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Legislative News 2011
2011_Legislation
The League of Women Voters of La Plata County provides the following information to supplement your education regarding pending legislation within the Colorado and Federal Legislatures. Unless specifically noted, the League does not support or oppose any of the specific legislative actions listed below.
To reference the LWVLPC 2008-2010 Legislative activities, click on our Legislation News Archive to your left.
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LWV Legislative Action Alerts/News
*11/7/11 LWVLPC: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LWVLPC members:
We have just received an action alert from LWV regarding an upcoming senate appropriations debate which may result in the recommendation to terminate the Election Assistance Committee.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The four EAC commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. It has an annual budget of about $18 million, used in part to assist states to comply with HAVA.
EAC is an independent bipartisan commission whose mission includes:
- Developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements
- Adopting voluntary voting system guidelines
- Serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration
- Accrediting testing laboratories and certifying voting systems
- Auditing the use of HAVA funds
As can be expected there are opposing views regarding the continued existence of the EAC, but LWV strongly believes that with a highly polarized electorate, and the anticipation of close election results, now is not the time to kill the only agency (created as a result of the contentious election of 2000) which is devoted to improving our election process. Please review and if you agree, take the action recommended below.
Ellen Park LWVLPC Legislation Chair
*Subj: ACTION ALERT: Tell Your Senators -- Elections are Fundamental to Democracy
Soon there is likely to be a move to terminate the U.S. Election Assistance Commission as part of the Senate appropriations process. With many continuing threats to the right to vote, now is not the time to kill the only federal agency that devotes its full resources and attention to improving our elections.
This legislation has no bill number yet, and has not been debated. But the move to end the EAC is expected directly on the Senate floor very soon.
Tell your Senators to oppose the termination of the EAC. Elections are fundamental to a functioning democracy. The value of the EAC far outweighs its monetary costs; in fact, the costs of poorly run elections are intolerable. It is time for election administration to move into the 21st Century, not back toward the 19th.
TAKE ACTION
*9/4/11 LWVLPC: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear LWVLPC members:
This is the first action alert I am sending in the 2011-12 fiscal year. This one is from LWVUS, our national organization, and if you take action it will be sent to our representative in the House. These 2 proposed bills are intended to begin weakening the Clean Air Act enacted in 1970 and amended in 1990 (see ref ), as well as the federal agencies that are required to implement the Act. The LWV was an early and leading advocate of this and our local League has fought long and hard for clean air in the 4 corners region: we depend on many of the provisions of this act.
Please click on the link below to send a message to Representative Scott Tipton.
As always, if you do not wish to receive action alerts from me, please let me know via return email and I will unsubscribe you from my list.
Ellen Park, Legislative Chair LWV La Plata
Subj: ACTION ALERT: Coming Soon to Your Community: Dirty Air
Clean air and public health are under attack in Congress. Very soon the House is expected to vote on two bills which could weaken our environmental public health standards. The first (H.R. 2681) would reduce regulation of cement plants, which are one of the largest sources of industrial mercury toxics in the country. The second (H.R. 2250) would reduce regulations on incinerators and industrial boilers which dump large amounts of toxic pollution into our air.
Take action now to tell your Representative to vote against H.R. 2681 and H.R.2250 which would harm public health
Supporters of this kind of legislation claim that passage will stimulate the economy. Sacrificing tens of thousands of American lives will not create more jobs. Burdening the American people with billions of dollars in health and welfare costs will not lead to sustained economic growth.
League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
*8/5/11 LWVUS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
800,000 Strong for Kids Health, Against Mercury Pollution EPA hears it from America Time to Protect Kids and Cut Dangerous Mercury and Toxic Pollution
*8/5/11 LWVUS: The Clean Air Promise Gains Momentum (NEW)
Last week, the League and its partner organizations launched a citizen's campaign to protect our public health. The Clean Air Promise offers everyone in our community + the public, business leaders and elected officials + a means to come together to do something for real people and real communities. The promise has received some great news coverage, and The Hill published a poignant op-ed by Ms. Allred. Please visit http://www.peoplenotpolluters.org to share your story, make the promise and send a message asking your elected officials to make the promise as well.You can also make the promise on our Facebook page.
*6/13/11 LWVUS Action Alert:
Take a deep breath. And another.
