far more efficient manner than in the past.
• News flash this week on election-year balloting! You may have been reading about the decision to return to paper ballots at polling places. Voter choice will still be preserved through early or absentee mail voting. I support this decision, since paper ballots are a tried-and-true election method that has worked for decades – and in such faraway places as Ukraine, which I witnessed firsthand this summer!
• And finally, several of you asked just what “censure” means. Except for expulsion from the House of Representatives or actual jail sentencing, a censure is the harshest action a legislator can face.

Hopefully, the censure closes the case on this unfortunate incident. Now we can get down to business on far more important matters!

-- Anne

annemcgihon's blog | login to post comments