Senator Whitehead to Serve as a Judge

Tuesday, July 27 2010

Whitehead to Make Some Serious Choices

DURANGO—It is often the job of elected officials to make tough decisions and choose between competing interests. Senator Bruce Whitehead (D-Hesperus) is no stranger to tough decisions, but this Saturday, he will face choices very different from those he faced during the recent legislative session.

“I hear the competition will be pretty serious,” said Sen. Whitehead. “I hope my experience in the legislature is enough to prepare me for this challenge.”

This Saturday, the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association will host its 7th annual Chuck Wagon Cook-Off at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Eight wagons will be competing in five categories, including, top round, potatoes, bread, beans, and dessert. Sen. Whitehead will be one of five judges.

           
WHAT: 7th Annual Chuck Wagon Cook-Off,
Sponsored by the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association
WHEN: Saturday, July 31 at 5 p.m.
WHERE: La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
WHO: Senator Bruce Whitehead
Members of the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association

Senate Democrats Comment on Colorado Being Named Finalist for Round 2 “Race to the Top" Grants

Tuesday, July 27 2010

The U.S. Department of Education today named Colorado one of 19 finalists for Phase 2 of the federal Race to the Top grant competition. The finalists were chosen from applications submitted by 35 states and the District of Columbia. Winners are expected to be announced in September.  (complete press release from Governor Ritter’s Office below)

 “I am so proud to see that Colorado has been named a finalist for Round Two of Race to the Top,” said Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs).  “Everyone worked so hard this year on the application, and I look forward to making sure more communities in Colorado have quality teachers and principals to prepare every child for the future.” 

"Our selection as a finalist is a testament to Colorado regaining its place as a national leader on education reform,” said Senator Mike Johnston. “Commissioner Jones and his team worked incredibly hard on this application and our selection confirms that Colorado is on the right path to improving outcomes for all children.  At a time when were forced to cut education budgets at the state level, it’s exciting to have the opportunity to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars that can help support classrooms and districts across the state."

BEST program works

Monday, July 26 2010

Aspen Daily News
by Senator Gail Schwartz
July 24, 2010

I’ve known Fred Garcia over the past several years. He is the principal of the Sangre de Cristo Elementary School in Hooper, Colorado in the southern part of my senate district.

Fred had been a student at Sangre de Cristo years ago and he believed in the school so much, he returned to the same building as principal. Unfortunately, the school hadn’t changed much since Fred was a student there. In 2009, the building was in such disrepair Fred knew and we knew we had to do something about it. Of greatest concern: there was no plumbing on the second floor and no handicap access in the school.

Unfortunately, Sangre de Cristo is not alone, especially in the rural parts of our state. Alamosa’s Polston Elementary School had to put up gutters inside the building to catch leaking water. At Sargent High School near Monte Vista, you can see the foundation coming up into the classrooms.

Colorado’s under-funded rural school districts are most in need. Many of Colorado’s kids are going to school in 100-year-old buildings with asbestos contamination, crumbling ceilings, moldy roofs, pest infestation, clogged sewer lines and poor insulation. Some students have to wear hats and gloves in the classroom, as too many dollars pay propane bills instead of opportunities in the classroom.

Thankfully, many of these schools in the San Luis Valley and Delta County are being rebuilt and repaired with grants from the BEST program. BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) was a bill signed into law in 2007, and a bill that I passed along with Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, and Senate President Peter Groff. I am truly proud of this bill and want to also thank Treasurer Cary Kennedy for her work to help develop this concept and implement this important piece of legislation. It was an ambitious plan to provide up to $1 billion towards fixing and replacing K-12 schools across Colorado and it’s a plan that’s working.

Under BEST, the state of Colorado will dedicate up to $500 million, at no cost to the state taxpayer, in capital construction for schools, which will then be matched with local voter-approved funds. In total, BEST will provide close to $1 billion to K-12 capital construction over the next several years to our neediest districts — the largest state investment in school construction in Colorado’s history. The BEST program will help fix Colorado’s crumbling school problem without any new state taxes or fees.

To date, the BEST program has already awarded more than $170 million, primarily funded through Certificates of Participation (COP) in the lease purchase agreements for 87 new projects and 15 new schools. COPs are an important tool for building our state’s education infrastructure, as they are similar to a loan on your home and backed by the equity in the district. For two years we have taken advantage of new low-interest federal bonding programs, with as low as a zero percent interest rate. These rates have lowered costs overall and benefited the districts, even with the guidelines requiring local competitive wages for the construction.

