Author: Megan Schrader
-
Colorado Democrats accuse Republicans of following narrow agenda, being influenced by big money
Democrats in the Colorado Senate accused Republicans of taking marching orders from big corporations and a conservative nonprofit so far this session, reflected in both the bills the GOP members have introduced and bills that have been killed. “In February we saw the Senate Republicans standing with a Koch brothers-backed group called Americans for Prosperity…
-
Brief: Colorado election law reform in 2013 may have saved money in some counties
Democrats’ overhaul of Colorado election law in 2013 wasn’t wildly expensive and may have even saved money in some counties, according to a brief on the issue released Tuesday by The PEW Charitable Trusts. “This is an early look,” said Sean Greene, project director for PEW. “Colorado is pretty unique that no state has done…
-
Colorado Springs Rep. Kit Roupe’s 2 criminal justice bills likely to pass the Senate
DENVER – Rep. Kit Roupe has two criminal justice bills moving through the Senate: one would make it easier for prosecutors to press felony charges against repeat domestic violence abusers and a second would curtail low-level felony offenders from being arrested and jailed when law enforcement agrees a court appearance would suffice. The Republican from…
-
Colorado party leaders optimistic final days of legislative session could see more bipartisan passage of bills
DENVER – With a Republican-controlled Senate and a Democrat-controlled House, plenty of bills have died this session after clearing one chamber under the Gold Dome in Denver, but party leaders are optimistic the second half could bring bipartisan success. A proposal to eliminate the need for concealed carry permits for guns was rejected by Democrats…
-
Lower Colorado budget forecast renews TABOR fight
DENVER – The state will take in less money in 2016-17 than previously forecast by economists due in large part to the struggling global economy, but the roughly $90 million decrease in revenue, is a proverbial drop in Colorado’s $26 billion budget bucket. Lawmakers will use the March forecast to set the fiscal year 2016-17…
-
Colorado House passes four police-reform bills with bipartisan support
DENVER – The Colorado House passed four police reform bills Thursday with broad bipartisan support, suggesting that similar policies floated last year and shot down by Republicans in the Senate might become law in 2016. “A lot of the anxiety around these issues – police mistrust, the killings that have happened across the country, some…
-
Colorado Springs’ Rep. Klingenschmitt discusses finances of his nonprofit, for-profit enterprises
DENVER – A charity known for the controversial sermons delivered by Colorado Springs lawmaker Gordon Klingenschmitt raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2014 and spent almost all of its donations sending mailers and soliciting funds. Klingenschmitt opened up his nonprofit’s finances for scrutiny to The Gazette last week in an effort to be transparent…
-
VIDEO: Confrontation with Klingenschmitt gets political activist booted from Colorado Capitol
DENVER – Political consultant Dede Laugesen was asked to leave the Colorado Capitol Monday after trying to ask Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt questions about his nonprofit and for-profit entities. In a video released by Laugesen on Tuesday, Klingenschmitt can be seen outside the House chambers walking up to Laugesen, saying he won’t give her an interview.…
-
Democrats push bill to boost tax revenue in Colorado
DENVER – Off-shore tax havens allow multi-national corporations to legally shield their profits from U.S. and state income taxes, but Democrats in the Colorado House want to ask voters to close the loophole by changing state tax code. House Bill 1275 passed in the House on second reading Monday over the objections of Republicans, who…
-
Colorado Springs legislator’s bill could limit youth confinement
A bill that strictly limits putting juveniles in solitary confinement was introduced Tuesday by lawmakers concerned that the practice is harmful to Colorado’s detained and committed youths. The Division of Youth Corrections, which oversees 10 facilities across the state, changed its policy in 2015 after parents of a youth put in solitary confinement for 22…