If you're lucky, the air that just filled your lungs was low in smog. According to the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must set air quality standards to protect public health. Based on the science, the EPA is expected to set a new smog standard this July. The oil, coal and other polluting industries are pressuring the Obama administration to delay the standard or to issue a weak standard so that they can continue to pollute our air in order to meet their bottom line.
*Send a message to President Obama. Tell him to stand up against pollution and keep our air clean.
*3/15/11 LWVCO ACTION ALERT SB 168 HEALTH CARE COOP
SB11-168, the Colorado Health Care Cooperative, will be scheduled for second reading very soon.
Please contact our state senator, Ellen Roberts, ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us urgently asking for her vote for SB11-168. This bill will allow the Governor and the Legislature to appoint a board to employ experts to design a blueprint for the Colorado Health Care Cooperative.
The 18-month planning process will be funded by gifts, grants, and donations. Once approved, the plan will be referred by the Legislature to the ballot for the voters to decide its fate.
The Colorado Health Care Cooperative will
- ensure quality, affordable health care for all Coloradans
- Control health care costs
- Increase choice
- Improve quality and value
SB11-168 will favor small businesses and will include a provider payment system that encourages innovation.
Expanded access to medical coverage in underserved areas (rural, urban) is part of the plan.
Money left over after medical needs are met will either be returned to the members of the cooperative (every resident of Colorado) or plowed into further services for the member/owners.
*3/15/11: Dear LWVLPC members:
This alert has just come in and we are being asked to respond. The House of Representatives is expected to consider legislation that would permanently block the EPA from regulating harmful carbon pollution, including carbon monoxide which is especially dangerous for small children and seniors. Click on the contact your representative link below to send a message to Rep. Tipton opposing such legislation. This is a very high priority for our League and the 4 Corners Area with its coal-fired power plants.
Thank you, Ellen Park, LWVLPC Legislative Chair
Subject: ACTION ALERT: Polluters Are At It Again
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is moving legislation that would permanently block the EPA from using the Clean Air Act to regulate harmful carbon pollution. A vote could come in the full House of Representatives very soon. This is not the first bill this year that would endanger America's most vulnerable groups, such as seniors and children, and we expect it will not be the last. So it is vitally important for you to raise your voice now.
Please contact your Representative now and tell him or her to oppose any legislation, including H.R. 910, that would block or prevent action to clean up our air and protect the most vulnerable Americans. You can also call your Representative at 202-225-3121.
League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
*2/16/11 LWVLPC: Dear LWVLPC members,
Keeping our air and water clean is one of the highest priorities of our League and LWVUS. Please take a moment to review this alert and send a message by clicking on the link below.
Thank you,
Ellen Park
LWVLPC Legislative Action Chair
Subj: ACTION ALERT: Keep Our Air Clean
The House of Representatives has unveiled a spending bill that will roll back and defund programs that control life-threatening pollution. This legislation will effectively stop the EPA from protecting America's most vulnerable groups, such as seniors and children, in favor of protecting the bottom line of big polluters.
Take action now to tell your Representative to oppose any legislation that would block or prevent action to clean up our air and protect the most vulnerable Americans.
For decades the EPA has protected the health of children, seniors and all the rest of us from dangerous pollutants through the Clean Air Act. In just the last twenty years, carbon monoxide, which negatively affects those with heart and lung diseases, has been cut by seventy percent.
TAKE ACTION
1. Contact your Representative now and tell him or her to oppose any legislation that would block or prevent action to clean up our air and protect the most vulnerable Americans. You can also call your Representative at 202-225-3121.
2.Send this alert to other concerned citizens -- your grassroots network, your friends and coworkers. Encourage them to contact their elected leaders.
League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
* 2/4/11 LWVUS: LWVUS Legislative Priorities for 2011 (NEW)
The Board adopted the following LWVUS Legislative Priorities for 2011 at its meeting last weekend:
Clean Air Defense; Health Care Defense; Money in Elections (campaign finance reform); and Voter Registration and Election Administration. The Legislative Watch List* is as follows: CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women); Climate Change; Ethics; Immigration; and Safe Drilling and Mining ("Fracking"). *The Watch List means that if an opportunity arises on these issues and does not interfere with action on an advocacy priority, the LWVUS may take action if it appears we can make an impact.
