2002 legislative leadership already a disappointment

2002 legislative leadership already a disappointment

January 15, 2002

Life In The Legislature
By State Rep. Mark Larson

I arrived in Denver on Monday to prepare for the session. My assistant, former Durango Herald reporter Kelley Harp, and I blitzed through the office updating files accumulated, tossing outdated material and organizing for the onslaught of the new session.

It is amazing how much paper flows through the Legislature over the year, including studies, reports, memorandums, propaganda, letters and manuals. I wonder sometimes if the multitude of individuals, groups and organizations actually think that all of their material is scrutinized. While I do look at virtually every piece of mail, it is impossible to review everything sent to us.

My session priorities center around ongoing constituent issues (first and foremost), my legislation, reading bills and preparing for committees, soliciting constituent input on proposed legislation, meeting with lobbyists, attending political functions (only if constituents are attending) and answering e-mail.

Legislators I talked to who also arrived early to prepare for the session all expressed concern about whether or not anything would be accomplished this year. I was deeply saddened to see our fears realized almost immediately. The rhetoric that I was hearing from leadership in both houses sounded positive and promising. A spark of hope glimmered for a moment. The only problem was that my mind would not accept it as real.

My father taught me long ago that I should not listen to what people wanted me to believe about them nor what others may also want me to believe. He taught me to observe one’s behavior and base my opinion on that behavior.

Perhaps that was the problem. In my experience and observations, leadership’s behavior did not support what they were purporting was their agenda.

Almost im-mediately, rumors began circulating that the Senate would not allow any House redistricting bills to even be heard. On Thursday, the House proceeded to hold committee hearings and pass out four measures. It appeared an attempt to expedite those bills was under way. On Friday, the House Republicans caucused to discuss the bills. I was surprised to hear Speaker Doug Dean (R-Colorado Springs) promote only his version and state that, if there wasn’t sufficient support for it, he would pull it and let the court decide.

While his map was a good beginning and did incorporate most of the 1982 Karsten decision concepts, it did not keep the Western Slope whole and once again made Pueblo a part of the 3rd Congressional District. Unfortunately, no other maps were reviewed or extensively discussed and, when the speaker realized that his map would not pass, he angrily adjourned the caucus.

The House also adjourned until Monday. While discussing this mutual frustration with colleagues, I expressed my dismay about the speaker’s "my bill or no other bills" display. House Minority Leader Dan Grossman (D-Denver), obviously upset as well, stated that Senate President Stan Matsunaka was "playing the same game" in the Senate. Redistricting is the most partisan task the Legislature ever has to perform.

I want to remind readers that the General Assembly has an excellent Web site. The best way to access it is to go to http://www.state.co.us on your browser. From the state home page, click on "Legislature" and then click on "General Assembly." Be sure to bookmark this page. This site has all the information about the session, such as bills, calendars, members and a plethora of other legislative information. One can even listen to committee hearings and floor action live. Naturally, if you are not a cyber person, Harp and I stand ready to assist in any way we can.

Mark Larson (R-Cortez) represents the 59th District, which includes Cortez, in the state House of Representatives. Reach him at the Capitol by phone, (303) 866-2914 or by fax (303)-866-2218; at home by phone (970) 564-0999 or by fax (970) 564-9236; or by e-mail at marklarson@qwest.net .