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(DENVER) – The Colorado House of Representatives this morning recognized the Summit High School Girls Rugby Team for winning the State Rugby Championship. The girls will compete for the national championship May 14th in Pittsburgh. Pictured, from left to right, are State Representative Christine Scanlan (D-Dillon), Lauren Danielsen, Representative Scanlan's daughter, Catherine Scanlan, Bobby Bouchard, and Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County).
-- Posted by Staff
Lawmakers and Renewable Energy Supporters Push For
Passage of Green Economic Recovery Bills in Last Week of Session DENVER - With a speaker system powered by a mobile solar energy system, Colorado Senate President-elect Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and other legislative champions joined a crowd of clean energy business workers, renewable energy advocates, and environmentalists calling for a final push on a of suite of green recovery bills. These policies will bring more green jobs to Colorado by supporting sound investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Legislators spoke passionately, delivering a unified message— investing in the New Energy Economy pays dividends, but we must act quickly. By law, the legislative session must end by Wednesday at midnight.
“The actions we take today will allow investors and entrepreneurs to be confident in Colorado’s commitment to expanding the New Energy Economy,” said Sen. Shaffer. “This, coupled with a strong policy framework incentivizing and facilitating clean energy development, will ensure that Colorado has an ‘open for business’ sign.”
Colorado is one of a handful of states that produces more energy than it uses. By investing today in the state’s rich renewable resources like its windy plains and 300 sunny days per year, Colorado can become a national leader in supplying clean, green, renewable power to users in the state and across the nation.
House Bill 1126, the solar thermal jobs bill, by Sen. Shaffer and Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (D- Boulder), will rejuvenate Colorado’s economy with good paying, green collar jobs by creating incentives to lower the cost of installing solar hot water heaters. In five years, these incentives could create more than 1,000 new jobs in the local manufacturing and installation sectors.
“It’s not hot air to say that solar hot water cuts energy costs and creates jobs,” said Rep. Hullinghorst. “Besides reducing our carbon footprint, solar hot water will put more money into people’s pockets and more jobs into the economy.”
Continue reading "Legislators Unite to Put Green Bills over Finish Line " »
HB 228 Passes House
(DENVER) - The House of Representatives gave its final support to Senate Bill 228, the proposal to eliminate the “Arveschoug-Bird” funding formula, an arbitrary budget restriction that is one part of the state’s fiscal Gordian Knot. The bill passed with a 35-29 vote.
“I am pleased that the House was able to come to this common sense agreement,” said Speaker Terrance Carroll. “We have removed an arbitrary budgeting restriction that has prevented us from being able to take advantage of the inevitable economic recovery.”
“We are one giant leap closer to being able to make responsible and wise choices with our budget,” said House co-sponsor Rep. Lois Court (D-Denver). “With the passage of SB 228, we can make sure that Colorado is well positioned to recover when the national economy does. With SB 228, we won’t spend any additional revenue, but we will spend the revenue we do have more responsibly, effectively and wisely.”
Currently, SB 228:
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(DENVER) - Saying she no longer has the stamina for the seat and regrets missing out on so many of her grandchildren’s activities, State Representative Gwyn Green(D-Lakewood/Golden) has announced her resignation from her seat as representative of House District 23, effective June 1.
In her comments on the House floor, Rep. Green said,
“Democrats stand up for the vulnerable in our society: the poor; the children, especially children who are abused or neglected or sent to prison as adults; the mentally ill and cognitively impaired; the unemployed; the elderly; and the uninsured. We know that we are not responsible for these populations, but that government – good government – is responsible to these populations. These responsibilities are essential functions of government.
So is education an essential function of government and an essential guarantee of our democracy. Those who would tyrannize us would seek to take away our education. So do not listen to those who would privatize higher education and make it available only for the wealthy and privileged.
I have fought hard for these who need our help the most. My dream of removing the statute of limitations for those abused as children, and unmasking their predators so as to protect children today, has been unmet. You will need to meet that need, colleagues. Justice cries out for it.
