Colorado House Democrats

Max Tyler, Colorado’s Newest Legislator, to be sworn in on June 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Denver –On May 27, JeffCo technology consultant and businessman Max Tyler was selected to succeed Gwyn Green as the State Representative for House District 23, representing Lakewood, Edgewater and Golden.  Representative-elect Tyler will serve at least through the remainder of Green’s term.  

Representative-elect Max Tyler will be sworn in to office on June 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the House Chamber.  
House Speaker Terrance Carroll said,  “He’s a smart guy and a strategic thinker.  Max is just what we need in these tough economic times to help us expand the circle of opportunity.”
Tyler expects to contribute to the next session in which creating jobs and bolstering the economy is at the top of the Democratic agenda.  

“It’s an honor to serve my friends and neighbors in Jefferson County,” said Rep-elect Tyler on Friday.  “I know how to create jobs and what it takes to run a successful business.  I well understand that part of the economy.”
Max Tyler, 61, has been active in grassroots campaigns and has run three successful technology consulting companies including The Star Group.

--Posted by Staff

Database to look up doctors’ backgrounds online May 31

DENVER — Finding a good doctor is not easy, but now, thanks to a bill passed in 2007, it will be a lot easier.  As of May 31, Colorado consumers now have a way to search the background of their physicians in Colorado thanks to a new online database.  HB 07-1331, the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act, requires doctors who want to practice in Colorado to publically report educational history, certain business dealings, malpractice, disciplinary matters and crimes.   

Senator Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) sponsored or the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act when she was in the House in 2007 and cleaned up the legislation again this year with HB09-1188.   Senator Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton) was the Senate sponsor in 2007 and Rep. Su Ryden (D-Aurora) was the House sponsor this year. 

“I’m am proud to finally see this website up and running,” said Sen. Carroll.  “This is a very important public service announcement.  People need to have these resources at their fingertips so they can make an informed choice, what could be a life or death choice, when selecting a physician for themselves or a loved one.  It has been an honor to work with Patty on this project to stop other preventable and unnecessary deaths.” 

HB 1331 was named after Michael Skolnik who was died five years ago after brain surgery for a cyst.  The doctor who performed the surgery had a history malpractice in several other states.  Patty Skolnik, founder of Colorado Citizens for Accountability, was Michael’s mother and has been a strong advocate for the legislation. 

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies will oversee this searchable database which should be online and fully populated by Sunday, May 31, 2009.  You can find the website at www.dora.state.co.us.   

On the website you can find educational history, training, prior criminal record, malpractice history, loss of hospital privileges or drug-prescribing privileges, and any adverse actions against their license.  This website is one of the most comprehensive sources of physician background information in the country.  Colorado joins 20 other states and Washington D.C. with similar legislation. 

To date, 15,000 physicians have completed their profiles on this online database and another 2,000 are expected to renew their licenses and fill out their profiles between now and the end of the 60 day grace period which ends on July 31, 2009.  There are 12,000 physicians working in Colorado.  The rest of the physicians who have completed their profiles hold a license in Colorado but live and practice outside the state.   

Click here for FAQs about the website. 

Click here for the direct link to the database

Click here for posts featuring Representative Ryden

--Posted by Staff

Speaker Carroll Announces Interim Committee Appointments

(DENVER)  Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll today unveiled his legislative appointments to interim committees. Over a dozen committees will examine a variety of topics including increasing economic opportunity, increasing access to health care, and funding public schools.

Speaker Carroll said the varied make-up of the 38-member House Democratic Caucus allowed him to construct committees with a balance of expertise and flexibility.
Interim Committee Assignments:

Economic Opportunity Task Force:
Chair: John Kefalas
Members: Sara Gagliardi & Daniel Kagan
               
Hospice & Palliative Care in Colorado:
Members: Claire Levy, Jim Riesberg, John Soper

Long-term Fiscal Stability Commission:
Vice Chair: Mark Ferrandino
Members: Lois Court

Interim Cmte to Study Issues Related to Pinnacol Assurance:
Members: Su Ryden, Joe Miklosi, Sal Pace

Interim Cmte on School Finance:
Chair: Karen Middleton
Members: Michael Merrifield & Christine Scanlan        

Health Care Task Force:
Members: Dennis Apuan, Jerry Frangas, Beth McCann

Interim Cmte on School Safety:
Members: Sue Schafer

Interim Cmte on Developmental Disability Waiting List:
Members: Nancy Todd & Dianne Primavera

