Colorado House Democrats

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!”

-- Posted by staff

Child Support for Kids Who Need & Deserve It

Rep. Kefalas’ Bill Passes House

DENVER –State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) wants the successful child support program to assist more families more effectively, and by a vote of 48-15, the House agreed today. House Bill 1342 would reduce identity theft and streamline the system to increase efficiencies.

The child support system has 143,000 cases and affects 300,000 children and parents, more Coloradans than almost any other human service program. It is touted for its success at returning $4 for each dollar spent and has been rated the most effective social program by the Federal Office of Management and Budget.

"We have a commitment to ensure that children who are owed child support receive their checks,” said Rep. Kefalas.  “We still have work to do to ensure all of the children have the resources of two parents available to them.  Every child in Colorado deserves that.”

The bill also aims to reduce the recidivism rate by helping incarcerated parents reintegrate into the community upon release. The bill modifies the law to take in to account the parent’s actual earnings, rather then potential earnings, when calculating child support owed. Often the court has records of the parent’s income prior to being incarcerated and having thousands of dollars of delinquent payments “makes it difficult to get caught up and harder to become self-supporting,” Rep. Kefalas explained.

The bill would remove social security numbers from the child support orders to protect families from identity theft and streamline the process for including an additional child to an existing case.  It also increases child support enforcement and funding to the counties hit hardest by last year’s cuts in the “Deficit Reduction Act.”

The legislation builds on a successful law passed last year (House Bill 07-1349) by Rep. Kefalas to streamline the child support program and ensure payment by deadbeat dads who have gambling winnings, among other provisions.

-- Posted by staff

Gov. Ritter Signs College Textbook Bill into Law

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law legislation that will bring greater transparency to the cost of college textbooks.

Senate Bill 73 was co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Tupa and Rep. John Kefalas. The bill’s main advocate was the Associated Students of Colorado organization. It requires publishers to:

· Publicly disclose the price of textbooks and other course materials on websites and other means;

· Sell textbooks separately and “unbundled” from CD-ROMs, workbooks and other related material; and

· Disclose substantial content revisions between current and prior editions.

“This is a consumer right-to-know bill for students and educators alike,” Gov. Ritter said. “It represents an important step toward transparency and will help students and their families plan their budgets. Textbooks cost students hundreds of dollars a semester, and with two students in college myself, I know that every dollar counts.”

For a complete list of legislation Gov. Ritter has signed into law during the 2008 legislative session, click here or visit www.colorado.gov/governor.

-- Posted by staff

NoCo Legislators Mining Watchdog Champions

Legislators vow to keep fighting for health of Colorado communities

DENVER – State Representatives John Kefalas and Randy Fischer, both Fort Collins Democrats, continued to demonstrate they are true champions for Colorado communities affected by mining.  The House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee heard a bill today that would have increased transparency and made the state a stronger watchdog over hard rock mining operations and prospecting, and protected against risks to public health, wildlife and the environment.     

“These mines, particularly those that use in situ leach methods, can be extremely detrimental if they’re not vigorously watched,” said Rep. Kefalas.  “The public has a right to know what is happening in their communities.” 

House Bill 1165, which was carried by the two Northern Colorado Legislators, was defeated by one vote because some felt it cast too wide a net by covering all forms of hard rock mineral mining.  However, legislators on both sides of the isle stood by the bill’s principle: that if watched carefully, mining operations can be both good citizens and important economic drivers.  But if left unchecked, they can present serious dangers to drinking water, livestock and communities at large.   

“I think we’ve already made tremendous progress this year, “Rep. Kefalas continued.  “But the need for more oversight still exists.  Communities and property owners have the right to know about any mining prospecting going on, particularly when they are directly impacted.  We will be back next year.” 

Rep. Fischer echoed those words, saying “[a]s a legislature, we have a responsibility to defend citizens’ rights to know about mining activities being conducted or planned in their communities.  I am committed to continuing work on this important public policy about transparency and open records.” 

Kefalas and Fischer already passed one bill protecting Colorado from harmful mining practices.  House Bill 1161, which passed the House earlier this week with a sweeping, bi-partisan vote of 49 to 16, would prevent irresponsible uranium mining practices.  That bill is now awaiting Senate consideration.

-- Posted by staff

Bill Improving Quality of Care and Patient Safety Signed into Law

Physicians to Hold Physicians Accountable

Photo: Reps McGihon and Kefalas with the Governor

DENVER – Governor Ritter signed House Bill 1075 into law today to help extend access to high quality health care throughout Colorado. The new law, sponsored by State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) will allow ambulatory – or outpatient – surgical centers to create peer review committees.

