Colorado House Democrats

Apuan Honors Those Who Have Served

Co Springs Rep. Passes Resolution on Military Appreciation Day

(Denver) State Representative Dennis Apuan (D-Colorado Springs) helped to honor those who have served as part of Military Appreciation Day at the State Capitol Friday.  Guests filled the House chamber and gallery, and many were recognized and remembered for their service.

Rep. Apuan is the sponsor of House Joint Resolution 1008 recognizing military personnel from Colorado who are serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and honoring those who have died while serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since April, 13 soldiers stationed at Fort Carson and another 8 Coloradans have died while fighting abroad.  

“I am humbled to represent all of the men and women at Fort Carson and I am privileged to honor their sacrifice today,” Rep. Apuan said when introducing the resolution. “Our soldiers fight so hard so that the United States of America can realize its greatest aspirations, and in doing so, sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice.”

The resolution passed unanimously. Following the morning of recognition, Rep. Apuan joined dozens of other lawmakers on a tour of Fort Carson where they toured the post's urban warfare training area and were briefed on various military issues.
       

The complete text of the resolution, including names of those killed in action:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2009A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/5F365A9AF057F6C98725754C00718F35?Open&file=HJR1008_rev.pdf

-- Posted by Staff

Speaker Carroll Addresses Prestigious Crime Symposium

Monday, in New York, he will speak on Sentencing & Corrections Issues

(DENVER) – Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll will be travelling to New York on Monday, February 2^nd to speak at the 4^th Annual Harry F. Guggenheim Symposium on Crime in America.  The symposium will be taking place at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York.  

Speaker Carroll will join esteemed public safety experts, professors, attorneys, and judges from all across the country to explore the criminal justice challenges that lie ahead.

The Symposium will last the entire day, and Speaker Carroll will participate in Panel II, “The Sentencing and Corrections Challenge: Reinventing the Criminal Justice System.”  The panel will begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

While the House Speaker is out of town, the House of Representatives will be led by Speaker Pro Tempore Kathleen Curry of Gunnison.

-- Posted by Staff

Rep. Apuan Helps Expand Model Of Care Increasingly In Demand By Aging Boomers

Representative tours PACE facility and bill clears first committee with unanimous vote

(Denver) State Representative Dennis Apuan (D-Colorado Springs) went the extra mile today by visiting with the patients and physicians that will be most affected by House Bill 1004.  The Representative toured a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) facility close to the Capitol to gain insight into how to care for aging baby boomers.  

“The PACE program is a win-win.  Patients who receive care through PACE are happier and healthier than those in a nursing home setting, while saving the state an average of $1800 per patient each month” Representative Apuan said.  “During these tough economic times, we need to look for cost savings wherever we can in the state budget,” he continued.

PACE organizations are non-profit agencies that serve low income elderly through Medicaid and Medicare funding sources.  The goal of the program is to keep medically needy, frail adults in their homes and out of hospitals and nursing homes.

House Bill 1004 would allow PACE sites to hire physicians as full time employees, and not just contract workers, helping to alleviate a current shortage of geriatricians.  In doing so, the program will be able to compete to hire doctors and provide benefits, allowing the PACE program to thrive and expand.  “Physicians, just like other employees, need health insurance and other benefits” said Maureen Hewitt, CEO of Total Long Term Care, Colorado’s largest PACE provider.

The successful PACE program is expanding into other parts of the state, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs, and will continue to thrive with the assistance of Rep. Apuan’s bill.  “With our aging baby boomers, we need to continue to support the expansion of the PACE program.  People want the option to remain in their homes, rather than residing in a nursing home in their final years,” Rep. Apuan continued.

Following the tour, the bill was heard in the House Health and Human Services committee and passed unanimously.  It now heads to the House floor for full consideration. The legislation is supported by the Colorado Medical Society, among others.

-- Posted by Staff

Comprehensive Jobs Package Recommended

(DENVER)  On the Capitol steps this afternoon, backed by business leaders and workers, the legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth recommended a comprehensive package of job-creation bills.  When enacted, these proposals will create tens of thousands of jobs.  

The proposed legislation will focus on five key areas:

   1.   Transportation: Create Thousands of Jobs Repairing Our Crumbling Roads and Bridges;

   2.   New Businesses: Offer Tax Incentives to Companies that Move to Colorado and Create Jobs;

   3.   Credit: Increase the Availability of Loans to Small Business to Help Create Jobs;

   4.   New Energy Economy:  Expand New Energy and Clean Technology Jobs, and;

   5.   Rural Job Creation:  Create Rural Medical Jobs and Promote Job Training.

Blood Banks - and Vampires - Rejoice!

