Historic opening to 2009 session

Economy, budget shortfall dominate legislative agenda

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 8, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Darin McGregor / The Rocky

Senate President Peter Groff presides over the chamber on the first day of the 2009 session.

Photo by Darin McGregor / The Rocky

New House Speaker Terrance Carroll, right, and outgoing Speaker Andrew Romanoff chat before the start of the new legislative session at the Capitol.

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The struggling economy dominated the opening day of the legislature, although plenty of attention was paid to the historic appointment of two black men to lead the Colorado General Assembly.

Tears and cheers permeated the House on Wednesday as Terrance Carroll became the speaker of the House, while in the Senate, Peter Groff again was elected president. Both are Denver Democrats.

Colorado is the first state to have blacks leading both legislative chambers, and in his address, Carroll noted the historic nature of the day.

"In these difficult times, Americans have sent a clear message to their political leaders: We don't care where you come from, what color your skin is, or what party you belong to," Carroll said. "We care only how you can move us forward."

Much of opening-day rhetoric from legislative leaders focused on the economy and state budget. Colorado is facing a $600 million budget shortfall with looming transportation and other needs.

Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to address the same issues today when he delivers his third State of the State speech at 11 a.m. in the House chambers.

Multitude of problems

Groff spoke about the multitude of problems facing Colorado, asking lawmakers to look at them through the eyes of everyday residents. He spoke of a Greeley family whose home is in foreclosure, a Colorado Springs man who lost his job, and a Jefferson County college freshmen who discovered she must take remedial classes because she's not prepared for higher education.

Groff did not offer specific solutions but urged legislators to make "visionary and courageous" decisions on transportation, education and health care.

"We are better than we think, but we must be better than we've been. Our future depends on it," Groff told the body. "Our history requires it. Our children need it. And our God demands it."

The new Senate minority leader, Republican Josh Penry, of Grand Junction, also urged bipartisan cooperation but cited more specific solutions.

The legislature, he said, should leverage Colorado's capital assets to borrow money and fix roads immediately, implement an energy strategy that includes both traditional and renewable sources, and pass job-growth bills that would expand the business personal property tax exemption and eliminate outdated business surcharges.

It didn't take long for the political sparring to begin. Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, rapped Groff for not offering "real ideas."

Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, countered that Penry's statements, especially those bashing unions, were the same rhetoric Republicans have used as their numbers have dwindled in the Senate over the past five years.

The tenor in the House was more bipartisan.

House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, got applause from both sides of the aisle when he lamented that lawmakers had not created a rainy day fund.

Carroll asked his colleagues to work together toward achieving three goals: luring new high-paying jobs, providing support for struggling families and building a world-class public education system.

Many former black lawmakers were in the House chamber to watch history being made. Among them were Penfield Tate, Wellington and Wilma Webb, Rosemary Marshall and Regis Groff, the Senate president's father.

Wednesday was a day they won't soon forget.

"I think it was one of the most important days in my 77 years," said Gloria Tanner, the first black woman to serve in the state Senate.

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