Colorado lawmakers approve fuel tax

DENVER, Colorado – The Colorado House has given tentative approval to a bill that would eliminate a tax exemption for energy used in manufacturing, transportation and agriculture.

Gov. Bill Ritter proposed going after the tax breaks after the state was forced to cut $2 billion from this year’s budget and another $1 billion in next year’s budget that begins July 1.

Republicans opposed the governor’s play, saying it might backfire, forcing companies to leave the state and angering voters.