Electronic Device Recycling Task Force:
Members: Randy Fischer & Jim Kerr

Task Force on Home Care:
Members: Jerry Frangas

“Colorado Channel” Authority Board:
Members: Debbie Benefield

Early Childhood & School Readiness Legislative Commission:
Chair: Judy Solano
Members: Cherylin Peniston & Debbie Benefield  

Legislative Task Force on Business Personal Property Tax (BPPT):
Members: Ed Casso, Joel Judd, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst 
       
More information can be found at: http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2009/09interim.html

--Posted by Staff

Westminster and Arvada Lawmakers See Their Bills Signed Into Law

LOUISVILLE — Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed this Emergency Medical Services Week and signed into law bills that will improve public safety, save lives and help create new jobs all across Colorado.

“There is no more important public service than protecting people and saving lives,” Gov. Ritter said during a signing ceremony at a Louisville fire station. “To the thousands of emergency medical personnel, firefighters and law officers who work on the front lines every day, you have my deepest gratitude. The bills I am signing into law today will reduce emergency response times, create new jobs, and most importantly save lives.” 

Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. John Morse and Rep. Cherilyn Peniston (D-Westminster), will increase grant funding for emergency services so that local and county agencies can maintain their equipment and keep their doors open. The additional funds could translate into more than 100 new jobs.

“SB02  upgrades our support for our Emergency Medical Trauma Services at a time when some are having to close their doors," said Rep. Peniston.  "What could be more important than saving jobs and saving lives?"

House Bill 1100, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Benefield (D-Arvada) and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, creates a new specialty license plate to raise awareness and support for the “Alive at 25” program, which saves lives by teaching young people safe and responsible driving skills.

“Young drivers are involved in too many fatal crashes; more than 6,000 teens are killed every year in car accidents. It doesn't have to be this way,” Rep. Benefield said. “This legislation creates the new ‘Alive at 25’ license plate for those who support the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation. Alive at 25 is a highly interactive program that teaches young people 16 to 25 that the choices they make on the road have real-world impacts, and real-world consequences. The strategies and skills our kids learn from Alive at 25 will keep them and other Coloradans safe on the road, and ultimately, will help save lives."

Click here for posts featuring Representative Benefield

Click here for posts featuring Representative Peniston

--Posted by Staff

Gov. Ritter Signs Rep. Apuan's Bill to Save Lives, Create Jobs

Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed this Emergency Medical Services Week and signed into law three bills that will improve public safety, save lives and help create new jobs all across Colorado.

House Bill 1275, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Apuan (D-Colorado Springs) and Sen. Morse, streamlines the process for EMT certification, creating good jobs and reducing the number of emergency personnel vacancies throughout Colorado, especially in rural communities. It will shorten the current long wait times to process out-of-state candidates, filling vacancies faster and ensuring safety for everyone.  

“This bill is going to create more than 100 jobs in areas of the state that need those jobs and the additional emergency services personnel the most,” Rep. Apuan said. “Ensuring we fill all our EMT jobs will also cut down response times for Coloradans during emergencies. We need to get people to work and we need to make sure every single Coloradan is safe and protected, and that's what this bill does.”
 
“There is no more important public service than protecting people and saving lives,” Gov. Ritter said during a signing ceremony at a Louisville fire station. “To the thousands of emergency medical personnel, firefighters and law officers who work on the front lines every day, you have my deepest gratitude. The bills I am signing into law today will reduce emergency response times, create new jobs, and most importantly save lives.”  
 
Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. John Morse and Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, will increase grant funding for emergency services so that local and county agencies can maintain their equipment and keep their doors open. The additional funds could translate into more than 100 new jobs.
 
House Bill 1100, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Benefield and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, creates a new specialty license plate to raise awareness and support for the “Alive at 25” program, which saves lives by teaching young people safe and responsible driving skills.

Click here for posts featuring Representative Apuan

--Posted by Staff

Statement of Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) Upon His Deployment to Iraq

"In addition to serving as a state representative and working in private business when the legislature is not in session, I have been a member of the United States Army Reserve for over twenty years, and am now a Colonel.  In that capacity, I have been called to active duty beginning this week and will be deployed to Iraq later this month for about six months of duty.  This will be my fourth time in Iraq with the Army Reserve.

"While being away from home for six months will not be easy on me or my family, I am able to stay in touch with constituents and work on policy issues during my off-duty hours.  Although I will be gone for a few months from my district, I will still stay in touch with my home community.  I have an amazing group of volunteers that will be helping me stay informed and to prepare for the next legislative session that begins in January 2010.  

