The Colorado House of Representatives is considering a bill that seeks to create a comprehensive international export development program for advanced industries. Proponents say House Bill 1193 is a tool for the state’s small- and medium-sized industries that might not have resources needed to export goods overseas. The bill will provide money, training and consulting [...]
Colorado lawmakers are entering their final month of the 2012 session with plenty left to do — but without the caustic atmosphere one might expect in the closing days of an election year. The state’s divided Legislature has until May 9 to balance the budget and make final decisions on questions such as civil unions, [...]
Continue reading …A new crime of “fetal homicide” is on hold in Colorado amid concerns the proposal was vague and could affect abortion rights. The Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee tabled the bill Monday, just before it appeared the committee would reject the measure. The bill was approved last month by the Republican House. Similar bills have been [...]
Continue reading …Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill this week that will support local, small-scale growers and producers by creating alternative methods for them to sell homemade goods. The legislation will allow growers to sell products directly to consumers, by exempting home kitchens from certain health inspections that are generally applied to large retailers. Home kitchens willb [...]
Continue reading …State employees are under the microscope in Colorado as lawmakers tackle broad revisions to employee protections that haven’t been changed in decades. But don’t expect the fireworks other states have seen when revising how state employees are hired and fired. The Colorado overhaul has bipartisan support, and the state’s public employee union says it likes [...]
Continue reading …A potential tax break on business equipment is headed to the desk of Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. The Senate voted 34-0 Wednesday to give final approval to the measure that allows municipalities to control how much of the taxes they want to exempt. The legislation would give municipalities the choice to exempt all taxes on [...]
Continue reading …Colorado takes pride in its Western entrepreneurial spirit — and that extends to the belief of some lawmakers that business owners should be able to use deadly force against anyone who tries to take what’s theirs. It’s an idea that conjures Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry, and its supporters have taken liberties with the hardboiled character’s [...]
Continue reading …Colorado Republicans aren’t faring well on some of their major health care proposals this year. A Republican bill to repeal Colorado’s health insurance exchange is up for a vote Thursday in a Democrat-controlled Senate committee, where it appears headed to certain defeat. The committee is led by the Democratic senator who proposed the exchange last [...]
Continue reading …A Republican lawmaker who wants to lower car fees to the tune of $12 million a year is trying again to ratchet back vehicle registration fees. Rep. Randy Baumgardner of Hot Sulphur Springs is bringing his tag fee repeal to a Republican House committee Wednesday. The GOP House approved the idea last year, but the [...]
Continue reading …Hang onto your wallets, Colorado. The Legislature is back in session. It’s an old joke, but it holds special significance for the 2012 session. This year, it’s all about helping voters’ pocketbooks. Expect long arguments over the next five months about how to strengthen the economy, chip away at Colorado’s 8 percent unemployment rate, and [...]
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