New laws take effect in Colorado

July 2nd, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 2:21pm MDT
 Denver Business Journal - by Ed Sealover
Construction companies and hospitals are among the primary beneficiaries of new Colorado laws that are now in effect.

Here are a look at some major bills that became state statutes as of 12:01 a.m.:

• Senate Bill 108, sponsored by Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, increases vehicle-registration fees by an average of $41 per year in order to raise some $265 million annually to repair state highways and bridges.

• House Bill 1293, sponsored by Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, creates hospital patient fees that will be used to put as much as $600 million toward public health insurance, a figure that will let the state insure about 100,000 new residents.

• Senate Bill 228, sponsored by Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, removes the annual cap on general-fund spending increases, a move proponents say will allow the state to address needs like higher education more easily.

• House Bill 1012, sponsored by Reps. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, and Amy Stephens, R-Monument, allows health insurance companies to offer incentives for participation in wellness and prevention programs.

• Senate Bill 247, sponsored by Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, expands unemployment insurance benefits to residents relocating because of a spouse’s new job and increases benefits to residents participating in job-training programs.

• Senate Bill 80, sponsored by former Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, creates a pilot program to allow some developments to collect rainwater from residence roofs and use it for household purposes.

• House Bill 1091, sponsored by Reps. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Lois Court, D-Denver, requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every home or apartment that is being sold or rented to a new tenant.

• Senate Bill 251, sponsored by Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, permits optometrists and physicians to prescribe and sell new drug-releasing contact lenses.

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Too Many Deaths Lead to Overdue Carbon Monoxide Detector Law

July 1st, 2009

DENVER – It took years of work by Representative John Soper (D-Adams County) to build a coalition with  fire and health officials,  with citizens whose lives have been affected by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and with Rep. Lois Court and Senator Chris Romer whose constituents were killed by such poisoning in recent months.

But today, all that work is worth it, although nothing eases the pain of the deaths of the Lofgren family, Lauren Johnson, and the hundreds more killed by CO poisoning in Colorado each year.  As of today, all new homes and apartments are required to have CO detectors.  

Rep. Soper said, “I am proud to see this bill finally become law. We have lost far too many Colorado lives. As an electrician, I know that the installation of carbon monoxide detectors is a reasonable addition to new homes that will prevent senseless deaths and injuries.”

Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) was a co-sponsor on HB 1091.  “It’s with deep regret that the Lofgren family lost their lives in my community and I hope that as a result of the passage of this bill, we will prevent tragedies like this in the future. It’s a very simple concept that will save lives.  By requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residential properties we will keep people safe and impact everyone’s lives in Colorado.  We cannot allow another unnecessary death from carbon monoxide.”

Rep. Lois Court (D-Denver) said, “I applaud the Johnson’s and the Lofgren’s many family and friends for their activism and commitment to passage of this law.  They raised the awareness of this danger and have helped many others avoid the tragedy they’ve experienced.”

A CO alarm costs $15-$30; consumers should place one on each floor of existing homes.  For more information on CO poisoning visit www.knowaboutco.com

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Posted in Chris Romer, Gail Schwartz, Health Care | No Comments »

COLORADO’S BALLOT PROCESS NOW FRAUD-FREE

July 1st, 2009

HB 1326 goes into effect today

DENVER—   Fraud, underaged petitioners, fake addresses.  Thanks to a law which goes into effect today, July 1, these unethical practices on ballot- initiative petitions will be a thing of the past.  

Last session Colorado’s legislative leaders passed House Bill 1326 which reforms and restores integrity to the state’s ballot-initiative petition process. It was sponsored by House Speaker Terrance Carroll (D-Denver), Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and Rep. Lois Court and supported by Secretary of State Bernie Buescher and business and labor leaders.

HB 1326 will strengthen identity requirements; require petition circulators to provide specific forms of I.D. and have the option of enrolling in training provided by the secretary of state’s office; strengthen laws against using third-party circulators; and require paid circulators to receive hourly wages or salaries instead of being paid per signature they gather.
“We cannot allow our citizen petitioning efforts to be tainted by the unethical practices of a few people,” said Pres. Brandon Shaffer.    “House Bill 1326 will prevent petition fraud, ensure the integrity of our ballot initiatives, and strengthen our direct democracy.  This is something we can be proud of.  We are ready for 2010.”
“As we have seen in past campaigns, some paid petitioning is ripe for abuse. We must hold everyone to the highest standard when we are attempting to change our Constitution or statutes,” stated Speaker Carroll. “This new law will help end the fraud and abuse we witnessed in 2008.”

Posted in Brandon Shaffer, Elections | No Comments »

ISGAR WILL LEAVE SENATE FOR DEPT. OF AG.

June 30th, 2009

Isgar is new director of Colorado’s Office of Rural Development

h-jim-isgar-1DENVER—    Today Senator Jim Isgar (D-Hesperus) announced he is leaving the Colorado Senate to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Colorado State Director for Rural Development.  Senator Isgar is one of the longest serving Senators and his resignation will take effect when Isgar starts his new position with the USDA in a couple of weeks. 

