Wildfire aid stricken from Sandy bill

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado politicians are steaming that $125 million in aid for
 last year's wildfires was removed from the Sandy relief bill.
   The Republican-controlled House of Representatives stripped that funding from
 the Sandy bill before approving it last week. That infuriated Colorado's two
Democratic Senators. They had gotten the money included in the original legislation
 that passed the Senate. On Monday, after the Senate agreed to the House's $51
$51 billion version, Sen. Michael Bennett issued a statement blasting the money's
removal.
   Republican Congressman Cory Gardner complained about the money getting
stricken as the bill moved through the House. Republican leadership has pledged
to work on getting the funds to Colorado and other western states.
   Last year's western wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes and scorched millions
 of acres.
   AP-WF-01-29-13 2210GMT