Some members of the state’s House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee were hoping that the Colorado Rockies’ home opener Friday afternoon might offer a reprieve from what could be a long, arduous session — but no such luck.
“My priority is making sure we accomplish what we need to get done, not the baseball game,” said committee chairwoman Crisanta Duran, D-Denver, who did admit that when the day begins at 7:30 a.m., she will probably be wearing a jersey in support of the home team.
The calendar calls for 33 bills to be heard by the committee, which will determine which of the measures receives funding in the 2014-15 budget. And, given the partisan politics that have already been hinted at, chances are that extra innings will be in order.
A sneak preview of what may be in store came Wednesday. The committee had 19 bills on the docket for a scheduled 90-minute session, but it got to only one, thanks in large part to a dust-up between Duran and Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen. Ironically, the bill that led to the faceoff, which offered tax credits to fire and flood victims in the state, was easily passed in a voice vote Thursday.
But pushing everything else back resulted in Friday’s glutted calendar, one aspect of which had the Republicans crying foul. Of the 33 bills listed, the first 28 to be heard are connected by sponsor to the Democrats. The last five are sponsored solely by Republicans.
The list, Republicans say, was crafted by the Democrats to ensure that their favored projects get funded, leaving little money remaining for opposition bills. Furthermore, they add, the majority party got together earlier this week to decide which bills will get funded and which will be left begging.
“I think those discussions have taken place,” said House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland. “We don’t have the votes to stop the process anyway, but I think they already know what’s going to pass.”
Countered Assistant Majority Leader Dan Pabon, D-Denver: “We’ve had caucuses about our priorities as a party, and colleagues have gotten together to exchange ideas about priorities, but we will hear all discussions and look at every bill on its merits.”
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292, acotton@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/ anthonycottondp
