Capitol Coverage Project Archive
Welcome to the audio archives of the 2003 Capitol Coverage Project, reporting on the Colorado State General Assembly. Here you'll find every story posted in 2003 in reverse-chronological order (most recent story first). See the Complete Archive Index here. You'll need either Real Audio or MP3 playback capability on your computer to hear the stories. Check out our troubleshooting page if you need help with audio.
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Parole Change Advances
This report was originally submitted on Monday, April 7, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the state Capitol Monday, a senate committee approved a plan to reduce
time behind bars for minor parole violations. It will keep hundreds of
people out of prison and save Colorado millions of dollars. Sam Fuqua
reports:
2:30 soq
Budget Finger-Pointing
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, April 6, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado lawmakers continue their debate over the budget this week. They
need to find almost a billion dollars in reductions for the fiscal year
that starts this July. Some of the biggest money-saving proposals are
still in doubt. And the Republican and Democrat blame game over the
budget mess continues…From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:30 soq
April 3: Senior Prop Tax, Roads, etc
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, April 3, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Part of the plan to balance the state budget ran into trouble at the
legislature Thursday. The Senate rejected a proposal to eliminate a
property tax reduction for senior citizens.
Another effort to divert more sales tax to roads was also defeated.
And a House committee approved asking voters to erase an old section of
the state constitution. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
No More Senior Property Tax Break
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, April 2, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The state legislature continues to look for ways to deal with close to a
one billion dollar shortfall in next year’s budget. And that’s after
cutting a billion from the current year. A property tax break for senior
citizens is next on the chopping block. Sam Fuqua reports:
3:00 soq
Cuts to College Financial Aid: Public & Private
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, April 1, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Several more parts of the budget balancing act moved ahead Tuesday at the
state legislature. A senate committee looked at a plan to cut state
scholarships to low-income students at private colleges. That would save
Colorado about $8 million...but thousands of students would lose financial
aid. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:50 soq
State Art Funds in Jeopardy
This report was originally submitted on Monday, March 31, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The debate over where to cut next year’s state budget continues this week
at the Capitol. The legislature’s budget committee introduced their
spending plan to the full assembly Monday. Various groups facing funding
cutbacks will be taking their message to lawmakers as the budget bill
moves forward. Artists came to the Capitol Monday to protest a proposed
elimination of the state arts council. Sam Fuqua reports:
4:30 soq
Influence of Big Tobacco Questioned
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, March 30, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Anti-smoking programs are taking a big hit as part of the budget cutting
underway at the Colorado State Legislature. And lawmakers are dipping
deeper into money from a lawsuit settlement against big tobacco companies.
They’re using that cash to help balance the budget. Critics say part of
the reason for these actions is the influence of campaign money and
lobbying by tobacco interests. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:30 soq
Mar 27: Water & Health Insurance Bills
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, March 27, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Water remains one of the big unresolved issues as the state legislature
heads into the final six weeks of their annual session. There are two
competing proposals to fund big new water storage projects. One of them
cleared a key House committee Thursday. And one of the remaining health
insurance bills also advanced. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:10 soq
Education Funding & Vouchers Advancing
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, March 27, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Wednesday was a big day for education at the Capitol. A senate committee
approved the annual public school funding bill. And a private school
voucher plan is close to becoming reality. Sam Fuqua reports:
5:00 soq
Right to Work...for Less?
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, March 25, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Organized labor is in its annual fight at the State Capitol. At issue is
whether or not a person should be required to pay union dues in a
unionized workplace. Supporters of "Right to Work" legislation say "No".
But union activists say it's not fair to give some employees a free ride.
Sam Fuqua reports:
3:25 soq
Debt for a Prison and A Med School
This report was originally submitted on Monday, March 24, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
A new high security prison and classrooms for medical students were linked
in a plan considered by a state Senate committee Monday. Supporters say
Colorado needs to borrow money to build both projects. The committee said
okay—but only if voters approve. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:30 soq
Amendment Mix Causes Budget Trouble (long feature)
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, March 23, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Several factors contribute to the current Colorado budget crisis. Among
them are the nationwide economic recession and the permanent tax cuts
passed by the state legislature a few years ago. But three voter-approved
constitutional amendments are also interacting in a way that hammers the
state budget. The Gallagher Amendment, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and
Amendment 23 don't mix well...as we hear in this report from Sam Fuqua:
8:30 soq
Discount Drugs for High Risk Insurance Clients
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, March 20, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Thousands of Colorado residents with chronic health problems may benefit
from a federal program that provides discounts on prescription drugs.
