Colorado Senate Republicans are targeting various laws to enhance affordability for families across the state
Colorado: So, the Senate Republicans are on a mission. They want to repeal a bunch of laws they think are making life more expensive for families. They’ve got a list of over a dozen laws they’re targeting, and they say this could really help with affordability.
Some of the laws they want to get rid of include renter protections, which they argue just raise costs for landlords, and limits on greenhouse gas emissions during construction. They’re also looking at fees for electric vehicle charging stations and utility bills that help low-income folks. It’s a pretty big deal.
Most of these laws came about after Democrats took control of the legislature back in 2018. Even though some had bipartisan support, the Republicans are saying these laws are just too much. They claim that all these fees and regulations add up to over $4,500 in extra costs for families each year.
Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen is really pushing this point. He believes that the current situation is a direct result of the policies made in the statehouse. He’s not shy about saying it’s a crisis that needs fixing.
Now, some of the savings they’re talking about are pretty small. For instance, repealing a tire fee might save Coloradans just $1.40 a year. But the big one? They think they could save over $3,700 a year by changing energy codes that currently hike up construction costs.
They’re also looking out for older folks on fixed incomes. One Republican senator wants to exempt Social Security payments from state income tax, which could really help some people out.
But here’s the catch: when asked if any Democrats are on board with these proposals, Lundeen didn’t name anyone. That’s a bit of a downer since Democrats have a strong majority in the legislature.
On the flip side, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez did say it’s good that both sides agree affordability is important. He mentioned some Democratic plans to cut fees for child care and tackle price gouging, but he also warned that cutting fees could hurt funding for transportation and other essential services.
Governor Jared Polis is also in the mix, showing some support for regulatory reform. He’s been urging lawmakers to rethink state laws to balance consumer protection with reducing costs. He wants to see what can be done to help small businesses thrive.
Polis’s spokesperson echoed this sentiment, saying the governor is open to any ideas that could save Coloradans money without compromising important programs. They’re ready to review any proposals that come their way.
In the past, Polis even took a symbolic step by cutting outdated executive orders, but Lundeen wasn’t impressed, calling it just a show. He’s pushing for deeper, more meaningful changes.
So, it looks like there’s a lot of back-and-forth ahead as these discussions unfold in Colorado.