But my legislation has made the state safer for children, through laws passed requiring the department of education to share background checks on school employees with any school district who might be hiring those employees and preventing predators in schools from ever returning to that setting, and through another law requiring sexual predators be assessed by the courts to determine if they meet criteria for violent sexual predators, and for raising the age limit to enter common law marriages, and, this year, bipartisan legislation to establish the Kayla Sealy DeMars Drivers Safety Act. And I am especially proud of legislation which makes Colorado happier for children, through a pilot program giving audio textbooks to dyslexic kids and of my legislation establishing a task force to work towards an Adult Abuse Registry for Disabled Adults.
But it all distills down to you, my colleagues. It truly breaks my heart to leave you. I will miss you, I will laugh at my memories, I will carry you in my heart.
And I would not leave you should my health not insistently demand I do so. It is time to leave you and let someone who has the health and the stamina to fill this seat for such an important district. There are many good leaders in my district who could bring so much to this body. It is time to have them called forth.
A few weeks ago, I had to miss an awards ceremony for my nine year old grandson, Ethan, because of my responsibilities here. I consistently have to miss my grandson Cullen’s lacrosse games. Now, though I will miss you, I am thrilled that I will be able to attend my grandchildren’s awards ceremonies, attend their sports, see their plays, and spend more time with them, with my children and with my husband. I will enjoy that immensely! I thank all of them for their understanding, and for making my time here possible.
Thank you again for the privilege of being here, among the greats and among such dedicated public servants. And as Bob Hope said, thanks for the memories!"
Click here for the full text of her remarks.
-- Posted by Staff
(DENVER) — One challenge to building the new energy economy is getting clean, renewable power from the sunny southwest and windy plains to towns and cities. With House Bill 1345, Colorado is moving closer toward solving that challenge. House Bill 1345, sponsored by State Representative Judy Solano (D-Brighton), will connect power generated from Colorado’s wind and solar resources, which are mostly located in rural areas, with major population centers here in Colorado and in other states via a coordinated statewide transmission plan.
“This legislation will move Colorado closer to creating a statewide clean energy transmission plan,” said Rep. Solano. “It allows us to enter the export market in transmission and will be a great economic driver for our state.”
Writing a coordinated statewide transmission plan will help Colorado effectively participate in the development of a regional market for new energy. A state plan is a prerequisite to building an integrated regional power grid.
Specifically, House Bill 1345 directs the PUC to report to the General Assembly on the construction plans of owners and operators of electric transmission facilities in Colorado. Owners and operators must report on the adequacy of such planning, other issues identified from stakeholders, and the need for future legislative action to achieve a coordinated plan.
-- Posted by Staff
Rep. Gagliardi Helps Businesses Stay Afloat (DENVER) – Among the numerous pieces of legislation that will help small businesses thrive in this difficult economy and create jobs, State Representative Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) passed one of the most important. Senate Bill 67 passed on a final vote today in the House, 53-10.
Colorado’s small businesses drive our economy, however, many are struggling to stay open because they can’t borrow the money they need to pay the bills. The legislation establishes the Colorado Credit Reserve Program, which will increase the availability of loans to small businesses to help them expand, meet payroll, and create jobs.
“I am thrilled that Colorado’s small businesses will get some help during this difficult time. A small state investment guarantees a pool of up to $50 million in new loans to small businesses,” said Rep. Gagliardi. “Loans of up to $500,000 will be made available for job creation in a time when small businesses desperately need access to capital.”
If the Senate agrees to changes made in the House, the bill will now go to the Governor to be signed.
The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Rollie Heath (D-Boulder) and Rep. Don Marostica (R-Loveland).
-- Posted by Staff
HB 1233 signed by Governor Ritter DENVER – A bill sponsored by State Representative Ed Vigil (D-San Luis) and State Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) which promotes and encourages the continued operation of acequias, or historic community ditches, was signed by Governor Ritter. The bill also promotes the viability of the historic communities that depend on this system as a means of irrigation and cultural preservation in Southern Colorado.