"I’ll spend next week at Fort Benning, Georgia, for overseas processing and I will then head to Baghdad where I will be working with the Iraqi Army and Police units to aid in the transition to the Iraqi Security Forces.  I was there at the beginning, a couple times since, and I feel that somehow this is my “farewell” tour.  

"There is a saying in the Reserve and Guard that goes like this…  “When we were needed, we were there.  It wasn’t always easy, it wasn’t always fair.  But when the call went out, we answered; we were there.” "

Note:  Rep. Rice is a member of the United States Army Reserve.  Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

Click here for posts featuring Representative Rice

--Posted by Staff

Governor Ritter Signs Election and Voting Reform Bills

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law six election reform bills that make significant improvements to Colorado’s election rules and ensure that every election conducted in the state is accurate, secure and transparent.

 “The very foundation of our democracy relies on safe, secure and transparent elections,” Gov. Ritter said. “Voters must have confidence in how we conduct our elections -- that our elections are fair, that every vote matters, and that every vote will be counted accurately and quickly. Together, these bills will lead Colorado forward as we continue to improve and modernize elections across the state.”

House Bill 1326 reforms and restores integrity to the state’s ballot-initiative petition process. It was sponsored by House Speaker Terrance Carroll, Senate President Brandon Shaffer and Rep. Lois Court and supported by Secretary of State Bernie Buescher and business and labor leaders.

 HB 1326 will strengthen identity requirements; require petition circulators to provide specific forms of I.D. and have the option of enrolling in training provided by the secretary of state’s office; strengthen laws against using third-party circulators; and require paid circulators to receive hourly wages or salaries instead of being paid per signature they gather.

“Paid petitioning is ripe for abuse and we must stop that abuse,” said Speaker Carroll. “We have seen numerous examples of fraud, from under-aged petitioners to fake addresses to misleading explanations. I am proud that we have found a bi-partisan solution to restoring integrity to citizen petition efforts.”

House Bill 1335 was sponsored by Rep. Nancy Todd and Sen. Suzanne Williams. The measure requires that all new voting equipment be paper-based and that acquisition of electronic voting systems be suspended for a period of five years.

House Bills 1336 and 1337 were sponsored by Rep. Todd and Sens. Williams and Morgan Carroll. HB 1336 makes it easier for members of “group residential facilities” to vote. The bill also requires the secretary of state to consider best practices in the design and development of election forms to try to eliminate some of the confusion voters have had with previous elections forms.

House Bill 1337 makes several changes to ballot processing deadlines. It gives voters more time to cure a problem with their ballots and helps ensure that voters in any county voting by mail will receive their ballots at about the same time. The bill also allows clerks to start counting ballots earlier, which will save overtime and costs for temporary workers and lead to faster returns on election night.

"With this election reform package, we are a giant leap closer to the sane, accountable and transparent election system that voters deserve and county clerks desire,” said Rep. Todd.

HB 1160, sponsored by Rep. Joe Miklosi and Sen. Bob Bacon, allows any legal voter with a Colorado driver’s license or state identification card to register to vote through the secure Secretary of State’s Web site. Colorado will become the third state in the country to establish online voter registration.

 “This measure gives Coloradans a convenient way to register to vote, request a mail-in ballot or update their contact information,” Gov. Ritter said. “The bi-partisan cooperation reflected in the support of this bill helps to lay a foundation for a long-term vision for election practices in Colorado.”

“HB 1160 will empower more citizens of Colorado to participate in their democracy,” Rep. Miklosi said. “This bill will particularly help youth, seniors, and members of the disabled community register to vote, request a mail-in ballot, or update their contact information while also providing the necessary safeguards against fraud.”

The state’s voter registration system already uses information from the Department of Revenue to verify driver’s license numbers and identification card numbers. The system will couple the online registration application with the voter’s signature on record. Coloradans will be able to register online by April 1.

Click here for posts featuring Representative Miklosi

Click here for posts featuring Representative Todd

Click here for posts featuring Representative Carroll

Click here for posts featuring Representative Court

--Posted by Staff

Governor Ritter to Sign Bills in Fort Collins

WHAT: Governor Bill Ritter will sign bills carried by State Representative John Kefalas and State Representative Randy Fischer and State Senator Bob Bacon at a Town Hall Meeting in Fort Collins. 

This meeting is open to the public and all residents are invited to watch legislation become law. Governor Ritter will give an overview of the  2009 legislative session, including accomplishments to get Colorado’s economy back on track. 

