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GOV. RITTER SIGNS NEW ENERGY ECONOMY LEGISLATION

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

New Transportation Laws Help Lower Fuel Bills, Reduce Pollution

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law three New Energy Economy transportation bills that will help Coloradans reduce the amount of air pollution their cars release, increase fuel economy, minimize their carbon footprint and boost energy independence. Sen. Gail Schwartz and Sen. Betty Boyd were both in attendance.

“Building on the success of the last two years, we continued this legislative session to make Colorado a national and global leader in the New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said at a signing ceremony at the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado Center in LoDo. “Together, we are creating jobs, strengthening communities and spurring innovation as we lead Colorado toward a strong recovery.

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Posted in Betty Boyd, Brandon Shaffer, Chris Romer, Energy, Gail Schwartz, Jim Isgar, Jobs, Morgan Carroll, Paula Sandoval | No Comments »

GOV. RITTER SIGNS HEALTH CARE, NON-PROFIT BILLS

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law 10 health care and non-profit measures, including bills to help families cope with the high costs of caring for children with autism and to improve care in Colorado’s rural communities.

“Health care reform is a central part of the Colorado Promise and my strategy for leading Colorado forward,” Gov. Ritter said. “Over the last 2½ years, we’ve increased availability, improved quality and addressed costs. The bills I am signing today will help continue our efforts to build a strong, sustainable health care system for Colorado.”

Senate Bill 244, sponsored by Senate President Brandon Shaffer and Rep. Dianne Primavera, requires health insurance providers to cover the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders for children so they can live safe, productive, and healthy lives.

“Thanks to this bill, families across Colorado will finally get the help and support they deserve,” Senate President Shaffer said. “Thanks to 244, no child is forgotten, no family is fighting for their basic right to health care and no legislator forgets their job: to continue to provide support to the thousands of families across Colorado.”

“Autism affects thousands of Coloradans,” Rep. Primavera said. “But if we diagnose it early and treat it properly, we can make real gains, we can make sure our kids grow up happy and healthy. Early treatment works, period. And now, thanks to this legislation, thousands of families who could not otherwise afford care for their kids have access to the most cutting-edge treatments available.”

SB 133, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Spence and Rep. Primavera, increases funding for the Traumatic Brain Injury program, and is expected to help an additional 250 Coloradans.

House Bill 1043, sponsored by Rep. Su Ryden and Sen. Suzanne Williams, gives Coloradans a chance to donate to the Make-a-Wish Foundation by adding an income tax check off on the Colorado income tax form.

“This tax check-off will make it possible for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Colorado to continue granting wishes for seriously ill children and their families,” said Rep. Ryden. “As donations from other sources have shrunk in these troubled economic times, this will be invaluable in filling the gap.”

HB 1047, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Todd and Sen. Williams, creates a program in Medicaid for spinal cord injury patients to receive alternative therapies.

“We know that sometimes the most effective remedies can be the cheapest,” Rep. Todd said. “If those with spinal cord injuries can increase their mobility or decrease their pain through chiropractors, massage or even acupuncture, they should be allowed access to those alternatives.”

HB 1111, sponsored by Rep. Tom Massey and Sens. Betty Boyd and Gail Schwartz, will ensure Colorado has the resources needed to maximize federal dollars for medically underserved communities in Colorado. It also will strengthen loan forgiveness programs so that these communities can better recruit and retain health care professionals.

“This bill will significantly help provide doctors and health care resources in under-served areas to ensure that every citizen in Colorado is getting the quality health care he or she deserves,” Sen. Boyd said.

“I want to let the people in my district know that just because you aren’t living on the Front Range doesn’t mean that your voices aren’t being heard at the Capitol,” Sen. Schwartz said. “This session we passed several innovative bills to support people living in rural parts of the state. This new legislation will help to revive rural Colorado by strengthening local economies, encouraging innovation, and improving access to health care.”

