Colorado House Democrats

Rep. Rice Successfully Fights For Change

Littleton lawmaker reflects on bills making the lives of Coloradans a little easier

DENVER – As the dust settles on the 2008 legislative session, it's evident that Joe Rice, the first-term lawmaker representing Littleton and the south metro area, has hit his stride. This week, Governor Ritter signed into law two innovative pieces of legislation he co-authored and sponsored slashing red tape for businesses and schools.

House Bill 1225, which the Governor signed Tuesday at a bank in downtown Littleton, will exempt nearly 30,500 businesses from having to pay Colorado's Business Personal Property Tax. Currently, businesses must pay the tax if they have personal property such as computers and other equipment worth more than $2,500. HB 1225 raises the exemption threshold to $7,000 over five years, sparing business owners the expense of preparing and paying the burdensome business personal property tax.  In turn, entrepreneurs will have more time and money to put back into growing their businesses.

"The business personal property tax exemption will make life easier for over 30,000 small businesses in our state," said Rep. Rice. "By easing this administrative tax burden, small businesses can get back to focusing on
business instead of bureaucracy.  Everybody wins when we're able to protect and grow the small businesses of Colorado. This is truly one of the most significant pro-business bill in years."

The second, House Bill 1358, signed into law this morning at the capitol, creates a unique tax exemption for schools.  The bill would make it easier for PTOs and PTAs to fundraise by exempting PTOs and PTAs at public schools from paying sales tax on fundraisers like bake sales and silent auctions. The proposal also would also require vendors to handle the paperwork and collection of sales tax on "prepackaged" activities that are not exempt, such as gift wrap and book sales. Currently, many vendors stick these responsibilities on parents to handle.

"This is one of my favorite pro-kid bills of the year.  Now, the money parents' raise will go to their schools, and not to government coffers."

Both measures highlight Rep. Rice's overarching commitment to making the lives of Coloradans easier.

"Coloradans already have so much on their plates.  The best thing we can do for them is remove barriers wherever and whenever we can.  I'm proud of what we achieved this term – particularly for kids – and I look forward to
continuing my commitment to the people of Littleton and of Colorado."

-- Posted by staff

GJ Lawmaker Keeps Coloradans' Heat On and Costs Down

DENVER – Today, Governor Ritter signed a package of bills that legislators sent him to help low- and moderate-income households keep their heat on and their utility costs down.  

House Bill 1387, sponsored by State Representative Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction), was the capstone piece of legislation signed today.  The bill expands the Low-Income Energy Assistance Funding Program – or LEAP – and the state's emergency Energy Outreach Colorado Program to assist thousands of Colorado families keep their heat on during the long winter months.  

"As energy costs continue to rise, it is increasingly difficult for Colorado's most vulnerable residents to afford their home energy expenses," said Rep. Buescher.  "Families with children, senior citizens and individuals with special needs must allocate more of their limited resources to pay the energy bills.  The LEAP program will help more Coloradans keep the heat on.  

This legislation provides $6.5 million for emergency assistance through the state's Energy Outreach Colorado Program and $6.5 million toward LEAP.

In addition to the LEAP and Energy Outreach Colorado program expansions, Governor Ritter signed two other bills to help homeowners save money by making their homes more energy efficient:

House Bill 1350 by Majority Leader Alice Madden and State Senator Chris Romer(D-Denver) allows local governments to provide below-market rate loans to homeowners to finance home improvements for small-scale renewable energy projects, including efficiency retrofits, and the installation of renewable energy fixtures such as wind turbines and solar panels.  

"This sets the groundwork so every Colorado home, farm, ranch, and business can save on their utility bills while investing in a new energy future," said Rep.  Madden.

Senate Bill 184 by Sen. Romer & State Representative Claire Levy (D-Boulder) helps low-income homeowners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through the creation of the Colorado Clean Energy Finance Program,

"We'll be able to provide below-market loans to low- and moderate-income homes, helping them make energy improvements to their homes in order to save money on their utility bills," said Rep. Levy.

