People & politics.

• Position: Trends and Transitions

The Colorado General Assembly scored a victory in April in its dispute with Republican Governor Bill Owens over who has the authority to spend discretionary federal funds. The state Supreme Court ruled that the legislature, not the governor, has the power to spend some $146 million in the federal tax relief money the state received last year. Owens had spent the money on various programs when the legislature was out of session, and offered $35 million for lawmakers to drop their constitutional challenge. The legislature declined. Lawmakers have agreed to let Owens' spending stand, but are expected to give quick approval to House Bill 1098 prohibiting Owens and future governors from spending discretionary federal funds. Before the high court ruling, Owens threatened to veto the legislation, and has not indicated whether he still intends to do so.

Vermont Speaker of the House Walter Freed is leaving the legislature after six terms in office. Freed masterminded the GOP campaign to take control of the House in 2000, and solidified his majority in 2002 with a 74-69 seat advantage. "In a citizens' legislature, this isn't a career. This is not meant to be a life-time job," Freed said. His departure opens the door for Republicans, as well as Democrats. Republican Representative Richard Westman, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has already announced for speaker. Democrats are focusing on winning back control. Should that happen, potential candidates are House Democratic leader Gaye Symington and Representative John Tracy, who lost the speaker's contest to Freed in 2003.

Twenty-one Michigan lawmakers spent a week in the Middle East in April as guests of an Arab-American group hoping to bring business to the state. The trip was an outgrowth of the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum held in Detroit last fall. The gathering between American government and business...