Drama, tempers and parliamentary maneuvering at the Colorado Capitol as lawmakers race to offer property tax relief
The Colorado Senate briefly devolved into political chaos Friday night as the chamber’s Democratic majority blocked a Republican attempt to force the state’s special legislative session on property tax relief to stretch well into next week in protest of the policies moving through the Capitol.
There were accusations of bad-faith negotiations and parliamentary maneuvering and pleas to let lawmakers and staff spend Thanksgiving with their families.
“I’m exhausted,” the normally affable Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said in a speech on the Senate floor. “This is exhausting.”
The situation underscored the property tax pressure facing state lawmakers as they rush to pass legislation before rates are locked for the 2023 tax year in mid-to-late December, when local governments must set their budgets and send out tax bills early next year. Gov. Jared Polis called the session after voters last week rejected Proposition HH, forcing Democrats to quickly come up with a Plan B or let home values that have risen by a median of 40% statewide cause large increases in people’s tax bills.
“What we’re doing now is already pushing the envelope,” Fenberg said as he tried to navigate the drama.
The unease began Friday morning, shortly after the special session gaveled in. Senate Republicans objected to Democrats’ attempt to suspend rules in the chamber dictating how fast legislation can advance.
If the rules aren’t suspended with three days’ notice, two-thirds of the Senate must vote to waive them.