Should the governor’s lobbying be secret?
Several other states exempt governors from lobbying rules
The governor’s office would have to disclose when it tries to influence Colorado lawmakers under a proposal that has broad support in the state legislature.
Currently, the governor’s office can lobby without having to tell the public when it uses taxpayer money to advocate for or against a legislative proposal.
Lawmakers are looking to change that by advancing a bill that would require the governor’s legislative liaisons to file the same public disclosures as other lobbyists.
Gov. Jared Polis’ spokesperson called the bill “absurd” and said it would put unfair limits on the governor’s office. Polis reportedly plans to veto it if it comes to his desk.
Laws limiting the use of public funds for lobbying are relatively uncommon in the U.S., and several states have explicitly exempted the governor’s office from rules that apply to lobbyists.
Still, Polis doesn’t have a lot of allies in his opposition to the proposal. Lawmakers from both political parties, the lobbying industry itself and other powerful groups like labor unions all support it.
Need to Know
🛠️ Colorado consumers will keep their right to repair tech products after lawmakers voted down a proposal this week that would have allowed the state attorney general to exempt devices used in “critical infrastructure” like power plants and security agencies. Right-to-repair advocates argued that exempting those devices would give tech companies more power over consumers without actually addressing concerns about infrastructure security. (Colorado Sun, Colorado Politics, CPR)
🐶 Pet stores cannot sell dogs or cats starting next year, under a law signed this week by Gov. Jared Polis. The measure is meant to encourage adoption from animal shelters and reduce demand for high-volume breeders known as “puppy mills,” which often subject animals to poor conditions. (Colorado Newsline, read the law) Pet store owners opposed the law, saying it would push pet buyers to shop on the black market instead. (Denver Post)
⚖️ The federal government’s mass deportation drive is interfering with efforts to prosecute immigrants who commit crimes in Colorado. Federal immigration authorities have deported suspects who were awaiting trial for serious crimes, effectively giving them what one prosecutor called a “get-out-of-jail-free card.” (CPR) It’s a reflection of a larger pattern playing out nationwide, where crime-fighting resources are being redirected toward immigration enforcement. (ProPublica)
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Something Good
🌿 The rain these last few days made for kind of a dreary week, weather-wise. But it’s been great for getting my garden going. My wife and I replanted our radish and chard seedlings in grow bags and moved them outside, and they are taking off! Stay tuned for updates on the peppers and herbs that we’re hoping will sprout soon.