HB 1119, sponsored by Rep. Ed Vigil and Sen. Schwartz, helps prevent alcohol and substance abuse in Colorado’s rural communities through a new grant program.

“I firmly believe that everyone in Colorado should receive quality services and care regardless of where they live,” Sen. Schwartz said. “This bill will keep Colorado healthy and I’m proud to see it become law.”

HB 1252, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Roberts and Sen. Jim Isgar, will allow business owners and health care providers in the San Luis Valley to partner to provide access to primary care services for working families.

HB 1281, sponsored by Rep. Jeanne Labuda and Sens. Morgan Carroll and Linda Newell, provides for representation from the disability community on all boards that impact people with disabilities.

SB 138, sponsored by Sen. Boyd and Rep. Sara Gagliardi, continues the regulation of certified nurse aides for another 11 years, and makes important changes to the program.

SB 239, sponsored by Sen. Lois Tochtrop and Rep. Jim Riesberg, reauthorizes the State Board of Nursing and modernizes the Nurse Practice Act to ensure the highest standards of patient safety while maximizing access to care.

Friday is the final day for Gov. Ritter to take action on bills from the 2009 legislative session. Click here or visit www.colorado.gov/governor for a complete list of 2009 bills signed into law.

Posted in Betty Boyd, Brandon Shaffer, Budget, Energy, Gail Schwartz, Health Care, Jim Isgar, Linda Newell, Lois Tochtrop, Morgan Carroll, Suzanne Williams | No Comments »

SENATOR SCHWARTZ’S BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

DENVER— Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) has had a productive year for Senate District 5 and Colorado. As chair of the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth it produced over two dozen dynamic bills to help build and sustain jobs in Colorado. Sen. Schwartz also sponsored more than 30 bills to revive rural Colorado by strengthening local economies, encouraging job creation, and expanding the new energy economy.

Supporting Rural Colorado:

Tuesday, Senator Schwartz stood by as Governor Bill Ritter signed into law two of her bills which are important to rural Colorado: HB 1111 and HB 1119. HB 1111 will help the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment increase the availability of health care to under-served areas while growing local economies. The legislation helps coordinate available federal and state programs that capitalize on medical reimbursements, grants, and the placement of health care professionals in those areas. This bill also uses a federal visa program designed to bring foreign medical professionals into under-served rural areas. This visa program is a unique and exciting opportunity to bring Spanish-speaking health care professionals to our Spanish-speaking communities. The program also attracts new doctors to underserved areas by offering a student-loan payment program to help young doctors retire their debt.

Sen. Schwartz worked with Representative Ed Vigil to address rural substance abuse problems. HB 1119 establishes a grant program that will provide alcohol and substance abuse programs with prevention and treatments services to youth and adults in rural areas. These new programs will provide much-needed assistance to rural communities in their efforts to manage and prevent substance abuse. The bill was supported by a number of state health programs.

“I want to let the people in Senate District 5 know that your needs are represented and your voices heard at the capitol,” said Sen. Schwartz. “This session we passed several dynamic bills to support citizens living in rural parts of the state. This new legislation will help revive rural Colorado by strengthening local economies, encouraging innovation, and improving access to health care by bringing more resources to existing healthcare providers.”

“This year I worked with Senator Boyd, Rep. Vigil and Rep. Massey to sponsor a bipartisan piece of legislation that addresses urgent health care needs in our rural communities. HB 1111 recruits doctors to rural or underserved areas of the state to ensure that everyone in Colorado has access to quality health care. More importantly, this bill takes full advantage of significant federal funding opportunities to fill physician shortages without increasing state expenditures.”

“With HB 1119, Rep. Vigil and I created a rural substance abuse program to help rural communities in their efforts to manage, treat, and prevent drug and alcohol addictions. I firmly believe that everyone in Colorado should have access to quality care and services regardless of where they live. These two bills will promote a healthy Colorado and I am proud to see them become law.”

