Colorado House Democrats

Ft. Collins Lawmakers Host Town Hall Meeting To Kick Off 2009 Session

Reps. Kefalas & Fischer, Sen. Bacon to host discussion Sat. 1/10/09

FORT COLLINS – Three Fort Collins lawmakers will host their first town hall meeting of the new year to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our state. The morning of Saturday, January 10, Representatives John Kefalas and Randy Fischer and Senator Bob Bacon will preview the 2009 legislative session which convenes that week.  The focus of this town hall meeting is to both inform the community on proposed legislation and priorities for the state’s 67th legislative session and to receive input from community members.
 
Rep. Fischer said, “As we work to transform challenges into opportunities in 2009, an engaged citizenry is vital to our legislative success.”

“With all hands on deck, we will help rebuild and restore our economy,” Rep. Kefalas said. “I remain hopeful and look forward to very robust discussions on the problems and solutions.”

"As your representatives, we are eager to continue the sharing our perspectives from the Capitol and hearing citizen concerns and ideas," said Sen. Bacon.

This event is free, and the public is encouraged to actively participate in the political process in order to improve our representative democracy and make good public policy.

WHAT:  Town Hall Meeting to Kickoff the 2009 Legislative Session

WHEN:  Saturday, January 10, 10:00 – 11:30 AM

WHERE:  Fort Collins Coloradoan Community Room, 1300 Riverside Avenue, Fort Collins
                  The Coloradoan Community Room is wheelchair accessible.  

WHO:  State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) 
             State Representative Randy Fischer (D-Ft. Collins) 
             State Senator Bob Bacon (D-Ft. Collins)

-- Posted by staff

Rep.-elect Dennis Apuan to Host First “Town Hall” this Saturday

Incoming AND Out-going Reps Discuss 2009 Legislative Priorities 

WHAT:  2009 Legislative Priorities: A Conversation with Representative-Elect Dennis Apuan and Rep. Garza-Hicks.   
               They are from House District 17, a triangle of southern Colorado Springs between Hwy 115 on the west and I-25 on the east, thus including Fort Carson and much of Security,  Widefield and Fountain east of I-25, and Kelker, Stratmoor Hills and Skinners west of the airport.
 
WHO:  Newly-elected State Representative Dennis Apuan - D 
            Out-going Representative Stella Garza Hicks - R 
            All members of the community are invited

WHEN:  THIS Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 10-11 AM

WHERE:  Ruth Holley Public Library, 685 North Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, 80915
 
Please join newly-elected District 17 State Rep. Dennis Apuan for coffee, conversation, and good cheer!

We will brainstorm on district-wide issues and concerns for possible consideration by the Colorado General Assembly before it convenes on January 7, 2009.  Help us build community and share ideas!  Free and open to the public, refreshments will be served.

-- Posted by staff

Rep.-elect Dennis Apuan to Host First “Town Hall” Saturday Jan. 3

Incoming AND Out-going Reps Discuss 2009 Legislative Priorities
 
WHAT:  2009 Legislative Priorities: A Conversation with Representative-Elect Dennis Apuan and Rep. Garza-Hicks.  
        They are from House District 17, a triangle of southern Colorado Springs between Hwy 115 on the west and I-25 on the east, thus including Fort Carson and much of Security, Widefield and Fountain east of I-25, and Kelker, Stratmoor Hills and Skinners west of the airport.
 
WHO:  Newly-elected State Representative Dennis Apuan - D
Out-going Representative Stella Garza Hicks - R
All members of the community are invited

WHEN:  Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 10-11 AM

WHERE:  Ruth Holley Public Library, 685 North Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, 80915
 
Please join newly-elected District 17 State Rep. Dennis Apuan for coffee, conversation, and good cheer!

We will brainstorm on district-wide issues and concerns for possible consideration by the Colorado General Assembly before it convenes on January 7, 2009.  Help us build community and share ideas!  Free and open to the public, refreshments will be served.

For more information, please call Bill Durland at (719) 635-8686.

-- Posted by Staff

Statement of House Speaker Andrew Romanoff on the Selection of Bernie Buescher as Secretary of State

“I offer my warmest congratulations to my friend and colleague Bernie Buescher.  The Governor has made an outstanding decision in choosing him as our next Secretary of State.

Rep. Buescher is a man of unrivalled intellect and unquestionable integrity.  I am proud to have served with him in the House and glad that Colorado will continue to benefit from his leadership."

-- Posted by staff

Incoming Democratic Leadership Praises Bernie Buescher, New Secretary of State

(DENVER)   The incoming Speaker of the House, Rep. Terrance Carroll of Denver, beamed as he heard the news that Governor Bill Ritter had selected Bernie Buescher, a Democratic State Representative from Grand Junction, to become Colorado’s new Secretary of State.

Speaker-designee Carroll said, “Brilliant!  All of us – Democrats, Republicans, Representatives, Senators and staff – have grown very fond of Bernie Buescher over his years here in the Capitol.  And moreover, he has earned our respect.  He is fair, exceptionally smart, and easy-going.  I know that he will oversee our elections and licensing with the same wisdom and integrity with which he ran the JBC, his business, and his many other endeavors.”

