Senate Democrats Support Taxing Seniors Millions, Despite Voter Approved Amendment

McNulty Calls on Senate Democrats to Stand-up for Senior Citizens

DENVER—In a release issued by Senate President Brandon Shaffer’s, D-Longmont, office, Democrats in the Colorado State Senate took aim at Speaker of the House Frank McNulty today, for standing up for senior citizens during this economic recession. 

Last week, McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, announced that House Republicans would not suspend the voter approved Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption to balance the budget in 2012, resulting in $100 million in tax relief for many Colorado seniors.  Later in the week, a House Democrat leader told the Pueblo Chieftain that he aligned with McNulty’s position, and did not favor suspending the homestead exemption. 

“Colorado’s senior citizens, especially those living on fixed incomes, have been hit hard during this economic recession,” said McNulty.  “If Senate Democrats want to balance the state budget on the backs of Colorado’s seniors, that’s their business.  For our part, House Republicans will stand with Colorado’s senior citizens and say ‘no’ to more taxes on Coloradans affected so much by this recession.” 

In 2000, Colorado voters added the senior homestead tax exemption to the state constitution.  The amendment allows homeowners 65 and over who live in the same primary residence for 10 years to exempt 50 percent of a home’s market value of up to $200,000 when calculating their property tax.

Colorado Commission on the Aging member State Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, added:

"I am sorry that the political rhetoric with regard to the Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption has become such an issue. I thought it was appropriate for the Speaker to address the Colorado Commission on Aging concerning the discussion as it is of interest to seniors.

“I do not recall the Speaker ever asking the Commission for an endorsement. My observation was that it was only informational. Further, none of us in the Legislature speak for the Commission. However, personally I feel that our senior population, particularly those living on a fixed income would benefit from a reinstatement of the exemption. Therefore, I hope serious consideration is given when we enter into our budget balancing negotiations." 

Since 2000, the General Assembly has suspended the homestead exemption six times.  That doesn’t sit well with seniors citizens like, James Hague of El Paso County. 

“Being a senior citizen is not easy in times like these; tax relief for us that didn’t exist before will certainly be helpful to me,” said Hague, a retired Chief Warrant Officer Four in the Army, who served in Vietnam.  

Republican members of the House feel strongly about helping Colorado’s senior citizens, added Rep. Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster.    

“Coloradans passed the property tax exemption to help seniors and heroes like Chief Warrant Officer Four Hague,” said Ramirez.  “I’m proud to stand with House leadership, as we work to fulfill our constitutional obligation to senior citizens.” 

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Scott Named Friend of the Colorado Consumer

Colorado Consumer Coalition Recognizes Scott for Efforts to Relieve Soaring Power Bills

DENVER—The Colorado Consumer Coalition named Rep. Ray Scott, R-Grand Junction, as a Friend of the Colorado Consumer for 2011. Scott’s award comes on the heels House Bill 1271, which challenged a controversial summertime tiered power rate introduced last summer.

House Bill 1271 would have required utility companies charging residential tiered rates to file a report with the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate the estimated impact on the average ratepayer’s power use.

Scott’s bill passed the House, but was killed in the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.

“I’m honored to receive recognition from the Colorado Consumer Coalition,” said Scott, after hearing of his award. “It’s an outstanding organization and I’m proud to be associated with the efforts they make on behalf of Coloradan families.”

“With lawmakers like Ray Scott in their corner, Colorado’s consumers know they will be heard at the State Capitol,” said Colorado Consumer Coalition Director Bill Ray in a press release. “And we’re confident they’ll ultimately prevail.”

For more information about the Colorado Consumer Coalition, please visit www.coconsumers.org.

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GOP lawmakers issue letter to Colorado Department of Education

Express concerns over political flier included in back-to-school packet

Today, two veteran voices in education at the state capitol sent a letter to Robert Hammond, Colorado’s Commissioner of Education, expressing concerns over a political flier included in Prairie View High School’s back-to-school packets. The letter asks the commissioner to remind all school district administrators of the existing policies prohibiting such practices.

“School districts don't intend to violate the law, but they are not always informed about what type of political information they can pass on to their parent communities,” said Senator Nancy Spence, R-Centennial. “I believe it is critical that each district fully understand the policies prohibiting such activities.”

Chairman of the House Education Committee Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, said “"In these days of limited resources, we would hope that schools would direct those resources to the classroom, not focus on the promotion of politics."

The full text of the letter is below:



July 20, 2011

Mr. Robert Hammond
Commissioner of Education
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax, Room 500
Denver, CO 80203

Dear Commissioner Hammond:

Last week the principal at Prairie View High School in Brighton’s district 27J sent out two political flyers as part of a back-to-school information packet for parents. One of the flyers was a promotion for Sen. Rollie Heath’s proposed ballot measure to raise state taxes. This has been confirmed by the district superintendent, Rod Blunck.

The flyer was brought to the public’s attention by a parent who received it. We have no way to know if similar political flyers have been included in packets sent to parents by other schools in Colorado.

We suggest that each summer, as back-to-school packets are prepared and back-to-school events planned, CDE remind all school district administrators of the existing policies prohibiting such practices. Moreover, should Sen. Heath’s proposal qualify for the November ballot, administrators may benefit from a reminder of state policies affecting political activity on school property.

Please let us know what actions you plan to take to discourage improper political activities by school administrators and school employees.

