|
<br />I
<br />
<br />pending at the state level'; starting with our construction fund',' I'm not
<br />sure at this point what is happening. -The legislature has had some
<br />extremely' tough problems ,:;particularly f.inancial' problems, and as" of a
<br />couple,: of days;lago;' the:: matter of" the-state appropriations under, what
<br />we call' the: "Long Bill" had nO.t yet. been 'resolved. The particular';
<br />problem originates with the institutions of higher learning, the
<br />colleges, and how-much'money should be' appropriated for ,that purpose.
<br />I assume that by tonight,that'may have been resolved;.
<br />~"::':_' I,; '.':;~ ',..-.."~' l.,~,t;l.\
<br />
<br />In the meantime, many other bills contairiing money'items'in- them have
<br />been held up pending resolution of the adoption of the Appropriations
<br />Bill. So our bill relating to our const.ruction fund';. Senate Bill 325,
<br />has been caught in that category. However, in the Republican caucus
<br />in the'Senate, the' matter of supporting additional st?te;funding for
<br />water project cqnstruction was' brought up, and the vote was over-
<br />whelmingly in favor of additional state- particip'ation.' The vote- 'in
<br />the Senate caucus was actually 19 to 2 in favor of something in the
<br />order: bf' Senate Bill 325. -'And a' similar expression has taken place in
<br />the Republican caucus' in the House~l ,
<br />
<br />,
<br />While the Democrats' are excluded from that'process, obviously, the
<br />Republican' caucus process', I think the Democrats also overwhelming
<br />support additional state funding in .the field' of- water projects con-
<br />struction.
<br />
<br />. . '
<br />'" -. ..
<br />
<br />Pll-
<br />
<br />r'o!' -/:
<br />
<br />So even though it is a'very late date in the legislature--they will
<br />probably adjourn within the next two weeks--we are still.hopeful that
<br />Senate Bill 325',' :in some' form" will be. enacted.
<br />
<br />..,
<br />
<br />On the subject of national legislation, you have seen in the papers
<br />that the President has finally' 'introduced his bill' relating to cost
<br />sharing~" We have seen :some expressions 'o~ interest in 'Colorado on that
<br />bill. I, personally,' am'not as greatly'concerned about that bill as
<br />are other people. But, nevertheless, it is an important piece of
<br />legislation which will' have to. be followed. ' It will probably have
<br />rough sledding in Congress. ·
<br />
<br />. . -,- ,
<br />
<br />I r-,-:",
<br />
<br />.- .., -
<br />
<br />-, .r
<br />
<br />I
<br />
<br />Another item: dealing with' .the. federal, s,ide ::i!s' the President' spropose '
<br />reorganizati'on of the Department :of .ther.Interior ,with, various 'agencies
<br />from 'otherdeparti:nents ; 'namely " the- Forest 'Service and .the' ,Department
<br />of Agriculture. ~,The, President, as you' know, has' proposed that the
<br />Forest' Service" be 'removed:' from the :Department 'of' Agriculture and trans-
<br />ferred' to a' new Department of Natural Resources',' which would, :essen- '
<br />tially ;, 'be' the present Department of the Interior, he'aded by Mr. Andrus.
<br />- ,
<br />
<br />, : : ',. ("!, ~. ;-
<br />
<br />.. .: -:: ':.' '.~.
<br />
<br />. ~ I
<br />
<br />-;-:.,-' -
<br />
<br />~
<br />
<br />The 'last 'time I' was in Wasliington;"'J>,was"'witli"Mr.' :Sherilian," who' is in
<br />Washington today by the way-~and we'were 'approached by a gentleman from
<br />
<br />'-29-
<br />
|