Article Contributed on: 1/7/2009 6:41:30 PM
Longtime Brighton lawmaker
Mary Hodge started her new job this week in a familiar setting, though she'll join a new cast of co-workers.
State Sen. Hodge, D-Brighton, joined 34 other state senators Jan. 7 as the Colorado legislature officially opened for business for the 2009 session. Hodge, who served as a state representative for eight years, beat out Republican
John Hadfield in the November elections to win the Senate District 25 seat.
The mild-mannered Adams County legislator said she's already more comfortable in the State Senate, where her party currently enjoys a comfortable majority.
"I'm excited about the transition because there's fewer personalities to deal with in the Senate and I only have to run every four years now," Hodge said. "So far, the Senate seems a little more laid back and that's a good style for me."
Party leaders are stressing measures this year that will strengthen the economy and create jobs, Hodge said. That likely will be a difficult prospect for a state that's facing a $604 million budget deficit.
Though budget cuts are inevitable, Hodge hopes to protect funding for higher education from the chopping block.
"An educated workforce is key to the economy," she said. "I certainly don't want to automatically cut higher education like we have in the past."
Hodge said she plans to introduce legislation that would allow water districts to lease or sell water supplies to other districts in the state. A similar bill was introduced late in the 2008 session by Sen.
Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, but the measure failed to make it out of committee.
Additionally, Hodge plans to run a bill that would cap certain fees on online ticket sales.
"I had a constituent of mine complain about all of the fees that were added on when he bought his son a ticket to a concert," Hodge said. "So we're going to see what we can do about that."
She's also carrying a bill for the University of Colorado Anschutz campus in Aurora that would allow out-of-state dentists to practice locally. The measure would allow dentists with licenses in other states to practice on the campus while they're waiting for their Colorado license, she said.
Hodge is planning to work across the aisle with newly elected State Rep.
Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock, on a bill that would allow local election officials to forego holding an election in primary races featuring only one candidate.