Lawmakers drilled on issues from education to taxes to energy

Higher education, taxes and renewable energy were the topics of choice during a question-and-answer session at Wednesday morning’s Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce legislative session wrap-up breakfast.

Former Mesa County Commissioner Kathy Hall asked speakers at the breakfast — Sen. Josh Penry (R), Rep. Steve King (R) and Rep. Bernie Buescher (D), all of Grand Junction — how Gov. Bill Ritter plans to fund higher education and other departments that get tax money from energy industries once the state fosters more renewable energy projects. Hall wondered if renewables would be taxed to make up a difference if federal mineral lease and severance tax revenues decrease.

“Kathy, the answer is no,” replied King.

Regardless of what happens with taxing energy, the legislators agreed a variety of energy sources should be used and explored.

“I think we need to learn to figure out how to do all these things,” Buescher said.

Penry said everything from coal to natural gas to solar to wind power needs to be utilized in the state. He said he isn’t sure Ritter understands that.

“When it comes to energy policy (Ritter) is like Pollyanna whistling in the wind,” Penry said.

The legislators also talked about the accomplishments and shortcomings of this year’s legislative session, which closed May 6, and what they see in the future.

Buescher said he’d like to rethink the processes surrounding child abuse and prevention policy and his No. 1 priority next year is to come back to the question of how transportation can be funded in the state, a question this session left unanswered. King said he wants to look at reducing the number of convicts who return to jail, which could free up millions for education and transportation. Penry said he looks forward to seeing the alignment of K-12 education standards with college and workforce-preparedness implemented after the passage of Senate Bill 212 this year, which he cosponsored.

Reach Emily Anderson at eanderson@gjfreepress.com.