Coming up: Wildfire bill signing Wednesday

Wednesday, Governor Ritter will also sign SB 13 that was co-sponsored by Sen. Schwartz, sponsored by Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County), and endorsed by the Interim Committee on Wildfire Issues. This bill provides limited civil immunity for fire departments and other entities that donate surplus firefighting equipment. It also protects from personal liability volunteer firefighters, their commanders, and the organizations which employ them.

Coming up: Electric Cars bill signing Thursday

Thursday morning Sen. Gail Schwartz will join the Governor at the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado in Denver to sign SB75. This bill will open more of Colorado’s low-speed roads and city streets to neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). Currently, Colorado has a patchwork of conflicting regulations for these vehicles. By establishing statewide legislation for their operation, it will be easier for more Coloradans to use energy-efficient electric cars and paves the way for future electric transportation and integration into the smart grid.

“Colorado has been and will continue to be a leader in the New Energy Economy,” Sen. Schwartz said. “I sponsored SB75 to promote low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles as one aspect of our larger energy goals this session. This bill will help Colorado move toward a local sustainable electric transportation system, reduce carbon emissions and support communities throughout the state.”

“Many important bills were supported by the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth,” continued Sen. Schwartz. “These bills will promote construction of green, solar-ready homes, green businesses, and green jobs and grow Colorado’s work force. Green industry saves our environment, but more importantly it develops reliable jobs for Colorado.”

Coming up: Broadband and B.E.S.T. bills signing Thursday

Thursday afternoon, Governor Ritter will sign many bills at the Capitol including SB 162 and SB 257. For rural Colorado, one of the most important pieces of legislation to come out of the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth is the inventory of broadband service areas (SB 162). Sponsored by Sen. Schwartz and Rep. Larry Liston, this bill creates an inventory of state broadband areas and removes any restrictions on private gifts and grants needed to fund this program. This also extends the deadline to complete the inventory. This bill will initiate the mapping of broadband connectivity throughout the state.

“Schools, hospitals, and businesses cannot succeed where there is limited or no broadband access,” said Sen. Schwartz. “It is important for us to focus our economic development state-wide: in rural areas in addition to our cities. This bill will expand broadband access and pull down federal recovery dollars for investment. With SB 162 Colorado will be taking a critical first step to identify the gaps in broadband access and continue our plans to expand infrastructure and service throughout the state.”

“Mapping will provide us with a comprehensive inventory of broadband service areas to guide policymaking and form a consensus around the future of broadband,” continued Sen. Schwartz. “The faster we can get broadband access to rural areas, the faster we can level the playing field and ensure that healthcare, education and businesses will thrive in all parts of the state. This is essential to a successful Colorado.”

SB 257 amends the Building Excellent Schools Today Act (B.E.S.T.) which was created last year to construct $1 billion of new schools in Colorado. It allows more efficient implementation of the act without reducing funding or restricting lease-purchase agreement authorizations. The B.E.S.T. program was created to provide school districts especially in rural areas with much-needed funding for capital construction projects. The first round of funding received from this program will create a safe and supportive learning environment for the children in five districts of Southern Colorado.

“Colorado’s children are our most important asset,” said Sen. Gail Schwartz. “We need to make sure they have top-notch schools, which includes top notch energy-efficient facilities. This landmark achievement of state funded school buildings is the result of a long-term, collaborative commitment to provide all students in Colorado with a 21st century education. In Colorado’s current economic climate, the approval of these grants for new school construction is critical in creating jobs and stimulating the economy in our rural communities. We are making an investment in Colorado’s educated work force of tomorrow. I am grateful to the State Board of Education for their commitment to improving Southern Colorado’s public school systems and supporting the families who rely on them.”

This summer the work continues…

This summer, Senator Schwartz will continue working throughout her district and at the Capitol as a member of the Task Force on Health Care, the Water Resources Review Committee, Capital Development Committee, Heritage Tourism Board and higher education efforts. She intends to continue meeting with her constituents to discuss emerging issues and new opportunities before next session starts in January, 2010.