From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:00 soq
More Cuts Ahead for State Budget
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, March 18, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The grim state budget picture got worse Tuesday. The legislature’s chief
economist released the latest quarterly revenue figures…and they’re lower
than projected. That means Colorado lawmakers will have to make even
deeper cuts to state programs in the current budget and in next year’s
spending plan. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:45 soq
Mar 17: Parental Notification, Landlords, ID cards
This report was originally submitted on Monday, March 17, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the Capitol Monday, a Senate committee debated a controversial parental
notification abortion bill. A basic landlord/tenant protection plan
failed. And a proposal to ban a Mexican ID card moved ahead. Sam Fuqua
reports:
4:30 soq
Back Off the Ritallin
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, March 16, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The growing use of drugs like Ritallin to calm down kids, is stirring up a
backlash among some parents and lawmakers. A bill at the state
legislature prohibits schools from recommending medication to parents.
Schools say that’s already against the rules and they’re not out to push
drugs as a solution for problem kids. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
2:50 soq
Gun Bills Close to Final Approval
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, March 13, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The state legislature is close to making major changes in Colorado gun
laws. A bill to make it easier to get a concealed weapons permit...and a
seperate plan to override local gun laws...both won preliminary approval
in the State House of Representatives Thursday. From the Capitol, Sam
Fuqua reports:
4:30 soq
Campaign Reforms May Be Changed
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, March 12, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Some state lawmakers are crying foul over a bill they say undermines
campaign finance reforms approved by voters last November. From the
Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:55 soq
Prison Budget Growing
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, March 11, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
State budget writers took their first detailed look Tuesday at next year's
budget for prisons. They need to cut over $800 million in state spending
for the next fiscal year. But the Department of Corrections is projecting
more inmates...and that means more money. The rising prison budget is
forcing lawmakers to look more closely at alternatives to incarceration.
From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:42 soq
Empty Chair at Table for Small Ratepayers
This report was originally submitted on Monday, March 10, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The next time big utilities ask the state for permission to raise their
rates, the voice of consumers might not be heard from…That’s if a bill
under consideration at the legislature moves ahead. From the Capitol, Sam
Fuqua reports:
3:25 soq
Consumer's Friend
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, March 9, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The 2003 session of the Colorado General Assembly is half over. Consumers
still have a lot at stake. Several controversial proposals remain
undecided. They will have a major impact on anyone who drives a car, buys
products and pays utility bills. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:30 soq
Appointments Provoke Debate
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, March 6, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Three controversial appointments by Governor Owens were debated in the
state Senate Thursday. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:00 soq
In God We Trust?
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, March 5, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
"In God We Trust" is written on our money...and some state lawmakers think
it should be on all our public schools and state offices, too. But not
everyone with faith in God agrees. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:15 soq
Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, March 4, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Advocates for sexual assault victims and supporters of reproductive rights
for women won a small victory Tuesday at the State Capitol. A plan to
help rape victims access emergency contraception advanced. Sam Fuqua
reports:
3:45 soq
Mar. 3: Medicaid Clients Speak Out, Big Straw Study Moves Ahead
This report was originally submitted on Monday, March 3, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Medicaid recipients came to the Capitol Monday to put a face on the state
and federal program of health care for the poor and disabled. They're
warning lawmakers that possible cuts to Medicaid could leave people
dependent on more expensive hospital and emergency services. Also on
Monday a controversial water project study moved ahead. Sam Fuqua reports:
5:15 soq
Concealed Gun Permit Bill Advances
This report was originally submitted on Saturday, March 1, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Gun laws are debated every year at the state legislature. But with
Republicans in control of both the House and the Senate and a Republican
in the Governor's office, pro-gun forces have their best shot in years at
loosening some of Colorado's weapons laws. State Senator Ken Chlouber is
once again offering a plan to standardize concealed weapons permits
statewide. Gun control advocates are still opposing it...but the plan is
moving ahead fast. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:30 soq
(Long Feature) College Tuition Credit Bill
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, February 27, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado ranks 27th in the nation for high school graduates who enroll in
college. And only 1 in 10 Hispanic boys go on to higher education.