Rep. Ed Vigil was the House sponsor and his great grandparents were the first water rights owners in Colorado. “The passage of this bill has been long overdue. It is important that we recognize all of Colorado’s diversity. House Bill 1233 attempts to tell a story of the culture and history of some of Colorado’s first Hispanics to move to southern Colorado, specifically the San Luis Valley. San Luis is the oldest town in Colorado, and home of the state’s first water right and the San Luis People’s ditch. I am extremely proud and thankful to my colleagues in the House and Senate to recognize the importance of this legislation.”
Senator Schwartz was the Senate sponsor. “I am so thrilled that HB 1233 was signed into law. It has been an honor to carry this historic bill with Rep. Vigil, whose family has lived in San Luis for generations. HB1233 recognizes the value and cultural importance of the acequia tradition. In carrying this bill, I have learned a tremendous amount about Colorado’s first water right and the role of early settlers in establishing our agricultural traditions.”
Acequia refers specifically to water management within historic districts on lands settled before to Colorado became a state. Acequia farmers carry out ancient irrigation practices based on a community ditch where water is treated as a community resource. This bill creates a legal structure that will allow acequia farmers to protect their water rights and formalize their communal water corporations.
HB 1233 recognizes cultural diversity as an important source of resilience in our society and acknowledges the acequia as one of Colorado’s most important cultural and historic resources. The San Luis Peoples Ditch in Costilla County has the oldest adjudicated water rights in the state, dating back to the 1850’s and is the heart of acequia culture in Southern Colorado.
Scholars have long recognized acequia as a civic institution and a significant part of the cultural, historical, economic and ecological history of Southern CO and Northern NM, once part of Spanish colonial territory. Acequias were recognized by Congress in the Water Resources Development Act of 1987 as valuable cultural, historical and engineering resources that facilitated the settlement and development of agriculture in the American Southwest.
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Gagliardi’s HB 1331 promotes the next generation of clean cars (DENVER) - State Representative Sara Gagliardi (D-JeffCo), environmental advocates, the lung association, and auto industry leaders today found common ground on a bill that promotes low-emitting cars and trucks. All agreed that Colorado needs to reduce the amount of air pollution, increase fuel economy, and minimize our carbon footprint. House Bill 1331 passed out of the House Transportation Committee without opposition.
The bill expands a 1999 law meant to encourage people to buy cars and trucks that are fuel-efficient and clean, emitting fewer airborne pollutants and less carbon dioxide. It also removes tax credits for low fuel-efficiency hybrids and expands credits for compressed natural gas (CNG) cars and CNG conversions.
All credits are capped at $6,000 per vehicle, except for the credit for the plug-in hybrid conversion. A qualifying hybrid car or truck can receive a credit related to both the vehicle purchase and conversion to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
“Ten years ago, we had one goal with this law: to reduce the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming air pollution. But now the existing incentive is outdated. Today, we are concerned not only about air pollution, but also about fuel economy and carbon footprint,” said Rep. Gagliardi. “By recalculating the credit, we can foster new technologies and help bring important innovations to market sooner.”
Click here for a fact sheet
-- Posted by Staff
Focus on the Economy, Credit and Avoiding Foreclosure Fort Collins, CO – State Representative John Kefalas (HD-52) and State Representative Randy Fischer (HD-53) will host an Issue Forum on current economic issues. “Community Issue Forum with Kefalas and Fischer – Focus on the Economy, Credit and Avoiding Foreclosure” is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th.
These issue forums are open to the public, and all residents are invited to experience an informative presentation and share a lively conversation with Representatives Kefalas and Fischer about the economic issues facing Northern Colorado residents.
A speaker from the Colorado Banker’s Association will make a presentation then guide a discussion.
The Fort Collins Harmony Library is wheelchair accessible.
WHO: Representative John Kefalas, HD-52
Representative Randy Fischer, HD-53
WHERE: Fort Collins Harmony Library
4616 S. Shields Street
Fort Collins, Colorado
WHEN: Saturday, April 25th
1:00-2:30 PM
-- Posted by Staff
Columbine High School Triumph Over Tragedy Resolution Passes House
(DENVER) — Today, the members of the 67th General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 1019: Columbine High School Triumph Over Tragedy.
