A day after the conclusion of the 2008 legislature--in which critics chided Democrats for failing to propose reforms for health care and transportation--GOP lawmakers pointed to what they say was a comprehensive agenda that addressed the issues of greatest concern to Coloradans.

Senate and House Republicans--relegated to the legislative minority since 2004--say they knew they had to band together this session in order to serve the best interests of Colorado.  They came up with a new approach and offered a legislative package in both chambers. It was a package they say aimed to gird the state against recession, improve its transportation infrastructure, bridge gaps in health care and boost education.

"I'm happy to call this my final year at the Capitol--even if we were in the minority," term-limited Senate GOP leader Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs, said. "We were able to work together to get some meaningful legislation passed. Somebody had to guard Colorado's pocketbook and with so few of us, we had to cooperate. "

At the forefront of the Republican agenda was their plan for education which included measures to create higher standards for students, ensuring they have a command of the English language, and incentives for quality teachers.

The cornerstone was a plan originally concieved by Sen. Josh Penry, of Grand Junction, which secured funding for higher education without raising taxes.  The plan, a bipartisan outgrowth of Penry's proposal that will finance higher education across the state with revenue generated by Colorado's energy boom--won the full support of the General Assembly. 

"In a political process when partisanship too often carries the day, this is truly a bipartisan achievement, with bigger results for Colorado," Penry remarked when the bill passed.  "I never would have guessed that this once controversial proposal would earn such bipartisan support."

Republicans say they were also able to make strides in health-care reform--including a plan adopted by the General Assembly to make access to health care simpler and more affordable.  The proposal--which creates a standardized card for health insurers and providers to use--was concieved by Broomfield Republican Sen. Shawn Mitchell and sailed through both the House and Senate.

The GOP also proposed a slate of other health-care reforms they characterized as practical and realistic, including a plan to lower regulatory hurdles so insurers could offer low-cost option policies to the working poor. Ruling Democrats, however killed that and other Republican health-care proposals.

Also touted by the GOP were their efforts to secure transportation funding in the constitution--without the need for excess taxes or fees--but Democrats also throttled those efforts early in the process.

Republicans had more success in advocating for the environment,  with a host of bills by Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, and Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Genessee, bolstering Colorado's ability to fight wildfires. Republicans also proposed legislation to help clear pine beetle-infested timber as well as a bill sponsored by the GOP's Sen. Shawn Mitchell, of Broomfield, making it more affordable for homes and businesses to install solar systems.

McElhany noted his disappointment that some of the most compelling Republican ideas were shot down by legislative Democrats.

"Unfortunately, it was much of the same from last year," McElhany said. "But instead of a gigantic property-tax hike, we got fees, fees, and more fees--on everything from marriage licenses to birth certicates."

Senate GOP caucus quipster Steve Johnson, a Fort Collins Republican, spoofed House Speaker Andrew Romanoff's comment to the media this week that, "It's a good year to be a kid in Colorado" as a result of Democrat control in the legislature.

"Sure, this was a good year to be a kid," Johnson said, "because they're the only ones who won't have to pay all the tax and fee hikes."

The Senate worked late into the evening Tuesday, wrapping up the 2008 legislative session.