Colorado House Democrats

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.”

State Capitol Unveils New T-Shirts

Picture: In the center is House Speaker Romanoff next to the artist, Tyler Conway, who designed the winning green t-shirt.

[DENVER, CO] – The new t-shirts for the Colorado State Capitol were unveiled at the State Capitol on Friday.Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, student designers from The Art Institute of Colorado and Capitol visitors showed off the original designs. All of the designs were printed by locally owned and operated INDYINK. These first edition, hand silk-screened T-shirts are available in a variety of colors and sizes for children, youth, and adults.

Students from The Art Institute designed t-shirts to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the original gilding of the Colorado State Capitol dome. Dome Tour Supervisor Theresa Holst and Assistant Manager of Visitor Services Simon Maghakyan worked with Art Institute instructor Karen Wilcox’s Design Team & Design Management Studio courses on the project.

In 1908, seven years after the original opening of the Capitol Dome, miners donated 200 ounces of gold to the State of Colorado and the new golden dome finalized the construction that started in 1886. Rising 272 feet, the distinctive gold dome has become a symbol of our state's rich heritage. Inspired by the dome’s great view, the T-shirt designs have used the “breathtaking experience” – both figurative and literal – as their theme.

Students Angelina Ruggiero (project manager), Tyler Conway, Leah Nielsen, Shane Roberts and Darius Baumgartner each created two T-shirt designs. Elected officials, staff and visitors recently voted for their favorite design and while Tyler Conway was voted the winner, all of the designs were printed and are available for sale.

For more information, please contact Theresa Holst, Supervisor, Dome and Mr. Brown’s Attic Tours, Colorado State Capitol, 303.866.3834 or www.colorado-dome.org, or Lynn Haner, Director of Communications, The Art Institute of Colorado, 303.824.4901 or lhaner@aii.edu.

History of the Colorado State Capitol Dome

Rising 272 feet, the distinctive gold dome has become an eternal symbol of our state's rich heritage. In 1908, seven years after the opening of the dome at the State Capitol, the people of Coloradowere not happy with the copper-colored dome of their new statehouse because the dome began to tarnish. So, a group of local miners donated 200 oz of 24 ct. gold to create the beautiful new golden dome. This finalized construction of the building which began in 1886. The Colorado State Capitol is one of only three statehouses in the country to allow visitors to tour the Dome. For more information you may contact the Dome Tour Supervisor by email at Capitol.Tours@state.co.us

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Democrats Celebrate Successful Session that "Invests in Kids"

Session ends 1 day early, saving taxpayers $15,400

(Denver) House Democrats gathered on the west steps of the Capitol today to celebrate a successful 2008 legislative session.  Over the past 119 days, Democrats have invested in Colorado’s kids -- their health, their green future, their education – so they can get a good job in a thriving economy.

Outgoing Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff opened the rally with these comments, “As the dust settles on this year’s legislative session, one conclusion is clear: children came out on top.”

The Second Regular Session of the 66^th General Assembly marked the fourth year that House Democrats served in the majority, as well as the last session for both Speaker Romanoff and Majority Leader Alice Madden.  Of each legislator’s tenure in the General Assembly, both were clear that this was the single best session for kids.

Outgoing Majority Leader Alice Madden echoed Romanoff’s enthusiasm about the productive steps the legislature took to improve the lives of Coloradans.

“After you give birth to two kids and then chase them around for 17 years, there is nothing you take more seriously than their well-being.  Our legacy will be the type of world we leave them. As a parent and a lawmaker, that’s what has directed me.  So I’m proud we did exactly what we promised to do on opening day: we invested in kids.” 

She pointed to 2008 legislature’s achievements, including ongoing efforts to make grow Colorado’s economy and provide jobs in one of the strongest new energy economies in the world.

“In 2008, we turbocharged our efforts to open the new energy economy to all Coloradans,” Rep. Madden said. “These efforts to improve the clean energy economy have brought high paying, ‘green collar’ jobs to our state.”

