Press Room

Governor Hickenlooper signs two bills by Senator Newell

Friday, May 13 2011

Senator Linda Newell watches Governor Hickenlooper sign House Bill 1188

ENGLEWOOD— Today Governor John Hickenlooper came to Englewood to sign two bills sponsored by Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton). Senator Newell’s bills will protect the investments local businesses make and ensure that the votes of our overseas military men and women are counted. House Bill 1188 protects automobile dealers from costly manufacturers’ mandates and provides a “safe haven” for dealers from pressure, coercion and penalties by manufacturers, allowing dealers to create and retain jobs and pass the cost savings on to consumers. House Bill 1219 makes voting for overseas military personnel easier and more uniform by establishing a reasonable timetable for application, registration, and provision of ballots.

House Bill 1188

Senator Newell offered the following comment on the signing of House Bill 1188:
 
“This bill helps protect jobs and small businesses around the state.  Auto dealerships are a major part of our local communities.  This bill helps provide stability for Colorado auto dealers and their employees by shielding them from costly and burdensome facility mandates by out of state manufacturers.  With this, we are protecting Colorado local jobs and maintaining revenue for the state.”
 
Auto dealers are consistently pressured by manufacturers to upgrade the exterior and interior of their showrooms and service facilities.  All of the improvements are mandated at the expense of the dealer.
 
House Bill 1188 will protect dealers who have built a new facility or have made upgrades to an existing facility within the last seven years and at a cost greater than $250,000.

House Bill 1219
 
Senator Newell gave the following comment regarding the signing of House Bill 1219 today:
 
“There isn’t enough we can do to protect the voting rights of overseas military personnel and their families. These men and woman risk their lives every day to defend our nation and our way of life. Those who sacrifice to serve our country deserve every effort on our part to ensure their votes are counted.”
 
Voting has been a challenge for overseas military personnel. While measures have been taken at a federal level, the state and local levels have had problems in trying to enfranchise military personnel. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UMOVA), was drafted in response to significant obstacles that overseas military personnel and civilians face in exercising their right to vote.
 
House Bill 1219 will also allow voters to use electronic transmission methods in extenuating circumstances and requires ballots to be counted as long as all essential requirements have been fulfilled.

Representative Pete Lee (left), a sponsor of the bill in the House, and Senator Linda Newell (right) watch Governor Hickenlooper sign House Bill 1219