By Don Knox, STATE BILL COLORADO
TODAY, COLORADO PONDERS THE RAMIFICATIONS of the Hickenlooper budget cuts. “The four-letter word in the room is math,” the governor told reporters. Here’s how news orgs covered the announcement. Here’s a roundup of reactions. Listen to what the governor told the JBC here.
SCHOOLS HEADLINES STATEWIDE: Colorado education community braces for deep cuts in funding (The Denver Post). Schools take deepest Hick cuts (Education News Colorado). Valley schools face deep budget cuts (Aspen Times). Budget cuts loom over Rams {Rocky Mountain Collegian}. Colo. educators decry Hickenlooper’s proposed cuts (The Denver Post.) Our view: Colorado education in trouble (Rocky Mountain Collegian). Re-1 schools face deep budget cuts (Glenwood Springs Post-Independent). Boulder Valley schools not expecting to restore budget cuts (Colorado Daily).
BUDGET AS BEDTIME STORY: It was a “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” Stokols tells viewers. Buy the book here.
NUMBERS IN ON CABINET SALARIES: Most of Hickenlooper cabinet members receiving $146,040. The exceptions are Public Health’s Chris Urbina ($215,000); OIT’s Kristin Russell, Budget Director Henry Sobanet (both $156,000); Transportation’s Don Hunt ($151,840); Corrections’ Tom Clements, Health Care Policy’s Sue Birch and Human Services’ Reggie Bicha (all $150,000). Making less: Energy’s TJ Deora gets $130,000. Homeland Security’s Larry Trujillo gets $120,000. Economic Development’s Dwayne Romero gets $118,000 — though for a four-day work week.
NO BILLS INTRODUCED TUESDAY: However, one resolution was.
TODAY’S CALENDAR: House. Senate.
TODAY’S HICKENLOOPER SKED: 4 p.m., remarks to members of Action 22 for the group’s Legislative Day at the Capitol. Location: Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol.
SUBSCRIBERS: Your Virtual Bill Box is here.
GOVERNMENT NOT AS DIVIDED AS WE THOUGHT: CDOT transparency bill passes 65-0.
LOW ALCOHOL BEER IN RESTAURANTS BILL passes out of committee, 4-1. Nicholson opposed.
PITKIN COUNTY BALKS at changing oil & gas commission makeup.
GREELEY TRIB DELVES INTO KOPP’S PLAN to make synthetic marijuana illegal.
VEGAS COMPANY FILES 32 LAWSUITS over alleged improper use of a single Denver Post photo, of a TSA patdown.
HE SAID IT: “My son is in public school.” — Gov. John Hickenlooper, on difficult choice to cut schools budget.
NOT THE JOBS NEWS WE WERE HOPING FOR: Borders Books, with 19 Colorado locations, files for bankruptcy protection. Store list here.
HE SAID IT: “While all they want to do is serve their customers, they have opposed our efforts to serve our customers.” — Dan Genovese, senior vice president/finance for Balmar Petroleum, which owns and operates gas station/convenience stores in Colorado, on low-alcohol beer in restaurants bill.
IT’S A BIG DAY, SOCIALLY SPEAKING
* Colorado Nurses Association, District 16 Legislative Connection Dinner, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 1370 Grant Street, Denver, Contact : Mary Kershner 303-204-2414 tllskr@comcast.net
* Colorado Beverage Association Legislative Reception, Hors D’ouevre and Full Bar for attendees, 5 to 7 p.m., The University Club, 1673 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80264 Contact : Charlie Sheffield 303.810.0669
* Alliance Awareness Day at the Capitol for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., lunch at noon, Lunch at the Denver Art Muesum, Contact : Jeremy Schupbach (303) 8320-1618
* Action 22, Luncheon at First Baptist Church, 11:45 to 1:30, Miller Hall, 1375 Grant St., Contact : Cathy Garcia 888 799-1799
* Action 22 Reception with Hors D’oeuvres and Cocktails, 5 to 7, University Club, 1673 Sherman Street, Contact : Cathy Garcia 888 799-1799
* Quest Diagnostics/9 Health Fair, 9 Health Fair Screenings, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Rm. 326 here at the capitol (Media Room), Contact : Sally Kline 720-270-7470
LIGHTS STRANGELY WENT OUT Tuesday a.m. in House chambers before day’s start. The effect was nice — Colorado sunlight streaming in.
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