*1/25/11 LWVUS Call to Action:
LWVUS is sending this action alert to members, as the House is expected to vote to eliminate the presidential public financing system on Wednesday.
While the current system based on 35 year old legislation has its flaws, the road to reform or elimination should not be a vote to abolish it without a single committee hearing or floor discussion. There are several ideas put forward by campaign finance reform advocates on how to improve the system. This editorial in the LA Times provides some background
Contact our representative by scrolling down and clicking on the link below.
Ellen Park, LWVLPC Legislative Action Chair
Subj: ACTION ALERT: Protect Presidential Public Financing
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on legislation to eliminate the presidential public financing system which has served America well since 1976. No hearings or committee meetings are scheduled in advance of the vote.
Public financing has allowed candidates to raise the funds needed to wage competitive campaigns. The system has not only promoted competition in elections and provided more meaningful choices to voters but has also helped to ensure that more candidates have the opportunity to share their views with the electorate.
Take action now to tell your Representative to oppose the elimination of the presidential public financing system.
While the system is in need of repair, it is not acceptable for House leaders to destroy the system without one minute of hearings or a single committee meeting. Repair legislation is expected soon that takes into account the changes that have occurred in presidential campaigns in recent years. It is this legislation that the House should be focusing on.
TAKE ACTION
1. Contact your Representative now and tell him or her to oppose the elimination of the presidential public financing system. You can also call your Representative at 202-225-3121.
2. Send this alert to other concerned citizens - your grassroots network, your friends and coworkers. Encourage them to contact their elected leaders.
*1/25/11 LWVCO Call to Action: SB25 The Tax Empowerment Act
This Call to Action is from the Colorado League, and is for a bill which will be come before the Colorado Senate Finance Committee next week: SB 25, the Tax Empowerment Act.
SB 25 requires contractors who work for the state to make available records relating to the costs of any performance measures of the contract. Added accountability and transparency in the operations of state government will help citizens better understand the work of their state government. This is not new. Over the last two years, several measures have been enacted to increase transparency in the state's own records. These have been sponsored by members of both parties.
To insure privacy, there are limits to who can request the information, and any information that would be exempt from Colorado Open Records Law is also exempt from this disclosure.
The bill will be heard in Senate Finance Committee within the next week. Please contact members of the committee (email addresses listed below) to urge them to support SB 25
Members of the Senate Finance Committee
Michael Johnston mike.johnston.senate@state.co.us
Angela Giron angela.giron.senate@state.co.us
Greg Brophy greg@gregbrophy.net
Lucia Guzman lucia.guzman.senate@state.co.us
Cheri Jahn cheri.jahn.senate@state.co.us
Keith King keith@keithking.org
Mark Scheffel mark.scheffel.senate@state.co.us
To email a message to all these senators asking them to support SB 11-25, the Tax Empowerment Act, send your message to the highlighted links above.
See the attachment
for more information.
*1/14/11 LWVUS statement regarding the tragedy in Tucson:
Dear LWVLPC member,
I'm still trying to make sense of the horrific violence that occurred last weekend in Tucson, Arizona.
But with the recent news of Representative Gabrielle Giffords opening her eyes and the U.S. House passing a resolution condemning the attack, we are hopeful that Rep. Giffords will make a full recovery, and that we can create a democracy where all can participate without fear of violence.
For more than 90 years, the League has stood for and worked towards the civil exchange of different points of view. As we continue to honor those who were killed in Tucson and pray for the survivors, I wanted to pass along our statement on the tragedy. We will not slow down in our work to demand a forum for safe political conversation in our democracy. The future of our nation depends on it.
Sincerely,
Elisabeth MacNamara
President, LWVUS
US Legislative News
*4/5/11 NYTimes:The Path to Prosperity - Restoring America's Promise Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Resolution House Committee on the Budget
Health care accounts for much of the savings proposed by the budget blueprint. But while saving large sums for the federal government, the proposals on Medicaid and Medicare could shift some costs to beneficiaries and to the states..
*2/14/11 New York Times:Obama's 2012 Budget Proposal: How $3.7 Trillion Is Spent
Explore every nook and cranny of President Obama's budget proposal.
