Colorado: Colorado Springs Republican

While Republican leaders in Colorado have voiced vocal opposition in recent years to providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, a handful of leading conservatives are now coming out in support of a legislative effort proposed by Democrats to allow Coloradans in-state tuition at the state's public colleges and universities regardless of immigration status.

"Republican businessmen understand the need for immigration reform," said Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, who is sponsoring Senate Bill 170, which would specifically require that a person, "regardless of immigration status, who attends a Colorado high school for at least three years and enrolls in a Colorado institute of higher education within five years after either graduating from a Colorado high school or earning a GED shall be charged the same tuition rate and shall be eligible for tuition assistance under the same criteria as a person who establishes domicile in Colorado.

State Sen. Dave Schultheis restated his opposition to a bill over requiring HIV tests for pregnant women by claiming that infected babies would cause families to “see the negative consequences of that promiscuity.”

The Colorado Springs Republican with a penchant for foot-in-mouth moments tells the Rocky Mountain News in a follow-up story to Wednesday’s Senate floor controversy:

“What I’m hoping is that, yes, that person may have AIDS, have it seriously as a baby and when they grow up, but the mother will begin to feel guilt as a result of that,” he said. “The family will see the negative consequences of that promiscuity and it may make a number of people over the coming years begin to realize that there are negative consequences and maybe they should adjust their behavior.

Over the years, Rep. Mark Waller and his wife have unloaded clothing, shoes and household goods into donation bins throughout their city.

The Colorado Springs Republican thought he was doing a good thing for charity. Now, he's not so sure.

Waller said he was unaware until recently that some bins marked "SHOES" and "CLOTHING" are actually operated by for-profit groups.

Waller and Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, are the sponsors of a bill that requires all donation bins include a label that would disclose whether the container is operated by a nonprofit or for-profit group.

"I'd like to know how my property is being used," Heath said.

THE AMENDMENT 50 EMPLOYMENT ACT

A who's who of lobbyists and lawyers crowded into a small committee room Wednesday to try to complete details on how to implement voter-approved Amendent 50, which expands gambling and gives a chunk of the proceeds to community colleges.

Attorneys included Mark Grueskin, Mike Feeley and Jon Anderson and lobbyists Steve Durham and Gayle Berry.

"Who said the economy is in trouble?" Durham joked.

58.7% of voters approved the ballot measure

NO WORRIES, D! THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO FIGURE THE BUDGET!

The House Birthday Choir on Wednesday serenaded DOWN Rep. Dianne Primavera, who considers herself lucky to be alive. The Broomfield Democrat has beaten cancer four times.