Following a new economic forecast showing that oil and gas exploration is helping drive Colorado's economy--as well as the state budget--top Senate Republicans are calling on the Ritter administration to end its "assault" on the energy industry.

Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction

The Republicans accused Gov. Bill Ritter of waging war on energy exploration at a time when it is credited with creating some of the state's highest-paying new jobs, helping America pursue energy independence and generating surging tax revenue to the state.

"This administration seems to be waging war on one of the few sectors of Colorado's economy that is booming right now," said Senate GOP chief Andy McElhany. "What's worse, they have launched an assault on the industry that is almost singlehandedly shoring up the state budget during a recession."

Severance tax revenue from oil and gas production in Colorado has jumped nearly 20 percent over last year, to some $173 million. Next year, that figure is projected to more than double--to $356 million.

"These latest projections confirm what we've known for a while: Colorado's budget would be a mess without a thriving natural gas sector," said the GOP's Sen. Josh Penry, of Grand Junction.

The Senate’s top Republican says a vote this week by state employees to let unions do their bidding will cost Colorado taxpayers dearly for years to come.

Sen. GOP chief Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs, said Gov. Bill Ritter’s drive to unionize state government employees evidently has paid off now that more than 22,000 of them will be represented by unions in collective bargaining for wages and benefits.

According to a report in Thursday’s Denver Post, 6,900 state workers—out of 22,500 state workers who would be affected—voted for union representation.  Of those who voted, only 5,481 actually supported collective bargaining, yet all 22,500 now will be represented. An organized-labor coalition calling itself ColoradoWINS, consisting of the AFSCME, CAPE-SEIU and AFT, had organized the mail-in vote.

A bipartisan bill to cut bureaucratic red tape, making access to health care simpler and more affordable, was signed into law today by the governor.

During a special bill signing ceremony at Children's Hospital, dozens of patients, doctors, and health-care professionals looked on as Gov. Bill Ritter signed a package of 11 bills into law.

Included in the package was Senate Bill 135, whose prime sponsor in the Senate was Republican Shawn Mitchell, of Broomfield.  The law requires health insurers and providers to develop and use a standardized card that will hold vital information about a patient's health coverage.

“A big chunk of health care cost is doctors’ offices trying to jump through insurance company hoops,” Mitchell said. “The benefit information card should cut the waste by putting critical information in one place.  The doctor can scan the card and know right away what the coverage is and how to access it quickly.  That means a lot fewer mother may I's? to the insurer.”