Colorado Legislative News
*11/12/11 Durango Herald:Colorado a super battleground Denver judge boosts Democrats with new congressional map
By IVAN MORENO
Associated Press
DENVER + A new congressional district map chosen by a Denver judge paves the way for big spending on high-profile races next year because Democrats will then have a chance to unseat two Republican incumbents, political analysts said Friday.
Democrats would get a huge boost from the new boundaries for the 6th Congressional District represented by Rep. Mike Coffman in the southern Denver suburbs. The GOP has held that seat since it was created after the 1980 census. And the sprawling, rural 3rd District on the Western Slope held by Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, would become more competitive than it already is.
Former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll said the proposed map raises the state's status in 2012, potentially attracting big national donors to a place already being courted by President Barack Obama in his re-election bid. "It definitely makes it more interesting. It changes the political landscape in Colorado in a much more competitive direction," said Carroll, a Democrat. "We were already going to be a battleground state, but now we're a super battleground state."
On Thursday, Denver District Judge Robert Hyatt chose a Democrat-sponsored map for Colorado's congressional districts for the next 10 years. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed after the Legislature couldn't agree on districts this spring. Republicans criticized the ruling, but GOP state Chairman Ryan Call has said he's optimistic the party can win most of Colorado's seven congressional seats and have a shot at defeating incumbent Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter in the 7th District. Call said a decision about whether to appeal the ruling will come next week...
*11/11/11 Durango Herald:Judge sides with Dems on maps 3rd District remains competitive for Pace-Tipton congressional race By IVAN MORENO
Associated Press
DENVER + The GOP stronghold held by U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman could be up for grabs after a Denver district judge sided Thursday with Democrats in their proposed redrawing of congressional lines. Judge Robert Hyatt's ruling makes Coffman's suburban Denver district more Democratic by incorporating all of Aurora, the state's third-largest city. It also moves Republican-leaning portions of Coffman's district into the eastern plains seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner. Coffman is facing a challenge from Democratic state Rep. Joe Miklosi, who entered the race after Democrats proposed making Coffman's seat more competitive.
Republicans have held Coffman's 6th Congressional District for decades. Hyatt said the Democrat's proposal makes three districts competitive, with each nearly evenly split among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. Those districts are the 3rd, the 6th, and the 7th. Hyatt said the idea is to make candidates work hard for votes and "engage as many people as possible."
State Democratic House Leader Sal Pace is challenging U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton in the 3rd District, which includes Durango, Cortez and Pagosa Springs. Democratic state Senate President Brandon Shaffer is challenging Gardner in the 4th District, which still leans Republican under the Democratic proposal. For Tipton, R-Cortez, the changes will be minimal...
*10/11/11 Durango Herald:Congressional redistricting trial begins By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
DENVER + Some of Colorado's sharpest political lawyers offered opening arguments this morning in a trial that will help shape the state's partisan landscape for the next decade. Denver Chief Judge Robert Hyatt has set aside the next two weeks to hear evidence about Congressional districts, which need to be redrawn every 10 years to equalize their populations.
Democrats and Republicans have submitted rival plans, and lawyers for Denver-area governments, Hispanic groups and the Pueblo district attorney also were on hand to promote their interests. Republicans want to stick as closely as possible to the current map. Republican lawyer Richard Westfall said the Democratic map would put 1.5 million voters in a different Congressional district. "The lines you're being asked to move affect real people and real communities," Westfall said.
Democratic lawyer Mark Grueskin said the current map, drawn in 2001, should not be "deified." "This is 2011, and things have changed," Grueskin said...
Colorado 2011 session news
*DEADLINE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2012 COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
*2011 Summary of Legislative Bill Tracking by Year
*5/10/11 Trinidad Times:Redistricting at impasse in legislature
By Steve Block, Staff writer,
With little time remaining in the Colorado legislative session redistricting plans for congressional districts have still found no resolution. Multiple redistricting plans for the state's seven congressional districts have been submitted for consideration by both Democrats and Republicans, but none have come to a vote as the session rolls on to its conclusion Wednesday...
*4/26/11 Durango Herald:Lawmakers reject immigrant tuition measure
Children of parents in country illegally would have gotten in-state status under bill
By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
DENVER + Legislators refused Monday to grant in-state tuition to the children of illegal immigrants.
