Colorado House Democrats

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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Rice Teaches Students That Honesty is the Best Policy

Runyon Elementary students won’t be penalized for honest mistake

(Denver) Representative Joe Rice (D-Littleton) is helping students at Littleton’s Damon Runyon Elementary School learn one of life’s most important
lessons: honesty is the best policy.

Earlier this year, a fourth grade teacher at Runyon discovered that one of the prompts used on the CSAP writing test was one that her class had used previously during a practice session.

Upon discovering that the prompt was in fact used on this year’s CSAP, the principal, the district, and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) were notified.  As a result, the students will receive a “no score,” or zero, on the 4^th grade writing CSAP test and Runyon and all Littleton Public School District scores will be negatively impacted.  The school’s ranking will drop from a “high achieving school” to an “average achieving school.”

“When the teacher realized the mistake, she did the honest thing and told the appropriate people,” Rep. Rice said.  “The 4^th grade students at Runyon were penalized for an honest mistake. Is that the kind of lesson we want to teach our kids?  I have always taught my own children that honesty is the best
policy,” he continued.

Rep. Rice has amended a piece of legislation (Senate Bill 212) to put in place procedures to address the Runyon situation and other unintentional errors that may occur with any school in the state of Colorado in the future.  Other schools have been penalized with CSAP scores, including a school where a fire alarm disrupted the test and violated testing procedures.

Specifically, Rice’s amendment allows the Colorado Department of Education to re-administer the test or calculate the score without factoring the error.  In the case of an error that cannot be fixed or recalculated, the state will publish the official score and include what it would have been without the error. The bill, the Colorado Achievement Plan, is on its way to the Governor.   

“Parents and prospective community members often use local schools’ CSAP scores as a guide for choosing a neighborhood,” explained Rep. Rice. “It is important that the area’s property values reflect the high achievement of Runyon’s staff and students.”

The issue was brought to Rep. Rice’s attention by Gretchen Trail, a parent of a 2^nd and 4^th grader at Runyon.  “Not only did Rep. Rice listen to my concerns, he took ownership and put a solution into play.  His ownership and determination sent the right message to our children: even though you are being wrongly punished for an honest mistake, there is someone willing to help prevent this from happening again,” said Gretchen Trail.

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Rep. Solano Passes Sweeping CSAP Reforms

(DENVER)  As new reports indicate that CSAP reading scores have remained flat yet again, lawmakers signaled their opposition to the status quo by supporting the sweeping CSAP reforms in House Bill 1186 on a 35-29 vote.

“We are over-complying with an unfunded federal mandate,” said lead sponsor State Representative Judy Solano (D-Thornton). “We spend nearly $25 million on CSAP with only $9 million from the US Department of Education.   And we require more testing than No Child Left Behind does!”

Rep. Solano wants to improve the use of the dollars used for CSAP testing by streamlining the process and focusing the dollars on proven tests and programs. 

Earlier this year, Rep. Solano and other supporters held large brooms as they vowed to bring in “sweeping reforms.” Today, after the vote, Rep. Solano was presented with a bouquet of brooms. The bill now goes to the Senate where it is sponsored by Senator Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora).

* * * *

House Bill 1186: Exempts the test scores of students who are absent on the days that the CSAP is administered.  Schools currently receive a -.5 if a student doesn’t take the CSAP.

House Bill 1357: Improves alignment of the CSAP with the Federal No Child Left Behind requirements to make more effective use of taxpayers’ money.  Decreases funding for testing beyond the federal requirements and puts those savings into proven programs to improve student performance, to train teachers, and to reduce drop-out rates.  HB 1357 eliminates CSAPs in high school and the CSAP writing test in lower grades.

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Sweeping CSAP Reforms Get Initial Support from House

Rep. Solano: "taxpayers foot the bill to over-comply with a federal mandate."

(DENVER)  Decrying the waste of taxpayer dollars that are being poured into unproven testing programs and calling for increased efficiency of the numerous federal and state tests required by Colorado students, lawmakers passed House Bill 1186 on an initial voice vote today.

“We are over-complying with an unfunded federal mandate,” said lead sponsor State Representative Judy Solano (D-Thornton). “We spend nearly $25 million on CSAP with only $9 million from the US Department of Education.  And we require more testing than No Child Left Behind does! What that means is that taxpayers foot the bill to over-comply with a federal mandate.”

