Colorado House Democrats

Colorado Healthcare at a Crossroads: Rep. Carroll Highlights Need for Colorado Healthcare Reform

Denver - Speaking as part of a panel of state and federal healthcare policy experts, Rep. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) stressed the need for fundamental healthcare reform in Colorado, emphasizing problems faced by both uninsured and insured Coloradans.

The panel, "Colorado Healthcare at a Crossroads," was organized by the Progressive States Network and also featured panelists from public policy and small business advocacy organizations.

Rep. Carroll called the work of the 208 Commission a "historic opportunity" but emphasized the need to keep the outcome of the Commission's recommendation consumer-focused.  "We are not and should not be here to do what insurance and pharmaceutical companies want us to do," said Rep. Carroll.

Currently at least 770,000 Coloradans, including 180,000 children, lack health insurance. Further, 1.4 million Coloradans - more than one-third of Coloradans under age 65 - have been uninsured for some period of time since the beginning of 2006, according to a recent study by Families USA.

More than 100 concerned Coloradans from across the state packed a room to attend the "Colorado Healthcare at a Crossroads" panel discussion.  Photo courtesy of John Jackson.

Coloradans who are insured have faced sharply increasing costs for coverage.  Family policy premiums increased 82.2% from 2000 to 2006, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, although wages only increased 15% in the same time period.  Meanwhile, more and more Coloradans experience difficulty in obtaining coverage due to "pre-existing conditions."

"How can we keep losing coverage every year and spending so much more for it?" Rep. Carroll asked.

Rep. Carroll also stressed the role of citizen involvement in healthcare reform.  "The future of healthcare in Colorado is going to be 100% dependent on whether or not the people participate."

"Health care is a moral issue.  Health care is an economic issue. This measure is one of the critical marks of the success or failure of a society.  It impacts how our children learn, if we can or can't work, our opportunities in life," said Rep. Carroll.

--posted on behalf of Representative Morgan Carroll

Buffie McFadyen on Florence Supermax

"[Supermax] is a horrible place, and on top of being horrible, when [an inmate's] constitutional rights are not being met, it builds," she added. "When the inmate stops interacting, they start to disassociate . . . they're lashing out and that's my fear. We don't have enough people to keep the people working there safe." --Representative Buffie McFadyen

Read the Pueblo Chieftain article that contains this quote.

Rep. McFadyen Sounds “A Louder Alarm” on Supermax

Colorado lawmaker brought national attention to the “dangerously understaffed” prison

(DENVER)  CBS’s “60 Minutes” took viewers inside the maximum security prison in Florence, Colorado known as Supermax.  State Representative Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo West) and leaders of the correctional officers union gave an update on the staffing levels and the potential for danger in the facility. 

“It’s bad and it’s getting worse,” Rep. McFadyen said.  “We’ve been fighting for nearly two years, and still, the most secure penitentiary in the U.S. is understaffed.  We must sound a louder alarm.”

“Supermax does not have enough correctional officers to keep people inside and outside the facility safe.  If an inmate doesn’t get meals, if he doesn’t get toilet paper, if he doesn’t get the necessities of life, he might think he has nothing to lose by killing his Correctional Officer,” Rep. McFadyen said. 

Facts:

• In just the past 10 weeks, over 1,100 posts (8-hour, one person shifts) have been without staff.
• In the past ten weeks, staffing levels have been 14 to 20 percent below the minimum recommended by the Bureau of Prisons.
• In the last two weeks, the Terrorist Unit at Supermax has gone completely without staff for 24 hours straight.
• When Supermax opened in 1994, there were 240 correctional officers.  There are now as few as 170.

Click here to watch the 60 Minutes segment, "Supermax: A Clean Version of Hell."

--posted by Staff

Rep. Kefalas (HD-52) Accountability Report #11: 10/15/07

ALL THINGS INSPIRATIONAL
As many of you know, I have been very engaged with the uranium mining project that is being proposed for Weld County near Nunn, Colorado.  On Sunday, Representative Randy Fischer (HD-53), Senator Steve Johnson (SD-15), Senator Brandon Shaffer (SD-17) and I, along with about 60 citizens, including 4-H children and two horses, braved the rain and cool weather to hold a press conference on the west steps of the State Capitol, “Lawmakers Announce Plan to Protect People and Property in the Path of Planned Uranium Mining.” We announced legislation that would establish high public safety standards regarding uranium mining in Colorado.  It was an inspiring and successful event that demonstrated the power of participatory democracy - when people stand up for what they believe.  Stay tuned!

JOHN’S LEGISLATIVE-COMMUNITY UPDATE
WORKING TOGETHER, WE ARE DOING BETTER
Here is a line-up of upcoming community events that you may wish to attend.

