Moving into February, we’ve got nearly 340 bills introduced in the House and Senate. That’s probably just over half of how many will be filed before the session ends, which gives you a sense of the workload to be accomplished in the 120-day legislative session.
Political control of the State Legislature is divided this year, with each party controlling just one chamber. The split Legislature will demonstrate differences in basic party philosophy and agendas. Because of these differences, fewer bills than under single-party control will make it to the governor’s desk for signature or veto.
I’m pleased that in the Senate, we’re looking closely at the sunset reviews of some of the more than 300 boards and commissions that exist in Colorado. We’re asking tough questions and making changes, even if that unsettles the status quo. For many years, I’ve heard from constituents and small business owners that state regulations are strangling them as they try to keep their businesses open. I’m keeping that input in mind as we hear the regulatory reviews in committee and on the Senate floor and am voting accordingly.
I chair the Senate Judiciary Committee and am vice-chair of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee. My days are spent hearing bills assigned to these committees as we plow through the mountain of bill proposals introduced this session.
Judiciary committee bills often touch on emotional and controversial topics. As chair, I’ll be concentrating on making sure all bills in my committee receive a full and fair hearing, whether or not I vote to support a particular bill.
Soon, we’ll be hearing a variety of proposals to change laws regarding guns, civil forfeiture, the use of drones and eyewitness identification procedures. The gun bills will stir great passion from both sides of the debate. While no major change in Colorado law is likely, given the divided Legislature, it’s critically important that we have a fair and transparent process in the “public square,” unlike what happened in 2013.
Constituent e-mails weighing in on proposed legislation are filling my inbox and we’re doing our best to keep up with reviewing them as well as handling constituent problems as they arise. One deeply frustrating source of constituent problems is getting insurance coverage through the state health insurance exchange, Connect for Health. Many are trying to comply with the new laws, but they haven’t succeeded in obtaining that coverage or are struggling with the inaccuracies reported regarding household income or tax credits owed.
I’ve talked directly with constituents about the challenges they’ve faced with the enrollment process. With looming deadlines and threats of penalties, I know this is maddening and very stressful. The significant deficiencies in the exchange’s system are simply unacceptable and must be corrected by the insurance exchange and quickly. I’m doing my best to make these problems known in Denver and on the floor of the Senate chamber.
Without rehashing the merits of establishing the exchange in the first place, which I didn’t support, a good portion of the blame for the current problems stems from the overly aggressive federal timetable for implementing such a consequential and complicated change. That said, the important thing is to get people insured, so let us know if you need help and we’ll do our best to be of assistance.
Ellen Roberts represents Senate District 6 in Colorado’s General Assembly. The district encompasses Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, Archuleta, Montrose, San Miguel, San Juan and Ouray counties. Contact Sen. Roberts by phone at (303) 866-4884, or by e-mail at ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us.