Younger blood donors bill passes out of House

(DENVER) – Recognizing the critical need for more blood donations in Colorado, Rep. Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) carried a bill through the House today that will lower the donation eligibility age from 18 to 16.

“As a nurse, I know it’s absolutely critical to have a sufficient blood supply at all times.  Last year, in Colorado, over 600,000 lives were saved or enhanced thanks to blood donations. Our population – and the blood donor base – are aging. This is an easy way to help save lives without costing the state a dime!”

House Bill 1023 – which swiftly passed the House 64-0 – allows 16 year olds, with parental consent, to donate blood. Bonfils Blood Center estimates this change would mean 2,600 additional donors annually, benefiting up to 7,800 patients each year. Access to more donors and more units of blood is critical, especially during periods when donations tend to decline. The bi-partisan bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Spencer Swalm (R-Centennial).

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is being carried by Sen. Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood).

-- Posted by Staff

Bill Addresses Misuse Of Tax Code

Lawmakers Expose Corporate Tax Cheats and Demand Transparency

(DENVER)  State Representative Claire Levy (D-Boulder) today presented a bill targeting a tax evasion scheme used by Wal-Mart and other large corporations.  Eleven other lawmakers joined Rep. Levy as sponsors of the legislation, which was passed out of the House Finance Committee on a bipartisan 10-1 vote.

The bill requires corporations to declare the use of suspect transactions on their corporate tax return. The targeted tax evasion scheme makes use of a financial arrangement know as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Normally, a REIT has 100 investors, each with a small stake in the investment company. In Wal-Mart's case, the company transfers the ownership of their Colorado stores to a REIT which is 99% owned by Wal-Mart itself and the remaining 1% is owned by 99 Wal-Mart executives.  That company then transfers the profits to an overseas company which exists simply to avoid having to report the income to the state government.

“These companies are abusing the public trust,” said Rep. Levy.  “By sending their Colorado profits overseas and back through a series of shell corporations, they avoid paying their fair share of taxes.  This bill is a way to create transparency.  It permits the Department of Revenue to look at corporate transactions and make sure they have real economic purposes and are not intended only to avoid or reduce tax liability."

“This bill does not create a new tax.  These are taxes that are rightfully owed.  The people of Colorado pay taxes; so should corporations,” said Rep. Levy.  "It is time to put a stop to this sham.  The underpayment, and in some cases outright avoidance, of taxes greatly stifles economic development in Colorado."

The Wall Street Journal and others have noted that Wal-Mart pays itself rent and calls that a tax-deductible business expense, thus skirting payment of standard taxes.  The Journal notes that Wal-Mart avoided paying $350 million in state taxes between 1998 and 2001.  
Many other states have taken action against the company in recent years.

Rep. Levy explained that federal tax law created REITs to allow small investors to participate in real estate markets that would otherwise require very large amounts of capital.  Legitimate use of REITs is not affected by this bill.

The bill implements the long-standing policy in Colorado that corporate profits earned in the state are subject to state tax, and it distinguishes between valid Real Estate Investment Trusts and Captive REITs such as Wal-Mart's.

-- Posted by Staff

Rep. Rice’s Wellness Bill Gets Healthy Dose of Support in House

Bi-Partisan Sponsors Work Together for Wellness and Personal Responsibility

(DENVER) - State Representatives Joe Rice (D-Littleton) and Amy Stephens (R-Monument) are off to a strong start with their bill to allow health care companies to provide incentives for participation in wellness and prevention programs.  No one spoke against – or was even heard voicing a “No!” -- as House Bill 1012 got a healthy dose of support from the House of Representatives.  It passed on an initial voice vote.

“This is a common sense idea that benefits our health and our pocketbooks,” said Rep. Rice.  “It is currently prohibited for insurers to offer incentives.   Yet small businesses want to have access to health care plans that reap financial rewards as well as health rewards.  And employees welcome the extra motivation to quit smoking, to exercise, or to lose weight.”  

Rep. Rice continued, “For just a few dollars a month per enrollee, employees will be healthier.  And importantly, with more wellness, employers can increase productivity and decrease absenteeism as well as health care costs.  Health care programs can save $1.65 for every $1 invested in wellness.”

Smiling after the successful vote, Rep. Rice asked, “Who could be against a bill that brings both financial and health benefits?”