Posted in Betty Boyd, Dan Gibbs, Education, Energy, Gail Schwartz, Health Care, Wildfire | No Comments »

GOV. RITTER VISITS SCHOOL, SIGNS NEW ENERGY ECONOMY BILLS

Friday, May 15th, 2009

LAKEWOOD — Gov. Bill Ritter today visited hundreds of students at Foothills Elementary School to sign into law three major New Energy Economy bills, including one that will help schools invest in solar panels, wind turbines and hybrid or electric buses.

House Bill 1312, sponsored by Rep. Andy Kerr and Sens. Gail Schwartz and Chris Romer, creates an innovative “Renewables for Schools” loan program to help schools afford clean-energy projects and electric or hybrid buses so they can reduce utility costs and invest those savings back where they belong – in the classroom. In January, with the help of the Governor’s Energy Office, Foothills Elementary installed a 9.5 kilowatt solar system on its roof.

“Schools all across Colorado spend more money on their utility bills than on computers or books combined,” Gov. Ritter told students during a schoolwide assembly. “This new law will help schools cut down those utility costs so they can invest the savings in you, in your teachers and in your classrooms. The reason we are building a New Energy Economy today is so we can lead Colorado forward for you.”

“By producing energy on-site with wind and solar, schools can reduce their utility bills, create a buffer against future energy price spikes, and put more money toward educating our kids,” Rep. Kerr said. “As a teacher, I look forward to seeing kids driven to school in 21st century school buses powered by hybrid electricity, and then teaching them 21st century skills in buildings energized by 21st century solar, wind and geothermal technologies.”

House Bill 1126, the solar thermal jobs bill, sponsored by Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and Senate President Brandon Shaffer, will create hundreds of good-paying green-collar jobs by offering incentives to lower the cost of manufacturing and installing solar hot-water heaters.

“Providing financial incentives for the Colorado solar thermal industry will create clean-energy jobs and strengthen local economies all across the state,” Gov. Ritter said. “These new manufacturing and installation jobs will improve energy efficiency in our buildings and grow Colorado’s New Energy Economy.”

“It’s not hot air to say that solar hot water cuts energy costs and creates jobs,” said Rep. Hullinghorst. “Besides reducing our carbon footprint, solar hot water will put more money into people’s pockets and more jobs into the economy.”

Senate Bill 124, sponsored by Sen. Jim Isgar and Rep. Ellen Roberts, is a bi-partisan measure that helps farmers and ranchers participate in the New Energy Economy. It allows the state’s Department of Agriculture to extend the Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy (ACRE) Program, which develops energy-related projects that helps farmers and ranchers use renewable energy.

“The ACRE Program helps create new jobs and economic activity in Colorado’s rural communities, and I am glad to see that it will continue to do so,” Gov. Ritter said. “This is a great tool that contributes to the sustainability and profitability of Colorado’s agriculture industry because it creates new markets for our agricultural products and encourages farmers and ranchers to participate in the New Energy Economy.”

“If we want Colorado to continue to grow and develop, we need to keep promoting its agriculture projects, which is Colorado’s number one industry,” Sen. Isgar said. “This bill will increase funding for the research and development of agricultural energy-related projects. As these projects grow, so will Colorado’s economy, agriculture industry and valuable workers.”

Gov. Ritter also signed two bills into law sponsored by Sen. Betty Boyd and Rep. Kerr, who represent the district that Foothills Elementary School is in. HB 1359 sets some new rules for board members of Homeowner’s Associations, and SB 223 improves public health and safety by ensuring the highest standards for restaurant inspections all across the state.

Visit www.colorado.gov/governor or click here for a list of 2009 legislative action by Gov. Ritter.

Posted in Betty Boyd, Brandon Shaffer, Chris Romer, Education, Energy, Gail Schwartz, Jim Isgar | No Comments »

BIOSCIENCE AND BEER

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

PRES. SHAFFER PARTICPATES IN BIOSCIENCE TOUR

DENVER—Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) joins 15 legislators and other professionals in the bioscience industry to continue education about the growing biotech industry in Colorado. There are 400 bioscience companies in Colorado: 400 growing businesses that provide reliable jobs and economic stability in the state.