Rep. Buescher emphasized why these bills were such an important package: "LEAP aids Coloradans with direct assistance.  When coupled with the efforts of groups like the Youth Conservation Corps, HB 1350 and SB 184 will help Colorado homeowners – particularly those benefitting from LEAP – weatherize their homes and make them more energy efficient when they might not otherwise afford to do so."

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Rep. Alice Borodkin Works To Extend Term Limits

Lawmaker Prepares Ballot Referendum for 2009
Seeks to extend limits from eight to twelve years

(DENVER) As the state legislative session drew to a close a few weeks ago, the perennial debate on the value of term limits surfaced yet again. There's been lots of talk, but little action -- until now.

State Representative Alice Borodkin, a term-limited Democrat from Denver, has started the ball rolling by having a ballot initiative drawn up and ready to go for the 2009 ballot.  Her proposal is a compromise between those camps that would ban term limits entirely and those supporting the status quo of eight year limits in the state House or the state Senate.

The measure, which Rep. Borodkin hopes to push in the 2009 legislative session, needs a two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate to put the referred measure on the ballot and a majority vote of the people in November of 2009 before it could change the current law.

Rep. Borodkin has the backing of the League of Women voters and hopes to work with them this summer to discuss pushing the referendum.

“Term limits is forcing out seventeen legislators, most in leadership roles,” said Rep. Borodkin.  “Each forced out lawmaker takes with them eight years of Capitol know-how.”

“This referendum would affect only the members of the state House and Senate. It has nothing to do with any other elected official,” Borodkin clarified.  “The benefits of term limits will be maintained, while diminishing their negative effects, by lengthening the maximum consecutive terms from eight to twelve years.  Term limits would still guarantee turnover of elected officials.”  

“This would give lawmakers more time to develop policy expertise, procedural efficiency, and the constructive working relationships necessary to resolve complex problems and serve citizens effectively.”

“There is a steep learning curve for all new legislators.  It is unfortunate that some Coloradans will have only new legislators representing them in both the House and the Senate because of the forced retirement of term limits.”

-- Posted by staff

Economic Development Bills Signed Into Law Today

Rice & Buescher laws help small businesses and create jobs 

DENVER – More jobs, lower taxes and shared prosperity – that’s a good way to describe House Democrats’ economic goals leading into the 2008 legislative session. Today, those pre-session goals become closer to realities when Gov. Bill Ritter signed four bills into law that will strengthen Colorado’s business environment.

For 30,000 Colorado companies, the business personal property tax (BPPT) will now be a thing of the past. Sponsored by State Representatives Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction) and Joe Rice (D-Littleton), HB 1225 raises the BPPT exemption from $2,500 to $7,000, freeing up funds for employers to grow their companies and expand the work force.

“This is a huge win for small businesses across the state,” Rep. Buescher said, “By cutting the business personal property tax, we’re freeing up time and money for companies to invest in new employees and infrastructure.”

The current tax - which is based on the value of assets such as computers, furniture, and manufacturing equipment – is burdensome because of the time and resources it takes to complete the paperwork.  The tax generates little revenue for the state, but equals around 40 percent of administrative costs for small businesses. That will soon change as the tax cut is phased in over the next few years.

Kefalas & Fischer Protect Colorado's Water From Radioactive Pollution

Bill signed into law today

DENVER – State Representatives John Kefalas and Randy Fischer, both of Fort Collins, applauded Governor Ritter today as he signed their bill protecting Colorado’s water supplies from radioactive contamination.

“Seven months ago, we made a promise to protect Colorado’s drinking water supplies from potentially devastating radioactive pollution,” said Rep. Kefalas at the signing ceremony.  “Seven months ago, no one thought we could take on the powerful mining industry and win.  Well, seven months later, I’m proud to report we did it!  We passed one of the toughest laws in the country.  We passed a law that ensures the safety of our water, land and livestock, now and in the future.”