In a party-line 7-6 vote, the House Education Committee killed Senate Bill 126, which would have granted in-state tuition to students who spend three years in a Colorado high school and graduate, even if they aren't in the country legally.
Democrats argued it is wrong to punish children for their parents' violation of immigration law...
*4/25/11 Denver Post:School funding bill passes Colo. House
DENVER--The Colorado House has given final approval to a plan aimed at reducing next year's school cuts by $90 million. The proposal unanimously passed Monday. It now goes to the Senate for consideration...
*4/6/11 Durango Herald State budget struck at last
Dems get lower cuts to schools; GOP gets farm-supply breaks
By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
DENVER + Democrats and Republicans struck a deal on the state budget Tuesday, bringing an end to days of closed-door drama.
Democrats won lower cuts to public schools, while the GOP got tax breaks for farm supplies and software, plus payments to businesses that collect sales tax. About 20 lawmakers informally agreed to the deal in an impromptu meeting on the Senate floor, and the Joint Budget Committee finalized it in an official meeting in the afternoon.
The deal still means a historic cut for schools, totaling $250 million less than last year's level of state support. But Gov. John Hickenlooper had proposed a $332 million cut, and Senate Democrats focused their energy on minimizing the cut.
"No one's happy, but everyone's relieved," Hickenlooper said. "They went at it hard with each other. They pushed hard for their respective goals, and everyone compromised. This is the American system."...
*3/22/11 Denver Post:Committee blocks bill to make Colorado concealed-carry permits optional
Legal concealed-carry users no longer would have needed a permit
By Tim Hoover
A bill that would have made concealed-carry permits optional in Colorado died in a Senate committee Tuesday at the hands of Democrats. The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee killed House Bill 1205 on a 2-3 party-line vote.
Under the bill, concealed-carry permits still would have existed, but anyone who met the criteria to carry a concealed weapon -- which excludes those barred for reasons such as felonies, mental-health and substance- abuse problems or domestic-violence convictions -- could have done so without a permit...
* 1/20/11 Durango Herald: Redistricting dance starts in Denver Lawmakers aim to avoid partisan brawl
By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
DENVER + Ten legislators met Wednesday to begin drawing the map that will determine the fate of U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, and the other six Coloradans in the U.S. House.
The Legislature gets the task of drawing new districts every decade after the Census. But recent attempts have devolved into messy partisan fights that ended up in the courts...
*1/16/11 Durango Herald: Gov. proclaims Colo. pro-business
Hickenlooper and his team listen to residents' ideas for economic plan
By Patrick Young Herald Staff Writer
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper left no doubt he believes Colorado's future lies in its ability to rebrand itself as a "pro-business" state.
"While we may hold ourselves to incredibly high standards of ethical behavior and environmental standards, we are relentlessly pro-business," Hickenlooper said at a Saturday morning economic development meeting in Durango.
Growing business in the state is a win-win situation, he said, benefitting both the public and private sectors.
"Every single component of the state budget is underfunded, yet all over the state, there is no appetite anywhere for more taxes," he said. "What that means is you have to help businesses expand; help those businesses make more money so they can pay more salary so they generate more taxes."...
*1/12/10 Durango Herald: A toast: To lean state service
Hickenlooper uses inauguration to set tone for term ahead
By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
DENVER + Gov. John Hickenlooper moved quickly Tuesday to cement his new administration's relationship with local governments and to promote Colorado worldwide.
Hickenlooper signed four executive orders on his first day in office.
"By taking specific actions today, we want the people of Colorado to know that we heard you and we share your urgency to get Colorado back to work. We also heard you want a leaner and less partisan government," Hickenlooper said in his inaugural speech.
The first order calls for economic development plans from each of the 64 counties. They will be blended into regional plans and finally a state plan that Hickenlooper's administration will follow...
The First Regular Session of the Sixty-eighth General Assembly is scheduled to convene on January 12, 2011.
The First Regular Session of the Sixty-eighth General assembly is scheduled to adjourn sine die on May 11, 2011.
Click CO General Assembly 68 to reference pending legislation.
LWVLPC Legislative Session News
*6/26/11 CO Legislative Session News: - Ellen Park, LWVLPC Legislative Chair
Hi all,
The first session of the 68th General Assembly of the state of Colorado is over. To access the history of all this session's bills, click on http://www.leg.state.co.us/ and surf away. The next session will commence in January, 2012.
