Colorado House Democrats

REP. RICE PRAISES PROPOSED FUNDING FOR NATIONAL GUARD

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced he is proposing new state funding that will help build Colorado National Guard armories and readiness centers in Grand Junction, Alamosa and Windsor. The state funds will draw down a larger federal match for construction of the facilities.

“Colorado is blessed to have such a large community of military personnel and military veterans. It’s part of the Colorado fabric, part of who we are as a state,” Gov. Ritter said. “These armories will help ensure that the citizen-soldiers of the Colorado National Guard have the resources and the facilities they need to properly train and adequately prepare for future missions, whether aiding their fellow Coloradans here at home or on the battlefield overseas.”

“Providing the state match to construct these armories is something we must do,” said state Rep. Joe Rice, who is returning to Colorado from duty as a colonel with the Army Reserve in Iraq. “The citizen-soldiers who will use them serve our communities, state, and nation. This bill puts Coloradans to work and improves the readiness of our National Guard. I am honored to work with the United Veterans Committee to get these armories constructed while also ensuring we preserve the Veterans Trust Fund. The members of UVC continue their legacy of service and always embody the ‘can do’ spirit.”

 Gov. Ritter submitted the Fiscal Year 2010-11 funding proposal to the legislature’s Capital Development Committee on Monday. The plan calls for using $6.4 million from the Colorado Veterans Trust Fund and Real Estate Proceeds Fund to draw down $1.3 million in federal matching funds and to secure an additional $10 million in federal funds. The armories will accommodate a new 800-soldier infantry battalion assigned to Colorado in 2007 as part of the Army’s “Grow the Force” initiative. The Guard is currently recruiting for these battalions.

 The armory projects will bring vital construction jobs to Grand Junction, Alamosa and Windsor, as well as dozens of National Guard jobs that would provide millions of dollars in economic benefits to these communities.

New Laws Go Into Effect Today, Sept. 1

(DENVER)  Today, Tuesday, Sept. 1, a number of new laws spearheaded by Democratic legislators and signed by Governor Ritter go into effect.  New laws that top the list intend to bolster the New Energy Economy and small businesses. 

SB 51, Senator Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy, Clean Energy Loans 

This new law will facilitate the financing of energy-efficient structures by marketing loans for clean energy improvements to homes and businesses.   

"Senate Bill 51 will create more opportunities to finance renewable energy at both the residential and commercial scale,” said Rep. Levy (D-Boulder).  “This bill creates jobs, helps home owners and businesses, and advances renewable energy all at the same time. " 

HB 1105, Rep. John Kefalas and Senator Mark Scheffel, Angel Investors 

A bipartisan effort, 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. 

“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.” 

ALSO: 

HB 1090, Representative Joe Rice and Senator Suzanne Williams, 
Ensures that interpreters for the deaf are appropriately trained and qualified. 

HB 1153 Rep. Lois Court, 
Affects the requirements applicable to the formation of an “Issue Committee”. 

HB 1024, Rep. Dianne Primavera and Senator Lois Tochtrop 
Changes the audit reporting requirements within the local government audit law. 

HB 1044  Senator John Morse 
Allows the expungement of juvenile criminal records under certain circumstances. 

HB 1137, Rep. John Kefalas and Senator Linda Newell 
Allows the interception of gambling winnings to pay outstanding restitution and requires the Department of Revenue to provide information to state agencies in conjunction with intercepts of tax refunds. 

HB 1227, Representative Jerry Frangas 
Concerning equity skimming of real property. 

SB 087, Senator Morgan Carroll and Rep. Cherylin Peniston 
Concerning increased accountability requirements for Special Districts. 

SB 140, Senator Bob Bacon, Rep. Randy Fischer 
Concerning a requirement that public trustees serve at the pleasure of the governor.

New Laws Go Into Effect August 5

Democrats Jump-Start Jobs, Support Schools, Fight Fires and Back Bikers

(DENVER)  Wednesday, August 5 marks the day that a number of new laws spearheaded by Democratic legislators and signed by Governor Ritter go into effect.  New laws that top the list include those that intend to jump-start the lagging economy and create new jobs, and others that support schools and educational access.

