Senate Republican leader Josh Penry gave a nod to the governor today for reaching out to Republicans by including some transportation spending and a "rainy-day" fund in his proposed budget, but Penry said all economic signs suggest things will get worse before they get better--and the state should budget accordingly.

The Grand Junction lawmaker, newly named to lead the state Senate GOP, said he was glad to see Gov. Bill Ritter warm to the Republican call for reserving revenue as a buffer in an economic downturn, as well as for making transportation spending a higher priority. 

At the same time, Penry said, both the governor and the General Assembly must keep their eyes on persistently troubling economic forecasts and what they bode for the state's dwindling coffers.

"Clearly, we hope the economy performs well enough to grow state revenue by 5 percent or 6 percent," he said. "But all economic evidence suggests we should brace ourselves for deteriorating budget conditions."

Penry made his remarks on the morning that the Ritter administration presented its spending proposals to the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, which writes the state's budget. Penry said as lawmakers hammer out that document in the months to come, they must take care to base state spending on sober forecasts--not lawmakers' own brightest hopes.

A funding initiative announced by the governor today should bolster a Republican effort to secure more of the state's map from the annual threat of devastating wildland fires, says Littleton Republican Sen. Mike Kopp. Gov. Bill Ritter's pledge of financial support, through legislation to be introduced when the General Assembly convenes in January, adds momentum to months-long efforts by Kopp and fellow legislative Republicans.

"We're very pleased to have the leadership of the governor in securing the much-needed revenue stream to minimize the massive wildfire risk some of our communities face, particularly along the Front Range and in Colorado's high country," Kopp said. "This is a good step for Colorado, and we commend the governor for it."

Kopp served on a bipartisan, interim committee on wildfire issues that proposed a package of wide-ranging measures in September in hopes of heading off—and better preparing for—Colorado’s next round of menacing wildfires. Created by Senate Joint Resolution 25, the Committee on Wildfire Issues in Wild Land-Urban Interface Areas was the brainchild of Kopp and Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Genesee. The committee aimed to take an active role in anticipating future wildfires and helping community firefighting programs.

The governor is proposing in part that lawmakers fund wildland-fire prevention measures by tapping $5.5 million next fiscal year from severance-tax revenue collected by the state.

The interim committee met six times this year to study the challenges to traditional firefighting resources and to discuss policy changes and make legislative recommendations on state wildfire issues.

Grand Junction's Sen. Josh Penry, picked unanimously by his peers Thursday to lead Colorado's Senate Republicans, pledged to reach out to Gov. Bill Ritter and ruling legislative Democrats--but also urged caucus members to stand strong for party principles and "draw the line" on key issues.

"A lot of heavy lifting awaits the General Assembly in January, and the public expects both parties to come together and get to work on issues like the economy, transportation and the budget," Penry said after GOP senators elected him and a new leadership team.

Republicans also selected Sen. Greg Brophy, of Wray, to be assistant Senate GOP leader; re-elected Sen. Mike Kopp, of Littleton, as their caucus chairman, and chose veteran Sen. Nancy Spence, of Centennial, to serve in the newly created post of caucus whip.

All three members reinforced Penry's call for solidarity and fidelity to party principles, including limited government and individual liberty.