Segment 2 - Firefighters lash out at Ritter after SB 180 veto

Lawmakers, union bosss and firefighters minced no words in their criticism of Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, following his veto of Senate Bill 180. The law would have eased the process by which firefighters in cities across Colorado may organize, doing away with the requirement for a public vote before a union is certified. Face The State's Brad Jones has analysis, with audio clips from state Sen. Lois Tochtrop, state Rep. Ed Casso, firefighters' union president Randy Atkinson, and former lawmaker and Colorado AFL-CIO executive director Mike Cerbo.

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Slideshow: Firefighters label Ritter 'liar' after SB 180 veto

A Face the State Staff Report

June 5, 2009
Firefighters and allied members of organized labor rallied Friday in protest of Gov. Bill Ritter's veto of Senate Bill 180, which would have paved the way for firefighters unions to organize in local jurisdictions without a public vote. View Face The State's photo slideshow of the press conference.

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FTS on 1310 KFKA: A union rift

Face The State visits with 1310 KFKA morning show host George Gray for a look at state politics. Gov. Bill Ritter risks losing support from organized labor in his re-election bid next year after vetoing two union-related bills. His decision to spike both laws has been lauded by good-government groups and mayors, but leaves union bosses fuming. More on the Face The State Weekend Edition this Sunday at 6 am on 1310 KFKA.

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Election battle could set stage for more aggressive labor lobby in 2009

A Face the State Staff Report

October 15, 2008

Colorado’s Labor Peace Act has created a kind of harmony between organized labor and business owners for the past 65 years, but recent political maneuvers by business leaders and union activists threaten to dismantle the old law.

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Legislative Superlatives 2008

FTS Opinion

May 7, 2008

Gosh, did the year really go by that fast? We've had such an awesome time working together on the Face The State High School yearbook committee. Our advisors from the CSU and CU student newspapers really helped keep things in good taste. (Thanks, guys!) Congratulations to the winners in this year's list of superlatives. See you next session and have a great summer vacation, okay?

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