Flooding Road Work

The Governor's signed a bill that gives Colorado counties impacted by last year's floods more budgeting flexibility to repair roads and bridges. The bill signed today gives counties the power to use general fund dollars on road and bridge repairs when a disaster emergency has been declared. Right now, counties are limited to using road and bridge funds for that purpose. Without the new law, counties are forbidden from transferring county general fund dollars to help with road and bridge repair.

Fraud Allegations at Grand Junction Airport

As federal authorities investigate fraud allegations at the Grand Junction Regional Airport, the airport is taking steps to protect whistleblowers. The Daily Sentinel reports that the airport authority adopted a policy, Tuesday, that encourages anyone to report fraud through the airport's website or through a hotline. The FBI hasn't released details about its investigation and search of airport offices in November. However, the newspaper reported that agents seized pickup trucks owned by the former board chairman and former aviation director last month.

Jim Crone Scholarships

Here's a scholarship opportunity for students in morgan county... morgan county sheriff jim crone says The County Sheriffs of Colorado, Inc. (CSOC), the state Sheriffs Association, will award a $500 scholarship to a deserving Morgan County student this spring. Applications are available online at the Morgan County Sheriff’s office website, http://morgansheriff.net/mcso/csoc-scholarship/, or at the sheriff’s office located at 801 E. Beaver Avenue, Fort Morgan. This is the 35th year that County Sheriffs of Colorado has made such scholarships available and scholarships will be awarded in more than thirty Colorado counties this year. Applications will be reviewed by a local citizens committee appointed by Sheriff Crone and a selection will be made on the basis of criteria established by CSOC. This criterion includes leadership, merit, character, involvement and career purpose.

Pot Tax Money

Gov. Hickenlooper has a plan to start spending marijuana tax money, the first signal of how much Colorado is reaping from recreational pot sales and what it plans to do with the funds. Hickenlooper wants to spend $99 million next fiscal year on six priorities, including: $45.5 million for youth use prevention, $40.4 million for substance abuse treatment and $12.4 million for public health. The money comes from a 10% sales tax on recreational pot sales. A 15% pot excise tax is already designated for school construction. The Legislature has to approve the Governor's ideas.