“This was a great year to be a kid in Colorado,” continued Speaker Romanoff.   “We did more good for more children in more need than at any other point in modern memory.”

The legislature came to a close today at 9:30 PM, a day early, saving Colorado taxpayers $15,400.

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FAIR Healthcare Bill and Insurance Accountability Act Go to Governor

(Denver)  Two major pieces of health insurance reform overcame fierce resistance and passed through the legislature in its final hours today.

Legislators supported the FAIR Act (Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates) which aims to drive down health insurance companies’ rising rates.  The final version of the bill passed out of the House on a 42-22 vote and now awaits the Governor’s signature.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) and Senator Paula Sandoval (Denver,) will empower Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to watchdog proposed insurance rate increases.  Insurers will be required to justify rate increases before they can take effect.

In explaining House Bill 1389, Rep. Carroll said: “If it seems like we are paying more for less, it’s because we are.  Consumers are unhappy with ever-increasing rates and ever-declining coverage. The FAIR Act begins to address that by making sure that our health care is the insurance industries’ bottom line.”

“The implications of over-priced health care are obvious: The primary reason people go uninsured or that businesses drop health insurance coverage is because premiums are not affordable,”  Said Rep. Carroll. “Yet, Colorado law does not require insurance companies to justify their rate increases before they take effect.  That means there is no meaningful oversight on insurance rates in Colorado.  There is not real competition in the market to drive down prices.”

Romanoff Passes Bill Requiring Insurance Companies to Pay What They Owe, When They Owe It

DENVER – Today, Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff’s “Insurance Accountability Act of 2008” passed the House on a bi-partisan 42-22 vote.  The proposal will push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed for valid claims.

“Our message to insurers is simple: ‘Pay what you owe – when you owe it,’” said Speaker Romanoff.  “If people buy insurance and pay their premiums on time, it’s only fair that the insurance companies honor their commitment to their policyholders.” 

House Bill 1407, also sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, strengthens the ability of the Insurance Commissioner to deter unreasonable conduct by an insurer; helps consumers recover their damages; and clarifies the definition of restitution.

Specifically, the bill provides the Division of Insurance increased authority to penalize bad conduct by state regulated insurance companies. 

It also prohibits insurance companies from unreasonably delaying or denying benefits owed to policyholders.  If an insurance company unfairly denies a legitimate claim, customers can take their insurance company to court.  In instances where a claim has been illegally denied, insurance companies would be directed by the court to pay the policyholder twice the full benefits owed plus insurance fees.      

“Too many consumers are trapped in an endless cycle of denials and appeals and delays,” he continued. “This bill will help ill and injured Coloradans recover their damages and get on with their lives.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for further debate.

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Romanoff Pushes Coverage That Counts

“PAY WHAT YOU OWE, WHEN YOU OWE IT”

DENVER – Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff’s “Insurance Accountability Act of 2008” received initial approval from the House this afternoon. The proposal will push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed for valid claims.

“Our message to insurers is simple: ‘Pay what you owe – when you owe it,’” said Speaker Romanoff.

“Too many consumers are trapped in an endless cycle of denials and appeals and delays,” he continued. “This bill will help ill and injured Coloradans recover their damages and get on with their lives.”

House Bill 1407, also sponsored by Senator Ken Gordon (D-Denver), strengthens the ability of the Insurance Commissioner to deter unreasonable conduct by an insurer; helps consumers recover their damages; and clarifies the definition of “restitution.”

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SAFE Support Strengthens

Broad Coalition Testifies in Support of the
“Savings Account For Education”

DENVER – A coalition of business, education, children’s advocacy, and civics groups testified in favor of SAFE, the Savings Account for Education, a bi-partisan proposal led by Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D-Denver) and Senator Steve Johnson (R-Larimer).

