COLORADO LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES NEWSLETTER

​“I want to share something with you… the three little sentences that will get you through life – number one: ‘Cover for me;’ number two: ‘Oh, good idea, boss;’ and number three: ‘it was like that when I got here.’” 
 
– Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
 
In honor of Employee Appreciation Day, today’s quote is from the wise words of Homer Simpson. Earlier this week, Homer Simpson was ranked the “Most Iconic TV Character of All Time”. Although this ranking is probably a surprise to none, what many people might not realize is Homer Simpson’s connection to the Denver Broncos. 
 
In an episode of The Simpsons entitled “You Only Move Twice,” the Simpsons move from Springfield to Cypress Creek, as Homer starts a new job working for a man named Hank Scorpio. In the episode, Homer tells Scorpio about his dream of someday owning the Dallas Cowboys. Long story short, the stint in Cypress Creek doesn’t work out and the Simpsons move back to Springfield. The day after the Simpsons move home, Scorpio gifts Homer with ownership of the Denver Broncos. It wasn’t the Cowboys, but it was the best Scorpio could do to show his appreciation for Homer’s work. 
 
For reference, this episode of The Simpsons aired in November of 1996. Since this episode aired almost 30 years ago, the Denver Broncos have never lost to the Dallas Cowboys (eight games, to be exact). Some Cowboys fans even call this the “Curse of Hank Scorpio.” Clearly, Homer must be doing something right, so maybe his words of wisdom are worth noting.
 
TABOR Ballot Measure Proposal
 
This week, lawmakers held a press conference to unveil a bill that would ask voters to approve a measure on this year’s ballot that would allow the state to redirect money from Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds to instead go to public schools, potentially generating about $2 billion over the next decade and allowing education spending to increase roughly two percent annually. 
 
Although opposition to the proposal argues this would reduce TABOR refunds, proponents say the change would help address teacher shortages and improve school resources without raising taxes. Given the state’s budget crisis, it’s likely we will continue to see similar discussions about TABOR throughout the second half of session.
 
Read more – Colorado lawmakers unveil bill to ask voters to alter TABOR cap and raise more money for schools
 
Points of Personal Privilege Drama
 
This week, new concerns over decorum were raised in the state House after two Democrat members spoke at the well about immigration and Iran in their “point of personal privilege.” For reference, chamber rules allow for moments or points of personal privilege for members to speak on matters that are personally important to them or their districts for up to five minutes. For example, if a legislator has a class field trip from a school in their district sitting in the gallery, that member would use a “moment of personal privilege” to address them while at the mic.
 
On Monday, Representative Elizabeth Velasco requested a moment of personal privilege to draw attention to the Garfield County Sheriff, who had shared a photo of Velasco at a “No Kings” protest. Velasco also included criticism of the federal government and immigration in her moment of personal privilege. On Tuesday, Representative Yara Zokaie requested a moment of personal privilege to reflect on her Iranian heritage and the United States’ actions in Iran last week.
 
On Wednesday, Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell spoke at the well vocalizing concern over a precedent being set that moments of personal privilege could be abused to express “personal grievances intertwined with political messaging."
 
Read more – Colorado lawmakers’ speeches on immigration, Iran draw worries about decorum, grandstanding 
 
Clemency for Tina Peters?
 
On Wednesday, the Colorado Sun (a local news outlet) asked each of the 66 Democrats in Colorado’s General Assembly whether they think Governor Polis should grant Tina Peters clemency. As a reminder, Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison after disrupting election systems in an effort to prove voter fraud in the 2020 Election. President Trump has been pushing Governor Polis to grant Peters clemency for several months. 
 
Over the last few months, Governor Polis has continued to hint at a possible commute in Peters’ sentence. In the past, Polis has expressed a somewhat sympathetic sentiment for Peters, saying she received a harsh sentence for being 70 years old.
 
On social media last week, Polis stopped just short of saying he would pardon Peters, contrasting Peters’ sentence with former Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis’ recent probation sentence for one count of attempting to influence a public servant and three counts of forgery.
 
However, when the Colorado Sun asked Democrats whether they would agree with Governor Polis in commuting her sentence, there was not a single Democrat that said yes.
 
Read more – Not a single Democrat in the Colorado legislature says Jared Polis should reduce Tina Peters’ sentence. He appears set to do it anyway.
 
Big Bills Debated This Week 
 
There were also a few big bills debated in committee and on the floor this week. One of the most notable was House Bill 1012, which was considered by the House Judiciary committee on Tuesday. The bill would’ve restricted a person or entity from charging excessive prices to a “captive consumer.” Although sponsors attempted to add amendments to the bill in an effort to pick up last minute votes, the bill was postponed indefinitely by the committee on a vote of 7-4. Also of note was House Bill 1005 (Labor Peace Act), which passed second reading on the House floor today, after long debate. 
 
Read more – Colorado House committee shoots down bill targeting high stadium prices on beer, hot dogs
 
What’s Next
 
Next week, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) will continue to consider figure setting recommendations for various departments as we inch closer to the introduction of the budget, which is expected late this month or early April. There will also be several big bills in committee next week related to social media, technology, and workers’ rights.
 
Lastly, and most importantly, Thursday of next week will mark Day 60 of the legislative session – the halfway point.