This tour will include a trip to Amgen’s Longmont Facility. Amgen is a leading human therapeutics company in the biotechnology industry and will talk about its work in Colorado. (For more information: http://www.amgen.com/ )

The Amgen tour will be followed by a trip to the Left Hand Brewing Company in Longmont to explain how bioscience impacts other industries.

WHAT: Bioscience Tour

WHEN: Thursday, May 14th, 2009, 1pm- 5:30pm

WHERE: (1pm) Amgen Longmont Facility: 4000 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80503
(2:50pm) Left Hand Brewing Company: 1265 Boston Ave Longmont, CO 80501

      WHO: Pres. Brandon Shaffer
  Sen. Betty Boyd
  Sen. Evie Hudak
  Sen. Lois Tochtrop and others

Visuals: Legislators will be putting on boots and goggles to tour Amgen.
**Please contact: Diana Sherman-Palmer to get permission to bring cameras into the Amgen facility (303-810-9050).
Legislators will also take part in a beer tasting and BBQ at Left Hand Brewery

Schedule: Thursday, May 14th, 2009
• 12:00 p.m. – Depart the Capitol – Bus will be located on the West side of Grant Street at Noon
• 12:10-12:45 p.m. – Travel to Amgen Longmont Facility and Bioscience 101 Discussion
• 12:45 p.m. – Arrive at Amgen
• 1:00-1:40 p.m. – Welcome and Overview
• Amgen’s corporate focus and culture - Dave Bengston, Vice President of Colorado Operations
• What Amgen Makes - Overview of our process of bringing medications to market - Jim Skrine, Sr. Director
• 1:45-2:30 p.m. – Tour of Cell Culture process - Lowell Jackson, Director of Manufacturing
• 2:40 p.m. – Bus Departs Amgen and heads to Left Hand Brewery
• 2:50 p.m. – Arrive at Left Hand Brewery
• 2:50-4:00 p.m. – Tour of Left Hand and Beer Tasting
• Presentation from Mark Lupa, Partner, Tango Ventures and High Country Ventures, How Bioscience Impacts Other Industries
• 4:00-5:30 p.m. – BBQ at Left Hand Brewery
• 5:30 p.m. – Depart Left Hand Brewery
• 6:00 p.m. – Arrive at the Capitol

Posted in Betty Boyd, Brandon Shaffer, Energy, Evie Hudak, Jobs, Lois Tochtrop | No Comments »

GOV. RITTER SIGNS ‘SOLAR READY HOMES’ BILL

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law a measure that will encourage construction of “solar ready homes” as part of a long-term strategy to make the New Energy Economy more accessible to more people and to create new jobs all across the state.

House Bill 1149, sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. Morgan Carroll, requires that homebuilders offer prospective homeowners the option of having their home pre-wired for solar and provide homeowners with a list of contractors.

“This new law will let us keep bringing the New Energy Economy home as we lead Colorado forward and transform our economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “It puts a new energy future directly in the hands of Coloradans, giving them easy access to clean energy technologies and saving them money. And putting more clean energy in more homes will sustain or create more good-paying jobs for the Colorado economy.”

In addition to requiring a pre-wire option, HB 1149 also gives homebuyers the ability to incorporate solar-technology purchases into their original mortgage.

“As a state, we should be doing everything we can to make it hassle-free for homeowners to participate in the New Energy Economy,” Rep. Merrifield said. “Solar power helps people move away from traditional, finite energy sources, it helps homeowners save money, and it helps create good jobs, from installers to engineers. Because the sun never stops shining here in Colorado, homes will have higher resale values in the future if they are pre-wired for solar panels.”