Economy and Jobs:

HB 1001 (Rice-Heath) Income Tax Credit For Colorado’s Job Growth
Before he left for a tour in Iraq with the Army Reserve, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) sponsored House Bill 1001 with Sen. Rollie Heath (D-Boulder) to provide tax incentives to companies that move to Colorado and create at least 20 new jobs.  The new credit will allow employers to pay just half of the usually-required federal social security and Medicare taxes, for up to ten years.

HB 1035 (Riesberg-Heath) Clean Technology/Medical Device Tax Refund
House Bill 1035, a jobs bill sponsored by bio-science advocate Rep. Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley), encourages growth in Colorado’s most promising high-tech, green industries.  The new law will allow small technology-based companies (50 or fewer employees) to receive refunds of state sales and use taxes related to research and development for clean technology and medical devices.

Both of these Jobs Bills were a key part of Governor Ritter’s economic recovery agenda.

Affordable Healthcare:

HB 1023 (Gagliardi-Boyd) Blood Donations by Minors                                                

Nurse and lawmaker Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) was interested in changing the age of legal blood donation when she heard that some teens in her district couldn’t do blood drives at their high schools.  With Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood), she worked with Bonfils and other advocates to change the law.  Now, 16-year-olds, with parental permission, will be allowed to donate blood and a big boost in the number of high school-based blood drives is expected.

HB 1139 (Solano-Tochtrop) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders                                        

Rep. Judy Solano and Sen. Lois Tochtrop (both D-Adams County) created the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Commission to address issues concerning fetal alcohol disorders and make recommendations.  The recommendations will address prevention of and education about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and related health issues.

Education:

HB 1057 (A. Kerr-Bacon) Parental Involvement in Schools
In one of the hardest fought battles on the legislative session, teacher and Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) won.  Now, working parents can’t be fired from their job at a large business (over 50 employees) for taking up to 18 hours of unpaid leave during an academic year, in less than three-hour increments, to attend school meetings for their children.

HB 1290 (Apuan/Nikkel-Harvey) “Soldiers to Students”
Representative Dennis Apuan’s (D-Colorado Springs) bi-partisan bill will help members of the Colorado National Guard go to college in Colorado.  House Bill 1290 helps soldiers who want to continue their education by providing scholarship funds. The Department of Higher Education can now provide up to $800,000 a year to the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs for Guard scholarships.

HB 1312 (A. Kerr–Schwartz) Renewables For Schools                                        
Governor Ritter and the Governor’s Energy Office drafted and promoted Rep. Andy Kerr's (D-Lakewood) House Bill 1312 to create an innovative “Renewables for Schools” program to provide schools access to affordable clean-energy with low-interest loans.  By purchasing high-efficiency school buses and producing energy on-site with wind and solar, schools can both reduce their utility bills to create a buffer against future energy price spikes and put more money toward educating our kids.  

Other:

SB 1 (Gibbs-Scanlan) Wildfire Plans
At the top of the Governor’s agenda was Senate Bill 1.  With the Governor’s leadership, Summit County lawmakers Sen. Dan Gibbs and Rep. Christine Scanlan crafted a law which will establish comprehensive, locally-led, community wildfire protection plans throughout the state.

SB 148 (Brophy-Merrifield) Pass Bicyclists With Care                                                

More and more, Coloradans are biking to work and biking for fun.  Now they can do so more safely.  Avid bicyclists Governor Ritter, GOP Sen. Greg Brophy and Rep. Michael Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs) worked together to increase road safety by making sure that, starting Wednesday, passing cars and trucks must stay at least three feet away from bicyclists.

--Posted by Staff

Speaker Carroll to Host Town Hall for Rep. Rice

While Rice is in Iraq with Army Reserve, Carroll Holds In Absentia Meeting 7/11

For a few months while he is in Iraq as a Colonel with the Army Reserve, State Representative Joe Rice (D-Arapahoe County) won’t be able to talk to his constituents face-to-face, but he is still keeping in touch.

He has sent home to family and friends his photos and his personal on-the-ground insights of his experiences in Iraq.   While off duty, he even somehow manages to return emails, texts and phone calls from his base in Baghdad. And since he’s not able to attend his standard monthly town hall meetings, he asked the Speaker of the Colorado House to be there in his stead.  Speaker Terrance Carroll will share legislative updates with Rep. Rice’s constituents and will pass their questions and concerns back to him overseas.

Before he left for Iraq, Rep. Rice said, “I think it is important to be in touch with the people in House District 38. At our town halls, the people in my district always come with thoughtful questions and comments, and I always leave with new ideas about how to move Colorado forward. Some of my best legislative ideas have come from ideas brought to me by constituents.”

