Friday, November 25, 2011

House GOP Encourages Coloradans to Take Part in Small Business Saturday

DENVER—Now that the Thanksgiving dinner is finished and the dishes are cleaned, people across the country are gearing-up for Christmas.

House Republicans encourage Coloradans to take part in Small Business Saturday, which takes place on Nov. 26th.  

“Small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy,” said State Rep. Libby Szabo, R-Arvada.  “This Saturday, I hope our fellow Coloradans will join the House Republicans and visit our state’s wonderful small businesses to kick-off the shopping season.”  

Coloradans are also encouraged to stop by local coffee shops, ice cream parlors and restaurants when they need a break from their shopping excursions.

“Colorado has some of the best restaurants in the country,” said Rep. Keith Swerdfeger, R-Pueblo West.  “The best way we can give our local economies a boost is to support our small businesses.”

For more information on Small Business Saturday, visit http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.  

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

House Republicans Wish Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving

Norman Rockwell's "Saying Grace," courtesy of Best Norman Rockwell Art.  
DENVER—Today, Speaker of the House Frank McNulty released the following statement, wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving, and encouraging Coloradans to help those who are less fortunate:

“Thanksgiving is one of our nation’s most enduring traditions, one that has been celebrated during times of peace and times of war, in times of prosperity and times of economic uncertainty. This year, we continue this strong tradition of giving thanks for the blessings in our lives.

“Thanksgiving also serves as a reminder for us to share with those who are in need.  There are many ways you can do this.  The House Republican Caucus is encouraging Coloradans to donate food and money to their local food bank.  Donating food is one of the easiest and most affordable ways we can help those in need.  Please visit Giving First, http://www.givingfirst.org, to help put food on the tables of families across Colorado. 

“By donating food, time, money and energy, we can give families across the state more reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving.

“I and my Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.”

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Friday, November 18, 2011

Speaker McNulty Congratulates New House Minority Leader

DENVER—Today, House Democrats selected State Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, as their new leader. 


Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, released the following statement congratulating Ferrandino on his election:


“Congratulations to Rep. Ferrandino on his election as House Minority Leader. He is a good friend, and I look forward to working with him. As the House Democrat member of the Joint Budget Committee, Mark showed an interest in spending restraint. It is my hope that he will continue his partnership with us to continue to put the brakes on out-of-control government spending and will join House Republicans in our effort to help create jobs and build economic security for all Coloradans.”

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Beezley Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

DENVER—Today, State Rep. Don Beezley, R-Broomfield, announced that he will not seek reelection in 2012.   

In a letter written to his constituents, Beezley cited family and business reasons for his decision.

“Any effort we undertake in life requires tradeoffs.  For me, the impact [serving in the House] had on my family and my business was well worth the tradeoffs to help stop Colorado’s slide.  Now that I have played that role, I will not be pursuing a second term.  My wife and my two young boys, along with necessary business considerations, must come back front and center—for now.”

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, congratulated Beezley on his work in the House, and added that he looked forward to continue working with him in the coming session and in the future.

“Don has accomplished so much in his first  year in the Colorado House.  I understand and respect his decision.  As one of six incoming Republicans who picked up a seat held previously by a Democrat, his sacrifice helped build our new Republican majority.  More than a number though, Don shared his views in ways that helped move Colorado forward and proved himself a true legislative leader and public servant.  His tireless advocacy for spending restraint and education reform will be missed. I wish the Beezley family all of the best and look forward to working with Don next session and in the years to come as he departs public service--for now.”

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Friday, November 11, 2011

Speaker of the House Salutes Veterans

DENVER—Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day—

“Today, our nation comes together to honor those brave men and women, past and present, who have served our country.  For their valiant and selfless sacrifice in defense of our freedom and safety, we say ‘thank you.’”

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Acree Renews Call for Audit of Governor’s Energy Office

GEO Submits Own Request for Audit

DENVER—State Rep. Cindy Acree renewed her call for an audit of the Governor’s Energy Office at a media availability held today in the State Auditor’s Office. 

Acree, R-Aurora, has spent the last two years looking into the Governor’s Energy Office’s records from the years 2008-2010, and found that more than $9 million was unaccounted for, and that there were excessive expenditures.  Some of the expenditures include $52,000 on cell phones, over $400,000 on travel and charges for Democrat caucus lunches at the State Capitol. 

“It is our obligation and duty as elected officials to ensure government agencies and programs are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Acree, who issued a formal request for an audit on Nov. 3rd.  “During the previous administration, it doesn’t appear the Governor’s Energy Office was responsible, and we need to get to the bottom of that.” 

The need for an audit request was echoed by Gov. John Hickenlooper, when the Governor’s Energy Office’s new director, TJ Deora, issued his own request for an audit of GEO on Monday. 

“This is an important bipartisan issue,” Acree added.  “It is my hope that the entire General Assembly will join Gov. Hickenlooper and me in supporting an audit of the Governor’s Energy Office.”  
 
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Legislative Council Votes to Introduce School Discipline Bill Next Year


DENVER—Legislative Council voted on Tuesday to introduce legislation that would allow educators more discretion over expulsions and police referrals.

The Fair School Discipline Task Force was commissioned to study school discipline practices in Colorado in the hopes of ending a trend experts call the “school-to-prison pipeline.” In the past ten years, schools in Colorado have referred nearly 100,000 students to law enforcement officials. In one instance, a 10-year-old boy who stole a piece of gum from his teacher was cited with misdemeanor theft.

“The object of discipline is correction, not criminalization,” said State Rep. B.J. Nikkel, a member of legislative council, who sponsored the legislation that commissioned the task force’s study.

The proposed legislation would eliminate zero-tolerance policies, which many experts blame for needless expulsions and police referrals, and also afford parents more transparency in the disciplinary process.
Lawmakers caution that the bill will likely see changes before its introduction, likely to accommodate and facilitate changes schools will have to make in training and disciplinary codes.

“The bill my colleagues and I have put together still needs work,” said Nikkel, R-Loveland. “However, I remain confident the bill we introduce next year will be balanced and fair to both students and their educators.”

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