-- Posted by Staff

Younger Blood Donors Bill Passes Initial Voice Vote

Rep. Gagliardi and Rep. Swalm’s Bill to Benefit
Over 7,000 Colorado Patients

(DENVER) - A bill to encourage more blood donations in Colorado by lowering the eligibility age from 18 to 16 passed on an initial voice vote today.

House Bill 1023 allows 16 year olds, with parental consent, to donate blood. Bonfils Blood Center estimates this change would mean 2,600 additional donors annually, benefiting up to 7,800 patients each year. Access to more donors and more units of blood is critical, especially during periods when donations tend to decline.

Co-Sponsor Rep. Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) presented the bill by saying:

“As a nurse, I know it’s absolutely critical to have a sufficient blood supply at all times.  Last year, in Colorado, over 600,000 lives were saved or enhanced thanks to blood donations. Our population – and the blood donor base – are aging. This is an easy way to help save lives!”

-- Posted by Staff

"Expanding the Circle of Opportunity"

Kefalas' Economic Opportunity Bill Succeeds in House State Affairs

(DENVER) - State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) is never one to shy from tackling the tough issues, and today he struck a victory for struggling families everywhere.  He was able to guide his House Bill 1064, which will develop a strategic, integrated plan to reduce the number of Coloradans living in poverty, out of the State Affairs Committee on a bipartisan 9 - 2 vote.

In introducing the bill, Rep. Kefalas said:

“Expanding the circle of opportunity demands a comprehensive, integrated, and strategic action plan.  The economic challenges that Coloradans face are complex and cannot be solved in isolation or by piecemeal approaches.  We need a driving force to achieve the targeted goal of reducing poverty by half by 2019.  That’s what H.B. 1064 will create.

“More and more families are living paycheck to paycheck, challenged to meet rising living costs. And poverty is bad for business, too.  We must view the problem through the lens of economic and workforce development.

“This bill forms The Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force, which will make smart decisions about how state policy can expand and strengthen economic opportunity.  This Task Force can look at the whole picture and find where the gaps are, and where we need to reinforce the safety net.

“Food, housing, health care, utilities, child care, education, disabilities, domestic violence and other issues are all interconnected in people’s lives.  However, too often, public policy is made without that perspective.  Each issue is too often viewed in isolation.  This Task Force will aim to reduce poverty and expand economic opportunity, and will do so in a collaborative nature between private sectors and different levels of government.”

-- Posted by Staff

Carbo Monoxide Detector Bill Clears Committee

Passage sends message “We are committed to saving lives”

(DENVER) - A bill that will save the lives of Coloradans from Carbon Monoxide poisoning in their homes passed out of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee on a 9-2 vote this morning.

House Bill 1091 requires all new homes and apartments to install CO detectors. It also requires installation of detectors in new construction of single or multi-family dwellings, including rental properties. Prior to renting, the bill states that a landlord must replace or repair existing alarms, and permits a local government to set more stringent requirements for the installation of alarms.

“I am very pleased we passed this bill out of Committee today,” said Rep. John Soper (D-Thornton), HB 1091’s prime sponsor. “Too many lives have been lost this year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and there is no time to delay – we need to start saving lives now.”

New legislator Lois Court (D-Denver) was pleased with the success of her first bill, on which she is prime co-sponsor with Rep. Soper. Her constituents, the Lofgren family, died in Aspen over Thanksgiving from CO poisoning. Rep. Court said “I appreciate the committee passing this bill out of committee today. It sends a message that as a society we believe that no more lives in Colorado should be lost to CO poisoning.”

Committee members urged Coloradans to purchase their own CO detectors, which cost as low as $15. For more information on CO poisoning visit www.knowaboutco.com.

-- Posted by Staff

Aurora Reps. Middleton & Todd Address Teen Pregnancy and School Drop-Out Rates

(DENVER) -   Addressing a crowded room of teachers, nurses, parents and teens at the capitol on January 23, two Aurora Representatives gave their perspective on the teen pregnancy prevention issue.

Rep. Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) said that “While a new Centers for Disease Control study shows that national teen pregnancy rates are on the rise for the first time in 15 years, in Colorado, the teen birth rate has remained steady for the past few years.  We did see a big  decrease earlier this decade, down 27 percent from 1991 to 2005. In Colorado now, the birth rate is 44 babies per 1,000 teens ages 15-19 which ranks us 20th in the US, and behind most of our regional neighbors: New Mexico (No. 2 at 64 births), Arizona (No. 5 at 62 births), Nevada (No. 7 at 56 births), and Wyoming (No. 15 at 47 births).  We’ve done great work but more is ahead of us.”

