Republican infighting stalls budget bill
Procedural protest interferes with party choosing candidates
The dysfunction in Colorado’s Republican Party stalled the passage of the state’s budget bill as well as the party’s candidate selection process. Republican Rep. Brandi Bradley forced a full reading of the more than 600-page proposal over complaints about how colleagues handled an ethics investigation of fellow Republican Ron Weinberg.
The investigation found probable cause last month that Weinberg had made inappropriate sexual comments about Bradley and improperly accessed parts of the capitol building. Bradley said the investigation and punishment – ordering Weinberg to attend an anti-sexual harassment training – weren’t sufficient.
Her move forced lawmakers, including fellow Republicans, to work late several days this week and into the weekend, interfering with the state Republican assembly in Pueblo where candidates are chosen.
The incident highlights bigger problems as the Republicans head toward the 2026 midterms. The state party’s chairperson resigned last month before she could be ousted by a no-confidence vote, making her the third party leader to resign in less than a year. And the party has very little money on hand going into the peak campaigning months before the November vote.
Need to Know
🍃 Less and less money from state marijuana taxes is flowing to local governments, and they may get cut off entirely. Marijuana sales and prices have been falling for years, meaning the state is collecting less money that it can kick back to local governments. Lawmakers have slashed the share of state marijuana taxes going to local governments over the last ten years, and they’re currently considering a bill to eliminate the kickback entirely. (Westword)
⚖️ Venezuelan migrants accused of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang got much lighter sentences than federal prosecutors wanted. The defendants denied gang ties and the government didn’t present solid evidence of their alleged membership. The judge that handed down the sentences didn’t comment on the strength of the government’s case, but appeared to consider the criminal activity less serious than authorities had claimed. (CPR, Courthouse News Service)
Burying power lines to reduce wildfire risk can cost nearly four times as much as installing overhead lines. The solution is one of several being proposed by power giant Xcel as part of a nearly $2 billion wildfire mitigation plan. Other measures include inspecting equipment using drones and installing technology to shut off power to small sections of the grid, avoiding broader shut offs. (Denver Post)
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Something Good
🌴 I’m traveling to spend time with family this week, so I’m going to take a short break from writing this section. I’ll be back on Monday with a review of my experience of the Colorado River from the Grand Canyon.