So Far, Colorado Lawmakers Mark Achievements In Inches

DENVER (AP) -- Halfway through their legislative term, Colorado lawmakers from both parties agree on one thing: Their hardest work is yet to come.

The state's split Legislature promised to collaborate on efforts to create jobs, but the viewpoint from which they start is so far apart that it raises questions whether most of the marquee items from both parties will still be standing when lawmakers finish.

It's the classic philosophical divide on how to grow the economy: Is it limited government and fewer regulations on business, or does government need to play a bigger role?

Each party has scored victories where they have control -- the Democrats in the Senate and the Republicans in the House -- but many of their ideas are yet to be tested by the opposing chamber. That will play out in the second half of the session, which concludes in May.

"I do think it's easy to find compromise when you're willing to let go of your ideology to some extent and it's a good idea," said Senate Democratic Leader John Morse.

Morse's next statement belied the difficulty Democrats and Republicans are having working together. "We're better at good ideas," Morse said of his party. "I mean, their regulation stuff is all fluff and no substance."

Not so, argued Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty.

"If the Senate Democrats mow down these bills designed to create jobs, that would be extremely unfortunate, mainly because they would be doing it simply to do it," he said.

But McNulty made a partisan dig, too, directed at Democratic jobs proposals.

"As far as those bills are concerned, they are broadly opposed by employers and employer groups, and I think that says a lot right there," he said. "Ours is not an agenda to create hurdles, to create preferences, but rather to clear the way for small business to create jobs."

So it goes as the parties hit the halfway point with wide differences. Pretty soon they'll find out which ideas survive scrutiny from the other party.

The Republican-controlled House has approved bills that would keep an agency's regulations consistent for a business during an application process, ease penalties on businesses for minor infractions, and allow businesses tell lawmakers when legislation can be costly.

Democrats in the Senate are expected to send House Republicans proposals that would give bidding preferences to companies that hire mostly Coloradans. Senate Democrats approved a bill that restricts the use of credit history in employment decisions, and a measure that directs the state to create a mobile phone app showing locally owned businesses.

Morse criticized Republican efforts to expand gun rights, citing a proposal to allow businesses to use deadly force on suspected intruders. The bill is dubbed "Make My Day Better," a play on the existing "Make My Day" law for homeowners. He said Democrats are willing to work with Republicans, but not on that type of legislation.

"But when you talk about making my day better -- by putting lead into me? I spent 14 years in a paramedic ambulance, 13 years in a police car, never saw somebody that got shot whose day was better."

Narrower, less controversial job-related proposals are having an easier road. Lawmakers are likely to sign off on a measure thought to attract a "spaceport" facility to Denver, and they've already agreed on a measure allowing home cooks to sell products commercially without renting a commercial kitchen.

That smaller stuff adds up, said Senate Republican Leader Bill Cadman. He compared the session to a football game -- lawmakers haven't thrown any touchdown passes, but they're picking up yardage.

"All in all, I think we're doing the right thing for Colorado," Cadman said. McNulty said many of the proposals that have cleared the House have had Democratic support, pointing out that 101 of 161 bills that have succeeded so far have had sponsors from both parties.

Lawmakers still have to tackle their biggest perennial job -- balancing a state general fund near $7 billion. The budget always lays bare partisan differences, and this year is no different.

Republicans in the House are vowing to preserve a property tax for seniors scheduled to take effect. Gov. John Hickenlooper and fellow Democrats say Colorado can't afford the tax break, which would trim the state purse by close to $100 million. Last year, partisan bickering put lawmakers behind schedule on the budget. Things could get worse this year, with the budget-writing committee of three Democrats and three Republicans already moving slower than usual on proposing a spending plan.

Also, lawmakers are just starting work on measures that could dominate attention, from new rules for state employees to enhanced oversight of K-12 online public schools, and sweeping changes for the telecommunications industry.

It's a recipe for a second half full of strife. Even as lawmakers cheered the midpoint Friday, the tone was sardonic.

Republican Rep. Bob Gardner, the House Judiciary Chairman, summed up the mood when he mentioned the milestone on the House floor.

"It's all uphill from here," Gardner said.

By Ivan Moreno and Kristen Wyatt, AP Writers (© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)