Speaker McNulty’s Statement on Proposition 103

DENVER— Today, the Secretary of State’s Office announced that Proposition 103, a Democrat led tax hike initiative, has enough signatures to appear on the ballot. 

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, released the following statement regarding the Democrat proposed tax hike:

“Democrats don’t get it.  Colorado’s hardworking families and job creators are struggling to survive in this recession.  The last thing they need right now is Democrats pushing another state tax increase. 

“This year, House Republicans successfully repealed several Democrat sponsored tax increases, so we could help families and small businesses during these challenging economic times.  In fact, Republicans were able to eliminate these burdensome taxes while reducing proposed cuts to K-12 education. 

“Republicans believe the best way to fund K-12 education is by creating jobs right here in Colorado, helping to put Colorado families back to work.”

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House GOP Encouraged by Administration’s Defense of Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

DENVER—Only weeks after House and Senate Democrat leadership voted against supporting the right of Coloradans to approve or reject all tax increases as set forth in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, the Hickenlooper Administration released legal briefs detailing its defense of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. 

“I’m encouraged that this administration is defending the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and the rights of Coloradans threatened by this egregious lawsuit,” said Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.  “Coloradans voted for the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights to keep their government in check; it’s important that elected officials understand that.”

According to The Denver Post the brief states:  

“From the very first paragraph of their complaint, plaintiffs make clear that this case is an effort to have the courts remove what they see as an obstacle to their policy agenda: direct citizen participation in lawmaking."

In July, the Executive Committee of Legislative Council held a vote to support Coloradans' right to approve or reject tax increases.  The measure died on a 3-3 vote, with Republicans voting in favor and  Democrat Senate President Brandon Shaffer of Longmont, Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Fountain, and House Minority Leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, voting against the right of Colorado voters to approve tax increases.  Morse is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights is unconstitutional because it requires a vote of the people on all tax increases.   

“Protecting the rights of Coloradans should not be a partisan issue,” said House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument.  “It is the responsibility of our government to defend our working families and to protect the right of Colorado voters to vote on tax increases.”    

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Stephens’s Statement on 11th Circuit’s Ruling on Obamacare

DENVER—Today, the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Obamacare’s requirement that Americans be forced to buy insurance is unconstitutional. 

Colorado House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Colorado Springs, released the following statement about the court’s decision:

“Republicans have been arguing that Obamacare is unconstitutional for close to two years.  Now, another federal court has ruled that President Obama and the federal government cannot dictate that American citizens buy health insurance. 

“I applaud the court for their decision and continue to support Attorney General John Suthers as he fights to overturn Obamacare.” 

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New Laws Helping the Economy, Local Communities, Children Go into Effect Today

DENVER— Several new bills went into effect today, highlighting the House Republican’s dedication to getting Colorado’s economy back on track, helping local communities and protecting children.

“The House of Representatives had a very productive session,” said House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument.  “As seen with the laws that go into effect today, House Republicans are committed to getting our economy back on track, helping local communities and protecting our children.”   

The 2011 session featured laws that repeal the Democrats’ tax increases on farmers and ranchers, and small businesses who use software.  Today, additional laws will go into effect that will further help Colorado’s economy improve.

House Bill 1083, sponsored by State Rep. Keith Swerdfeger, R-Pueblo West, allows the Public Utilities 

Commission to consider using hydroelectricity and pumped-hydroelectricity operations.

“This law uses clean and renewable energy to create jobs and will help lower the prices of electricity for Coloradans,” said Swerdfeger. 

House Republicans also led the way on several pieces of legislation that will help Colorado’s local communities, especially those in need. 

Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland, sponsored House Bill 1014, which extends the income tax credit for contributions to child care centers, including afterschool programs and shelters for homeless youth.  DelGrosso also sponsored HB 1241 that eliminates the red tape for nonprofit housing developers like Habitat for Humanity.

“Republicans in the House of Representatives are committed to helping those in need,” said DelGrosso.  “In addition to helping with child and youth care, and for organizations that help working families with housing, Republicans in the House championed legislation that will help organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill, the Girl Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity and others to continue their work on behalf of the 

people of Colorado.”

The House GOP also successfully passed legislation to protect children by barring felons convicted of dangerous crimes from teaching in schools. 

“There is nothing more important to me than fighting for the protection of children,” said the law’s sponsors, Rep. Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster. “Prohibiting felons convicted of dangerous crimes was an obvious step and necessary for us to ensure that our schools are a safe place for the children entrusted to our care.” 

“Time and again, the House Republicans have taken a stand for improving our economy, helping our communities and protecting our children,” added Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.  “The laws that go into effect today are a testament to our dedication to making Colorado a state that we can all be proud of.”          

Below is the complete list of laws that will go into effect today, Wed., Aug. 10, 2011. 

