Democratic house representatives Julie McCluskey and Dylan Roberts and Republican Perry Will emphasized how cooperation between the parties led to a productive session.
They told an audience of nearly 25 at the Basalt Library last night that of the 400 bills passed, nearly all had bipartisan support.
The representatives highlighted legislation they say will improve the lives of Roaring Fork Valley residents. Roberts said his bill creating a public health insurance option in Colorado would increase competition in places with one private insurance option.
"This is revolutionary. We don't know how it played out in other states, because we're the first ones to do it," he said.
McCluskey, who serves on the state’s education committee, discussed funding for full-day kindergarten and for improving literacy.
Will came to the legislature in March to fill the vacancy left by now state senator Bob Rankin. Will talked about the state investing 190 million dollars over the next three years in affordable housing.
The representatives answered audience questions about the public health insurance option, climate change and allowing remote testimony on bills for residents who don’t live close to the capital. Will was pressed on his vote against the red flag bill, which he said comes down to due process.
The legislators all plan to spend time in their districts until the 2020 session begins this fall.
