Gov. Ritter Signs Sen. Schwartz's Bills into Law
Tuesday, June 8 2010
Bills to Boost Rural Economies and Protect Seniors
MONTE VISTA – Gov. Bill Ritter today signed three important bills that will help rural Colorado by encouraging development of hydro-electric facilities, protecting Colorado’s potato export market and providing financial security to senior citizens. Gov. Ritter was joined by Sen. Gail Schwartz, Rep. Ed Vigil and community members at the Monte Vista Co-op to celebrate Senate Bills 19, 42 and 72.
“Monte Vista and the San Luis Valley’s important farming and energy industries help drive our state’s economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “Sen. Gail Schwartz has been a strong leader in bringing good jobs and helping build vibrant, sustainable communities in the Valley through her legislative work. I’m proud to stand with her today to sign these bills, which will support rural economies across Colorado.”
“This legislation is about making Colorado stronger and more competitive,” said Sen. Schwartz. “I am proud to have been the sponsor of so many bills that will create jobs, stimulate growth in the clean energy and agriculture industries, and strengthen economic prosperity for people across the state.”
Senate Bill 19 (Schwartz/Fischer) will standardize the property value assessment of hydro-electric facilities.
“Colorado is blessed with tremendous energy resources,” Sen. Schwartz said. “Harnessing and investing in homegrown energy sources like hydro-electric will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and utilize existing water resources.”
Senate Bill 42 (Schwartz/Kefalas & Frangas) will make it easier for financial institutions to work with law enforcement and government to identify fraud and help elderly and disabled populations before it’s too late.
“Too often, Colorado senior citizens become victims of theft and fraud,” Sen. Schwartz said. “This bill takes one more step to provide a safeguard for our friends and neighbors who are at the greatest risk of becoming victims of financial exploitation. By focusing on early detection, we are giving at-risk adults piece-of-mind that their financial assets are well protected.”
“This law is an important step forward to protect elders and at-risk adults from financial exploitation,” Rep. John Kefalas said. “Had this law been on the books sooner, it could have prevented the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from a 91-year-old woman by her family member.”
Senate Bill 72 (Schwartz/Vigil) is known as the Colorado Seed Potato Act and will help protect Colorado’s $328 million per year potato industry by requiring that Colorado commercial potatoes to be planted from certified seed.
“I would like to acknowledge the Colorado potato growers for crafting this legislation so that we can keep our state’s potato industry competitive,” Sen. Schwartz said. “I was pleased to carry this bill on behalf of the hard-working farmers in the San Luis Valley. This law will open up new national and international markets for Colorado’s high-quality potatoes and will strengthen the potato industry in the state.”
“It is great to welcome the Governor to the San Luis Valley,” Rep. Ed Vigil said. “Every day, the farmers of the Valley feed the state and the nation, and this Seed Potato Act will help us do that better. It will increase the competitiveness of Colorado potato growers and help prevent potato diseases. Today is the day we open up new national and international markets for the Valley's potatoes."