Along with Senator Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora), Rep. Solano wants to improve the use of the dollars used for CSAP testing by streamlining the process and focusing the dollars on proven tests and programs.  Her bill would scale back use of the CSAP in high school and the CSAP writing test in lower grades.

Earlier this year, Rep. Solano and other supporters held large brooms as they vowed to bring in “sweeping reforms.” Today, after the vote, a bouquet of brooms towered over Rep. Solano’s desk.

House Bill 1186: Exempts the test scores of students who are absent on the days that the CSAP is administered.  Schools currently receive a -.5 if a student doesn’t take the CSAP.

House Bill 1357: Improves alignment of the CSAP with the Federal No Child Left Behind requirements to make more effective use of taxpayers’ money.  Decreases funding for testing beyond the federal requirements and puts those savings into proven programs to improve student performance, to train teachers, and to reduce drop-out rates.

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More Flexibility for Schools

Rep. Carroll Breaks Down Barriers to Innovation

DENVER—Today the full House gave final approval to Senate Bill 130. Sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Terrance Carroll (D-Denver), the bill would allow schools and school districts to innovate in their approach to improving student performance by creating Zones of Innovative Performance (ZIPs).

If schools’ applications are approved by their local board of education, they could be granted the power to control budgets, hiring decisions, curriculum, length of the school day and teacher compensation, among other things. Upon local board approval, these schools would submit the innovation plan to the State Board of Education for designation as an innovative school or zone of innovation.

The bill serves as a tool to allow schools to assess their particular needs and to remove barriers by implementing strategies based on individual school assessments.

“This is a landmark bill that will allow schools and school districts freedom from the bureaucratic quicksand that strangles innovation” said Rep. Carroll.

Senate Bill 130 passed the House today on a vote of 53 to 11.  The bill, sponsored by Senate President Peter Groff now makes its way to the Governor’s desk.

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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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Piggy Bank Lessons

Today is National Teach Children to Save Day

(Denver) Each year, teenagers in America spend $180 billion, or $104 each week.  To prevent these spending habits from leading to bankruptcy and indebtedness, Governor Bill Ritter has proclaimed April 29^th, 2008 as National Teach Children to Save Day. 

Earlier this year, a financial advisor from Edward Jones, Tom McLean of Westminster, asked his State Representative Debbie Benefield (D-Westminster) to propose National Teach Children to Save Day in Colorado, to promote financial literacy and responsibility among Colorado’s youth.

In the 1980’s, Americans saved 9 cents on every dollar that they earned. During the 90’s, they only saved a nickel. The most recent reports indicate that Americans are spending more than they earn, and have a negative savings rate of 0.5 cents. 

Accordingly, Tom McLean and several other financial advisors and bankers from the American Bankers Association will be participating in National Teach Children to Save Day.  Mr. McLean will be visiting 1^st and 3^rd grade classrooms in Westminster to raise financial awareness.  Throughout the week, he will be giving lessons, piggy bank in hand, at 4 elementary schools: Tarver, Arapahoe Ridge, Hunter’s Glenn, and Le Roy. 

“Basic education in financial and economic literacy help form lifetime savings habits and the wise use of credit,” Rep. Benefield said.

Although the program is directed towards America’s youth, National Teach Children to Save Day serves to remind everyone about the importance of fiscal responsibility.

The proclamation is timely, given that a financial literacy education bill, House Bill 1168, is making its way to the Governor’s desk.  Sponsored by State Representative Rosemary Marshall (D-Denver), the bill advises Colorado schools to integrate financial literacy education as part of the math curriculum. If passed, students will be taught penny-saving smarts throughout their K-12 education years.

“We know that Americans are spending more and saving less.  This is a proactive plan to teach our children how to manage money and avoid credit card debt down the road” Rep. Marshall stated.

The bill comes in response to sobering information about young people's financial acumen.  Despite spending $150 billion annually, a 2006 nationwide study showed only 52 percent of young Americans demonstrated sufficient personal financial literacy, and the average high school senior only answered 48 percent of questions about economics and finance correctly.

House Bill 1168 has passed the House and now awaits approval from the full Senate, where it is sponsored by Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver).

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Riesberg Tackles Childhood Obesity

Milk, Water and Juice to replace Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper in Schools

DENVER—State lawmakers are tackling childhood obesity, and they are starting in a place where kids spend thirty hours each week: schools.