WHAT:          An In Absentia Town Hall for Rep. Joe Rice

WHO:           Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll

WHEN:        10:00 AM on Saturday, July 11, 2009
WHERE:        Bemis Public Library    www.littletongov.org/Bemis
                   6014 S. Datura Street, downtown Littleton, 80120

The event is free and open to the public.  Coffee and snacks are available in the library.

--Posted by Staff

New Laws Go Into Effect July 1

Democrats Create Jobs, Make Heathcare More Affordable, Expand Unemployment Benefits

(DENVER) -   July 1 marks the day that a number of new laws spearheaded by Democrats go into effect.  While some bills help consumers, others aim to jump-start the economy and create jobs.  A number of others provide support for laid-off workers and aim to make healthcare more affordable. 

Economy and Jobs: 
Before he left for a tour in Iraq with the Army Reserve, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) sponsored Senate Bill 91 (with Sen. Romer) to make sure that auto dealers, often small business owners, are protected if their parent company terminates their franchise agreement.  This bill became especially relevant when Chrysler and General Motors suddenly sent termination notices to a number of their franchisees. 

And the Democrats have prepared Colorado to rebound when the economy recovers by passing Senate Bill 228.  Sen. John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) made sure this important bipartisan bill was passed so Colorado can untie a knot of outdated and conflicting fiscal mandates and doubles the state’s rainy day reserve fund. 

Affordable Healthcare: 
The Democrats introduced the Colorado Health Care Affordability Act is the most significant health reform legislation in Colorado in four decades.  HB 1293 (Rep. Jim Riesberg) will provide health coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Coloradans and reduce uncompensated care and cost shifting.  The bill goes into effect on Wednesday and after applying for federal approval, the first patients will be added to the list next spring.  This bill was a key piece in Governor Ritter's legislative agenda. 

Rep. Rice and Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton) predict that House Bill 1012, which allows healthcare companies to provide incentives for participation in wellness and prevention programs, will promote both personal responsibility and lower insurance premiums. 

Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood), Sen. Lois Tochtrop, and nurse and lawmaker Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) are committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable by expanding the care that nurses are able to provide.  Now, nurses, nurse aides and advanced practice nurses can provide more care, in more communities, for less money. 

Consumer bills: 
Rep. Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver) worked to pass House Bill 1141 to better protect consumers by updating consumer lease regulations and the availability of free credit reports as well as freeing up debt-management services to help those facing foreclosure. 

Two laws will protect Coloradans from identity theft. Rep. Debbie Benefield’s (D-Westminster) SB 025 provides for anti-fraud features on driver's licenses and verifies legal qualifications for entitlement programs.

It’s not illegal in Colorado to possess someone else’s passport. It’s not illegal to possess ten people’s Social Security cards without their permission.  Senate Bill 93, sponsored by Sen. Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora) will go into effect on Wednesday and all that will change.  SB 93 would make it illegal for individuals to knowingly possess another person’s passport, drivers’ license or Social Security card without permission.

And Democratic leadership (Speaker Terrance Carroll and President Brandon Shaffer) passed House Bill 1326 which will protect citizens from crooked petition-gatherers. 

Other: 
The Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act (SB 247), sponsored by Sen. Lois Tochtrop and Rep. Sal Pace, makes more Coloradans eligible for unemployment insurance. It also provides funding to cover 13,000 unemployed Coloradans with 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits, and extends benefits to people in job training programs. 

As of Wednesday, House Bill 1091 requires all new homes and apartments to be built with carbon-monoxide detectors. 

--Posted by Staff

Rep. Joe Rice on signing of SB 173

Democratic Rep. Joe Rice, the House sponsor of Senate Bill 173, is in Iraq as a Colonel with the Army Reserve, and is unable to respond to media inquiries immediately.

In previous statements, Rep. Rice said that he believed the bill would create jobs and increase state revenues by helping to build a project like a NASCAR track or a Winter Olympics venue that would not have gotten done without the tax break.

"Why do we need to do things to attract NASCAR? They have options as to where they can go," Rice said. "This will bring in thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in revenue we wouldn't have had otherwise."

