Colorado legislative highlights

Posted: Jan 27, 2011 5:39 AM by Bea Karnes

Highlights from the Legislature on Wednesday:

- A Senate committee rejected a divisive measure to require proof of citizenship when people register to vote (Senate Bill 18). Republican backers say they hope a similar proposal fares better in the GOP-controlled House.

- The House approved and sent to the Senate a measure that would help families stay in their homes by giving borrowers a 90-day time-out to work with their lenders to avoid foreclosure.

- Secretary of State Scott Gessler told lawmakers Wednesday they should have a state commission review the salaries of state elected officials after he was criticized for wanting to work part-time for his old law firm.

- The Senate voted 21-14, mostly along party lines, to confirm the appointment of former AFL-CIO official Ellen Golombek to lead the Department of Labor and Employment under Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.

- Three more of Hickenlooper's Cabinet choices faced speedy approval in their confirmation hearings-former Rep. John Salazar for Department of Agriculture, James Davis for the Department of Public Safety; and Tom Clements for the Department of Corrections.

- A Senate committee narrowly defeated a measure to fly the "Honor And Remember" flag to honor veterans twice a year at the Capitol. Some veterans' groups objected, saying the American flag should be flown instead.