by Jennifer Mello, AFC lobbyist
The 2012 Legislative Session will begin on January 11. From that date, legislators have 120 days to introduce, debate and pass legislation and to adopt a state budget for 2012/2013.
Sessions during an election year are always more partisan. A handful of factors are likely to increase the level of partisanship in 2012 including divided control – Democrats control the Senate and Republicans control the House. Additionally, as required by the Constitution every 10 years, legislative district lines have just been redrawn.
Always a controversial process, the 2011 Commission was burdened by the number of times the maps had to be redrawn, the challenges confronted in keeping cities and counties whole while at the same time protecting communities of interest as required by Federal law, and the number of incumbent legislators whose districts changed radically – in some cases so much so that more than one incumbent was drawn into the same district.
Given this contentious setting, the 2012 Legislative Session will probably produce fewer new laws than is typical. We anticipate major debate around Pinnacol Insurance, the Senior Homestead Exemption and how to protect K-12 and higher education from ever-increasing budget cuts.
As an advocate, the best thing you can do is develop a relationship with your local legislators. Learn more about them and introduce yourself to them by visiting www.vote-smart.org or www.leg.state.co.us.
2012 Colorado Legislative Update
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