They laughed, cried and kept on bickering

Last day begins with flap over lawmaker's guest

Lynn Bartels And April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, May 9, 2006

A legislative session roiled by ethics blowups worked its way to an anti-climactic end Monday in a day filled with fun, fury and fond farewells.

Lawmakers adjourned at 11:22 p.m. after a last-minute, failed attempt to override two gubernatorial vetoes.

But they already had taken care of some of the most important and contentious issues, paving the way for the session to end two days ahead of schedule for the second year in a row under Democratic control.

A bill to ban smoking in restaurants and bars? Signed into law by Gov. Bill Owens.

Reform on the Public Employees Retirement Association fund? The governor and lawmakers reached a deal last week.

Immigration? On Monday, the Senate gave final approval to a bill aimed at "coyotes" who smuggle illegal workers for money.

But some legislators say this session was particularly bruising.

"It was the most controversial, partisan session I have seen in my six years, although I think we got a lot done despite that," said Rep. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge.

A Senate Democrat resigned over an ethics scandal. A House Republican resigned his leadership position because of an ethics issue.

The political finger-pointing and tit-for-tat from various Democratic and Republican political groups signal that Colorado could be in line for the ugliest campaign season yet.

Jahn and other lawmakers seemed grateful it was almost over as they packed up their desks.

Fourteen term-limited lawmakers won't be returning. The session also was Owens' last.

The House began its final floor session on a contentious note Monday when Rep. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, introduced guest Gianna Jensen. At his request, she had been been granted permission to sing the national anthem.

He told how the Nashville woman had been born two months prematurely and had cerebral palsy. Lawmakers were touched when he said that Jensen, 29, who wasn't expected to crawl, now can run marathons.

But then Harvey said that the reason Jensen was disabled was that her 17-year-old mother tried to have a late-term abortion. He said he wanted lawmakers to know that fact, because later in the day they were planning to vote on a resolution honoring Planned Parenthood.

Some lawmakers were livid.

"I came this close to standing up and saying something," said Rep. Mark Larson, R-Cortez. He and others said Harvey violated House rules and protocol.

"It was despicable," said House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder. "Ted Harvey doesn't care about proper decorum or the rules. He just wants to push his narrow agenda."

Said Harvey: "That was not my intention."

Among the measures lawmakers approved Monday was a referendum that will allow voters in November to decide whether to give disabled veterans the same property-tax breaks they voted to give Colorado seniors in 2000.

In the Senate, lawmakers resurrected a bill that would restrict protesters at funerals after watering it down in an attempt to keep Colorado out of court for potentially violating free speech rights.

In addition, to the dismay of rural lawmakers, the legislature gave final approval to a bill outlawing cash gifts to lawmakers. Lawmakers such as Larson argued that the gifts, used to set up office accounts, are the only way lawmakers in vast districts can afford to be in touch with their constituents.

Attempts to override two vetoes late Monday died. One bill Owens vetoed would have protected medical whistleblowers who claim violations of health care standards. The other challenged the governor's power to decide how the state spends money.

Action taken, so far

Scores of bills passed by lawmakers will land on the governor's desk in the next three weeks. The governor's deadline is June 7 to sign them, veto them or let them become law without his signature. Below, major bills he signed or vetoed as of Monday.

• HB 1175: Prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants and most workplaces starting July 1.

• HB 1049. Limits liability for owners of land surrounding popular climbing peaks, opening access to climbers.

• SB 55: Makes schools give more accurate reports of violence on campus.

• SB 57: Makes Colorado the first state to issue Amber Alerts for missing seniors.

• SB 32: Clarifies that Colorado military members and dependents are eligible for in-state tuition.

• HB 1373: Authorizes $43 million for new forensic psychiatry facility in Pueblo.

• SB 25: Says dog owner can be prosecuted the first time dog bites someone resulting in serious bodily injury.

• HB 1200: Adds $24 million in low-income heating-bill and weatherization help.

• SB 90: Says police must notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if someone arrested for a crime is a suspected illegal immigrant.

Bills vetoed

• SB52: Allowed counties, upon voter approval, to raise the sales tax to buy open space and parks.

• HB 1212: Allowed pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception pills without doctor's prescription.

• HB 1174: Required every person who works on a construction site to be covered by workman's compensation insurance.

• HB 1056: Required schools to stock at least half of vending machines with healthy snacks.

• HB 1374: Raised spending base for state school construction obligations.

• HB 1371: Line-item veto of certain appropriations for the Department of Human Services.

• HB 1369: Line item veto of certain appropriations for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• HB 1023: Changed requirements for earning school administrator's license.

• HB 1005: Allowed schools to ask voters to raise taxes to fund all-day kindergarten.

• HB 1193: Provided whistleblower protection for medical workers who report errors.