Speaker Terrance Carroll said the following in support of the resolution:
"There have been just two times in my life when I could not find adequate words. The first time was when I was charged with preaching my own mother’s funeral, and the second time was ten years ago when I was charged with preaching one week after the tragedy at Columbine. I and so many others struggled to find hope in the midst of hopelessness; joy when our hearts were filled with despair; compassion when we felt coldness and anger. As the apostle Paul said, ‘we were cast down but not destroyed.’ Ten years ago on this day, so many of us felt destroyed, perplexed and lost.
“It is a true testament of the human spirit to see how the community and the world have overcome that destruction and confusion of the tragedy at Columbine. We have banded together in the aftermath, and have demonstrated that there is still hope in the world. In the midst of chaos, there is joy and in the midst of despair, there is hope.
“Today, we are not just memorializing those who were affected, but we come to together to remember that there is life. And we celebrate the people of Columbine. We remember the hope, the joy, and we celebrate the lives of those no longer with us and those who have gone on to do great things.”
-- Posted by Staff
Schools and Renewable Energy Projects Targeted
DENVER - Colorado State Treasurer Cary Kennedy today called for support of a comprehensive bill to implement provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in Colorado. The bill will enable the state and local governments to take full advantage of the provisions in the Recovery Act to finance construction projects with significant savings to taxpayers.
House Bill 1346 is sponsored by House Speaker Terrance Carroll in the House and Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) in the Senate.
Kennedy has worked with stakeholders and legislators to develop the legislation since the Recovery Act was signed in Denver in February.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Colorado to build schools and renewable energy projects with nearly zero percent financing costs,” Kennedy said. “We can promote economic growth with significant savings to Colorado’s taxpayers.”
“Short-term, we’ll be able to give a kick-start to the economy, create some good jobs and put much-needed funds to immediate use,” said Speaker Carroll. “But the real impact is long-term: these provisions will help build schools and conserve energy so our next generation will be educated, prosperous and energy independent.”
The Recovery Act creates several new public finance tools for state and local governments to finance infrastructure projects at significantly reduced interest costs. Two new options, Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds and Qualified School Construction Bonds will lower the borrowing costs for state and local governments to zero percent through direct subsidies from the federal government. Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone bonds also provide reduced borrowing costs for infrastructure.
“There has never been a better time for Colorado to modernize its schools and invest in clean energy,” said Kennedy. “It is a golden opportunity that won’t last forever.”
“In these difficult economic times, we need to maximize every dollar we possibly can,” said Sen. Shaffer. “This legislation will let us enhance our schools and expand our new energy economy at the same time.”
-- Posted by Staff
(DENVER) - Facing a fiscal crisis and a huge revenue shortfall, legislative leaders today advanced a budget that is “balanced and bi-partisan.” Senate Bill 259, the budget or “long bill,” passed on an initial voice vote and will have a recorded vote tomorrow.
The fiscal year 2009-2010 budget faces a deep shortfall, approximately $1 billion dollars below original projections. In the past few months, the budget committee, legislative leaders and the governor’s office have strategically trimmed programs across the board while working to protect our schools, colleges, public safety, and to put Colorado on the road to economic recovery.
Today, legislators agreed on a final round of budget balancing measures, trimming nearly $300 million more.
Speaker Carroll said, “Today we passed a balanced and bi-partisan budget that protects opportunity in Colorado. Working together, Democrats and Republicans crafted a sensible budget that protects our schools, keeps the doors to Colorado’s colleges open, and will help put Colorado on the road to economic recovery.”
Minority Leader May said, “While we might not agree on how every dollar is saved or spent, we do agree that with the future of the state on the line, it is time to put aside politics and make good policy. This is a balanced budget that tightens our belt and wisely trims the fat off our expenditures.”
Majority Leader Paul Weissmann said, “As a body, both Democratic and Republican, we’ve done what was needed to come up with a balanced budget. And we’ve done the best we can to minimize the effect of these cuts on struggling families. Successfully working together, we’re advancing a good, compassionate, and balanced budget.”
Jack Pommer (D-Boulder), Vice Chair of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) said, “These were tough decisions for everyone. I know our Republican colleagues voted for some items that they didn’t like – as did we – but the result is a bipartisan, balanced budget.”
