Colorado lawmakers look to boost their own salaries
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Photo Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: DivInc
💬 Capitol Pulse is a regular feature to catch up quick on what's happening at the Statehouse.
Six weeks into the legislative session, the Democratic majority's agenda, along with a handful of controversial bills, is moving into the spotlight.
What's happening: This week, House lawmakers will consider legislation to pay themselves more and create a commission to increase salaries for the governor and other elected officials. Legislative leaders also will discuss boosting pay for their aides.
- Two House-approved bills to expand veterinary care that are opposed by animal welfare advocates will get their first hearing in the Senate.
- Senators also will consider a bill to shield lawmakers from transparency requirements regarding open meetings and records after a lawsuit from members challenged long-standing practices.
Of note: Lawmakers want to send a ballot measure to voters to reverse a state Supreme Court ruling that requires bail for people charged with first-degree murder, giving judges the ability to deny bail "when proof is evident or presumption is great."
The other side: Two Republican-led bills are sure to generate their own controversy but will likely fail on partisan lines.
- State Rep. Richard Holtorf, a 4th Congressional District candidate, is sponsoring legislation to toughen immigration laws and repeal recent Democratic-led bills weakening enforcement.
- Two GOP lawmakers also want to allow seniors to move and still qualify for a property tax exemption. Democrats don't oppose the policy but are not behind this bill.
Catch up quick: Last week, House lawmakers gave preliminary approval to legislation to limit when landlords can evict tenants to situations with cause, such as failure to pay rent timely, destruction of property or a substantial violation of the rent agreement.
Other major bills that are advancing:
- A requirement that Colorado educators call students by their preferred name, rather than legal one, when requested.
- The Senate approved a supplemental budget package that spends nearly $50 million more to cover Medicaid insurance for lower-income residents, mental health needs at the state's Pueblo hospital and other mid-year needs.