Testifying in support of the proposal Tuesday afternoon were Attorney General John Suthers, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, the Colorado Association of School Boards, the Colorado Children’s Campaign, as well as a number of other business and community leaders.

Only one witness testified in opposition to the proposal, referring to education as a “pet project” and dismissing supporters as “special interests.”

“Public schools aren’t ‘pet projects,’” Romanoff said. “Investing in education is the best way to strengthen our economy. And a strong economy is in everyone’s interest.”

House Concurrent Resolution 1014 will be before the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee again on Wednesday morning for action only.

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Abused Kids to get Mental Health Support

Speaker Romanoff: “We must put an end to child abuse in Colorado”

DENVER – Today, under the eadership of House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and State Representative Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction), the House passed a bill to provide abused and neglected children the mental health care needed to reduce the likelihood of long term problems associated with abuse.

“We must put an end to child abuse in Colorado,” said Speaker Romanoff.  “This bill takes us one step closer.”

House Bill 1391, which passed 61 to 4 and was sponsored by both Speaker Romanoff and Rep. Buescher, establishes a pilot program in two or three counties to provide mental health screenings, evaluations and services for any child between the ages of four and 10 who has been the subject of a substantiated case of abuse or neglect.  The program will also be available to their siblings as well, and is estimated to serve between 400 and 600 children annually.

Speaker Romanoff began authoring the bill last year after a series of news stories about abuse cases throughout Colorado, which ended in the death of several children, shocked the state.

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. 

“Victims of child abuse are a community responsibility,” said Rep. Buescher.  “The damage imposed on abused children is long term and in turn, can injure the whole society.  Child abuse continues to be way too prevalent.  We are working to stop this cycle now!”

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 bill now goes to the Senate, where it is being carried by State Senators Moe Keller (Wheat Ridge) and Betty Boyd (Lakewood).

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Denver Schools, PERA Move Closer to Merger

Romanoff’s bill wins unanimous committee approval

(DENVER)  House Speaker Andrew Romanoff ushered his bill to allow a merger between PERA, the state’s Public Employees’ Retirement plan, and Denver Public Schools' pension system through the House Education Committee on a unanimous vote late Thursday.

While most teachers in the state participate in PERA, DPS is the only school district with its own pension plan. This means that if teachers move between the two systems, they lose the pensions they have already paid into.

"Teachers shouldn’t have to lose their benefits when they switch school districts," Speaker Romanoff said. "They should be able to go where they’re most needed."

DPS has a separate pension plan from all 177 other Colorado districts which belong to PERA. By merging the two systems, DPS and PERA could cut administrative expenses and decrease risk by creating a larger, more diverse pool of assets in the combined retirement entity.

No funding is required from the state. Legislation is needed to give the parties statutory authority to merge. House Bill 1403 is enabling only – it allows but does not require the parties to merge. A merger would have to be approved by the PERA board and both the DPS retirement system board and school board.

HB 1403 now moves to the full House.  It is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Paula Sandoval (D-Denver).

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Consumers Win First Round

Speaker to Insurance: “Pay What You Owe, When You Owe It”

DENVER – Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff’s “Insurance Accountability Act of 2008” cleared its first hurdle today with a vote of 6-4 in the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. The proposal will push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed for valid claims.

“All we are asking the insurance industry to do is ‘Pay what you owe – when you owe it,’” said Speaker Romanoff.

Several consumers testified in support of House Bill 1407 Thursday, saying fighting with insurance companies can be an endless frustration that often yields few results.  Many have grown so accustomed to regular denials that they come to expect every claim to be denied.  Sometimes the delays resulting from denials can lead to death.

“Injured and ill Coloradans should not be forced to exhaust their time and resources just to get what they are deserve,” Romanoff continued.

The Speaker’s bill strengthens the ability of the Insurance Commissioner to deter unreasonable conduct by an insurer; helps consumers recover their damages; and clarifies the definition of “restitution.”

House Bill 1407 now heads to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.  The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Ken Gordon (D-Denver).

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