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

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

Legislature Memorializes Littleton Hero Danny Dietz with Resolution and Highway Signs

(DENVER) -  Friday morning, State Representatives Joe Rice (D-Littleton) and Frank McNulty and Senator Mike Kopp presented a joint resolution (SJR 33) honoring the memory of Petty Officer Danny Dietz, Jr. from Littleton and posting a section of Santa Fe Drive as the "Navy SEAL Danny Phillip Dietz, Jr., Memorial Highway".  

Immediately following passage of the resolution, Officer Dietz’s parents, friends, and family met with the media to announce plans to raise money for the signs, and asked that checks be written to the City of Littleton with “Danny Dietz Fund” in the memo line.  The address is 2255 W. Berry Ave. Littleton, 80165.

The cost of the signs is approximately $1500 each and there is no money in the fund as of today.

“We hope people will donate to the Danny Dietz fund so that Coloradans will remember not only Officer Dietz, but also the lessons his life teaches us all. We should remember, and we should re-tell the stories of all our heroes," Rep. Rice said. “The legacy of Officer Dietz is a legacy of service.  His surviving family continues to provide support to other families who have lost loved ones, and as Danny did, they serve as a model to us all.”

-- Posted by Staff

Today's Bill Signings

Governor Bill Ritter signed into law HB 1004, sponsored in the House by Rep. Dennis Apuan (directly behind Gov. Ritter), which will help seniors – including those living at home -- have access to high-quality medical care.  Apuan's bill will allow PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) facilities to be able to hire physicians as full-time employees, not just as contract workers, helping to alleviate a current shortage of geriatricians.

Governor Bill Ritter signed into law HB 1023, sponsored in the House by Rep. Sara Gagliardi (in light suit), which will encourage more blood donations in Colorado by lowering the eligibility age from 18 to 16.

Governor Bill Ritter signed into law HB

1090, sponsored in the House by Rep. Joe Rice (on left), which will clarify situations under which a Deaf Interpreter may use that title.

Governor Bill Ritter signed into law SB01, sponsored in the House by Rep. Christine Scanlan (in light suit), which will support communities in preventing and preparing for wildfires.

 

 

 

 

-- Posted by Staff

 

Gov. Ritter Signs Five Bills Into Law Today

Gov. Bill Ritter signed five bills into law today, including legislation that will improve blood donations statewide and help local communities prevent and prepare for wildfires.
 
The bills signed today:
 
•           House Bill 1004 (Apuan/Boyd), PACE Organizations Employ Physicians
•           House Bill 1023 (Gagliardi & Swalm/Boyd), Blood Donations by Minors
•           House Bill 1078 (Ryden/Hodge), Foster Parent Training
•           House Bill 1090 (Rice/Williams), Deaf Interpreters Title Unauthorized Use
•           Senate Bill 1 (Gibbs & Penry /Scanlan & King), Community Wildfire Protection Plans 
 
“I’m thankful for everyone who worked together on this important legislation,” Rep. Sara Gagliardi said about HB 1023. “As a nurse, I know how absolutely critical it is to have a sufficient blood supply at all times. With Gov. Ritter’s signature, eligible 16-year-olds will now be allowed to donate blood and help others whose very lives depend upon it. The activism of these students and young people has been outstanding.” 

Sen. Dan Gibbs and Rep. Christine Scanlan sponsored SB 1, which supports communities in preventing and preparing for wildfires.
 
“As a wildland firefighter I know how important community prevention plans are in terms of public safety for the citizens of Colorado,” Sen. Gibbs said. “I’m pleased that Gov. Ritter signed this bill today and that it soon will be in place to help communities when wildfires strike. It will help communities prioritize, prevent, and prepare for wildfires in their area.  With 2 million acres of dead lodge-pole pine and about 1 million Coloradans living in the wildland urban interface, SB 1 will bring the tools, resources and assistance to help people prepare for the worst.” 
 
“Having a preparedness plan ready to go before firefighters hit the ground to battle a wildfire will help tremendously in emergency situations,” Rep. Scanlan said. “Colorado has more than 22 million acres of forested land, and with the threat of fire due to the dead lodge-pole pine, we need to take these steps now to protect our natural habitat and Coloradans who are living within the wildland urban interface.” 
 

Click here for a list of Gov. Ritter’s legislative action this session.

