Has anyone seen the Denver Nuggets? We still have a team, right? It's time to Get More Smarter with Colorado Pols. If you think we missed something important, please include the link in the comments below.
TOP OF MIND TODAY…
► Two of the most controversial pieces of legislation in recent memory are being discussed again today under the Capitol Dome. Sen. Tim Neville's "Parent's Bill of Rights" (also known as SB-077 or the "Let Parents Do Anything They Want with their Children" bill) is back on the docket. Also scheduled to be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee is SB-070, Sen. Kevin Lundberg's ridiculous bill to de-regulate small child care centers in Colorado.
► Also expected to be discussed in the State Senate today is SB-020, also known as "Erin's Law." This bill is intended to assist schools in education and response to cases of child sexual abuse, but Democratic proponents of the legislation expect that Republicans will attempt to hijack the discussion by adding amendments intended to weaken sex-education classes in Colorado schools.
Get even more smarter after the jump…
SHOULD YOU FIND YOURSELF STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…
► Another controversial bill was introduced in the state legislature on Tuesday when Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel (R-Parker) rolled out his "Construction Defects Bill" (SB-177). Critics say the bill would reduce the liability for developers on residential property by shifting more of the legal burden to homeowners. Similar bills have failed in the past two legislative sessions as developers failed to make a strong argument that making it harder to file a lawsuit will allow them to speed up construction of new condos and townhomes.
► Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald snapped at Colorado Republican Rep. Mike Coffman during a budget hearing in Congress today. In response to Coffman's suggestion that McDonald has not achieved enough during his first 6 months on the job, McDonald replied, “I ran a large company, sir, what have you done?” When Coffman asked why he hasn't seen more progress regarding problems with a new VA hospital in Aurora, McDonald said, “You’ve been here longer than I have, if there’s a problem in Denver, you own it more than I do.”
► Must…stop…the microbeads!
► Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman says the Colorado State Board of Education does not have the authority to allow school districts to waive state-mandated tests.
► Colorado collected $44 million in taxes from recreational marijuana sales in 2014, which is less than had been expected. Of course, it is also $44 million more than Colorado had last year.
OTHER LINKS YOU SHOULD CLICK
► The rift continues to grow between the conservative Jefferson County School Board and community and parent groups concerned about new policies pushing teachers and staff out of the district. As a post at Support Jeffco Kids explains, "thousands of teachers feel their lives are on hold."
► The Colorado Independent talks with freshman Rep. Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) about her first 30 days on the job under the Gold Dome.
► Anti-fracking activists want a ban on fracking in Denver, while the oil and gas industry looks for a gauntlet to drop.
ICYMI
► John Sampson, the new vice-chair of the Adams County Republican Party, defends himself from claims of racism by pointing out that he does indeed know a black person.
► What is going on with "Erin's Law" in Colorado, and why is Sen. Vicki "Lost My" Marble trying to turn a child sexual assault bill into a discussion about sex education?