To see LWVCO's final take on the session, Legislative Letter #9, the last LWVCO Legislative Letter for 2011 can we accessed on our web site at http://www.lwvlaplata.org/Legislation.html#LWVCO_News
All of the bills that are noted as "To Gov" in the report summary on the last couple of pages will become law because the deadline for Gov. Hickenlooper to veto has passed. Note that PI means a proposed bill was Postponed Indefinitely...i.e. would never be brought to the floor in this session.
Some notes:
The Gov, did veto SB 213, ENROLLEE COST-SHARING FOR CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE CHILDREN'S BASIC HEALTH PLAN, which was passed in both houses and would have required a monthly enrollment fee in for children enrolled in CHP for families depending on family income levels.
As we all know the Redistricting attempt failed to reach a conclusion in the Legislature and will be decided in the courts. The Roberts/Brown bill to change criteria for how the court will decide failed to come to a vote in the Senate, and existing rules will be used.
The Health Benefit Exchange SB 200 finally passed with Amendments, and has been signed into law by the Gov. The bill creates the Colorado health benefit exchange as a nonprofit unincorporated public entity. It will provide an Internet based portal where Coloradans will be able to shop for and enroll in health insurance. Small businesses will also be able to provide health for their employees and their families. The exchange is governed by a board of directors consisting of 9 members appointed by the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leaders of the senate and the house of representatives,and 3 ex officio nonvoting members. The board is responsible for:
Appointing an executive director to administer the exchange;
Creating operational and financial plans;
Applying for planning and establishment grants;
Creating technical and advisory groups;
Providing a written report to the governor and the general assembly regarding the planning and establishment of the exchange;
Reviewing Internet portals for use by the exchange;
Considering the structure of the exchange;
Considering the appropriate size of the small employer market;
Investigating requirements, developing options, and determining waivers to ensure that the best interests of Coloradans are protected.
Finally, for your information and bedtime perusing, I have attached a chart depicting how a bill becomes Colorado law. See How a bill becomes law in CO
and enjoy.
LWVCO News
* Legislative Letter 9-2011 JUne 3, 2011
This is the is the final Legislative Letter for 2011 from LWVCO.
All of the bills that are noted as "to gov" will become law because the deadline for him to veto has passed, except SB 213, which the governor vetoed.
* 2011 LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP May 2011
Legislative Action Committee, League of Women Voters of Colorado
The Second Regular Session of the Sixty-Seventh General Assembly did something not seen for a few years: didn't end early. A slew of late bills, some very contentious, caused the legislature to use the full 120 days, less a couple of hours.
The Legislative Action Committee followed more than 110 bills this year, supporting about 80% and opposing about 20%. More than half of those we opposed were defeated. Only about 20% of those we supported were defeated....
* Legislative Letter 8-2011
April 25,2011: Redistricting: The Legislature's Second Required Job this Session
The Joint Select Committee on Redistricting was selected before Colorado's 68th General Assembly even started. It was an attempt to prepare a US Congressional redistricting plan on a bipartisan basis to preclude the need for a special session and/or another plan determined by the courts.
Membership of the committee is made up of five Democrats and five Republicans. Five are from the Senate and five from the House. The members come from throughout the state. Members are: Sens. Heath (Co-chair) (D), Schwartz(D), Carroll (D), Brophy (R)and Scheffel (R); Reps. Balmer (Co-chair) (R), Nikkel (R), Coram (R), E Vigil (D), and Pabon (D).
Colorado's population has increased 17% since the last census, but not enough to warrant an eighth district. However, not every district has increased population in equal proportions, so some revamping is necessary to put 718,457 people into each district. Equal population (or as close as possible) is required to achieve "one per-son, one vote."...
*Legislative Letter 7-2011
April 11, 2011: THE BUDGET
By this time in the session, we are usually publishing our analysis of the just passed Long Bill (SB 209, Sen. Hodge, Rep.Gerou; watch). This year, political differences delayed introduction for over a week. As we go to press, the Senate has passed the budget on second reading, for the most part in the form that it was brought to the floor. Substantive changes amounted to restoring funding for some programs, if and as money becomes available from payments under a tax amnesty program, proposed by SB 184 (which the Senate approved on second reading also on April 8)...