Today, the Sangre de Cristo district has money to build a new K-12 school and replace the historic elementary school. The new building will actually consolidate the two schools with safe and energy-efficient buildings. No more clogged sewer lines and no more $900,000 heating bills. So far, the San Luis Valley will be building $87 million of new K-12 buildings, providing our children with the 21st century classrooms they deserve!

We can all agree that our children are our most important investment and we must provide each of them with the best possible resources, teachers, and facilities. We want teachers to be concerned about the materials they teach, not the materials holding the building up around them. This is better for the future of our students and our state.

Sen. Whitehead Receives Colorado Farm Bureau Pinnacle Award

Wednesday, July 21 2010

Award Honors Commitment to Agriculture, Support of the Agriculture Community and Advocacy On Behalf of the Industry

Yesterday, the Colorado Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural organization, announced Senator Bruce Whitehead (D-Hesperus) as a recipient of its 2010 Pinnacle Award. This is the highest award given by the Farm Bureau to recognize legislators “for their support on legislation that was vital to the agriculture community, overall commitment to Colorado Agriculture, and their willingness to advocate on behalf of the Industry.” The award is given to one Democrat and one Republican from both the House and Senate.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when I get to speak with my constituents, hear about issues facing them, and work with them to find solutions,” said Sen. Whitehead. “Farmers and ranchers are a part of our state’s heritage and they make up the backbone of our economy. It’s an honor to be recognized by the Farm Bureau, and I look forward to continuing my work with their members in the years to come.”

Sen. Whitehead has worked in water policy for over 25 years, and he was recently appointed chair of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

VA Decision Good for CO Springs Service Members

Monday, July 12 2010

Some of the outcomes of war can be anticipated, some can't. Deployments of our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan have generated more cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) than we have ever seen before. Our soldiers and our military have struggled with the process of learning to deal with both effectively. The large population of service members and veterans in Colorado Springs makes this is a matter of particular significance to our community. I am encouraged that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to look into treatment for our veterans and I am extremely pleased that the VA has issued regulations to simplify the process for veterans to get care for PTSD. I look forward to similar changes to provide long-term treatment for those with TBI and I encourage the Department of Defense (DoD) to continue its work on improving the treatment it provides to our soldiers on active duty.

Precluding “Pre-Existing” Conditions

Tuesday, July 6 2010

Sen. Morse Applauds a New Program to End Pre-Existing Conditions in Colorado Ahead of Schedule

DENVER—    Governor Bill Ritter announced today the creation of a new state temporary insurance program which will provide coverage to Colorado citizens with pre-existing conditions.  The national health care reform bill will prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against applicants with pre-existing conditions beginning in 2014.  Colorado is one of 30 states that will begin operating an insurance pool prior to the deadline to ensure that all Colorado citizens have equal access to affordable health care. 

The announcement of this temporary insurance agency comes shortly after the close of the 2010 legislative session which demonstrated avid determination and commitment to health care reform in the state.

The state senate was successful in passing landmark legislation to improve the medical and insurance industries including the Health Care Jobs for Colorado Bill which provided incentives for medical professionals to practice in rural and underserved areas, measures to end discrimination against women in policy price, and end unfair claims denial practices.  

Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Spring), sponsor of the Health Care Jobs for Colorado Bill, was in support of the creation of the temporary insurance agency.“By adopting this program we are making our state a leader in health care reform and providing relief for our sick and uninsured. Every Colorado citizen deserves to receive the medical attention that they need, and they don’t need it in 2014- They need it today.”

Sen. Newell Hits the Books

Thursday, July 1 2010

Sen. Newell takes part in prestigious leadership program

DENVER—Monday, Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton) will travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts to attend the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education program. The Harvard Kennedy School selected Sen. Newell to take part in this prestigious program for senior executives and elected officials in state and local government.  This exciting and unique program lasts three weeks and is dedicated to providing public officials with tools for conceptualizing new policy, improving community outreach, exchanging ideas with other professionals, and developing skills for addressing constituents’ needs.

Admission for the program is selective and requires a high level of professional achievement, strong communication skills, and a commitment to public service. “It's such an honor to be selected for the program,” said Sen. Newell. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to collaborate with leaders from around the country to share ideas, sharpen my skills, and take what I learn back to Colorado to better serve my constituents.”

