Majority Leader Carroll names Senate committee chairs, vice chairs, and Democratic members

Friday, November 30 2012

DENVER -- Today, Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) named the chairs, vice chairs, and Democratic members of the Senate committees of reference for the 69th General Assembly.

“Our Senators have backgrounds as nurses, lawyers, teachers, non-profit advocates, entrepreneurs, and in ministry.  In naming the committee chairs, vice chairs, and Democratic members, my goal was to put that expertise to good use,” said Majority Leader Morgan Carroll.

The Majority Leader developed a dynamic team of chairs and vice chairs who represent the different geographic regions of Colorado.  The varying backgrounds of the chairs and vice chairs will provide valuable insight to the coming legislative session.  In addition, this coming session, most committees will be smaller than in previous sessions to allow the Senators to dedicate more time to their bills and constituents. 

“The appointments are smart and focused on the needs of the people of Colorado.  There is no doubt that we have an extraordinarily talented group. While chairs and vice chairs help make up the core of our leadership, it is important to recognize that every one of our Senators is a strong, proven leader.  I look forward to fair and thoughtful committee hearings,” said President-designee John Morse.

A committee is the first major step for most legislation.  The chair schedules legislation to be heard and oversees public testimony and debate.  The chair must deliver a timely report of the committee’s actions to the entire Senate.  The vice chair of the committee assists the chair, and runs the committee in the absence of the chair.  The committee members participate in debate and vote to take action on the legislation.  

In the coming legislative session, twenty Democrats will comprise the majority of Colorado's 35-member Senate. Leadership for the 69th General Assembly will include Senate President-designee John Morse (D-Colorado Springs); President Pro Tempore-designee Lucia Guzman (D-Denver); Majority Leader Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora); Assistant Majority Leader Irene Aguilar (D-Denver), Caucus Chair Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County), and Majority Whip Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass).

The appointments are as follows:

Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy:  Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), Chair; Senator Angela Giron (D-Pueblo), Vice Chair; Senator-elect Matt Jones (D-Louisville), member

Appropriations:  Senator Mary Hodge (D-Brighton), Chair; Senator Pat Steadman (D-Denver), Vice Chair; Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), member; Senator-elect Jessie Ulibarri (D-Commerce City), member

Business, Labor, and Technology:  Senator Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton), Chair; Senator Cheri Jahn (D-Wheat Ridge), Vice Chair; Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), member

Education:  Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminster), Chair; Senator Mike Johnston (D-Denver), Vice Chair; Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), member; Senator-elect Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood), member; Senator-elect Nancy Todd (D-Aurora), member

Finance:  Senator Mike Johnston (D-Denver), Chair; Senator-elect Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood), Vice Chair; Senator Cheri Jahn (D-Wheat Ridge), member

Health and Human Services:  Senator Irene Aguilar (D-Denver), Chair; Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton), Vice Chair; Senator Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County), member; Senator-elect John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins), member

Judiciary: Senator Lucia Guzman (D-Denver), Chair; Senator-elect Jessie Ulibarri (D-Commerce City), Vice Chair; Senator Irene Aguilar (D-Denver), member

Local Government:  Senator Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County), Chair; Senator-elect John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins), Vice Chair; Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), member

State, Veterans, and Military Affairs:  Senator Angela Giron (D-Pueblo), Chair; Senator-elect Matt Jones (D-Louisville), Vice Chair; Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminster), member

Transportation:  Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), Chair; Senator-elect Nancy Todd (D-Aurora), Vice Chair; Senator-elect Matt Jones (D-Louisville), member