Denver, CO - Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak today called on Republican state legislators to distance themselves from the ongoing Republican culture of corruption in Washington, D.C. by joining Colorado Democratic legislators in supporting a clean government bill scheduled to be heard in committee in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 31. The bill, 06-1149, is being sponsored by Representatives Morgan Carroll, (D-Aurora) and Paul Weismann (D-Louisville).

The bill aims to increase transparency of the legislative process by requiring disclosure of the bill numbers on which each lobbyist is working, the positions each lobbyist takes on each bill, any contributions each lobbyist makes to any legislators, and any financial or business relationships between each lobbyist and any legislator. The bill would also require a one year "cooling off period" before elected officials and other public officials could become lobbyists.

Chair Waak issued the following statement:

"Coloradans are tired of the Republican culture of corruption. They are tired of seeing elected officials like Senator Wayne Allard and Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave accept donations from Washington lobbyists like Jack Abramoff who've pled guilty to conspiracy and fraud. They are tired of elected officials like Bob Beauprez having close ties to disgraced Republican leaders like Tom DeLay.

"With former Majority Leader Tom DeLay caught in his own web of influence-peddling and corruption, Republicans in Washington must elect a new majority leader this week. But Colorado Republican legislators have an opportunity on Tuesday to stand for the interests of their constituents instead of for special interests. The Colorado Democratic Party calls on Representatives Cadman, Shultheis, Crane, Liston and Lundberg to join Democratic members of the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee in approving the bill sponsored by Representatives Carroll and Weismann. The people of Colorado don't want to see the Republican culture of corruption take hold in our state Capitol."