Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie kicked Elisabeth Epps off the Judiciary Committee blaming the Democrat’s crude behavior during pro-Palestinian protests, but we’re not buying it.
McCluskie also kicked state Rep. Bob Marshall from what The Colorado Sun calls the “most influential and prestigious panels in the Colorado legislature.”
But Marshall wasn’t making an ass of himself like Epps during the special session, heckling members from the gallery like Epps did.
And yet here’s McCluskie’s explanation:
“Serving on a member’s top choice of committee is a privilege — not a right,” McCluskie, D-Dillon, said in a written statement to The Colorado Sun. “I took this step to address frustrations that the Judiciary Committee needed a reset due to the level of acrimony in the personal relationships on the committee and to help deliver the progressive outcomes our caucus is looking for. My decisions on where to appoint members depend on their respect of their colleagues, ability to collaborate and adherence to decorum, which was clearly violated during our special session last month.”
Instead, it looks like McCluskie is taking advantage of the public backlash against Epps to instead dole out punishment to her and Marshall for blowing the whistle on Democrats for using what the Sun described as a “disappearing messaging application to discuss legislative business.”
From The Sun:
In July, Epps and Marshall, of Highlands Ranch, sued McCluskie, Republican leadership in the House and the chamber’s GOP and Democratic caucuses, alleging “pervasive” violations of the state’s open meetings.
McCluskie refused to elaborate on her decision, insisting her appointments speak for themselves.
And do they ever!
The Democrat leader also appointed Reps. Leslie Herod to the Judiciary Committee.
PeakNation™ will recall that Herod came in 5th place with 10% of the vote in the Denver mayoral race earlier this year, after an LGBTQ activist accused the Democrat of being a bully boss and predator.
This is who the Democrat leaders want to be in charge of the state’s justice system.
McCluskie’s other questionable committee decisions this week include appointing the party’s other pro-Palestinian supporter, Tim Hernandez to the newly combined health care committees where he can blow taxpayer dollars on more social programming.
Then there’s this:
Manny “The Radical” Rutinel must be grateful that Tim “I Hamas” Hernandez is drawing all the scrutiny right now, given that Manny’s views are equally extreme. But these are the standard bearers for today’s off-the-rails Democrat Party. #copolitics #coleg @coloradodems https://t.co/hwIBfQ6DGD
— Sean Paige (@SeanPaige) December 14, 2023
Indeed, the speaker’s committee assignments and reassignments read loud and clear. Coloradans are going to get screwed again when the legislative session begins next month.