No one can say Colorado lawmakers did not earn their pay this year. Whether positively progressive or dangerously liberal, the just-concluded session of the state Legislature accomplished more than any in memory. And on balance, Coloradans probably approve.
The contrast with our dysfunctional Congress is stark. And our bet is Colorado voters prefer lawmakers who actually legislate to the paralysis in Washington.
The list of actions taken by the Legislature this year is extensive. Many were longtime goals of the Democrats who control both the Legislature and the governor’s office. But many, too, were simply ideas whose time had come.
Perhaps the most contentious was a series of gun-control bills introduced in the wake of the Aurora and Newtown shootings. Requiring background checks, which has broad public support, now extends to private sellers. New magazines are limited to 15 rounds, which is less popular. And the training required for concealed-weapons permits will now have to be done in person. Even many gun-rights supporters backed that.
Marijuana took up too much time. In the end, though, lawmakers passed needed regulations, set a standard for driving stoned and agreed to ask the voters to approve sales and excise taxes on pot.
Gay rights as an issue is a remarkable case in which society is moving faster than government can keep up. Except for those whose relationships now have legal status, the passage of the bill allowing civil unions for same-sex couple was largely greeted with yawns. Perhaps lawmakers should have approved gay marriage.
On money the Legislature acted responsibly. The cigarette sales tax exemption was ended. The enterprise zone tax credit was capped so the taxpayers are not subsidizing large companies. And lawmakers looked to Main Street merchants in setting the stage for collecting sales tax on Internet sales when federal approval comes through.
After hearing from educators and making needed adjustments, lawmakers also passed the first new school finance formula in two decades. The income-tax increase underlying it, however, must go to the voters.
Immigration was another hot-button topic the Legislature took on, with welcome results. Giving in-state tuition to students brought to this country illegally as children is only sensible. Why deprive people of an education – and society of more productive workers – because their parents broke a law the U.S. did not enforce? Likewise, allowing driver’s licenses for all boosts safety, while denying them to people in the country unlawfully does nothing to stop illegal immigration.
The renewable energy requirement for rural electric co-ops was doubled, which should boost the use of wind and solar power and Colorado jobs. As part of Obamacare, Medicaid was extended to tens of thousand of low-income people. And voting was encouraged by a measure that mandates all voters get a mail-in ballot and allows Election Day voter registration.
The Democrats had defeats, too. Their move to end the death penalty collapsed when it became clear Gov. John Hickenlooper was not on board. Two gun bills also failed – holding liable owners of so-called assault weapons and a ban on guns on college campuses. And an effort to strengthen regulation of the gas industry went down when a state agency sided with the industry – probably because Colorado already has tough rules.
Republicans complained that the Democrats moved too quickly and took too little input before passing new laws. Legislative minorities always say that, and the remedy is obvious: Win the next election. But after this session, the Democrats can convincingly claim that they did what the voters elected them to do.
Would that Congress could say the same.