JBC member Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver) said, “We made deep cuts, and unfortunately, it will impact a wide range of government services. But as we take these actions, we’ll never take our eyes off our greater purpose: expanding the circle of opportunity for every Coloradan. We have cut back, but we refuse to balance the budget on the backs of children, the disabled, the elderly, students and working families.”
JBC member Don Marostica (R-Loveland) said, “The ongoing economic crisis means that the state continues to cope with falling revenues. Like everyone else, the economy has forced us to tighten our belts. We’ve had to make tough choices and tough cuts. But in the end, we balanced the budget by working and governing together.”
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(DENVER) —State Representative Ed Vigil (D-San Luis) today responded to the Obama administration’s announcement that it will dedicate $10 to $25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to clean up the Summitville Mine Superfund site.
“I am thrilled that President Obama and Governor Ritter were able to work together in helping the San Luis Valley, and especially Rio Grande County, by dedicating up to $25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to clean-up the Summitville Superfund Site, one of Colorado’s worst environmental disasters. The rehabilitation of the Alamosa River may one day soon be a reality instead of just a dream.”
The project involves building a 1,600 gallons-per-minute water treatment plant which will remove contaminants from acidic metals-contaminated mine drainage before the water leaves the site and enters the headwaters of the Alamosa River.
-- Posted by Staff
House Bill 1105 will stimulate the creation of new businesses and high-paying jobs in Colorado by offering a tax credit for so-called angel investors who provide much-needed funding for early-stage technology companies. -- Posted by Staff (DENVER) - State Rep. John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) saw his Colorado Innovation Investment Tax Credit or “Angel Investment” bill receive broad bipartisan support to pass the Colorado House of Representatives on a 52-12 vote today.
“This bill will create tax incentives for the many ‘green and clean’ technologies that are just waiting for necessary capital to really explode in Colorado, creating good jobs in our high-technology industries, including bioscience and clean energy,” said Rep. Kefalas. “When we incentivize angel investors to provide immediate capital to early-stage companies, we make good on our commitments to invest in our people and our future. These companies become growth engines for the state, and help attract additional investors and entrepreneurs.”
Angel investors are a key source for seed capital for cutting-edge companies. By reducing some of the risk to investors, this bill will draw additional private investment dollars into play enabling more companies to be successfully funded. Funded startups go on to raise additional capital, create high-wage jobs, and produce revenue and growth.
The bill has widespread support among the business and economic development communities. The bill now heads to the Senate where it will be sponsored by Sen. Mark Scheffel (R-El Paso).
(DENVER) - The General Assembly continued to work Wednesday to balance the state’s budget amidst falling state revenues.
“Our state government is feeling the same effects that every Colorado family is feeling during this recession. We are tightening our belts and making the tough decisions that will balance the budget while protecting the most important services, like education and health care,” said Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll.
Legislative leaders announced that they will balance the current budget without funds from Pinnacol Assurance while continuing to pursue a longer-term plan for Pinnacol Assurance that protects Colorado businesses and the interests of the state.
“The recent discussion about Pinnacol has uncovered extremely complicated issues that deserve a longer discussion than the last couple weeks of the session. We will continue to pursue a plan to create a more accountable Pinnacol Assurance that protects policy holders and contributes to the health of our state”, said House Majority Leader Paul Weissmann.
Legislative leaders announced they will move forward with a three part accountability plan for Pinnacol Assurance that will 1) create a committee to review Pinnacol Assurance and propose changes for next session, 2) require a full audit of Pinnacol Assurance, 3) provide dividends to policy holders paid from Pinnacol’s large reserves that will aide small businesses during the recession.
“Significant issues have been disclosed regarding the operations of Pinnacol Assurance. It’s important that we continue to move forward with an audit and interim committee to review Pinnacol Assurance’s structure,” said Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer.
“This has been a bipartisan effort to solve the state’s budget crisis. I appreciate the efforts and support of the legislative leaders and the Governor,” added State Rep. Don Marostica (R-Loveland).
Details of 300 million dollars in additional budget balancing measures will be released Thursday morning but legislative leaders echoed the Governor’s message that there will be no additional cuts to higher education.
-- Posted by Staff