“With Gov. Ritter signing House Bill 1149 today, we have taken a great step towards making green technology an option for Colorado’s homebuyers,” Sen. Carroll said. “This bill opens the door for renewable energy at the construction phase, where it is most affordable, will be an asset for consumers, and will create needed jobs in this economy.”

Visit www.colorado.gov/governor or click here for a list of legislative action by Gov. Ritter so far this session.

Posted in Energy, Gail Schwartz, Jobs, Rollie Heath | No Comments »

GOV. RITTER SIGNS MAJOR JOB-CREATION LEGISLATION

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law landmark legislation that will help companies create new jobs, allow Colorado to compete against other states for new businesses, and strengthen community college job-training programs to better meet the workforce needs of emerging industries of the future.

“The two bills I signed today mark a key step toward our long-term vision of creating a modern, knowledge-based economic ecosystem in Colorado,” Gov. Ritter said during an outdoor signing ceremony on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. “This ecosystem depends on controlling healthcare costs, reforming education and building a 21st-century transportation system.

“Last year we made great headway on the strategy – cutting taxes for businesses, making historic investments in the bioscience industry and expanding our rural incentive program. People called it the most significant economic-development package in a decade.

“This year’s bipartisan bills are even better,” Gov. Ritter said. “They reflect the hard work that legislators, business leaders and economic-development groups statewide devoted to making job-creation, business-development and workforce training Job One during this legislative session.”
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Posted in Education, Energy, Gail Schwartz, Jobs, Rollie Heath | No Comments »

SENATOR MORSE TAKES ONE MORE TITLE

Friday, May 1st, 2009

“Hardest workin’ man” at the State Capitol takes over Committee on Legal Services

DENVER— It’s the body responsible for the review of 15,000 pages of agency regulations each year - from the Board of Accountancy to the Zoning Board of Adjustments and everything in between.

And, as of this morning, it has a new Chairman.

Today, Senator John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) was overwhelmingly chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Chair of the Committee on Legal Services. The bipartisan Committee is comprised of ten members, five from the House of Representatives and five from the Senate. Senator Morse replaces Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver) who is resigning after the session.

“I look forward to my new role and the challenges that come with it,” said Senator Morse. “Every day, state agency rules and regulations impact the life of the average Coloradan in many ways. We need to make sure they are fair and practical. It’s an important task and I am happy to do my part.”

Senator John Morse was recently voted Senate Majority Leader-elect by the Democratic Caucus. In addition, he has sponsored several key pieces of legislation this session including SB 241 expanding the CBI DNA Database, SB 228 repealing Arveschoug-Bird, and SB 2 providing increased emergency services for rural areas.

Posted in Budget, Energy, Jennifer Veiga, John Morse | No Comments »

GOV. RITTER SIGNS KEY BILLS INTO LAW

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Gov. Ritter today signed into law several key bills to help protect communities from wildfires, promote Colorado’s New Energy Economy, help military veterans become educators, and encourage cooperation between Pueblo and El Paso counties on water issues.

Wildfire Prevention

Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Sen. Dan Gibbs and Rep. Christine Scanlan, clarifies the responsibilities of fire protection districts, county sheriffs offices and the State Forest Service when responding to wildfires.

SB 105, also sponsored by Sen. Gibbs and Rep. Scanlan, removes limits on counties to generate funding for the purpose of fighting both forest and prairie fires.

HB 1162, sponsored by Sen. Mike Kopp and Rep. Cheri Gerou, requires the establishment of intergovernmental agreements in certain circumstances.

“Effectively fighting wildfires in Colorado requires a cooperative approach by local, county, state, federal and tribal agencies, Gov. Ritter said. “Fires don’t recognize governmental boundaries, and these bills will enhance efforts ate every level of government to help us to better plan for, prevent and fight fires.”

“With the real height of the wildfire season on the horizon, the signing of these bills could not come at a better time,” Sen. Gibbs said. “We need organization and we need funding to protect communities from the devastating effects of wildfires, and we need it now. This puts us on the right track toward more effective wildfire prevention and protection.”

