Springs legislator slams Owens for deal with Dems
By April Washington and John C. Ensslin
The Rocky Mountain News (Denver), July 27, 2006
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/g ... 59,00.html

Rep. David Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, has publicly blasted Gov. Bill Owens for his actions during the recent special legislative session on illegal immigration, which Schultheis said amounted to handing the Democrats a major win.

But others point out that Schultheis himself voted in favor of the package of bills that passed.

In a July 22 opinion piece published by The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Schultheis criticized a deal reached between Owens, a Republican, and Democrats, who control the legislature.

He accused Owens of helping Democrats in the upcoming elections by backing a package of bills that sound tough but have no substance.

Schultheis has been viewed as his party's leading anti-illegal immigration champion, spearheading a number of failed bills last session aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants and employers who hire them.

In the weeks after the special session, some angry Republican lawmakers have turned on Owens, accusing him of selling out his party for his own personal gain after he leaves office.

Dan Hopkins, a spokesman for Owens, dismisses such assertions, characterizing some GOP lawmakers as disingenuous.

Schultheis and several Republicans voted for House Bill 1023, the flagship measure that requires proof of citizenship or legal residence to receive most state services.

In fact, when the bill was passed, Schultheis praised certain provisions in it.

On Wednesday, Schultheis acknowledged his vote on the bill might seem inconsistent.

'Usually, I'm very consistent, so it might seem to some that I'm not,' he said. But his critics are not looking at the issue deeply enough, he added.

He compared the situation to a football game. The bill, while far from acceptable, moved the illegal- immigration issue forward about 10 yards. But it leaves much work to be done, Schultheis said.