*Legislative Letter 6-2011 March 28, 2011:
THROWAWAY CHILDREN REVISITED
The League of Women Voters has long been concerned about the punitive direction our laws took in 1996 with
the passage of HB 96-1005 Juvenile Justice. This change in direction was a response to an increase in youth violence
and the perception that the juvenile justice system was inadequate to handle it. (At that time the longest
term a child could be sentenced to in the juvenile system was 5 years; it is now seven years.) HB 96-1005 lowered
the age at which a juvenile could be charged as an adult to 12 and lowered the age at which a juvenile
could be direct filed on from 16 to 14 (League opposed this). Direct file allows the DA to make the decision to
file in adult court instead of a juvenile court judge making the decision after considering specified factors at a transfer hearing. We believe that this represents an abandonment of the concept of the juvenile justice system
which was created because it was recognized that children and adolescents are not miniature adults and are capable
of growth and change and deserve an opportunity to be rehabilitated...
*Legislative Letter 5-2011
March 14, 2011:
HEALTH CARE REFORM: OPT OUT OR TAKE ADVANTAGE? Nothing typifies the conflict over healthcare reform more clearly than two bills currently moving through the legislature. The first would enable Colorado to opt out of federal healthcare reform altogether.
NEW HB 1273 Health Care Opportunity Patient Empower (Rep. Nikkel and Stephens; Sen. Kopp) (oppose)
would authorize the state to negotiate with other states to develop an interstate compact to allow the signatory states to opt out of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in order to regulate health care at the state level...
The other bill would develop a mechanism to provide efficient and effective healthcare to people throughout Colorado,taking advantage of the federal healthcare reform. (For a detailed description of this bill, see LL#4, page 30.)
SB 11-168, Colorado Health Care Cooperative (Sen. Aguilar; Rep. Kefalas) (support). At the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee hearing on February 28, 20 proponents and 3 opponents presented lengthy testimony.
Supporters, including League, spoke of the importance of implementing an efficient and cost effective system that would provide broad access including in rural areas. Supporters included numerous small business owners who described the cooperative as a solution to their challenges with getting health insurance for themselves and their employees. Opponents who spoke represented parts of the insurance industry, concerned that cooperatives would impact their industry...
*Legislative Letter 4-2011 February 28, 2011:
CREATION OF COLORADO HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
Although the United States Congress passed the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act in 2010, there is still a long way to go in delivering basic level quality health care at an affordable cost to U.S. citizens. Sen. Aguilar has introduced SB 168, Creation of the Colorado Health Care Authority to design a health care cooperative for Coloradoans. The League has long championed health care services to all, and believes health care policy goals should include equitable distribution of services, efficient and economical delivery of care and reasonable total national expenditure levels for health care.
SB 168 proposes that an authority be formed --funded by gifts, grants and donations-- to recommend a coopera-tive to the general assembly. Upon legislative approval, the measure would go to the voters as a referred meas-ure. The members of the authority would be selected by the president of the senate, the speaker of the house and the governor, addressing geographical, social and demographic diversity of the state.
The Cooperative would be a nonprofit, member-governed corporation, with all Colorado residents electing the Colorado Health Care Board that would make financial and coverage decisions. The coverage for basic, prima-ry health care would be provided to all Colorado residents. The bill makes allowances for persons who have additional insurance plans, making the Cooperative a secondary plan. Successful cooperatives use high-performance integrated health care systems (IHS) that have a primary care team called a "Medical home" to help members maintain or achieve wellness and they provide a network of specialists and hospitals for disease care when needed...
*Legislative Letter 3-2011
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS TO ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION
A new approach to legislation that was unsuccessful two years ago would enable undocumented students the opportunity
to attend institutions of higher education in Colorado at in-state tuition rates. The new bill SB 126 Unsubsidized
In-State Tuition sponsored by Sens. Giron and Rep. Miklosi (support) creates a new classification of student at
state higher education institutions...
*Legislative Letter 2-2011
IMMIGRATION BILL INTRODUCED
Sen. Lambert and Rep. Balmer have introduced SB 54 Authority To Arrest Unlawful Aliens (oppose), which
is loosely modeled on a controversial AZ law and is an attempt to deal with the problem of illegal immigration.