Supporters of a bill unvieled Thursday say their plan will boost college
enrollment by giving tuition credits directly to students. They plan to
redirect funds going to colleges and universities. The idea will help the
University of Colorado escape some state regulations. From the Capitol,
Sam Fuqua explains:
8:10 soq
Tobacco Funds Traded for Budget Reserves
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
State budget writers have found a way to shore up the reserve funds that are required under Colorado law. But the source of the money makes anti-
tobacco activists nervous. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:50 soq
Lawmakers Briefed on Budget Mess
This report was originally submitted on Monday, February 24, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
State lawmakers are close to approving a package of spending cuts and
accounting changes that will balance this year’s budget. Next, they start
on the budget for next year…and it’s going to even worse. There’s about
an $870 million shortfall forecast for the 2003-04 budget. From the
Capitol, Sam Fuqua explains some of the reasons for the budget mess and
why it won’t get better any time soon:
6:15 soq
Want to Borrow Some Water?
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, February 23, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The battle for water in Colorado continues in the halls of the State
Capitol. Cities and agriculture are often on opposite sides in the
fight. But one short-term solution to this historic drought is bringing
them together. Sam Fuqua reports
4:00 soq
Better Helpers in the Home
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, February 20, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
More and more people with disabilities are doing everything they can to
stay in their homes, lead independent lives and avoid costly institutional
care. Home health aides are an important part of that independence.
They're the certified nursing assistants who help with the daily tasks
that a disabled person can't always do by themselves. But people with
disabilities say home health agencies don't always do a good job providing
consistent, reliable staff. They want the power to hire their help
directly. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
2:30 soq
Builders Back Bill
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado homebuilders say they pay too much for liability insurance…and
they pass those costs on to the people who buy their homes. The industry
says insurance rates are a key reason for the lack of affordable housing
statewide. They’re backing a bill that would change the way disputes
between builders and buyers are handled…and possibly reduce the builders
liability insurance costs. But homeowners and their lawyers say the plan
would gut consumer protections. The contentious proposal became more of
a compromise Wednesday in the state Senate. Sam Fuqua reports:
7:00 soq
Feb 17: Tenants, Kids Health Insurance, Same Sex Adoption
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Host: Housing advocates say Colorado’s landlord tenant laws are among the
worst in the nation. A bill to make them a little better moved forward
Tuesday at the state legislature. As the state budget picture worsens,
advocates are worried about funding for low income children’s health
insurance. And a plan to help same sex parents adopt was defeated. For
more on those stories, here’s Sam Fuqua:
4:45 soq
(Long feature on) Private Prison Expansion
This report was originally submitted on Monday, February 17, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
State corrections officials say Colorado's prison population will grow by
35% over the next six years. They want to house more inmates in private,
for-profit facilities. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
8:00 soq
SORRY THIS IS SO LONG. IT CAN RUN ANYTIME IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.
Farmers vs. Farmers on South Platte
This report was originally submitted on Saturday, February 15, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
During this historic drought, one of the worst water battles is over wells
near the South Platte River in northeastern Colorado. About 4000 wells
are the lifeblood for hundreds of farmers growing vegetables and grains on
their irrigated lands. Since the 1960’s, many farmers have used well
water from the South Platte acquifer under informal agreements because
there was plenty of water to go around. Now that it’s drying up, the
farmers who own direct rights to river water are fighting the farmers who
have well rights. The Colorado legislature stepped into the fray last
week…as we hear in this report from Sam Fuqua:
6:30 soq
Wind Power & Hybrid Cars
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, February 13, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Two bills representing small victories for the environment both moved
ahead Thursday at the state legislature. One plan requires some
government cars to use ethanol. And it puts drivers of gas-electric
vehicles into the car pool lane. Another bill mandates more renewable
energy from Colorado’s largest utilities. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua
reports:
3:45 soq
No Consensus on No-Fault
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado’s car insurance rates are among the highest in the nation. In
his State of the State address, Governor Bill Owens called for reform of
our no-fault auto insurance system. Owens’ supports House bill 1225.. But
the proposal puts insurance companies on a collision course with trial
lawyers, therapists and car crash victims. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua
reports:
6:30 soq
Green Energy Goes One for Two
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado's largest power company would need to meet specific goals for
renewable energy under a plan approved Tuesday by a state Senate
committee. But a bill to encourage energy efficiency failed. From the
Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:55 soq
Feb 10: Medicaid, Immigrant IDs, tax help for rural counties thatt lose ag water
This report was originally submitted on Monday, February 10, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Mexican immgrants will be impacted by two bills that moved forward
Monday at the state legislature. A plan to cut Medicaid benefits for
legal immigrants advanced. And so did an effort to restrict a form of
identification used by undocumented workers. Also on Monday, the Senate
approved a bill to help rural counties recoup lost tax revenue when
farmland goes dry. Sam Fuqua reports:
6:30 soq
REMINDER TO STATIONS THAT CANNOT ACCOMODATE THESE LONGER REPORTS: These
wrap-up style reports are easy to shorten. Pick the one or two stories
within the report you want and pull them out. Edit my outro onto to the
end and re-write the host intro.