In other words, it will allow physicians to keep other physicians accountable  to high standards of care. Such oversight is associated with improved quality of care and patient safety because it reduces physician errors and increases reporting standards. 

“This measure will pay huge dividends across the state,” said Rep. Kefalas.  “Most of the surgery performed in the state is outpatient. Modernizing the Colorado Peer Review Act is a simple, cost effective way to improve care.”

Eighty percent of all surgery is done on an outpatient basis and more than 120 ambulatory surgery centers are licensed in Colorado.  Unlike hospitals, current law does not permit peer review committees to oversee ambulatory surgery centers.   

Rep. Kefalas decided to sponsor the bill after visiting the Surgery Center of Fort Collins last summer. The new law will allow outpatient surgery facilities establish committees reviewing and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of patient care, as well as the conduct of attending physicians. 

“Peer review has a huge impact on the quality of care,” continued Kefalas.  “Let’s do what we can now to help all Coloradans get the very best care available.”

-- Posted by staff

Reps Kefalas and Fischer Defend Northern Colorado's Drinking Water from Radioactive Pollution

DENVER – State Representatives John Kefalas and Randy Fischer, both Fort Collins Democrats, passed a key bill through the House with broad, bi-partisan support.  House Bill 1161, which passed 49 to 16, would prevent irresponsible uranium mining practices. 

“This bill ensures uranium mining companies protect our most vital natural resource – our fresh water – and keep our communities safe from radioactive pollution.  We cannot allow these companies to leave behind a toxic legacy.” 

The proposal defends Colorado’s ground water from radioactive and heavy metal pollution released during a process called in-situ leach uranium mining, which uses a method of high-pressure water injection to extract uranium from the earth. 

The bill requires that before the state issues an in situ uranium mining permit, companies demonstrate they will reclaim and restore ground water aquifers to their pre-mining quality, or to meet existing state standards.  It also directs mining operations to notify all landowners within the vicinity about the permit application, and to establish that the company has a strong record of protecting and reclaiming nearby ground water during previous mining operations. 

Alluding to the plans of Powertech – a mining company who wants to begin in situ leach uranium mining in northern Colorado – Rep. Fischer said, “there is some urgency to address this matter now because both the water and the people in Northern Colorado may be affected.  We’ve achieved a balance with this bill where we protect our local communities and promote healthy business development.”

Rep. Kefalas put it simply: “The long-term human and economic health of our communities requires us to act now.” 

The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is being carried by State Senators Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) and Steve Johnson (R-Fort Collins).

-- Posted by staff

NoCo Legislators Strengthen Mining Standards

Bill protects Colorado’s drinking water from uranium mining pollution

DENVER – Two Northern Colorado legislators successfully moved a key bill through the House on an initial voice vote today to protect Colorado’s ground water from radioactive pollution and to prevent irresponsible uranium mining practices.  The bill took on particular urgency in lieu of the salmonella contamination currently devastating Alamosa’s drinking water supply.

State Representatives John Kefalas and Randy Fischer, both Fort Collins Democrats brought together a wide range of stakeholders and experts to craft House Bill 1161, protecting Colorado’s most vital natural resource – its fresh water sources – and promoting good business practices by uranium mines.

“This bill ensures uranium mining doesn’t leave behind a toxic legacy,” said Rep. Kefalas.  “By encouraging responsible mining practices now, we’ll protect our drinking water, our communities and our public health well into the future.”

The bill defends Colorado’s ground water from radioactive and heavy metal pollution released during a process called in-situ leach uranium mining.  The bill directs mining companies to show they will reclaim and restore ground water aquifers to their pre-mining quality or to meet existing state standards.  It also requires mining operations to notify all land owners within the vicinity about the proposed permit, and to demonstrate that the operation has been a “good neighbor” in the past, protecting nearby ground water.

Upcoming Town Hall Events

Saturday, March 22-Rep. John Kefalas, Rep. Randy Fischer, Senator Bob Bacon will host a town hall meeting on the topic of higher education from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Harmony Library Community Room, 4616 S. Shields, Fort Collins (Southeast corner of Harmony and Shields).

Saturday, March 22-Rep. Andy Kerr and Senator Betty Boyd will host a town hall meeting on aging baby boomers and long-term health care options from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Lakewood United Church of Christ, 100 Carr St., Lakewood.