It does so by making violation of federal law also a state offense. The bill would empower a law enforcement
officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the officer has "probable cause" (a fairly well-defined legal
concept) to believe that the person is an alien who meets any one of three criteria:
- Has been ordered to leave the country;
- Has been indicted for or been convicted of one or more aggravated felonies, as defined in federal law;
or,
- Has willfully failed to register with the federal government, as required by federal law.
The bill stipulates that the bill, if enacted, "shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating
immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons, and respecting the privileges and immunities
of United States citizens."
The bill is an improvement over the Arizona law in that it requires " probable cause"
before making an arrest, and this is a better established legal standard than the "reasonable suspicion" that the
Arizona law requires...
*Legislative Letter 1-2011
ACTION ALERTS
This year, we are adopting a new process for requesting lobbying "action" from local leagues and their
members. Along with each legislative letter, we will include this page identifying 1-3 bills for action by
members. Included will be a short description, our position and explanation. We will ask that you contact
members of the committee of reference hearing the bill, or contact your senator or representative
when the full body is set to hear a bill. These days, best communication is by email, although phone calls
(often leaving a message) and letters are also just fine. You can find phone numbers, email and US mail
addresses of legislators. Look near the middle of the screen for Legislative Directory (Pink Book).
LWVCO Legislative Conference
* Legislative Conference Report for 2010
Legislation - Economy
*6/29/11 WEBinar: click Fiscal Education Network: The Fiscal Impact of the Support our Schools for a Bright Colorado Initiative to download the presentation from the WEBinar presented by Colorado NonProfit Association
* see 2011 economy legislation news
Legislation- Education Youth & families
*see 2011 Youth & families legislation news
Healthcare
*see 2011 Healthcare legislative news
Legislation - Global Outreach
*see 2011 Global Outreach legislative news
Legislation-Environment
*see 2011 Energy, Environment & Sustainability legislative news
Past Legislative Actions
*Wednesday, May 25, 4-7pm Colorado Civic Engagement Meeting, Fort Lewis College Ballroom, w/ Wine & Cheese Reception to follow.
We'd like to invite you to participate in a discussion with other community leaders to explore a way to build a better Colorado for all of us.
Click invite
or click flier
for more information.
Co-Conveners: Durango Chamber of Commerce, Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce, La Plata League of Women Voters, Montezuma League of Women Voters.
RSVP to angeline.roles@absolutesuccessconsulting.com
- Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 Legislative Lowdown 9:30 - 11:30am in the Peaks Room at the Durango Rec Center.
Come hear your local state representatives, Senator Ellen Roberts and Congressman J. Paul Brown, discuss the issues for the 2011 Colorado legislative session.
1/17/11 LWVLPC request for legislative action:
Dear LWVLPC members,
This coming week the US House of Representatives is planning to introduce and vote on a bill to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010. LWV has taken a strong position opposing this repeal, and we are all urged to contact our Representative to tell him that repealing the act is not the way to go forward - many Americans have already received needed benefits, which they would once again lose.
Please take action by clicking act now on your healthcare legislation
Ellen Park
Legislative Chair, LWVLPC
Legislation References
6/26/11: After three years of cutbacks, after cutting K-12 and higher education, after closing state parks and prisons, more and more Coloradans are asking questions about state finances and our fiscal challenges.
We think Coloradans want to talk about the state budget.
The first step is learning the basics, and that's why the Bell, along with ProgressNow Colorado, produced Colorado's Budget: In Plain Talk
6/26/11: How a bill becomes law in CO
4/28/11: The Center for Colorado's Economic Future provides nonpartisan information and analysis of issues impacting the economic future of Colorado. The goal of our research is to help Colorado's citizens and leaders make decisions that strengthen the state's economy and quality of life.
The Center's latest project is a comprehensive review of the state government's revenue system, requested by the Colorado General Assembly in SJR 10-002. Phase 1 findings, presented to the legislature on Feb. 25, 2011, show a long-term structural imbalance between General Fund revenues and expenditures
A four-page summary of the preliminary report is available. The full Phase 1 report is also now available, and the results of additional analysis will be released later this summer.
The first phase of Charlie Brown's work is now available at Charlie Brown
*1/19/11 LWVLPC Reapportionment and Redistricting by Trish
Pegram, LWVLCP member
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Last revised: February 3, 2012 11:27 PST.
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