Third Parties Say Bill Not Needed
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, February 9, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Third party candidates in Colorado often talk about the problems they have
getting media coverage and raising funds to compete with Republicans and
Democrats. But they don’t complain about getting onto the ballot. Access
to the ballot for third party candidates is pretty simple in Colorado.
But that may change under a plan being debated at the state legislature.
From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:30 soq
Outfitters Debate Regulation
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, February 6, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado's multi-million dollar hunting and fishing industry brought one
of their concerns to the state legislature Thursday. At issue is the
regulation of outfitters--the people who guide the tourists that want to
hunt and fish in Colorado's back country. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua
reports:
4:30 soq
Feb 5: Water, Pre-School, Same Sex
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, February 5, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the state legislature Wednesday, a Senate committee advanced a measure
to study some controversial water projects. A change in a pre-school
program for at-risk kids is drawing attention. And the same sex civil
union bill failed in its first committee hearing. From the Capitol, Sam
Fuqua reports:
4:00 soq
Feb 4: Civil Unions, Sales Tax Vendor Fee
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, February 4, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the Capitol Tuesday, gay rights supporters unvieled a plan to let same
sex couples enter into state-sanctioned "civil unions". And a business
tax break that escaped the budget-cutting axe is back on the block. Sam Fuqua reports:
5:35 soq
Limited Voucher Plan Advances
This report was originally submitted on Monday, February 3, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the Capitol Monday, a House committee approved a plan to give certain
at-risk students public money to go to private schools. Sam Fuqua reports:
3:50 soq
Medicaid Cuts
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, February 2, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Medicaid is the state and federal program of health care for the disabled
and the very poor. Some 300,000 Colorado residents use the program. Most
of them are covered by a federal requirement...but some receive what are
called "optional" services. State lawmakers plan to cut off some of those
optional populations from Medicaid to help reduce the $850 million budget
shortfall. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:00 soq
Forest Thinning Bill Advances
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, January 30, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Last summer’s wildfires and the historic drought conditions are focusing
attention on thinning Colorado forests. The state legislature is
considering a bill to encourage thinning…but environmentalists are
concerned that it may also lead to something they call “logging for
water”. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:45 soq
Bilingual Ed Restriction Fails
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, January 29, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
A plan to restrict bilingual education in Colorado was defeated Wednesday
in a House Committee. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
2:50 soq
K-12 Funding in Jeopardy?
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado’s budget mess may spill over onto public education in a big way.
The state’s elementary and high schools were spared big cuts during recent
budget reductions. But two issues that emerged early this week will have
a big impact on school funding. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:50 soq
Licensing Abortion Clinics
This report was originally submitted on Monday, January 27, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
A controversial abortion clinic bill cleared its first committee hearing
Monday at the state legislature. Bill 1022 would set up a special state
licensing program for abortion providers. Supporters of the plan say that
more regulation is needed to help prevent unsafe and unsanitary
practices. Critics counter that it’s part of an on-going effort to make
life more difficult for abortion providers and the women who choose to use
their services.
This story begins with a graphic description that may offend some
listeners. Listeners likely to offended should tune away for a minute.