“After many years working for Colorado, I’m excited at the opportunity to continue that work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Sen. Isgar.  “As a resident of a rural area these issues touch me very deeply.  I’m happy that I will be able to continue to work for Colorado, rebuild and revitalize our rural economy, and improve the lives of every American every day.  I want to maintain the vitality of rural America– that’s where the strength of this country has always been and that’s where our strength will continue to be.”

“I’m so proud of Senator Isgar and his new position in the Department of Agriculture,” said Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont).  “With the loss of Senator Isgar we are losing a great mind, a wonderful representative of the people, and an expert in many areas of state government, including water issues.  While we are happy for his new endeavors, he will be greatly missed in the Senate.”

A lifelong rancher, Sen. Isgar represented the Western Slope well.  He is the Chair of the Agriculture Committee on Agriculture, Chairs the Permanent Legislative Water Review Committee, and was known as the Capitol’s senior authority on water issues.  Senator Isgar’s term was up in 2010.

Senator Isgar’s resignation follows the resignations of two other Democratic Senators.  In May, Senate President Peter Groff accepted a position with President Obama’s administration as the Director for the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center in the Office of the Secretary of Education.  Senator Jennifer Veiga also left the Senate in May for personal reasons.

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SEN. MORSE HELPS COLORADO RECOVER

June 30th, 2009

SB 228 goes into effect July 1

 

DENVER—   A page out of the budget dictionary:

 

Senate Bill 228 (‘se-nət ‘bil ‘tü ‘twen-tē ‘āt) n.

1.      A bill passed in the 2009 session sponsored by Democratic Senator John Morse (Colorado Springs) and Republican Representative Don Marostica (Larimer County) which goes into effect on July 1, 2009. 

2.      A bill which unties the Gordian knot (see definition below), removes the arbitrary 6% spending allocation known as Arveshcoug-Bird, which prevents the recovery of vital state services when the economy recovers (see definition below), establishes consistent and reliable funding for transportation projects, and creates a rainy day fund to protect Colorado from future economic downturns.

3.      A bill which allows the General Assembly to decide on the priorities of the state based upon the unique circumstances of the time rather than being constrained by formulas that ignore economic conditions.

 

h-john-morse-1Senator John Morse (se’-nə-tər jän’ mȯrs’) n.

 

        1.    Democratic Senator from Colorado Springs who is leading Colorado to a faster economic recovery thanks to his leadership and courage in passing SB 228.

        2.     Majority Leader of the Colorado Senate elected by the Colorado Democratic Caucus on April 17, 2009.

        3.      Quote:  “Colorado is no longer facing a recession with our hands tied behind our backs. Getting rid of the 6 percent will help untie the knot—giving us the tools to maximize federal recovery dollars, avoid making these current budget cuts permanent.  We are positioning Colorado for a fast and strong economic recovery and Colorado now has greater flexibility to make wiser investments with existing resources.”

 

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DEMS PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS

June 30th, 2009

HB 1012 and SB 47 go into effect July 1

DENVER—   What business owner wouldn’t want to have more productive workers?  What employee wouldn’t want lower insurance premiums and a healthier lifestyle?  Thanks to House Bill 1012, sponsored by Littleton lawmakers Rep. Joe Rice and Sen. Linda Newell, all of that will be a whole lot easier.
Wednesday, July 1, House Bill 1012 goes into effect.  It allows insurance companies to offer discounts and incentives to small business and their employees who participate in health and wellness programs. Insurers are currently prohibited from offering incentives even to small businesses that want access to health plans with financial and health rewards.  This will also promote both personal responsibility and lower insurance premiums.
“Providing incentives for wellness is a common sense idea that benefits our health and our pocketbooks.  Employees will be healthier and employers can increase productivity, all while reducing health care costs. Now that’s a win-win,” Rep. Rice said.
 “This wellness and prevention bill will help the employer minimize absenteeism, increase productivity and reduce health care costs,” Sen. Newell said. “It will also help the employee control his or her own health care costs and have a better chance of better health. Healthy communities mean healthy workers and a healthy economy.”
“This legislation will help employers maintain a healthy workforce, and it will encourage employees to take personal responsibility for their health by participating in wellness programs,” Gov. Ritter said at the signing ceremony in April. “It also comes at a time when we need our workforce to be healthy and strong to lead Colorado forward.”
Senator Newell sponsored Senate Bill 47 which also goes into effect Wednesday.  SB 47 will establish Crime Victim Services Advisory Board in the Division of Criminal Justice.  It had unanimous, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate this year. 
“Thanks to SB 47 we will be able to improve services to victims with less bureaucracy,” said Sen. Newell.  “That is the best way to deliver help to those who need it.”
SB 47 provides a strengthened crimes victim advisory system and a greater community around those who have been a victim of crime.  It combines several existing crime-victim-related boards into a single advisory board.  The consolidation will streamline the process of applying for funding for crime victims by reducing the number of entities to which applicants must submit documentation, simplify the process overall, and gain better consistency of grant recipients.

