The Colorado General Assembly Gears Up for Intense Three-Day Lawmaking Session
The Colorado General Assembly is set to convene at 10 a.m. today in hopes of resolving the ongoing political battle over property tax policy in a marathon session lasting three days.
Be sure to check back for updates throughout the day.
Update as of 9:51 a.m.: Lawmakers are presenting a series of bills for consideration this week, with a key focus on a proposed “framework” that includes further reductions to the state assessment rate, adjustments to the cap on future growth of local property tax revenue, and other modifications. This proposal has garnered support from legislative leaders, conservative advocacy groups, and the governor’s office.
The proposed changes are estimated to decrease statewide property tax collections by $270 million annually, in addition to the $1.3 billion cut implemented after last year’s legislative session. These adjustments have led the conservative organization Advance Colorado to withdraw two ballot measures that would have potentially enforced even more significant property tax cuts and stricter limits on statewide property tax collections.
However, the process of reaching this agreement and its implementation have faced criticism and pushback from some lawmakers.
Representative Steven Woodrow, a Democrat from Denver, referred to Advance Colorado’s president, Michael Fields, as “Gov. Fields” during a public caucus meeting discussing the special session. Senator Chris Hansen, a key figure in property tax legislation, expressed disappointment at the need for a special session due to the failure of negotiations earlier in the year.
Hansen described the new proposal as a “relatively small change” from the previous bill, emphasizing the importance of avoiding potential ballot initiatives that could have severe consequences for government services.
Despite the agreed framework, there are uncertainties about its full support from Democratic majorities, with lawmakers still seeking clarity on the proposal. Public study sessions are scheduled to facilitate discussions and address concerns raised by legislators.
Lawmakers must expedite the legislative process to meet the tight three-day timeline. The bill is expected to undergo committee hearings and floor debates on the same day of its introduction, with subsequent steps planned for the following days.
Public input will be welcomed during committee meetings, with any delays potentially prolonging the special session beyond the designated timeframe.
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