Gov. John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 209–the budget Long Bill–today, with a few line item vetoes and an expectation that two budget related measures will be passed by the legislature.

The two measures are Senate Joint Resolution 9–which declares a fiscal emergency freeing up tobacco money–and Senate Bill 76 which increases the contributions of state employees to PERA.  The governor, in a prepared statement, said he will take action if the measures are not approved by the legislature before they adjourn for the year on Wednesday.

“I am signing Senate Bill 11-209 with the full confidence that the General Assembly will pass the critical legislation needed in the remaining five days of the session,” said  Hickenlooper.  “However, if these bills do not pass, my plan will be to restrict appropriations in the budget.”

Hickenlooper said in his letter to the legislature that the veto items were because of constitutional concerns.