Colorado: Shaffer

You've been reading about the scandal surrounding an apparently impostor Marine who managed to insert himself into a number of campaign-related events last year, mostly (but not exclusively, we'll get to that) on behalf of Democrats.

There's no question that the impostor in question, one Rick Strandlof, enormously embarrassed anyone who was conned by him--though he by all reports never actually worked for any Colorado campaign last year, he did volunteer to host receptions for candidates, and appeared in a 527 TV spot targeted at the Senate race.

Whatever the facts of this scandal ultimately shake out to be, we've seen nothing to indicate that anyone else, particularly other veterans associated with the organization Strandlof ran, were similarly misrepresenting themselves.

Following a nearly 10-hour debate Monday that stirred up partisan tensions, the Senate gave initial approval to a bill that would lift a key constraint on the state budget.

Arguments over repealing the budget provision ended only after Democrats cut off debate despite the objections of angry Republicans that Senate rules were being abused.

Named after the lawmakers who sponsored it in 1991, the Arveschoug-Bird provision limits growth in the state's general fund to no more than 6 percent a year. Money collected beyond that limit goes to roads and other construction needs.

SB 228, sponsored by Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, would repeal the 6 percent limit as well as the automatic transfers of money above the limit to roads and other projects.

Senate Majority Leader Brandon Schaffer, D-Longmont. (Photo/Bob Spencer, The Colorado Independent)

Colorado Senate Republicans find themselves in the odd position today of arguing for extending dependency on tax money and maligning proposed increases in fees and tolls to pay for roads, a perhaps more obviously free-market solution.

Senate Majority Leader Brandon Schaffer, D-Longmont. (Photo/Bob Spencer, The Colorado Independent)

Heated exchange preceded today’s debate on Colorado Senate Bill 228, which seeks to repeal the the so-called “6 percent solution,” which would put a cap on General Fund growth. The new bill would give lawmakers increased flexibility to decide how to allocate Colorado’s shrinking state budget.

Animated members of the Republican minority trolled the speaker’s podium this morning, taking turns calling out House Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) on his decision to move debate on the bill to later in the day by invoking procedural gag rule 9-C, which would limit discussion to five hours.

After a debate that saw one lawmaker quoting Bible verses and another calling gay rights the "civil-rights issue of our day," a bill to allow gay and lesbian state employees to share health benefits with their partners in the way married couples can passed its first vote before the full state Senate today.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, began the debate in a low-key way, arguing that such a policy would make the state more competitive for workers with private companies.

"It would place Colorado state employment practices in line with the private sector," Veiga said, noting that 17 Colorado cities and counties, numerous states and many businesses already have such policies.