HB07-1296 Update

More on the HB07-1296 Senate floor debate...

From the Rocky Mountain News:

Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, cited lessons that include placing condoms on cucumbers, calling them "disgusting classes."

Sen. Josh Penry, R-Fruita, called the measure a "top-down, heavy-handed bill" in a state that leaves most curriculum decisions to local school boards.

Windels said a stronger curriculum is needed to stem teen pregnancies, which are occurring at a rate of one every hour in Colorado. She said the bill will be an ice-breaker for communities that have difficulty discussing sex.

Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, said students need help in dealing with the pervasive sexual messages in popular culture.

Romer said his father, former Gov. Roy Romer, learned what the female body looked like from the bra section of the Sears, Roebuck catalog.

Now, Romer said, "We have a girls-gone-wild culture."

More memorable Long Bill quotes

From the Long Bill Debate:

"I agree with Jon Caldera..." - Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver) discussing user fees for highways.

Romer tries to hijack Gardner, Kester Bill

Senator Chris Romer (D - Denver), son of former Governor Roy Romer and all-round gas bag, is trying to hijack a bill sponsored by Representative Cory Gardner (R- Yuma) and Senator Ken Kester (R - Las Animas) that would create energy transmission lines to rural Southeastern Colorado.

Romer is trying to hijack the bill by greatly expanding the size and scope of the program and add additional government mandates to Gardner and Kester's bill.

Money quote:

"What I want to do is get my bill passed," Kester said emphatically. "And then if there is other legislation that's needed, I'll be happy to carry it, support it, do whatever's necessary. But today I want my bill to pass so we can help the rural counties in Southeast Colorado. I want my bill to move forward, and I also want it to happen in the next 30 days."

More from the Pueblo Chieftain here.