We’ve gotten to that time in the session when the Joint Budget Committee moves from budget discussions to drafting its bill proposing the state’s next annual budget.
This year, the budget bill starts in the House and then will head to the Senate for more debate and attempts to rewrite the bill by the rest of the legislators not on the budget committee. The mid-March economic forecast from the state’s economist did not bring a lot of surprises, so we’ll move forward needing to use a tight, disciplined approach when balancing the state’s funding priorities. That sounds simple enough, but, of course, in politics, nothing is simple.
There’ll be a number of ballot proposals this fall, proposing new approaches to dealing with Colorado’s fiscal challenges. Currently, it seems unlikely that the legislature will be passing out a referred measure to add to the already sizeable list of initiatives.
While the budget bill debate and passage will take much of the legislature’s time over the next couple of weeks, there are bills that have been passed and now are getting signed into law by the governor. A few of my bills have already made it across the finish line.
One of those bills, with bipartisan sponsorship, has to do with increasing the transparency and accountability from the health insurance exchange, known as Connect for Health Colorado. The insurance exchange has been the source of considerable consternation among many of my constituents.
While the number of complaints about the insurance exchange’s operations has decreased, and that is commendable, those of my constituents caught in the bureaucratic tangles are right to demand better. A part of my job is to try to help straighten out those tangles when you find yourself in that position with the state’s exchange, so please contact my office for assistance if you need it.
Another of my signed bills is one I’ve carried with Rep. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, at the request of La Plata County that makes it clear that the county can issue medical marijuana testing facility licenses. We’re also carrying another bill together, at La Plata County’s request, which, if passed, will allow counties to enter into agreements with their local government counterparts across state boundaries to create an airport authority. By itself, the bill doesn’t create an airport authority, but it would allow financial contribution arrangements across states’ borders to support a locally formed, Colorado airport authority.
I often work with Rep. Brown, as well as with Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, when carrying legislation affecting our constituents. Because of the large number of bills I’m involved with, I’m also working with legislators from around the state, but it’s always helpful to be able to work with those already familiar with the same region and challenges faced by our mutual constituents.
This type of collaborative relationship is what I experienced with former Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, when I was in the House and he was in the Senate. It’s with sadness that I offer my condolences to his family and friends on his recent passing; Jim was a strong and personable advocate for southwestern Colorado at the legislature, especially in the areas of agriculture and water resources. While he retired a while ago, he and his sense of humor are still missed by many at the Capitol.
Ellen Roberts represents Senate District 6 in Colorado’s General Assembly. The district encompasses Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, Archuleta, Montrose, San Miguel, San Juan and Ouray counties. Contact Sen. Roberts by phone at (303) 866-4884, or by e-mail ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us.
