Wasting time about wasting time

Some of the debates and discussions at the legislature can be a waste of time. The legislature, every year, passes resolutions honoring groups and individuals; recognizing significant events in American History. Over the last two weeks we have adopted resolutions honoring Martin Luther King and Ronald Reagan and many of these are very worthwhile. In past years we have adopted resolutions regarding the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide and on behalf of groups ranging from the American Cancer Society to Planned Parenthood. On occasion we adopt a resolution expressing to the U S Congress our feelings regarding an issue. We did this last year when we expressed our displeasure regarding the Real ID act that Congress had passed and which will cost Colorado tens of millions of dollars to implement. A few of the resolutions are a waste of time, but most have some real value in expressing the sentiments of the General Assembly.

Today we considered a resolution commemorating Ronald Reagan's birthday. This was an opportunity for about a dozen speeches, with some partisan comments. Then, the strangest thing happened. Rep. Doug Bruce did not vote, and before the vote tally was closed, he asked permission to not vote on the Resolution. Rep. Bruce had obviously not followed the rules, but he was allowed to not vote on the Resolution. My reading of the rule leads me to the conclusion that the body needs to vote on allowing Rep. Bruce to be excused from voting. If Rep. Bruce persists in asking permission to not vote on resolutions, his request will be debated and voted on. That is a waste of time. I personally believe that we should vote yes or no on each item that comes before us. Unlike the U S Congress, where you can vote "present," the members of the Colorado General Assembly have historically indicated their stance on every issue.

Such silliness.... Rep. Bruce should just vote on each item, and not waste our time.