Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Valentine's Day and Cupid pay a visit in the House

By Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 14, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

Text size  

More Colorado Government

More stories »

House Minority Leader Mike May has the cherubic look of Cupid, and Friday, he acknowledged having some of his personality traits as well.

As the Parker Republican pointed out his wife, Traci, in the audience, he told House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, that she is working for him in a nonpartisan way.

"She promises to put forth the same diligent effort that she did with the last speaker" to find him a valentine, May said of a slightly red-faced Carroll.

Former Speaker Andrew Romanoff, another Denver Democrat, was single and constantly getting chided, especially by female legislative cohorts, to find a wife and settle down. Carroll also is single.

In other action:

* The Senate gave preliminary approval to a measure to require the state to begin buying natural gas vehicles when replacing fleet cars next year. Senate Bill 92 by Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, could come up for a final vote as soon as Monday.

The measure contains loopholes big enough to drive a diesel truck through. If natural gas vehicles are more than 10 percent more expensive than regular fuel models, the state can buy energy-efficient flex-fuel or hybrid vehicles. If those are too expensive, it can buy gas-burning cars.

The bill is a start, Kopp said.

* The House approved a measure that would require full disclosure if state officials want to spend taxpayer money. Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton, said agencies under Gov. Bill Ritter withheld budget information the last two years, misleading lawmakers demanding to know the cost of programs before they voted on them. The administration denies wrongdoing. House Bill 1112 passed unanimously on a voice vote and faces a third reading before going to the Senate.

* The House approved a bill that bars institutions from offering incentives for enrollment or attendance at school. House Bill 1125 faces a third reading before going to the Senate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.