-- Posted by staff

Speaker-Designee Terrance Carroll's Statement on the Economic Forecast Released Today

DENVER – Speaker-designee Terrance Carroll released the following statement about today’s economic forecast:

“This budget forecast reflects what Coloradans already know: we are facing very difficult economic times.  

“Families are losing their jobs, struggling to pay their mortgages and credit card bills, and small businesses are fighting to keep their doors open.  Unfortunately, the economic hardship felt by hardworking Coloradans is now hitting our state budget.  

“I commit that we will be strategic, practical, and honest in the budget process going forward.  

“Equally as important, we will work diligently to get our overall economy in Colorado back on track.  Even yesterday, we announced a series of proposals to bring new investments to Colorado’s businesses, and to expand job training and workforce development.

“As the legislative session opens, we will lay out additional plans designed to create good, high-paying jobs, boost our small businesses, and help those who are being hit hardest.”

-- Posted by staff

Statement From Speaker-Designee Terrance Carroll On Minority Leader Mike May's Resignation

(DENVER) – “I am very sorry to learn that Rep. Mike May has stepped down from his position as Minority Leader. For years, Rep. May has been a great friend and colleague. I will miss the routine of our friendly banter each day before we begin the serious work of the House. I wish him the very best as he moves on to his next endeavor.”

-- Posted by staff

Statement of House Speaker Andrew Romanoff on the Retirement of Minority Leader Mike May

"Mike May has been a good friend and an honorable colleague, as well as an occasional sparring partner.  We’ve found common ground on a number of issues important to Colorado.  I wish him well in his return to private life and I wish him success in his business.”

-- Posted by staff

Lawmakers Vow To Pass Lofgren Family Home Safety Act To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

"For the holidays, buy safety: buy a carbon monoxide detector for your family"

DENVER – In response to the tragic deaths of the Lofgren family from carbon monoxide poisoning, State Representative John Soper (D-Thornton) and State Representative-elect Lois Court (D-Denver) vowed to fight for passage of their Lofgren Family Home Safety Act.  Friends and family of the Lofgrens filled the room where the press conference was held, and were also said to be listening online across the country.  Speaker Andrew Romanoff, who has represented the district where the Lofgrens lived, was also present and lent his support to the new legislation.      

The proposed legislation will be designed to reduce the threat posed by carbon monoxide, requiring that all new homes and homes placed on the market for sale have carbon monoxide detectors installed.  

In addition to pledging to introduce new legislation, the lawmakers encouraged all Coloradoans to purchase and place detectors in their homes if they don’t already have them.

“For the holidays, buy safety: buy a carbon monoxide detector for your family,” urged Rep. Soper.  “We’ll promise to fight for this bill, but we hope that we can prevent deaths even before this becomes law.  Buying a $20 detector can save your family’s lives now.”

Rep. Christine Scanlan of Summit County Named Majority Whip

First Session of the 67th General Assembly Begins Jan. 7, 2009

(DENVER)   State Representative Terrance Carroll, Speaker-designee of the Colorado House of Representatives, announced today a new addition to the Colorado House Majority leadership team.

The new Whip for the Majority Caucus is State Representative Christine Scanlan.  A Democrat from Summit County, Rep. Scanlan grew up in Colorado and holds both a BA and a MA from Denver’s Regis University. She was successful in her nonprofit career, previously serving as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Keystone Center and Keystone Science School, a nonprofit dealing with science education and dispute resolution. Rep. Scanlan is also the President of the Summit School District Board of Education.

Speaker-designee Carroll said, “I am proud to announce that our caucus has elected yet another smart, Western Colorado woman to a leadership post.   Rep. Scanlan has a deep and broad understanding of the issues that affect all Coloradans, especially education, forest health and transportation issues.  Rep. Scanlan will help lead our caucus as we fight for the middle-class, for job creation, and for economic stability in Colorado.  I am thrilled that she has joined our leadership team.”

“I'm happy to accept the role of Majority Whip and to work side by side with my colleagues to improve the lives of everyone in the state,” said Rep. Scanlan. “Democrats continue to respect rural Coloradans and to hear their voices.  Rural voters may be far away from the power-base, but they are powerful.  I'm proud to sit at the Democratic leadership table, representing the mountain counties and all Coloradans.”

Still Waiting: Advocates Ask JBC to Invest in Life

TODAY at 3:30

WHAT:  Advocates for people with developmental disabilities will fight on, despite a recent loss at the polls. At 3:30 today, activists and family members will ask the state legislature’s Joint Budget Committee (JBC) to support a Life Invest Fund (LIF) to provide families and adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to invest in long-term care.  LIF is similar to the option in Colorado’s College Invest fund, and rather than education, it will provide support for people with developmental disabilities.
WHO:  Advocates for People with Developmental Disabilities and Rep. Karen Middleton

WHEN:  3:30 PM, Tuesday, December 2, 2008- TODAY

WHERE:  JBC Hearing Room, Legislative Services Building, 200 East 14th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Denver, CO 80203

WHY:  Amendment 51, a initiative whose passage would have ended the up to ten year wait for long term care services and supports for more than 12,000 Colorado residents with developmental disabilities, failed at the ballot last month.  Consequently, these 12,000 people and their families still wait.

-- Posted by staff