Reps. Ray Rose (R-Montrose) and Michael Merrifield (D-Manitou Springs) transferred the money from tobacco-settlement funds used for the Read to Achieve program, according to the April 15 Durango Herald. Rep. Mark Larson (R-Cortez) tried to increase the amount to $1 million, but was unable to get sufficient support.
Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee approved a bill April 24 that would allow Colorado public libraries to create “regional library authorities” empowered to ask voters to establish new library taxes. Senate Bill 326 would also allow libraries, with voter approval, to issue bonds to pay for new buildings.
However, two previous attempts to pass a similar bill failed because of a provision that requires filtering software on library computers.
Posted April 28, 2003.