Saturday, March 22-Rep. Cheri Jahn and Senator Moe Keller will host a town hall meeting from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Wheat Ridge Senior Center at 6363 W. 35th Ave., Wheat Ridge.

Saturday, March 22-Rep. John Soper will host a mid session progress report from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Holiday Hills Clubhouse, 2001 W. 92nd Ave., Federal Heights.

Monday, March 24-Rep. Sara Gagliardi will host her monthly coffee on the fourth Monday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Billy D's Coffee, 14705 West 64th Ave (at Indiana), Arvada.

Saturday, March 29-Rep. Jim Riesberg will host a town hall meeting on Creative Support for People with Developmental Disabilities from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Envision, 1050 37th St., Evans.

Saturday, March 29-Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Rep. Judy Solano will host a town hall meeting on the topic of health care from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Adams 12 Five-Star School Administration Building, 1500 E. 128th Ave., Thornton.

Saturday, March 29-Rep. Christine Scanlan will host a town hall meeting on aging baby boomers and long-term health care options from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Vail Town Hall, 75 South Frontage Road, Vail.

Friday, April 4-Rep. Mary Hodge and Senator Takis will host a town hall meeting from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Firestation #2, 3100 Peoria St., Aurora.

Friday, April 4-Rep. Nancy Todd will host a coffee from 7 to 8 a.m. at Panera, 12293 East Iliff Avenue, Aurora.

Saturday, April 5-Rep. Gwyn Green, Rep. Andy Kerr, Rep. Ken Summers and Senator Betty Boyd will host their monthly Lakewood town hall meeting, at the Belmar Public Library, 255 Allison Parkway, Lakewood, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 5-Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Rep. Christine Scanlan will host two town hall meetings: from 12 to 1:15 p.m. at French Press is 34295 Highway 6 #C-1-B, Edwards, and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Pug Ryans, 104 Village Place, Dillon.

Monday, April 7-Rep. Morgan Carroll will host Coffee with Carroll from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at East Steamers Coffee House, 360 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora.

Monday, March 7-Rep. Joe Rice will host his monthly coffee from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the South Metro Camber of Commerce, 6840 S. University Blvd., Centennial.

Tax Break for Colorado's Working Families

Bill restores tax credit for 250,000 working Coloradans –hailed as boost to economy

(DENVER) Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) and Senator Betty Boyd (Lakewood) announced their legislation today to restore the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  Kefalas and Boyd explained the bill would boost economic development, reward work, and make Colorado’s taxes fairer.

Restoring the state EITC would provide an economic boost by pumping an estimated $52 million back into the hands of 264,000 low-to-middle income working Colorado families to spend in their local economies – about $450 for each qualifying household.  The bill calls for a tax credit equivalent to 10 percent of the federal EITC, which is a proven economic development tool and the most effective anti-poverty initiative in use today. 

“This bill is good for our economy, it helps low-income working Coloradans, and it restores fairness to Colorado’s tax system,” said Rep. Kefalas. "This economic boost will put money in the wallets of a quarter-million tax-paying working families in Colorado --including 12,000 families in Larimer County -- and will stimulate consumer spending. The EITC rewards work and helps working families get a much needed economic boost -- Nearly $500 to pay off debt, or buy new school clothes, or repair the car.  That helps families, local businesses, and the economy."

Under this bill, the state EITC would be funded in part by using federal welfare block grant money that is going unspent by county governments.  According to federal reporting, some 30 percent of this money is not being spent, and could otherwise be put to effective use as an immediate anti-poverty and economic development effort.

-- Posted by staff

Getting Child Support to Kids and Families Who Deserve It

Rep. Kefalas Taking Charge

DENVER –State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) is sponsoring a bill to allow the successful child support program to assist more families. House Bill 1342 would reduce identity theft and streamline the system to increase efficiencies.  The bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee today on a vote of seven to four and now moves to the House floor for full consideration.

The child support system has 143,000 cases in Colorado, and serves more Coloradans than almost any other human service program. It is touted for its success at returning $4 for each dollar spent and has been rated the most effective social program by the federal Office of Management and Budget.

"We have a commitment to ensure that children who are owed child support receive their checks,” said Rep. Kefalas.  “We still have work to do to ensure all of the children have the resources of two parents available to them.  Every child in Colorado deserves that.”

Specifically, the bill ensures that divorced parents meet their obligation to their children.  The bill ensures divorced parents who have investments or other assets cannot skip out on child support payments.  “If a divorced parent has been missing his or her child support payments, we should be able to intervene” Rep. Kefalas explained. “It will get child support to those who need and depend on it.”