State Representative Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley) is the sponsor of Senate Bill 129, which combats obesity by outlining clear rules for schools indicating which beverages may be sold to students in school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, and through fund-raising activities.  The bill was signed into law by Governor Ritter on Friday.

“We are replacing Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper with milk, water and juice in schools,” Rep. Riesberg explained.

The law directs the State Board of Education and the State Charter School Institute Board to determine which drinks are considered healthy enough to meet child nutrition beverage standards. Those drinks could include milk, 100-percent-fruit and vegetable juices, low calorie sports drinks, bottled water and fat-free or low-fat flavored milk.   

The law aims to address the childhood obesity epidemic.  Estimates show that 25 million children age 2-19 are overweight or in danger of being overweight.

“There is no reason to have high-calorie soft drinks in school vending machines.  When we have an obesity epidemic, we should be doing everything we can to help kids make healthy choices.  We know that eating patterns are established at a young age, and we can do a lot to help kids get a smart start,” Rep. Riesberg explained.

The passed legislation dictates that rules must be established by November 15^th and will apply to all contracts signed after July 1, 2009.  The bill is sponsored by Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Silverthorne) in the Senate.

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Lawmakers Secure Health Care for a Busload of Kids - 1,000 Busloads in Fact!

Appearing in photo, from left: Gordon Duvall (green shirt) -- health care provider to at-risk youth, State Rep. John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins), State Rep. Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield), State Rep. Michael Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs), State Sen. Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood), State Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver)

DENVER – 55,000 kids would fill 1,000 school buses.  If they were holding hands, they would reach 41 miles, from the capitol to Highlands Ranch – and back again!  Together, they could form 6,111 little league baseball teams.  It is also the number of kids who will have access to health insurance with legislation that will soon be on the Governor’s desk. 

It was a historic day in the Colorado House of Representatives.  First, lawmakers passed two major bills on an initial voice vote – Senate Bill 160, sponsored by State Representative Anne McGihon (D-Denver) and State Senator Bob Hagedorn (D-Aurora), and Senate Bill 161, sponsored by State Representative Michael Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs) and State Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood) – expanding eligibility and making it easier for families to apply for the Child Health Plan Program and the Baby and Kid Care Program under Medicaid. 

Next, lawmakers joined students from Birch Elementary in Broomfield, Colorado – enough students to fill two of those 1,000 school buses – to celebrate the 55,000 uninsured kids who will have access to health care when the legislation passes the House and is signed by the Governor, as it is expected to be.   

“We’re working to make sure every Colorado kid has a healthy start,” said Rep. Merrifield amid cheering students. “And getting 55,000 kids – enough to fill 1,000 school buses – the care they need is a really good step toward achieving that goal!”

Senate Bill 161, sponsored by Rep. Merrifield and Sen. Boyd, will help the two-thirds uninsured children in Colorado who are eligible for either Medicaid or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), enroll.  Right now, the application process acts as a serious barrier for thousands of families.

By reducing some of the paperwork and eliminating the obstructive provision that requires families to submit loads of paperwork, forms and paystubs, lawmakers are making it easier to apply and to get their kids the care they need.

Rep. McGihon emphasized the importance of that legislation, as well as the bill she’s carrying in her remarks.

“55,000 kids – that means there are going to be a lot of moms and dads who won’t have to worry about spending their savings if their child breaks a finger or a foot playing baseball.  There are going to be a lot of moms and dads who will sleep well at night knowing that if – God forbid –anything ever happens to their kids, they won’t have to take out a second mortgage or file bankruptcy just to pay the medical bills.”

Senate Bill 160, which she is sponsoring with Sen. Hagedorn, will extend access to the Child Health Plan to a lot more kids.  It will also boost the availability of much-needed mental health services.   

Specifically, the bill will help more uninsured children get the early childhood care they need by expanding the Child Health Plan Program to families at 225% of the Federal Poverty Level.  It will also increase the eligibility for young Coloradans (between 6 and 19 years old) from 100 to 133% of the federal poverty level for the Baby and Kid Care Program under Medicaid.  Combined with 161, the two bills are expected to help 55,000 kids access the care they need.

“The kids behind us on those two school buses remind us how important it is to provide every Colorado kid a healthy start,” said Rep. Merrifield.  “Envision 998 more of those buses, one after the other, and you’ll realize were well on our way!”

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