Rep. Karen Middleton (D-Aurora) said, “Addressing the specific needs of pregnant and parenting teens will go a long way in our efforts to increase the graduation rate.  I am grateful to the National Women’s Law Center for their research that shows us this is a critical policy issue for our young women and men.”

Former State Rep. Cheri Jahn from Wheat Ridge said, “Drop-out rates are unacceptable nationally and here in Colorado.  Drop-out prevention needs to be at the front of the conversation we have about engaging youth. Community members, administrators, business leaders and policy makers must foster a culture that engages youth in the education process.”

-- Posted by Staff

Jobs and the Economy

Rep. Primavera Invites Community to learn about the current economic situation and its impact on Colorado jobs
       

When:  Saturday, January 31^st 
             1:00 to 3:00 PM

Where:  Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library 
                               3 Community Park Road, Broomfield

Sponsor:  State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield)               

What:  Community members are invited to join Rep. Primavera for a panel discussion on jobs and the economy.  Come learn about the current economic situation and its impact on Colorado jobs: today and into the future -- and how to prepare yourself and find employment.

Panelists:
Andy Dorsey, Vice President Westminster, Front Range Community College
Frank Schoengarth, Workforce Director, Broomfield Workforce Center 
Kevin Erickson, Summit Bank and Trust

Resources for those seeking jobs will be available 

ALL welcome.  There will be an opportunity for Q&A.  Bring your questions, your friends, your family and co-workers!

-- Posted by Staff

Younger Blood Donors Bill Passes First Committee

Reps. Gagliardi & Swalm Work to Increase Blood Donations, Save Lives

DENVER – If the bipartisan pair of State Representative - and nurse - Sara Gagliardi* (D-Arvada) and Representative Spencer Swalm (R-Centennial) continue their success, there will be more high-school blood drives next year.  A bill to encourage more blood donations by lowering the eligibility age from 18 to 16 glided through its first committee with a 10-0 vote late today.

House Bill 1023 allows 16 year olds, with parental consent, to donate blood.  Bonfils Blood Center estimates this change would mean 2,600 additional donors annually.  Access to more donors and more units of blood is critical, especially during periods when donations tend to decline.

Rep. Gagliardi presented the bill by saying,

“As a nurse, I know it’s absolutely critical to have a sufficient blood supply at all times.  Last year, in Colorado, over 600,000 lives were saved or enhanced thanks to blood donations. Every week, more than 4,000 blood donations are needed to meet the demands. Yet only 4 percent of the state's eligible population gives blood.  

Rep. Rice Helps Wellness Bill Pass First Check-Up

Bi-Partisan Sponsors Work Together for Wellness and Personal Responsibility

(DENVER) - State Representatives Joe Rice (D-Littleton) and Amy Stephens (R-El Paso) are off to a strong start with their bill to allow health care companies to provide incentives for participation in wellness and prevention programs.  Wellness experts and health-underwriters testified in support of HB 1012 which was voted out of the House Business Affairs Committee on a 9 to 0 vote.

“This is a common sense idea that benefits our health and our pocketbooks,” said Rep. Rice.  “It is currently prohibited to offer incentives.   Yet small businesses want to have access to health care plans that reap financial rewards as well as health rewards.  And employees welcome the extra motivation to quit smoking, to exercise, or to lose weight.”

Rep. Rice continued, “For just a few dollars a month per enrollee, employees will be healthier.  And importantly, with more wellness, employers can increase productivity and decrease absenteeism as well as health care costs.  Health care programs can save $1.65 for every $1 invested in wellness.”

-- Posted by Staff

Rep. McCann Introduces Puppy Protection Bill

Legislation will strengthen protections for dogs at commercial mass breeding operations known as puppy mills

(DENVER) — State Representative Beth McCann (D-Denver) today introduced a bill to strengthen puppy mill regulations in Colorado. With a saved dog named Bingo by her side, Rep. McCann discussed how the bill will limit the number of breeding dogs allowed at a facility to help prevent the worst abuses at puppy mills.

“I am pleased to introduce legislation that seeks to ensure that dogs that are kept for breeding in Colorado are treated in a safe and humane manner,” said Rep. McCann. “Colorado is not a state that will tolerate abuse of animals, particularly dogs and puppies. These are small steps toward ensuring a decent life for these dogs who are kept for breeding, and it should also send a message to those outside of Colorado that we do not welcome those who mistreat their animals.”
 
Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities where dogs often live in deplorable, overcrowded conditions without any exercise, socialization, or human interaction. These puppies are mass produced for sale in pet stores, over the Internet and directly to consumers.