From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports on House Bill 1022:
5:40 soq
Water Conservation Bill Fails
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, January 23, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the Capitol Wednesday a House committee looked at one of this
session’s major water conservation proposals. The plan offered several
ideas for reducing residential water use…but it withered under opposition
from property rights advocates. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:00 soq
Jan 22: Budget, Mesa County Long Term Care, Teen Pregnancy
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the state legislature Wednesday, more budget cuts were on the table, a
Grand Junction long term care plan failed...and a program to help teen
moms finish school moved ahead. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
4:30 soq
Budget Update
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, January 21, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Lawmakers continue to struggle with Colorado's fiscal crisis. Governor
Owens and his fellow Republicans in the legislative majority can't agree on the best ways to fix the budget shortfall. Part of the debate centers on how much to rely on shifting costs to next year as a temporary fix to this year's problems. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
3:50 soq
Jan 20: Small Biz Health Insurance, Cyanide Gold Mining
This report was originally submitted on Monday, January 20, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the Capitol Monday, a House committee advanced a plan to reform small
business health insurance. The insurance industry backs the proposal, but
some small business owners say it will make a bad situation worse. And a
ban on gold mining with cyanide didn't pan out. Sam Fuqua reports:
5:20 soq
Mental Health Advocates Fight Cuts
This report was originally submitted on Sunday, January 19, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The state is facing an $850 million budget shortfall and Governor Bill
Owens is recommending 10% across-the-board reductions in almost every
state agency. Nobody wants their program to be cut…but some groups are
making their case better than others. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports
on how mental health advocates are successfully working to limit cuts in
programs for people with mental illness:
5:50 soq
Governor's State of the State
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, January 16, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Colorado Governor Bill Owens delivered his annual State of the State
message to a joint session of the legislature Thursday. From the Capitol,
Sam Fuqua reports:
4:50 soq
Jan 15: Dems Budget Plan & Fewer Bills
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, January 15, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
At the Capitol Wednesday, Democrats offered their own plan to deal with
some of the $850 million state budget shortfall. And a plan to limit the
number of bills failed. Sam Fuqua reports:
4:30 soq
Jan 14: Cel Phone No-Call, Prison Population, Inauguration
This report was originally submitted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Cel phones may soon join the telemarketing no-call list. Colorado's
prison population is expected to rise. And Governor Bill Owens was sworn
in for a second term. It all happened Tuesday at the Capitol. Sam Fuqua
reports:
5:00 soq
Less Water, More Bills
This report was originally submitted on Monday, January 13, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
With Colorado in the midst of its worst drought in centuries, state
lawmakers all want to do something about it. And since they can’t make it
rain, the legislature will instead debate dozens of water-related bills.
From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua looks at some of the proposals:
6:09 soq
Bush Stock Plan May Impact State Revenues
This report was originally submitted on Saturday, January 11, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
State budget watchers are concerned about the impact of the new economic
stimulus plan introduced last week by President Bush. The plan would make
corporate stock dividends tax-free for shareholders. Eliminating those
taxes may be good for people who own stock, but it could have a major
impact on state revenues. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports:
5:30 soq
Kids Rally to Protect Anti-Smoking Money
This report was originally submitted on Thursday, January 9, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
Kids rallied at the Capitol Thursday. They urged lawmakers to keep their
hands off money designated for anti-tobacco programs. In 1998, 46 states
including Colorado reached a multi billion dollar agreement with 11
tobacco companies. The deal settled a lawsuit by states that wanted to
recover some of their tobacco-related health care costs. In this tight
budget year, Governor Owens and some lawmakers want to use some of this
tobacco cash to help deal with the $850 million budget shortfall. But the
anti-smoking kids at the Capitol say “No Way”. Sam Fuqua reports:
5:15 soq
Opening Day
This report was originally submitted on Wednesday, January 8, 2003.
Click here for a printable copy of the report summary.
Host Intro:
The Colorado General Assembly started work for 2003 on Wednesday. The on-
going state budget shortfall will dominate the new legislative session.
A state constitutional amendment requires a balanced budget…and with
revenues continuing to decline, that means lawmakers must slash $850
million this year. From the Capitol, Sam Fuqua reports on the budget and
the ceremonial opening day at the legislature…:
4:20 soq
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