WHO:             
Special Guest: Governor Bill Ritter 
State Representative John Kefalas (D-Ft. Collins)
State Representative Randy Fischer (D-Ft. Collins)
State Senator Bob Bacon (D-Ft. Collins)

WHERE:           

Council Tree Library 
2733 Council Tree Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 

WHEN:           

Monday, June 1^st 

 

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

--Posted by Staff

Gov. Ritter Visits Jeffco School, Signs Rep. Andy Kerr's Bills

LAKEWOOD — Gov. Bill Ritter today visited hundreds of students at Foothills Elementary School in Lakewood to sign into law three major New Energy Economy bills, including one, sponsored by Lakewood's state Representative Andy Kerr,  that will help schools invest in solar panels, wind turbines and hybrid or electric buses.

House Bill 1312, sponsored by Rep. Andy Kerr and Sens. Gail Schwartz and Chris Romer, creates an innovative “Renewables for Schools” loan program to help schools afford clean-energy projects and electric or hybrid buses so they can reduce utility costs and invest those savings back where they belong – in the classroom. In January, with the help of the Governor’s Energy Office, Foothills Elementary installed a 9.5 kilowatt solar system on its roof.

“Schools all across Colorado spend more money on their utility bills than on computers or books combined,” Gov. Ritter told students during a schoolwide assembly. “This new law will help schools cut down those utility costs so they can invest the savings in you, in your teachers and in your classrooms. The reason we are building a New Energy Economy today is so we can lead Colorado forward for you.”

“By producing energy on-site with wind and solar, schools can reduce their utility bills, create a buffer against future energy price spikes, and put more money toward educating our kids,” Rep. Kerr said. “As a teacher, I look forward to seeing kids driven to school in 21st century school buses powered by hybrid electricity, and then teaching them 21st century skills in buildings energized by 21st century solar, wind and geothermal technologies.”

Gov. Ritter also signed two bills into law sponsored by Sen. Betty Boyd and Rep. Kerr, who represent the district that Foothills Elementary School is in. HB 1359 sets new rules for board members of Homeowner’s Associations, and SB 223 improves public health and safety by ensuring the highest standards for restaurant inspections all across the state. 
 
--Posted by Staff

Key Accomplishments from the 2009 Legislative Session

Click Here to Download Top 10

Click Here to Download End of Session Report

Click Here to Download By the Numbers

Colorado By the Numbers

• 100,000 – Coloradans who will have access to the affordable health care they need thanks to the Colorado Health Care Affordability Act.

HB 1293 — Rep. Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley), Sen. Moe Keller (D-Wheat Ridge), Sen. Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood)

• 8,000 – Jobs to be created by the investment to rebuild Colorado’s broken bridges and crumbling roads with the FASTER jobs bill.

SB 108 — Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County), Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton)

• $0 – Colorado’s budget deficit!

Rep. Levy, Rep. Hullinghorst, and Sen. Heath to co-host a Townhall Meeting

WHO:

State Representative Claire Levy (D-Boulder)
State Representative Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (D-Boulder)
State Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder)

WHAT: 

Representatives Claire Levy and Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, and State Senator Rollie Heath will host a town hall meeting to discuss the accomplishments of the 2009 legislative session which concluded last week.
 
WHEN:

May 16th, 2009
10:00 AM

WHERE:  

Boulder City Council Chambers
Boulder Municipal Building
1942 Broadway St
Boulder, CO 80302

--Posted by Staff

Landmark Autism Bill Headed to Governor's Desk

DENVER – A landmark, bi-partisan bill expanding the treatment of autism is on its way to the Governor.  Senate Bill 244, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield), ensures that young Coloradans diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder receive important treatments early on so they can live safe, productive, and healthy lives.  

One in every 169 school age children in Colorado has Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The diagnosis of autism is growing rapidly; in the past decade alone, the U.S. population has grown 13 percent, and the recorded incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders has grown 173 percent.  Autism is extremely expensive to treat; the estimated lifetime cost of caring for a person with autism ranges from $3.5 to $5 million.  However, if the appropriate early intervention treatments are applied, up to two-thirds of the cost for treatment can be avoided.  

“Autism affects thousands of Coloradans.  But if we diagnose it early and treat it properly, we can make real gains; we can make sure our kids grow up happy and healthy,” said Rep. Primavera.  “Early treatment works, period.  And now, thousands of families who could not otherwise afford it for their kids have access to the most cutting-edge treatments available.”