-- Posted by Staff

Leaders Praise Passage of Rules Protecting Public Health and Colorado’s Economy

(DENVER) – This morning, the House of Representatives gave final, bi-partisan approval to the newly-revised rules regarding the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado.  House Bill 1292 will now return to the joint Legislative Legal Services Committee and then go to the Senate.

Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll said, “The new rules are good for public health and good for the economy.  They will provide greater public health protections while also allowing the state’s vital oil-and-gas industry to thrive. They strike a healthy balance that will protect public health while encouraging responsible industry growth.  Most importantly, they provide a solid foundation for when the industry rebounds.  We want sustainable growth, and these rules create that.”

 Author of the original rules-making bill, Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) said, “Over the past decade, we have seen an 800 percent increase in the number of new drilling permits issued annually, but not until now have we addressed drilling’s damage to our drinking water, to our open spaces and wildlife, and to our public health.”        

“The new protections are reasonable and responsible,” said Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver), sponsor of the omnibus rules bill HB 1292.  “The new rules ensure timely permitting. They protect drinking water and reduce odors and air emissions. They require the disclosure of chemicals used so the public can know what’s going on in their own backyards.  And the new protections give land-owners more control.”

Addressing concerns about the economy and jobs, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) said, “What’s good for our quality of life is good for business in Colorado.  Businesses rely on the protection of Colorado’s natural beauty that draws new people and new businesses here, especially in hospitality and tourism, for anglers and hunters, and for all of us who know we live in the best state in the country. Unfortunately, the oil-and-gas industry – like every other industry – is suffering from the economic   crisis.  Commodity prices have plummeted. Credits lines are frozen. And Colorado lacks a sufficient pipeline infrastructure to move the natural gas to market.  These rules strike a balance, providing both a healthy Colorado and a healthy oil and gas industry.”

-- Posted by Staff

Majority Leaders Praise Initial Passage of Oil and Gas Rules

(DENVER) – The House of Representatives, after several hours of debate, passed the newly-revised rules regarding the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado.  Today’s initial voice vote is expected to be followed by a recorded vote tomorrow before it goes back to the joint Legislative Legal Services Committee and then onto the Senate.

Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll said, “The new rules are good for public health and good for the economy.  They will provide greater public health protections while also allowing the state’s vital oil-and-gas industry to thrive. They strike a healthy balance that will protect public health while encouraging responsible industry growth.  Most importantly, they provide a solid foundation for when the industry rebounds.  We want sustainable growth, and these rules create that.”

Author of the original rules-making bill, Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) said, “Over the past decade, we have seen an 800 percent increase in the number of new drilling permits issued annually, but not until now have we addressed drilling’s damage to our drinking water, to our open spaces and wildlife, and to our public health.”        

“The new protections are reasonable and responsible,” said Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver), sponsor of the omnibus rules bill HB 1292.  “The new rules ensure timely permitting. They protect drinking water and reduce odors and air emissions. They require the disclosure of chemicals used so the public can know what’s going on in their own backyards.  And the new protections give land-owners more control.”

Addressing concerns about the economy and jobs, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) said, “What’s good for our quality of life is good for business in Colorado.  Businesses rely on the protection of Colorado’s natural beauty that draws new people and new businesses here, especially in hospitality and tourism, for anglers and hunters, and for all of us who know we live in the best state in the country. Unfortunately, the oil-and-gas industry – like every other industry – is suffering from the economic   crisis.  Commodity prices have plummeted. Credits lines are frozen. And Colorado lacks a sufficient pipeline infrastructure to move the natural gas to market.  These rules strike a balance, providing both a healthy Colorado and a healthy oil and gas industry.”

-- Posted by Staff

Speaker Carroll Makes the Most of District Days, From Northglenn to Glenwood, from Littleton to Stapleton

The Speaker of the House will be busy over “District Days,” meeting, greeting, listening, and of course, speaking.  Speaker Terrance Carroll will join Rep. Dianne Primavera in the Broomfield area, Rep. Judy Solano in Adams County, Reps. Sara Gagliardi and Andy Kerr in Jefferson County, Rep. Kathleen Curry in Glenwood Springs, and Rep. Joe Rice in Littleton.  He will also meet with community leaders along the way and along the I-70 corridor.

Thursday Feb 26

7am:  With Rep. Primavera, attend Adams County Economic Development Forum, Ramada Plaza (I-25 and 120th Avenue, Northglenn). 

