Week in Review - March 19-23, 2007

Former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis announced on Wednesday that he will not run for the open Senate seat in 2008. In a press release from the Colorado Democratic Party, a question was raised whether this "may give a signal that Colorado Republicans are not interested in moderate candidates."

Republicans Lose Major Recruit in Colorado

McInnis Drops Out of Race to Fill Allard's Senate Seat

Senate Republicans lost one of their leading recruits today, with former Congressman Scott McInnis declaring he will not run for the Senate seat in Colorado being vacated by Republican Senator Wayne Allard. McInnis announced in January that "there was no question" he would run for the Senate, but today reversed course and withdrew. His candidacy had been touted by national and state Republicans as key to their hopes of retaining the seat.

"Scott McInnis' withdrawal from the race is a major blow to Republican efforts to hold onto a Senate seat in Colorado and another sign that the political environment continues to be extremely poor for the GOP," said DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller. "Republicans in Colorado now have to start from scratch with a new candidate who will trail in both fundraising and political organization."

McInnis Two Months Ago: "No Question I Will Run" For Senate. In early January 2007, McInnis told a reporter that if Wayne Allard decided not to seek re-election, there was "no question I will run." [Denver Post, 1/16/07]

McInnis Would Have Started the Game With Nearly $1 Million In the Bank. McInnis has nearly $1 million left over from his House campaign account that could have been transferred to his Senate campaign, along with anything he may have raised in recent months. Meanwhile, likely Democratic candidate Mark Udall had over $1 million in his House account at the end of 2006 that he can transfer to his Senate campaign. [Denver Post, 2/27/07]

An off-handed reference to a Fellini movie ("La Dolce Vita") in my last newsletter drew an angry rebuke from a pair of correspondents. "Sorry, we don't speak Spanish!" they wrote. "And life is not sweet!"

Mea culpa. Next week: How my dog learned Catalan.

SHIELDING VICTIMS

Domestic-violence victims will find it easier to protect themselves and their families from their perpetrators, under two bills I am proud to be carrying. Both bills enjoy broad, bipartisan support and the backing of the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Senate Bill 136, introduced by Sen. John Morse, will help stop perpetrators of domestic violence from cutting off their victims' financial support. Under the bill, a court may order a defendant to continue paying mortgage or rent, insurance, utilities, or other services when the defendant has a prior existing duty or legal obligation to do so. SB 136 passed the Senate unanimously. It is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

House Bill 1350 directs the Secretary of State to establish an Address Confidentiality Program. Such programs, already in place in 21 other states, allow victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, and stalking to use a fake address for public records. The program's funding will come from a surcharge assessed on the perpetrators. HB 1350 is awaiting a hearing in the House State Affairs Committee. Reps. Cheri Jahn and Steve King signed up more than two-thirds of the House as sponsors.

GOOD NEWS IS NOT NEWS

When is a press conference not a press conference?

House Majority Leader Alice Madden and I found ourselves on the losing end of that riddle last week. As the legislative session reached its midpoint, we provided the Capitol press corps with a progress report. The legislative priorities we identified on opening day - topped by education, health care, and renewable energy - are all moving forward, all with bipartisan support. Rep. Madden and I supplied a list of 18 bills (see below) to back up our claim of "promises made, promises kept."

The reporters were unimpressed. They came, they saw, they covered … nothing. Instead, they sat, stony-faced and silent, waiting for the misery of this feel-good story to come to an end. When Rep. Madden and I completed our remarks, we asked if there were any questions. There were not. The reporters filed out, consigning our press conference to the same existential fate as a tree falling in an empty forest.

The minority party was more fortunate. Its leaders used their halftime report to vow an end to bipartisanship - a surly storyline that earned them considerably more coverage.

It may be time to update the old saw about what makes news. Forget "man bites dog"; it's now "elephant bites donkey."

PROGRESS REPORT

The House has introduced 350 bills so far this year; the Senate, 228. I've listed some of our priorities below. This list is not meant to be exhaustive - exhausting, maybe, but not exhaustive.

Energize Our Economy

Double renewable portfolio standard	HB 07-1281	Passed House, passed Senate, headed to governor
Enhance energy-transmission capacity	SB 07-100	Passed Senate, passed House, headed to governor
Promote homegrown power	HB 07-1169	Passed House committee, awaiting House floor action
Provide "Wind for Schools"	HB 07-1087	Passed House, passed Senate committee, awaiting Senate floor action
Bring biofuels to market	HB 07-1060	Passed House, passed Senate Finance Committee, headed to Senate Appropriations Committee

Conserve Our Resources

Safeguard forest health	HB 07-1130 HB 07-1168	HB 1130 passed House Natural Resources Committee, awaiting House Appropriations Committee HB 1168 passed House, passed Senate, headed to governor
Improve energy efficiency	HB 07-1037	Passed House, awaiting Senate committee assignment
Preserve water quality	HB 07-1132	Signed into law
Increase rainy-day fund	HB 07-1302	Passed House, awaiting Senate committee hearing

Strengthen Our Schools

Track students' academic progress	HB 07-1048	Signed into law
Expand early childhood education	SB 07-199 (School Finance Act)	Passed Senate Education Committee, headed to Senate Appropriations Committee
Make college more affordable	SB 07-148	Passed Senate, passing House
Streamline accountability reports	HB 07-1345	Awaiting House committee hearing

Curb the Cost of Health Care

Cut prescription prices for seniors, uninsured	SB 07-001	Signed into law
Establish preferred drug list	Executive Order	Signed
Protect women from leading cause of cervical cancer	HB 07-1301	Passed House Health Committee, headed to Appropriations Committee
Boost coverage for kids, mental health, drug treatment, indigent care	SB 07-097	Passed Senate, passed House, awaiting governor's signature
Help insurers, providers avoid disputes	SB 07-079	Passed Senate, passed House, awaiting Senate concurrence

UPCOMING FORUMS

Or fora, if you're a Latin faun. All are free and open to the public.

(2) The Blue Ribbon Commission for Healthcare Reform will take public testimony at several meetings throughout the state, from March 22 to March 24. Click here to learn more.

(3) The House District 6A Democrats will meet on Saturday, March 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Washington Park United Church of Christ, 400 S. Williams, Denver.

(4) The Colorado New Energy Summit will take place on Saturday, March 24, in the Wells Fargo Theater at the Colorado Convention Center. Click here to learn more.

(5) The Progressive Democrats will meet on Sunday, March 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Colorado Democratic Party Headquarters, 777 Santa Fe Dr., Denver. The group's website, advertising my appearance, describes me as "very lucid"; that seems like a stretch.

(6) The Windsor Garden Democrats will meet on Tuesday, March 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Windsor Gardens Community Room, 595 S. Clinton St., Denver.

You can also visit me in my Capitol office, Room 246, on Tuesday, March 20, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Same time and (barring a coup) location next week.

MISSING LINKS

Log on to the House or Senate calendar to see what we'll be debating this week. Schedules are subject to change daily. If you can't make it to the Capitol in person, you can listen in to the legislature's live audio feed.

For up-to-date news, log on to http://www.andrewromanoff.blogspot.com