The Colorado Senate gave initial approval to a package of bills removing tax breaks on candy, soda, software, junk mail and other items Monday night.

After more than 11 hours of debate on the bills Monday, the Senate approved the package just before 11:30 p.m. and only after a last-minute partisan dust-up nearly led to an all-night filibuster. The Senate started on the measures Friday, debating them for four hours.

The floor debate followed two marathon days of hearings last week on the measures in a Senate committee. The bills, anticipated to bring as much as $140 million as the state tries to cover a budget shortfall next year of at least $1.3 billion, went through a similar grind in the House the week before.

The debate over eliminating or suspending tax credits and exemptions has quickly become the defining issue of the 2010 session. Gov. Bill Ritter has proposed cuts to spending along with removing the tax breaks as a way to help balance the budget.Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14362856#ixzz0f4GnWVsM

A water main break caused a 2 block stretch of W. Uintah St. to be closed for most of the day Tuesday. The street was shut down between 17th and 19th Street causing several businesses to have to go without water on Tuesday. The break occurred just before 12 a.m. on Monday night. It is most likely the cause of a freeze-thaw cycle which can cause the pipes to expand and contract. The road is expected to reopen on Tuesday evening, February 9, 2010. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett) Photo by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Jerilee Bennett