The bill, which was sponsored by the two northern Colorado legislators, defends Colorado’s ground water from radioactive and heavy metal pollution released during a process called in-situ leach uranium mining.  

The bill directs mining companies to show they will reclaim and restore ground water aquifers to their pre-mining quality or to meet existing state standards.  It also requires mining operations to notify all land owners within the vicinity about the proposed permit, and to demonstrate that the operation has been a “good neighbor” in the past, protecting nearby ground water.

“Both the water and the people in Northern Colorado would be affected by any new in situ mining operation, which is why we had to address this matter now, ” said Rep. Fischer. “I’m glad we achieved a balance where we protect our local communities and promote healthy business development.”

Rep. Kefalas and Rep. Fischer worked with local activists, the mining industry, the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, public health experts, water quality experts, and governor’s policy staff, as well as people around the country with expertise in in-situ mining and its after-effects to write the groundbreaking legislation.  

“Mining can be a great industry,” Kefalas continued. “We just needed to ensure mining companies are good stewards of our land and water, too.”

-- Posted by staff

Lawmakers and Law Enforcement Get Tough On Drunk Driving

New laws aim to prevent DUI deaths this holiday weekend 

DENVER – Today, at the site of a deadly DUI accident, State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) urged Coloradans to drive safely and soberly – or face increased fines, a loss of their driver’s license or mandated breathalyzers – even for first offenders.  Rep. Primavera was joined by Rep. Joel Judd (D-Denver) and State Trooper Gilbert Mares.

Their announcement comes in anticipation of Memorial Day weekend when thousands of Colorado drivers will be on the road and alcohol consumption is expected to rise.  According to the AAA, 9.1 million people in the western United States (including Colorado) will travel over 50 miles next weekend.  During the 2006 Memorial Day weekend, 708 people were arrested in Colorado for DUI.

Rep. Primavera said: 

Today, I’m proud to report drunk driving deaths in Colorado are down and it’s because we’ve been sending a strong message to drunk drivers that enough is enough. This year, we passed laws to increase fines for drunk-driving offenses and to expand the use of ignition locking and breathalyzer devices.  

These will surely help. But unfortunately, too many Coloradans still drive drunk.  And too many still die. In 2006, 207 alcohol-related fatalities happened on Colorado’s roads.

So, on the weekend before Memorial Day, we’re here to urge Coloradans to have a safe holiday.  Some think a $10, $20, $30 taxi ride home is just too expensive. But here’s a fact that will make it seem like the best deal in town: after attorney’s fees, fines and everything else, the average cost for an alcohol related driving offense will be more than $9,000 after legislation we passed takes effect.

What kind of night is worth that much money?  Make your decision wisely.  There’s too much riding on your decision to make the wrong choice.  

This intersection is a constant reminder of that.  Just last year, a family of four was torn apart because of a drunk driver.  So please – know when to say when.  Know when to designate a sober driver.  Know when to call a cab or a sober buddy.  Because your wrong choice could end up costing more than just you.

Rep. Judd was the sponsor of several bills which aim to crack down on drunk drivers, in part inspired by the tragic DUI deaths of the Bingham family at the corner of 15^th and Arapahoe.  Rep. Primavera is a member of the House Transportation Committee and a co-sponsor of the tough-on-DUI bills.

-- Posted by staff

State Capitol Launches iCapitol

Interactive Tools Available to Students and Visitors

Picture: Speaker Romanoff with iCapitol project manager Lisa Kramer

DENVER -- House Speaker Andrew Romanoff today unveiled the first interactive kiosks and educational website to be housed in the state capitol as part of a program called iCapitol.  Thanks to a gift from the AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc.– students and visitors will benefit from a grant for over $50,000 in support of the kiosks, the website and the wireless technology to support the project.       

“We're bringing the Capitol to life. Our iCapitol project is one of the most interactive and educational efforts our historic building has ever seen,” said Speaker Romanoff.

