Area Democrats prepare for new leadership posts

By John Fryar
The Daily Times-Call

DENVER — Longmont’s Brandon Shaffer will take over the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee when the Legislature convenes its 2007 session next month.
The Democrat has spent the past two years as vice chairman of that panel, which typically considers such measures as bills proposing changes in the state’s criminal-justice laws.
Shaffer also will remain on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
In the House, Louisville Democratic Rep. Paul Weissmann will resume chairmanship of that chamber’s State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
That panel sometimes is handed some of the Legislature’s more controversial measures. Last year, for example, House State Affairs was the first stop for many of the bills proposing tougher laws on illegal immigration.
Weissmann also will continue to serve on the House Appropriations Committee.
Boulder Democratic Rep. Jack Pommer stepped down as chairman of the House Transportation and Energy Committee last spring after being named to the Joint Budget Committee.
Besides serving on the Legislature’s panel of budget writers, Pommer is now vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Boulder Democratic Sen. Ron Tupa will no longer head or be a member of the Senate State Affairs Committee when the 2007 session gets under way. But he will be vice chairman of the Senate Education Committee and serve on the Senate Local Government Committee.
Those are among the assignments that legislative leaders unveiled recently.
One new lawmaker, Mead Rep.-elect Glenn Vaad, was designated by House GOP leaders to be the “ranking Republican” among the minority-party members on the House Transportation and Energy Committee.
Vaad, a former Colorado Department of Transportation employee, also was named to the House Appropriations Committee.
Other appointments for area lawmakers:
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, will serve on the House Finance Committee and the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
Rep.-elect Claire Levy, D-Boulder, will be on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee.
Rep.-elect Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield, will serve on the House Health and Human Services Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee.
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, will be a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Larimer County, is the newest member of the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee and also will be on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
John Fryar can be reached by e-mail at jfryar@times-call.com.