Posted in Crime/ Corrections, Health Care, Linda Newell | No Comments »

COLORADO SENATE TO RETURN $627,000 TO STATE FROM LEGISLATIVE BUDGET

June 30th, 2009

Shaffer directs State Capitol staff to identify an additional 10% in cuts

h-brandon-schaffer-1DENVER –  Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) announced the Colorado Senate will return $627,000 from its operating budget to the State’s General Fund on June 30.  That’s more than twice the usual amount reverted in past years.  In January Shaffer froze all funds for legislative out-of-state travel.  Since then he has reduced the average staff salaries by 17% in the President’s office, for a total savings of $74,000, and barred the practice of giving staff bonuses.

Shaffer’s freeze on travel resulted in the return of $38,600 to the state.  Savings on Interim Committees, lower operating costs and no special session provided the balance of the funds returned.

“The cuts start here.  We must be first in line to demonstrate fiscal restraint,” said Pres. Shaffer.  Shaffer intends to make further reductions in legislative operating expense in next year’s budget.  Shaffer will ask the Legislative Management Team to review next year’s budget to seek a 10% reduction in the cost of running the legislature.

Shaffer said he supports the Governor’s call to reduce the cost of government by ten percent.   A former naval officer, he said he intends to bring military rigor to the budget process, and will work with Governor’s staff to cut every unnecessary expense from state government.

Senator Shaffer was re-elected to a second four-year term in November, and was voted President of the Senate by a unanimous vote of the full Senate on April 20, 2009. 

Note:   At this time, $627,000 is an estimated amount of fund reverted.  The exact amount reverted will be available in August after all the accounting has been completed.

Posted in Brandon Shaffer, Budget | No Comments »

SEN. MORSE WELCOMES 600 NEW JOBS IN COLO. SPGS.

June 29th, 2009

h-john-morse-1DENVER –   Senator John Morse (D-Colorado Springs):  “ACS has discovered what many of us already know.  Colorado Springs is a great place to do business, a great place to expand a company, and a great place to live.  Other companies will surely follow in creating more jobs and more opportunity for citizens in Colorado Springs.”

From Governor Ritter’s press release:

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. (NYSE: ACS), a Fortune 500 company, announced today it will be expanding operations in Colorado and adding 600 jobs at a new facility near Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

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Posted in Jobs, John Morse | No Comments »

New Laws Go Into Effect July 1

June 29th, 2009

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. Chris Romer, D-Denver) 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.

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Posted in Betty Boyd, Brandon Shaffer, Budget, Chris Romer, Crime/ Corrections, Elections, Health Care, Jobs, John Morse, Linda Newell, Lois Tochtrop, Moe Keller, Rollie Heath, Suzanne Williams | No Comments »

PINNACOL INTERIM COMMITTEE IS READY TO GET TO WORK

June 23rd, 2009

DENVER—    The Pinnacol Interim Committee is ready to go!  The appointments have been made.  The dates have been set.  And we want to hear from you!

Members of the Pinnacol Interim Committee:
Chair:   Sen. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora)
Members:  Sen. Mary Hodge (D-Brighton)
  Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton)
  Sen. Ted Harvey (R- Highlands Ranch)
  Sen. Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield)
  Rep. Su Ryden (D-Aurora)
  Rep. Joe Miklosi (D-Denver)
  Rep. Sal Pace (D-Pueblo)
  Rep. Cheri Gerou (R-Jefferson)
  Rep. Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs)

Non-legislative members:
Gary Johnson, Board Chair, Pinnacol Assurance
  Pete Meersman, Pinnacol stockholder
Marcy Morrison, Division of Insurance
Dr. Lynn Parry, fmr President CO Medical Society and Pinnacol policyholder
Ken Ross, CEO, Pinnacol Assurance
Mark Simon, injured worker
  

Purpose:  The purpose of this interim committee is to ensure Colorado policyholders are paying the lowest premiums possible, that injured workers are getting the medical care and benefits they need to get back to work, and that Colorado’s “workers compensation insurer of last resort” is stable, successful and solvent.

Hearing dates:  August 4, 14, 31; September 4, 18 and October 16

We’d like to hear from you!
All hearings are open to the public.  Click here for times and locations of the hearings.
Agendas and meeting summaries can be accessed using the Meeting Date links located below. An agenda will be available prior to each meeting. If you can’t make a meeting, the meeting summary, upon completion, will be available through the same Meeting Date link after the meeting has been held.

If you have any ideas or input you can also email the chair of the committee, Senator Morgan Carroll, at morgan@senmorgancarroll.com.

Posted in Budget, Jobs, Lois Tochtrop, Mary Hodge, Morgan Carroll | No Comments »

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