Morse- Levy Bill Kicks Drunk Driving to the Curb

Wednesday, June 30 2010

New Legislation will Increase Penalties for Repeat Offenders

DENVER— As summer temperatures continue to rise the Colorado Department of Transportation will be turning up the heat on drunk drivers.  Law enforcement is increasing patrol and setting up additional DUI checkpoints throughout the summer.  In the initial weekend of increased patrols more than 700 people were arrested for drinking and driving, with more than 23 individuals arrested in Colorado Springs on the very first night alone. However, thanks to new legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) these offenders will face much stricter consequences.

 House Bill 1347 which takes effect on the first of the upcoming month requires mandatory jail time for second time offenders and will significantly increase jail time for multiple offenders. 

“As a former police officer and paramedic, I have seen firsthand the terrible consequences of drinking and driving,” said Senator Morse.   “This bill strikes an important balance between the certainty of punishment if you drive drunk and necessity of treatment for chronic alcohol abusers.”

Lower Penalties

Tuesday, July 13 2010

New law lightens load for tardy trailers in tow

La Junta Tribune-Democrat
By Debi Brazzale
Jul 13, 2010

Beginning July 1, trailers tagging along behind the family vehicle or farm truck are carrying a slightly lighter load. That’s because people who register their non-motorized vehicles—primarily trailers– past their registration deadlines will pay lower penalties under two new laws that just took effect.

The measures signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter scale back mandatory late fees that had been imposed on non-motorized vehicles under a sweeping transportation measure enacted last year. That law–called  FASTER, or “Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery”–raises $250 million a year through wide-ranging fee hikes on Colorado motorists.

The newly revised late fees on trailers are now capped at a modest $10, rather than the $25-$100 late fee that had been in effect since last year.

After hearing from his rural southwestern Colorado constituents who were reeling from sticker shock after being hit with late fees in addition to the higher registration fee collected under FASTER, Sen. Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, said he decided to do something about it.

“I had heard from a number of constituents that the late fees were a problem for them, especially those who don’t use their trailers on a regular basis and they seemed very concerned,” said Whitehead.  “I wanted to reduce the impact of the fees for a lot of my constituents.”

Session over, but work continues for senator

Tuesday, July 6 2010

by Bruce Whitehead, Sunday, July 04, 2010  The Durango Herald

The duties of a senator continue well beyond the session, and it has been great to be out in the district meeting with constituents in all eight counties...

I recently was appointed chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. I also am a member of the Inter-Basin Compact Committee and serve as a board member on the Colorado Foundation for Water Education.

... Thanks for all of your positive comments about this column, and I hope to see you in the district during the next few months. I value your input. I wish you a safe Fourth of July weekend as we celebrate our country's independence.

Several Business-Related Colorado Laws Kick in Thursday

Thursday, July 1 2010

The Denver Business Journal
By: Ed Sealover
June 30th, 2010

The laws requiring the new rules are just two of the several dozen state statutes that go into effect on July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year for state government. An even larger swath of laws passed during 2010 takes effect on Aug. 11, which marks 90 days since the closing of the legislative session.

The requirement to cover applied behavior analysis and autism spectrum disorders actually passed during the 2009 session but had a delayed implementation date in order to give insurance companies time to adjust for the new mandate. Senate Bill 09-244, sponsored by Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, excludes state employee health plans and health plans administered by institutions of higher education from the mandate.

New Law Creates State Office to Prevent HOA Disputes

Thursday, July 1 2010

NBC Denver News 9
By: Jeffrey Wolf
June 30th, 2010

DENVER - Colorado lawmakers hope a new law will help both homeowners and homeowners associations avoid disputes that could land them in court.

House Bill 1278 will create an office inside the state's Division of Real Estate to provide basic information to both parties about their rights and responsibilities in the process.

"The law is not easy to find your way through and read, so we want a very consumer-friendly, user-friendly tool," Sen. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora), who was the Senate sponsor of the measure, said. "The goal of that is to actually help prevent problems, acrimony, tension. The best and cheapest way is preventing problems in the first place."

The measure also calls for all of the HOAs in Colorado to register. Advocates for HOAs say they are often asked about their numbers and cannot answer definitively. The current assumption is that there are roughly 12,000 HOAs and 1.5 million Coloradans who live in them, but those are just assumptions. Each HOA will pay $15 to $20 to staff the state office.