With Rep. Solano & the Adams County superintendent, visit schools.
8:30 am:  Leroy Drive Elementary
9:15 am:  Rocky Top Middle School
10 am:  Crossroads Alternative School

12pm:  With Rep. Gagliardi, work at the Arvada Community Food Bank,
10405 W 64th Place, Arvada, 80004

1pm:  With Rep. Kerr, tour the Warren Tech “wind-smithing” program,
13300 West 2nd Place, Lakewood, 80228

6pm:  Join Rep. Curry at her Town Hall in Glenwood Springs, at the community center at 100 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs.

Friday Feb 27

8am:  Alpine Bank hosts an open meeting at the community center at 100 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs.

11:30am:  Town hall meeting at the Avon Library at 200 West Benchmark Road, Avon. Open to the public.

2:30pm:  Town hall meeting at the Frisco community center at 0151 Peak One Boulevard, Frisco. Open to the public.

Saturday Feb 28

10am:  Join Rep. Rice and Sen. Newell at their Littleton Town Hall at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 6840 South University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122.  Topic: the state’s budget.

7pm:  Black History Month Event honoring Speaker Carroll and President Groff, sponsored by the Colorado Black Round Table and the Colorado Black Women for Political Action; Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec, Denver.  This is in Speaker Carroll’s home district of Stapleton.

-- Posted by Staff

Rep. Rice Drives FASTER Through the House

JOBS and SAFETY are the keys to the big transportation fix

(DENVER) - State Representative Joe Rice (D-Littleton) put the pedal to the metal this afternoon, driving the legislature’s key jobs-creation bill through a lengthy debate on the House floor.  The bill passed on an initial vote.

In introducing Senate Bill 108, known as FASTER, Rep. Rice said that he and other leaders have worked with stake-holders for over a year, and while the bill does not have everything everyone wants, it has been crafted with input from political parties, local governments, chambers of commerce, business leaders and citizens in an effort to build broad-based support.

Rep. Rice said, “We need this bill for two reasons, summed up in two words: JOBS and SAFETY.  

“This bill is an important part of the solution to a huge problem.  We know this bill will protect at least 5-8,000 jobs in the next year.  This means real people, workers, would lose their jobs without this bill. I also believe that FASTER can create tens of thousands of new, good jobs for Coloradans, soon.”

“With FASTER, we can also address some significant safety concerns—we can make a good start on repairing and rebuilding 126 dangerous bridges and many miles of our rutted roads.  The bill may not be all things to all people but it does save jobs, create new jobs, and repair bridges.”

“It’s important that we do something, and after 17 years of delay, we literally cannot wait any longer.  The cost of doing nothing is far too high.”

In support of the bill, Speaker Terrance Carroll said, “This bill will generate funds and jobs, and when the work is done, we’ll have solid, safe bridges and roads.  FASTER is a responsible, reliable and sustainable way to fund transportation projects that will put people to work - now.  We are determined to bounce back our economy, and we'll take the aggressive steps necessary.”

The bill will have a third reading with a recorded vote tomorrow.

-- Posted by Staff

Job Creation Committee Wraps-Up, Proposes Common-Sense Jobs Package

DENVER – The legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth met for the last time today to announce a package of two dozen jobs bills. The Jobs Creation Package focused on the areas of:

Strengthening small businesses with tax incentives and credit
Improving transportation and communication infrastructure
Expanding the “New Energy Economy” with green and clean-tech jobs
Stimulating job growth in rural communities

"I'm so proud of our bipartisan work on this Committee,” said Co-Chair Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton).  “We took up President Obama's challenge to put aside political games and create a long-term plan to build and sustain good jobs.  This extensive Job Creation Package offers common-sense solutions to get shovels in the ground, credit in the hands of small businesses and clean technologies to market.  I can describe these two dozen bills with my favorite four-letter word: jobs.”

"The Joint Select Committee has been essential in the introduction of important job creation and economic development bills this session after listening to the advice of the business community," said Co-Chair Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass).  "These bills promote the growth of small businesses, grow Colorado's new energy programs, and build the infrastructure of our schools, highways, and broadband groundwork.  The committee has been deliberating since November 2008 along with the help of a group for the business advisors to come up with legislation that will put thousands of people to work.  In this current economy these bills cannot come at a better time.  I am proud of the hard work by the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth and would like to thank everyone who consulted, advised, and helps to make these bills happen."

-- Posted by Staff