Highlights from the Legislature on Thursday

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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 20, 2008

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- The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to kill a proposal for a statewide paper ballot election (Senate Bill 189) after lawmakers and Gov. Bill Ritter pulled their support for the bill. Counties are now free to conduct elections either using paper ballots or their electronic voting machines.

- The Senate voted 25-9 to reapprove a bill allowing liquor stores to stay open on Sundays (Senate Bill 82). It now heads to the governor.

- The House approved a resolution supporting a plan for multistate presidential primaries after getting assurances Colorado could still hold caucuses. The proposal (House Resolution 1006) passed with an amendment stipulating that Colorado could hold caucuses on primary day instead of an election. A commission led by former President Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker has endorsed holding four regional primaries after the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary. Supporters are trying to persuade both major parties to change their rules to allow it.

- The House approved and sent to the Senate a proposal (House Bill 1363) that would provide financial incentives for private prisons to develop innovative security programs or provide education. Supporters said the state Legislature currently sets the per diem rate for state prisoners in private prisons, allowing no flexibility for negotiating contracts.