Colorado House of Representatives Douglas Bruce

1 colorado house of representatives

1.1 appointment, swearing-in, , censure
1.2 legislative agenda
1.3 removal committee
1.4 illiterate peasants comments
1.5 2008 election

colorado house of representatives

appointment, swearing-in, , censure

on morning before being sworn in, bruce kicked rocky mountain news photographer while on floor of colorado house of representatives (pictured). action, bruce became first legislator in colorado history officially censured.

in october 2007, bruce chosen on 2 other republican contenders state house seat vacated rep. bill cadman, following short contentious battle appointment. bruce received two-thirds of votes 66-member vacancy committee. although eligible sworn in after appointment certified, bruce postponed oath of office in order eligible serve full 4 terms beyond partial term under colorado s term limits rules, action criticized both republican , democratic lawmakers. delay led enactment of legislation requiring legislators sworn in within 14 days of selection. bruce cast dissenting vote on measure.

bruce demanded sworn in in front of full house, request denied both republican , democratic leadership. acquiesced individual swearing-in ceremony on january 14 after house republicans voted 22-1 call representative named district 15 if bruce did not take oath of office end of day.

on morning before sworn in, bruce kicked rocky mountain news photographer took bruce s picture during prayer; bruce accused photographer of violating order , decorum of house, , refused apologize, describing action instead nudge or tap. six-member legislative panel recommended 6-0 bruce censured house actions. on january 24, full house of representatives voted 62-1 censure bruce. became first representative in recorded history of state house formally censured.

legislative agenda

for 2008 session of colorado general assembly, bruce named seats on house finance committee , house state, veterans, , military affairs committee. before session began, bruce denounced of house republican caucus legislative agenda streamlining socialism. bruce critical of proposed state budget debated during 2008 legislative session; however, budget amendment proposals unsuccessful.

all of legislation introduced bruce died in house committees, including proposals distribute copies , require instruction on declaration of independence , u.s. constitution high school seniors, prohibit counties assessing charges other property taxes on property tax bills, raise legislative pay , index pay inflation, , create bipartisan panel draw colorado s congressional , legislative districts.

bruce routinely objected practice of attaching safety clause bills, inclusion of declares bill necessary immediate preservation of public peace, health or safety, enacting law sooner , prohibiting challenges legislation via petition process. offered amendments number of bills remove safety clause, failed on account of legislators personal hostility towards him; however, in 2008, 41% of bills passed had no safety clause, 25% previous year. bruce opposed proposals raise signature requirements citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, , opposed bill impose new requirements on landlords, despite criticism voting on measure constituted conflict of interest.

removal committee

consistent bruce s practice county commissioner, bruce opposed ceremonial resolutions in legislature, , on february 13, lone legislator refused sign on cosponsor resolution recognizing military , veterans appreciation day. other republican legislators denounced bruce in public letter callous indifference towards veterans, , republican minority leader mike may removed bruce house state, veterans , military affairs committee. bruce offered evidence of support veterans successful amendment house bill include interest in state repayment colorado veterans trust fund, move resulted in additional $636,000 repaid fund. bruce later cite 1 of major accomplishments during 2008 session.

illiterate peasants comments

on april 21, 2008, bruce voiced opposition during house debate on bill sponsored rep. marsha looper create guest worker program facilitate temporary employment visas agricultural workers mexico. after speaking against illegal immigration , being advised restrict comments bill debate chair rep. kathleen curry, bruce took floor second time , commented:

bruce gavelled order rep. kathleen curry, ruled no longer recognized during debate on bill. bruce s comments denounced legislators on both sides of aisle, mexican consulate in denver. bruce proudly defended remarks being factually accurate, citing dictionary definitions of illiterate , peasant. legislators responded bruce s propensity generating controversy declaring start ignoring him. following weekend, bruce s comments target of local protest in colorado springs.

2008 election

attorney , air force veteran mark waller (pictured) defeated bruce 2008 republican party nomination state house.

bruce announced in november 2007 stand in 2008 general election house district 15 seat. faced challenge republican nomination attorney , iraq war veteran mark waller. bruce funded own campaign on $30,000 of personal funds, refusing accept private campaign donations; waller, however, received endorsements or contributions @ least 5 sitting state representatives, , colorado attorney general john suthers. waller received 57% of vote @ republican assembly in march, claiming top line on august republican primary ballot; did not differ publicly bruce on political positions, argued bruce s temperament caused him ineffective legislator.

both bruce , waller accused each other of inappropriate conduct while campaigning; bruce accused of inappropriately distributing campaign flyers republican representatives on house floor, of mailing flyers promoting charity shortly before primary, , of inappropriately listing endorsements on web site. in turn, bruce filed several campaign finance complaints against waller, 1 of resulted in waller s campaign being fined failing disclose campaign contribution. ultimately, bruce defeated republican nomination in august 12 party primary, taking 48 percent of vote waller s 52 percent.