Colorado Democrats Join Censured Polis at Bill Signings as Party Bars Him From Events
Updated
Updated · 9News.com KUSA · May 30
Colorado Democrats Join Censured Polis at Bill Signings as Party Bars Him From Events
5 articles · Updated · 9News.com KUSA · May 30
Colorado Democratic lawmakers have kept appearing with Gov. Jared Polis at bill signings even after the state party censured him over clemency for Tina Peters.
Lawmakers including Sen. Matt Ball, Rep. Jamie Jackson and House Speaker Julie McCluskie said the appearances celebrate policy wins, constituents and advocates rather than Polis personally.
The censure bars Polis from being honored at Colorado Democratic Party-sponsored events but does not affect his authority to sign bills or serve as governor.
Some Democrats remain uneasy: Rep. Meg Froelich said the censure put lawmakers in a difficult position, while Rep. Javier Mabrey said he would attend only for truly transformational policy after Polis vetoed his unionization bill again.
When lawmakers appear with a censured governor, where is the line between celebrating policy and condoning his controversial actions?
How does a party's censure actually impact a governor's power to enact laws and shape their final political legacy?