[ed note: meetings (1&2) that have already happened at posting time were moved to the end of this post. Subscribe to the Representative's newsletter for up-to-the minute information.]

3) COMMUNITY CONVERSATION IN THE MARKET PLACE - Rep. Kefalas Shops for Ideas
I am experimenting with a new way to meet the people following the lead of Rep. Randy Fischer.  I will set up shop and be available to the people on Saturday, October 20, 9 – 11:00 AM, King Soopers, 2602 S Timberline Rd, near the corner of Timberline & Drake, Fort Collins. Stop by.  After all, democracy is made better when you participate.

4) TOWN HALL MEETING with HOUSE SPEAKER ANDREW ROMANOFF & REP. FISCHER
On Saturday, November 3, 9:30 AM – 11:30, we will gather at the Fort Collins Public Library, 301 Peterson St, FC to hear from Speaker Romanoff, Rep. Fischer and me about our legislative priorities and what to expect in the 2008 Legislation Session that begins January 9.  Bring your questions and ideas!

5) TOWN HALL MEETING: HELPING HOMEOWNERS WITH FORECLOSURE
Monday, November 5, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields (next to FRCC)
Senator Steve Johnson, Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer will host staff members of the Colorado Division of Housing who will present information on state and local resources to help homeowners dealing with foreclosure and mortgage issues (more details to follow).

6) COMMUNITY FORUM: REFORMING COLORADO’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Wednesday, November 14, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Fort Collins Public Library, 301 Peterson Street
Rep. Kefalas will host Department of Corrections Executive Director, Aristedes Zavaras and other state and local presenters. The panelists will address Colorado’s criminal justice system and reform efforts in the areas of recidivism and sentencing (more details to follow).

On the legislative front:

COLORADO’S EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC): Drafting legislation to restore the EITC using revenue sources that are fiscally responsible.  Restoring the EITC will benefit up to 250,000 low-wage, tax-paying working families in Colorado, including 12,000 families in Larimer County.  The EITC rewards work and helps lift children out of poverty.

Morgan Carroll on health care

"Health care is a moral issue.  Health care is an economic issue. This measure is one of the critical marks of the success or failure of a society.  It impacts how our children learn, if we can or can't work, our opportunities in life," said Representative Morgan Carroll.

Read the post that contains this quote.

Lawmakers Announce Plan to Protect People and Property in the Path of Planned Uranium Mining

DENVER- At the Capitol Sunday, Larimer County lawmakers announced a plan to protect Coloradans from potentially dangerous uranium mining.

Joined by land-owners, environmentalists, doctors, and families, State Representatives Randy Fischer and John Kefalas (both D-Larimer) unveiled a legislative plan to protect water quality and involve the public.

This proposal comes as a response to landowners and others close to the proposed mine who have been fighting the uranium industry for months out of concern for their health, drinking water, and property rights.

Powertech Uranium Corp wants to open the first in-situ uranium mine in the history of Colorado.

Robin and Jay Davis of Nunn, Colorado, are property owners near "ground zero" of the proposed uranium mining activity.  Robin Davis stated, "We are scared that the mine will make our kids sick and contaminate our drinking water.”  Pointing to the horses beside her, she explained, “Sick horses aren’t working horses.  Without our livestock, we lose our livelihood.” 

Daryl Burkhart, nearby landowner said, "In-situ uranium mining is a different method than traditional mining:  chemicals are injected into our water to take out uranium. These toxic chemicals, and the uranium, could contaminate my family, my land, my drinking water, and my animals." Holding a bright-yellow "uranium cake" Mr. Burkhart said, "Uranium 'yellow cake' may look harmless -- but no child should get near this. Keep your contaminated cake away from our kids, Powertech!" 

Dr. Cory Carroll, President of the Larimer County Medical Society said that his organization is concerned about the dangers that uranium poses to water supplies.  "Doctors oppose the practice of in-situ and open pit mining of uranium," Dr. Carroll said, "because of the adverse health impact of radioactively contaminated water on our agriculture, livestock and civilian population."   

Representative John Kefalas (HD 52) assured the landowners, environmentalists and children in the audience, "That’s what our plan is about: protecting people and property and precious resources.  Today, here and now, we commit ourselves to protecting the land and the people of Northern Colorado."

Representative Randy Fischer (HD-53) said, "When I looked at the uranium mining laws, I saw how out-dated they were.  New mining technology demands cutting-edge protections. We are long overdue for an update.  If the Uranium Industry wants to mine on our land in 2007, they must do so safely, protecting our children, our property, our livestock.  No free pass for the Uranium Industry!”