Troops to Teachers

430-bill-signings-57

SB 62, the “Troops to Teachers” bill, was sponsored by Sen. Brandon Shaffer and Rep. Dennis Apuan. The bill makes the Teach Colorado Grant Initiative, established in 2008, available to military veterans by providing scholarships to veterans who are studying to become math and science teachers.

“Colorado is home to more than 400,000 military veterans,” Gov. Ritter said, “with more coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan all the time. This legislation will allow us to continue fulfilling our obligation to our veterans by helping them find careers as classroom educators while also helping to meet the needs of Colorado students.”

“By providing financial incentives and professional development for our troops to become teachers, this law will strengthen our economy as well as our education system,” Sen. Shaffer said. “It will put prospective teachers into the classroom, especially in rural and high-needs areas, and we can do it without any fiscal impact to the state’s budget.”

“Veterans sacrifice so much for us, and the ‘Troops to Teachers’ bill provides an opportunity to offer a token of our gratitude,” Rep. Apuan said. “By providing scholarships for our troops to become teachers, everyone wins: veterans are more able to afford to return to their education and get a good job; schools that are having trouble hiring teachers will have a larger pool to choose from; and our economy and education systems are strengthened. And veterans can continue serving their community – as a teacher.”

Fountain Creek Watershed District

SB 141, sponsored by Sen. Abel Tapia, Rep. Marsha Looper, and Rep. Sal Pace, creates the Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control, and Greenway District in El Paso and Pueblo counties.

“We all know how important water is to Colorado, including Southern Colorado and the Fountain Creek watershed,” Gov. Ritter said. “We also know how contentious water issues can be. This bill opens a new era of cooperation between El Paso and Pueblo counties on water-quality issues. It’s a big step forward and I congratulate the lawmakers and everyone who helped bring this bill to my desk.”

New Energy Economy

SB 98, sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz and Rep. Edward Vigil, assigns the same tax-exempt status for biodiesel as given to dyed special fuels in Colorado.

“The signing of this bill supports both the biofuel industry and our agricultural community today and into the future,” Sen. Schwartz said. “By supporting these industries, we are creating a positive model for the development of alternative energy sources while supporting Colorado businesses and our rural economy.”

Colorado Works Program

SB 100, sponsored by Sen. Linda Newell and Rep. Jerry Frangas, changes the definition of a non-custodial parent so that a non-custodial parent may receive employment assistance under the Colorado Works Program even though his or her child is not receiving assistance under the program.

“Families who depend on child support suffer when a noncustodial parent is out of work. By providing job training for these parents, we can help them get back to work and fulfill their commitment to their children who depend on them.

Posted in Abel Tapia, Brandon Shaffer, Dan Gibbs, Energy, Gail Schwartz, Jobs | No Comments »

Legislators Unite to Put Green Bills over Finish Line

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Lawmakers and Renewable Energy Supporters Push For
Passage of Green Economic Recovery Bills in Last Week of Session

DENVER - With a speaker system powered by a mobile solar energy system, Colorado Senate President-elect Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and other legislative champions joined a crowd of clean energy business workers, renewable energy advocates, and environmentalists calling for a final push on a of suite of green recovery bills. These policies will bring more green jobs to Colorado by supporting sound investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Legislators spoke passionately, delivering a unified message— investing in the New Energy Economy pays dividends, but we must act quickly. By law, the legislative session must end by Wednesday at midnight.

“The actions we take today will allow investors and entrepreneurs to be confident in Colorado’s commitment to expanding the New Energy Economy,” said Sen. Shaffer. “This, coupled with a strong policy framework incentivizing and facilitating clean energy development, will ensure that Colorado has an ‘open for business’ sign.”

Colorado is one of a handful of states that produces more energy than it uses. By investing today in the state’s rich renewable resources like its windy plains and 300 sunny days per year, Colorado can become a national leader in supplying clean, green, renewable power to users in the state and across the nation.