1002	Nikkel, Kopp	CDOT On-line Financial Database	Approved 6/2/2011
1004	Baumgardner, Harvey	Farm Truck Registration	Approved 5/4/2011
1010	Acree, Brophy	Incidental Use Of Tax-exempt Property	Approved 6/2/2011
1011	Peniston, Giron	Board Of Assessment Appeals Hearings	Approved 3/11/2011
1013	Schafer S., Bacon	Exempt Active Military Prof Regulation	Approved 4/13/2011
1014	DelGrosso, Roberts	Child Care Contrib Income Tax Credit	Approved 6/2/2011
1026	Gerou, Jahn	Storm Water Management Sys Admr	Approved 5/9/2011
1028	Liston, Johnston	Alzheimer's Assn Tax Checkoff	Approved 3/11/2011
1030	Gardner B., Boyd	Procurement Set Aside Program	Approved 3/21/2011
1031	Miklosi, Foster	Creative Districts	Approved 3/22/2011
1032	Lee, Newell	Restorative Justice	Approved 6/7/2011
1037	Ryden, Carroll	Military Family Checkoff Extension	Approved 3/1/2011
1040	Brown, Tochtrop	Extend State Conservation Bd Term Length	Approved 3/22/2011
1041	Riesberg, Harvey	Update Colo Ins Guaranty Assn Statute	Approved 3/11/2011
1050	Soper, Tochtrop	Boiler Inspection Regulation	Approved 3/9/2011
1060	Todd, Renfroe	Governor Appointment Terms To UNC Board	Approved 3/18/2011
1071	Hamner, Bacon	Roundup River Ranch Tax Checkoff	Approved 6/6/2011
1072	McNulty, Morse	Designated Rep Of Initiative Proponents	Approved 6/2/2011
1073	Barker, Morse	Peace Officer Status US Marshals	Approved 3/18/2011
1074	Gerou, Jahn	School Of Mines Funding Of Financial Aid	Approved 3/25/2011
1077	Peniston, Spence	Education Of Gifted Children	Approved 3/18/2011
1079	Casso, Jahn	Reduce Youth Homelessness	Approved 3/31/2011
1083	Swerdfeger, Giron	Hydroelectricity & Pumped Hydro	Approved 3/29/2011
1085	Schafer S., Jahn	Community Corrections Referral By DOC	Approved 3/22/2011
1087	Vigil, Giron	Pest Control Reimbursement	Approved 3/11/2011
1091	Liston, Morse	Sales Tax Exemption For Med Equipment	Approved 5/27/2011
1097	Barker, Guzman	Goodwill Industries Tax Checkoff	Approved 5/4/2011
1105	Acree, White	Hospital Worker Assault Protection	Approved 6/2/2011
1109	Liston, Giron	Telecom Equip Local Sales Tax Exemption	Approved 5/27/2011
1111	Sonnenberg, Jahn	Dept Of Ag Livestock Confidential Data	Approved 4/6/2011
1115	Priola, Tochtrop	Public Entity Construction Retainage	Approved 5/26/2011
1121	Ramirez, King K.	Bar Felons From School Employment	Approved 5/27/2011
1126	Duran, Hudak	Improving Parent Involvement In Schools	Approved 4/20/2011
1144	Solano, Tochtrop	Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders	Approved 3/25/2011
1145	McCann, Tochtrop	Availability Background Check Child Care	Approved 5/9/2011
1151	Hamner, Nicholson	Cruelty To Service Animals	Approved 3/30/2011
1153	Hullinghorst, Newell	Juror Service Courts	Approved 3/29/2011
1157	Casso, White	Diesel Inspection Program Exemption	Approved 6/2/2011
1159	Coram, Schwartz	License Grain Protein Analyzers	Approved 4/8/2011
1160	Gerou, Jahn	Gov Energy Ofc Green Bldg Incent Prog	Approved 5/4/2011
1163	Vaad, Tochtrop	CDOT Super-load Highway Permits	Approved 5/27/2011
1166	Murray, Aguilar	Type 1 Diabetes Special License Plate	Approved 6/2/2011
1174	Vaad, Renfroe	Manufactured Home Cert Of Destruction	Approved 4/6/2011
1176	Ramirez, Renfroe	Crude Oil Hazardous Substance Transport	Approved 3/25/2011
1177	Sonnenberg, Schwartz	Healthy Rivers Fund Tax Donation	Approved 3/22/2011
1178	Looper, Williams S.	Mortuary Science Regulation	Approved 4/6/2011
1180	Levy, Guzman	Criminal Sentencing To Reduce Recidivism	Approved 4/8/2011
1183	Bradford, Spence	Death Certificate Indicate If Pregnant	Approved 3/31/2011
1192	Coram, Brophy	Longer Vehicle Combinations Highways	Approved 4/13/2011
1195	Gardner B., Newell	Private Investigators Voluntary License	Approved 6/10/2011
1196	Summers, Foster	Flexibility In Funding Family Services	Approved 5/9/2011
