Jody Hope Strogoff

Monday’s 5 to 4 party-line vote on civil unions in the State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee may end the discussion for now, but the political ramifications will likely extend to the polls this November.

The 2012 legislative session wraps up next Wednesday, May 9th. While activity under the gold dome is fluid this will be the last session for several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Delegates have been selected for this year’s presidential nominating conventions, but while Colorado Democrats are pledging unity, Republican’s continue to have split loyalties.

More initiatives have been cleared for possible inclusion on the November election ballot. Supporters still must collect the more than 86-thousand valid signatures needed to get their proposals in front of Colorado voters.

State lawmakers are entering the home stretch of the 2012 legislative session. With just over a month to go work begins this week on the state budget. And for the first time in years, there’s actually money in the coffers to work with which means less budget cuts.