Legislative Updates

This week, the Capitol has been a veritable whirlwind of activity! The four committees I work on have packed agendas and the Senate has held long floor sessions.  Every day is a long day and there is much work to be done before the legislative session ends on May 11th.

In my newsletter, I reported on two of my more recent bills that have impacted Pueblo. Both of the bills started in the Senate and have moved to the House.  SB 204, the bill that allows CSU-Pueblo and CU Colorado Springs to expand their missions is sponsored by Representative Swerdfeger (R) of Pueblo.  Currently the bill is awaiting a 3rd reading vote.

SB 235, the Air Modeler Permit Bill, which creates a process to expedite the air permitting process in the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment, has passed out of the House Economic and Business Development Committee.  This bill, of which I’m the Senate prime sponsor, is in the House with co-prime sponsors Representative Pace(D) and Representative Swerdfeger (R), both of whom represent Pueblo. It is expected that this bill will pass through the House and be signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper.

The Senate and the House both passed the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Act this week. Senate Bill 200 is a uniquely Colorado solution. The exchange will help facilitate one-stop shopping for health insurance for more than 350,000 Colorado families and businesses.  A health exchange is a single marketplace for health insurance designed to help individuals and small employers in Colorado make informed decisions about purchasing health insurance. The exchange will offer a choice of plans, facilitate competition to improve quality and lower costs, and offer a simple, navigable interface to help Coloradans purchase the health plans that best suit their needs.

As part of my work on the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee, we gave initial approval to a bill that will foster direct connections from the farm to the table. The Local Foods, Local Jobs Act (SB 258) will create jobs, strengthen local economies, and support agritourism throughout Colorado. This bill makes it easier for local food growers to sell baked goods, jams and jellies, spices, and dehydrated fruits and vegetables to Colorado families. It also boosts entrepreneurial opportunities and increases the availability of fresh, nutritious foods.

HB 1109 - The Telecommunications Equipment Local Sales Tax Exemption bill will allow local communities the ability to waive local taxes for machinery and equipment infrastructure purchases used by companies who bring their telecommunications services to local Colorado communities. The provisions in this bill will provide an incentive for companies to invest in telecommunications in Colorado’s local communities. I sponsored this bill - it has passed through both the House and Senate and is ready for the Governor’s signature!

There is a great article in Friday’s Chieftain that talks about HB 1311. Now that it has passed the House, I am anxious to move this legislation through the Senate. I was able to get it out of the Senate Finance committee on Friday with a unanimous vote and it will be heard by the full Senate on Monday. It will be a boon for Pueblo and I am proud that Reps. Swerdfeger, Pace and I could make bipartisanship work to Pueblo’s benefit!

FUN at the CAPITOL!

In this busy, busy week there were a few moments for fun.  On Friday, I was able to meet Rocky – the mascot for the Colorado Nuggets and Bernie, the mascot for the Colorado Avalanche. Rocky and Bernie were at the Capitol advocating for the creation of Nuggets and Avalanche license plates. Lynn Bartels, a Denver Post journalist, snapped a great photo of us for her blog.

PUEBLO HAPPENINGS!

I was greatly honored to be invited by Pueblo’s Eastside Commission to be the Grand Marshall of this year’s Cinco de Mayo Parade.  It was the biggest one yet and I was thrilled to see all the entries. There were loads of kids from the Boys & Girls Club, dance groups, marching bands, a conjunto group, City police on horses, classic cars, floats… I opted to walk the parade route and enjoyed running over to the sidewalks to hug friends and say “hi” to kids and their families.  It was nice to end the parade at El Centro del Quinto Sol where there was plenty of shade, kids playing on the swings, and families lying on the grass.  It was a great way to spend a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning in Pueblo.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.  ~Abraham Lincoln

In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to share with you one of my favorite quotes. It reminds me of my own mother who passed away 17 years ago. As I have made my way through this last legislative session, I have counted on my mother’s blessings and her legacy of hard work to see me through.  For those of you who still have your mothers, hug them tight and wish them a very Happy Mother’s Day!