The Kefalas/Fischer legislation will:

Protect Drinking Water: ground water aquifers must not be left contaminated.

Lift the Veil of Secrecy: Citizens must know what Uranium Industry is doing in their backyards.

Protect Landowners’ Rights: property owners should not be forced to surrender their land to the mining companies.

For more information: www.nunnglow.com.

Read 9News coverage.

Read what Kevin Duggan of The Coloradoan has to say.

--posted by Staff

Morgan Carroll new Majority Caucus Chair

Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) was elected to the leadership post of Majority Caucus Chair on October 11th.  Shortly following the Leadership Elections, the Democratic Caucus grew from 39 members to 40 (out of 65) when Rep. Debbie Stafford of Aurora announced she was changing parties from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. 

Rep. Mike Cerbo (D-Denver) recently resigned to take the position of Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO, leaving the leadership position of Majority Caucus Chair open.

"I am looking forward to doing all I can to make sure we are all successful in the next legislative session in setting and reaching our goals to best serve the citizens of Colorado," said Rep. Carroll.

Trivia:

Past Democratic Majority Caucus Chairs include: 1975 Wellington Webb, 2005 Angie Paccione, 2007 Mike Cerbo.

--posted on behalf of Representative Morgan Carroll

subscribe directly to Rep. Carroll's newsletter

Dianne Primavera on SCHIP veto

"As a single parent of two daughters and a cancer survivor, I am always aware of both the importance of adequate insurance for our children and the high cost of health insurance that parents must bear. When I was a customer-service manager for the state Medicaid program, I met children whose lives were changed because of SCHIP. How can the president say 'no' to children's health?" --Representative Dianne Primavera

Read the Daily Camera article that includes this quote.

Representative Sara Gagliardi Newsletter 10/2

Happy Fall to you all! Autumn is beginning to show itself in the mornings; where does the summer go?

I will continue to send you monthly updates on work that I will be doing in the summer and fall. You will find standing features each month that I hope will help you understand more about the work I am doing as your representative and the work the legislature is doing as a whole.

YOUR VOICE

Now is a great time to contact me and let me know your ideas or suggestions for the 2008 Legislative Session. While the next session does not begin until January 9, 2008, you may want to share your ideas now in order to:

• Increase the likelihood of getting your bill into the limited slot of 5 bills we can carry.
• Allow more time for drafting and feedback
• Allow more time for research.

I have also established regular times when you can talk to me:
1st Monday of every month: 7:00 A.M. – 8:30 A.M. at Panera Bread, 7739 Wadsworth Way

4th Monday of each month: 7:00 A.M. – 8:15 A.M. at Billy D’s Coffee, 14705 W. 64th Ave.

1st Saturday of every month: Monthly Town Hall Meetings 10:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Susan Duncan YMCA; 6350 Eldridge Street; Arvada, CO 80004

[ed note: edited to remove meetings that had already taken place at the time of posting; for up-to-the-minute information, subscribe to Rep. Gagliardi's newsletter.]

November 3rd: Jobs, tourism, and the Criminals Justice System

Blue Ribbon Commission Update

The commission has completed a fifth proposal. The commission is also continuing to solicit public input through statewide community meetings. Please check out their website for more information locations of upcoming meetings.

Fast Tracks

Latest information and updates regarding transportation issues can be found at www.rtd-denver.com.

Our Community at the Capitol

I am happy to schedule a time with you for a meeting or a tour as well. Feel free to call me at home at 303.467.0619, or email me at sara@saragagliardi.com.

As many of you know I am doing outreach door-to-door to residents, business, organizations and schools in my District. This is an incredible opportunity to learn from citizens. As always, feel free to email me your suggestions on what priorities you’d like me to focus on for 2008.

Remember: you can look up any bill and its fiscal note yourself by going to www.leg.state.co.us or agencies information www.colorado.gov/colorado/agencies.html.

Additional Community Information

Jobseekers: If anyone you know is looking for work, check out your local Workforce! Centers by visiting http://www.co.workforce.com/emp. There are a variety of different free programs, many of which are available to everyone.

Employers: If you or anyone you know is an employer, they should know that there is a free “help wanted” posting available through the Workforce! center as well as some employee training services at http://www.coworkforce.com/emp.

--posted on behalf of Representative Sara Gagliardi

Speaker Romanoff on Debbie Stafford's change of party affiliation

“This is a new season for Colorado. To all those who share our commitment to making this state a better place to live and work and raise a family, let me say this: Our roster is open. Our team is always looking for new recruits. You’re welcome to sign up anytime.”  -- Speaker Andrew Romanoff

Read the post that contains this quote.