The kiosks will allow students and visitors to access a wireless Internet connection to the new iCapitol website to find out who represents them, email their legislators directly, and access the iCapitol.org website.  The website www.iCapitol.org is dedicated to deepening the understanding of how state government works.  Educational content was created by Leader’s Challenge and Colorado educators along with input from students.

“Leader’s Challenge is proud to help engage youth in becoming involved in government through the iCapitol project,” Tim Sheahan, President/CEO of Leader's Challenge.

Teachers and administrators are encouraged to promote the use of icapitol.org and in local school districts as they develop curricula for the fall. 

“Today’s launch of the computer kiosks in the state capitol is truly amazing for us to be a part of as we watch history being made,” said Stephanie Tyler-Jackson, Executive Director of AT&T External Affairs.  “We have seen many education reforms passed this session thanks to the work done under this dome, and now our legislature is extending that passion for improving education by using innovative ways to reach visitors of the capitol.”

The AT&T Foundation supports initiatives that help students throughout the higher education continuum: the successful completion of high school, preparation for and entrance to college and degree completion and graduation. Additionally, the foundation supports organizations and programs that integrate technology into daily classroom instruction and administration activities, develop community and civic leadership and encourage workforce development.

-- Posted by staff

Governor Signs Bill Getting More Abused Kids the Mental Health Support They Need

DENVER – Today, Governor Bill Ritter was joined by House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and State Senator Moe Keller (Wheat Ridge), as he signed House Bill 1391.  The groundbreaking bill, which was also carried by State Representative Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction) and State Senator Betty Boyd (Lakewood), provides abused and neglected children the mental health care they need to reduce the likelihood of long term problems associated with abuse.

“One case of child abuse or neglect is too many. In 2006, there were nearly 9,000 confirmed cases.  The consequences are catastrophic and sometimes fatal,” said Speaker Romanoff.  “Today, I'm proud to say we are one step closer to making child abuse a thing of the past.”

The legislation establishes a pilot program for two or three counties to provide mental health screenings, evaluations and services for children between the ages of four and ten who have been the subject of a substantiated case of abuse or neglect.  The program will also be available to their siblings, and is estimated to serve between 400 and 600 children annually.

Research indicates that when abused and neglected children don’t receive adequate mental health treatment, it can significantly hurt their quality of life and future productivity.  Those children are more likely to abuse drugs and commit crimes as youths.  They struggle with school, involve themselves in gangs, and cope with teen pregnancy at a higher rate than their contemporaries. 

A recent survey of 6,000 youths showed that nearly half the children who come into the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect need mental health services.  Of those cases, 75% do not receive the mental health services they require.   

The legislation takes effect July 1 of this year.

-- Posted by staff

Lawmakers Unveil Mother's Day Gifts

Legislators say thank-you with new laws making moms’ lives easier 

DENVER – On Sunday, in honor of Mothers’ Day, Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff and State Representative Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) gathered at Washington Park in Denver for an event thanking Colorado mothers for all that they do.  The two legislators unveiled how new laws passed this year will make moms’ lives easier.

“Working mothers know, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done,” said Speaker Romanoff.  “Well today – on mother’s day – we’re honoring all their hard work by making their lives just a little easier.”

Speaker Romanoff highlighted the steps Colorado lawmakers took to expand resources available to pregnant women for prenatal care.  He outlined how the legislature increased the Prenatal Plus Program by $500,000, and made the Colorado Children’s Basic Health Plan more accessible to expecting mothers.  The second measure alone will result in upwards of 16,000 more Colorado women – including those facing risky pregnancies – getting the prenatal care they need to ensure safe pregnancies, safe births, and healthy babies.

“Our children are Colorado’s most cherished resource,” said Speaker Romanoff. “And healthy babies need healthy moms.  So we passed laws designed to help more Colorado women get the prenatal care they need to ensure the health and well-being of their babies.”

End of the Session Materials

For information detailing the 2008 Legislative Session, view the documents below.

Download Legislative Session Report

Download 2008 Legislative Session, By the Numbers

-- Posted by staff