SB 244 requires health insurance providers to cover the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders – including Autism, Asperger’s and Atypical Autism – for children.  Plans will cover as much as $34,000 in costs for the most innovative treatments, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech, physical and occupational therapy, and any other treatments that are deemed appropriate, effective, and efficient for children up to eight years old.  Plans are also required to cover as much as $12,000 for those same therapies for children between nine and 19 years old.  The legislation requires health care professionals to possess appropriate certification and credentialing.    

“The passage of this bill is a triumph for the most vulnerable among us, those who we, as a society, have a responsibility to protect,” said Sen. Shaffer.  “Autism is treatable, but these families should not face this alone.  This bill will finally make healthcare manageable for those with autism disorders and their families.”

“This bill will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people with autism and their families.  It will also alleviate some of the financial burden on the Education, Medicaid, and Human Services systems in our state,” said Betty Lehman, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Colorado and a key architect of the bill.  

One in every 169 school age children in Colorado has Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The diagnosis of autism is growing rapidly; in the past decade alone, the U.S. population has grown 13 percent, and the recorded incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders has grown 173 percent.  Autism is extremely expensive to treat; the estimated lifetime cost of caring for a person with autism ranges from $3.5 to $5 million.  However, if the appropriate early intervention treatments are applied, up to two-thirds of the cost for treatment can be avoided.  

If SB 244 is signed, Colorado will become only the 11^th state requiring insurance providers to cover early intervention treatments for autism.

-- Posted by Staff

Gov. Ritter Signs 'Solar Ready Homes' Bill

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law a measure that will encourage construction of “solar ready homes” as part of a long-term strategy to make the New Energy Economy more accessible to more people and to create new jobs all across the state.
 
House Bill 1149, sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. Morgan Carroll, requires that homebuilders offer prospective homeowners the option of having their home pre-wired for solar and provide homeowners with a list of contractors.
 
“This new law will let us keep bringing the New Energy Economy home as we lead Colorado forward and transform our economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “It puts a new energy future directly in the hands of Coloradans, giving them easy access to clean energy technologies and saving them money. And putting more clean energy in more homes will sustain or create more good-paying jobs for the Colorado economy.”
 
In addition to requiring a pre-wire option, HB 1149 also gives homebuyers the ability to incorporate solar-technology purchases into their original mortgage.
 
“As a state, we should be doing everything we can to make it hassle-free for homeowners to participate in the New Energy Economy,” Rep. Merrifield said. “Solar power helps people move away from traditional, finite energy sources, it helps homeowners save money, and it helps create good jobs, from installers to engineers. Because the sun never stops shining here in Colorado, homes will have higher resale values in the future if they are pre-wired for solar panels."
 
“With Gov. Ritter signing House Bill 1149 today, we have taken a great step towards making green technology an option for Colorado’s homebuyers,” Sen. Carroll said. “This bill opens the door for renewable energy at the construction phase, where it is most affordable, will be an asset for consumers, and will create needed jobs in this economy.”
 
Visit www.colorado.gov/governor or click here for a list of legislative action by Gov. Ritter so far this session.

-- Posted by Staff

Majority Leader Weissmann’s “Transparency in Higher Education Leadership Selection” Bill Passes Initial House Vote

(DENVER)  House Majority Leader Paul Weissmann guided House Bill 1369 through the House today on an initial vote with a majority of legislators standing in support of the bill.  The legislation aims to bring openness, transparency and accountability to the selection of leaders of Colorado public colleges and universities.

"Now more than ever our students deserve top notch leaders.  The people of Colorado should have trust and confidence in the leaders chosen to educate our children and prepare them for the jobs of the 21st century,” said the Senate sponsor, Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer. "For Colorado to pick the right leaders for our colleges, we need the right process. We need a process that is open, transparent, accountable and inclusive."

The legislation seeks to put into law basic requirements for the hiring process public colleges and universities use when choosing new leadership.   The bill requires schools to use search committees to advertise available leadership positions, develop job qualifications and to take ample time to make thoughtful decisions.

The legislation was in part prompted by concerns about the current search process at Colorado State University.    
 
Rep. Weissmann said, “I have real concerns about how the search process for new leadership at CSU is progressing.  I want to make sure the decision is made in the light of day, not behind closed doors.  It should be made with the input of students, alumni, faculty, and other stakeholders.  The era of closed door governing is over. ”
 
Sen. Shaffer said, “This is a common sense bill that will help Colorado pick the best possible leaders for our flagship institutions and instill public confidence."

-- Posted by Staff