1198	Kerr J., Schwartz	PUC Recodify Motor Carrier Statutes	Approved 4/22/2011
1200	Barker, Roberts	Substance Abuse Assessment At Intake	Approved 5/5/2011
1202	Labuda, Tochtrop	Approp For Change Order Prior To Work	Approved 3/21/2011
1203	Lee, Nicholson	Private Custodian Seal Criminal Records	Approved 3/29/2011
1210	Hamner, Nicholson	Require CDOT I-70 Mtn Corridor Recomms	Approved 3/30/2011
1237	Swerdfeger, Bacon	National Guard Quarters & Billeting Fund	Approved 5/27/2011
1239	Nikkel, Roberts	New Crime Fiscal Note Analysis	Approved 3/29/2011
1241	DelGrosso, Lundberg	Charitable Use Property Tax Exemption	Approved 6/2/2011
1277	Massey, Bacon	Statutory Changes To K-12 Education	Approved 6/9/2011
1279	Sonnenberg, Hodge	Overweight Vehicle Permits	Approved 5/19/2011
1283	Gerou, Steadman	Extend Bioscience Grant Program	Approved 5/9/2011
1289	Sonnenberg, Hodge	Water Supply Structure Historic Register	Approved 5/9/2011
1298	Tyler, Spence	Craig Hospital Special License Plate	Approved 6/2/2011
1301	Waller, Schwartz	Higher Ed Inst Efficiency	Approved 6/7/2011
1310	Sonnenberg, Bacon	Funding For Capitol Dome Restoration	Approved 5/27/2011
1313	Massey, Jahn	Extend Clerk And Recorder Surcharge	Approved 5/27/2011
1316	Priola, Johnston	Special License Plates Avalanche Nuggets	Approved 5/19/2011
2	Carroll, Kerr J.	Low-income Telephone Assistance Prog	Approved 3/21/2011
7	Grantham, Becker	Place Of Trial Failure To Register	Approved 4/13/2011
16	Grantham, Barker	Probate Exempt Prop & Family Allowance	Approved 3/29/2011
29	Hudak, Summers	State Land Board Annual Reports	Approved 3/22/2011
31	Cadman, Looper	Collector's Motor Vehicles	Approved 3/31/2011
37	Heath, Kerr J.	World War II Special License Plate	Approved 4/22/2011
39	Tochtrop, Massey	Self-storage Prop Lien Sale By Owner	Approved 4/6/2011
51	Giron, Swerdfeger	Gaming & Lottery Intercepts State Debt	Approved 6/2/2011
66	Jahn, Gardner B.	Special Event Permit Alcohol Beverage	Approved 5/23/2011
81	White, McCann	9Health Fair Tax Checkoff Extension	Approved 4/13/2011
82	King S., Acree	OSA Security Audits IT Systems	Approved 4/13/2011
83	Roberts, Barker	Probate Code Omnibus	Approved 4/8/2011
84	Boyd, Summers	Employment At Long-term Care Facilities	Approved 4/13/2011
85	Shaffer B., McCann	Prostitution Offender Program Courts	Approved 6/2/2011
102	Williams S., Todd	Mental Health Tax Checkoff	Approved 5/27/2011
104	Roberts, Holbert	Sunset Community Acct'lity Prog Adv Bd	Approved 3/21/2011
119	Guzman, Pabon	Appeal Valuation Commercial Real Prop	Approved 4/26/2011
120	Newell, Kefalas	Protections For Youth In Foster Care	Approved 4/8/2011
123	Foster, Summers	Technical Changes Child Support Process	Approved 3/21/2011
125	White, Sonnenberg	Nursing Home Fees & Order Of Payments	Approved 5/23/2011
165	Guzman, Kerr A.	CO Uniform Estate Tax Apportionment Act	Approved 5/19/2011
166	Johnston, Wilson	Uniform Disclaimer Property Interest Act	Approved 5/23/2011
178	Newell, Sonnenberg	Manner Of Local Sales Tax Exemption	Approved 5/27/2011
183	Aguilar, Gardner B.	State Boards & Persons With Disabilities	Approved 4/26/2011
197	Boyd, Acree	Girl Scouts Centennial License Plate	Approved 6/3/2011
204	Giron, Swerdfeger	University Role And Mission	Approved 6/10/2011
239	Newell, Swerdfeger	Repeal Report Reqmnt Re Municipal Info	Approved 5/27/2011
240	Hudak, Murray	Sunset Review Private Occupational Sch	Approved 6/2/2011
245	Bacon, Murray	Higher Ed Educator Preparation Programs	Approved 5/23/2011
256	Guzman, Ferrandino	Penalties For Graffiti	Approved 6/2/2011
265	Johnston, Scott	Name Change Mesa State College	Approved 6/6/2011
272	Hodge, Summers	Adult Stem Cells Cure Fund Tax Checkoff	Approved 6/2/2011
273	Steadman, Massey	Alcohol Beverage Festival Area	Approved 5/27/2011

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