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Gov. Hickenlooper Discusses Goals For One Of His Last Sessions

Governor John Hickenlooper
State of Colorado
Governor John Hickenlooper

Gov. John Hickenlooper is entering his second to last legislative session as governor. He said he’s very aware of his time in office being limited, and that colored his discussion of his goals for the upcoming legislative session.

Listen to the interview.

On his final two years as governor:

Hickenlooper: I don’t worry about the legacy as much as I want to just get finished, or at least as close to finished as you can get on some of these things, the things that really matter.

On funding for roads and bridges being a top priority for him:

Hickenlooper: You know, I don’t really care how we get the resources whether it’s an increase in the gas taxes, an increase in the sales tax, an increase in the income tax. We’re going to have to find some sort of new resources. I’m happy to sit down with the Republican leadership and say, “You show me where you want the resources to come from and I’m happy to support you.” I think we’re past the point where we can just kick the can down the road.

On how the divisive presidential race changes how he looks at the session:

Hickenlooper: We want to put a priority on trying to bring both sides of every issue together. Almost every issue, if it’s still an issue that means you’ve got someone who is for it and someone who is against it. We want to try and see if we can build bridges, no one party, no one person has all the answers.

Capitol Coverage is a collaborative public policy reporting project, providing news and analysis to communities across Colorado for more than a decade. Fifteen public radio stations participate in Capitol Coverage from throughout Colorado.

Copyright 2017 KUNC

Bente Birkeland has covered Colorado politics and government since spring of 2006. She loves the variety and challenge of the state capitol beat and talking to people from all walks of life. Bente's work has aired on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, American PublicMedia'sMarketplace, and she was a contributor for WNYC's The Next Big Thing. She has won numerous local and national awards, including best beat reporting from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. Bente grew up in Minnesota and England, and loves skiing, hiking, and is an aspiring cello player. She lives in Lakewood with her husband.
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