Sincerely,

Sen. Nancy Spence
Senate Education Committee

Rep. Tom Massey
Chairman, House Education Committee

Bi-partisan task force to evaluate school discipline practices finalized

Legislators announce citizen membership on committee

DENVER— Today, legislators announced the citizen membership on the Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline, created this past session by Senate Bill 133. Senators Linda Newell (D-Littleton) and Evie Hudak (D-Westminster) and Representative B.J. Nikkel (R-Loveland) sponsored Senate Bill 133.

Senator Newell, chair of the task force, offered the following comment on the selection of citizen members:

“I am pleased to announce the full membership on this important group. We have seen an enormous outpouring of interest and support from the public. I look forward to working with the diverse, bipartisan group of individuals and organizations seeking to address the problems that exist in school discipline policies and to support safe and effective classrooms for Colorado kids.”

Over the last ten years, nearly 100,000 students across the state have been referred to law enforcement by their schools. The majority of these referrals have been for minor offenses that reflect normal adolescent behavior and do not threaten school safety. Behavior that once would have resulted in a trip to the principal’s office or a call home now results in an arrest or a trip to juvenile court. The school discipline crisis in Colorado prevents thousands of students from getting the quality education they deserve, and often undermines school safety.

Senator Hudak offered the following comment on the announcement of the task force’s full membership:

“This is an issue of great importance, and I am pleased to see the task force come together. The diverse perspectives and wealth of expertise on the task force will enable us to identify ways to restore balance and fairness to school discipline policies and ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue their education in safe and supportive schools.”

The task force will study the issue of fair discipline in schools and solicit input from schools and administrators, students, parents, and the community. The task force will gather data on disciplinary strategies and the use of criminal justice sanctions in public schools across Colorado, including the overuse of suspensions, expulsions, school-based arrests and tickets, using this research to recommend alternative policies and offer solutions for the consideration of legislative action in the 2012 session.

Representative Nikkel offered the following comment on the announcement of committee appointments:

“I'm very excited to begin working together with a broad coalition of
talented people on the Task Force who will help us analyze and restore
balanced policies in our state, and fair disciplinary practices within our
schools, so that teachers can effectively do their jobs and kids can learn
in a safe environment.”

The criteria used to consider applicants to serve on the task force were:
● Statutory criteria listed in the bill
● Geography in the State – rural, urban and suburban perspectives
● Experience with school discipline policies
● Expertise of restorative justice practices or juvenile justice programs
● Ability to be a voice for a variety of student ethnicities, at-risk children and students of all abilities

● The applicant’s potential contributions to discussions about solutions, not just the problem

Below is a list of the full membership of the Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline:

Citizen Members:

Stephanie Garcia (School District Representative)
Lorrie Smith (Teachers and School Administrators Representative)
Yevette Plummer (Parent)
Doug Ross (Law Enforcement, Sergeant)
John Jackson (Law Enforcement, Police Chief)
Stan Garnett (District Attorney)
Kim Dvorchak (Defense Attorney)
Ben Cairns (Restorative justice Practitioner)
Marco Nunez (Community Organization Representative)
Marjorie “Peg” Rudden (Child Advocacy Organization Representative)

Legislative Members:

Senator Linda Newell (Chair)
Representative B.J. Nikkel (Vice Chair)
Senator Evie Hudak
Senator Keith King
Representative Claire Levy
Representative Libby Szabo

The first meeting of the task force will be Wednesday, July 27th at 1:00 pm. For more information and to follow the work of the task force, visit the task force website: Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline

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McNulty to American Cancer Society: House Republicans Will Help You Protect Cancer Research Dollars

DENVER—At a breakfast sponsored by the American Cancer Society today, Speaker of the House Frank McNulty announced that allocating cancer research funding or “Amendment 35 dollars” to other purposes not designated for their use by our state constitution is off the table when it comes to budget negotiations next year. 

“We all recognize that the state has struggled over the past few years,” said McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.  “But the programs that receive Amendment 35 funding have paid more than their fair share to balance the budget.  It is time these funds go where our state constitution directs them to go—to advance the health and well-being of Coloradans.”  

Amendment 35 was approved overwhelming by the voters in 2004, with tax funds from tobacco products going to the early detection and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, as well comprehensive primary care, children’s health care and prevention and cessation programs.  

Chair of the House Health and Environment Committee, State Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood, hailed the news:

“I am proud that the Speaker and House Republicans have made the decision to follow the will of the people and allocate Amendment 35 funds to medical care for children and providing affordable mammograms and other life saving tests and treatments to those in need. 


“Cancer is something that has touched everyone.  I’ve personally lost several family members and even recently a friend to cancer. Working together, we can beat this disease,” Summers, a cancer survivor, added.
  
The announcement comes on the heels of the June revenue forecasts, which showed a slight increase in state revenue expectations.  

“The forecasts certainly gave us cause for optimism,” said Joint Budget Committee chairman Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen.  “But they don’t mean we can continue the reckless spending of years past.  As we did last year, House Republicans are ready to make the tough choices necessary for us to have a responsible budget.  This year, we will do so by ensuring the Amendment 35 dollars go to preventing and treating life threatening diseases.”

For more information on Amendment 35, click here: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ps/Amendment35report.pdf.

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Scott’s First Bill Signed into Law

House Bill 1022 will help get Colorado’s Housing Market Back on Track

DENVER—State Rep. Ray Scott’s first bill was signed into law today by Gov. John Hickenlooper. The measure, House Bill 1022, will help Colorado’s economy, especially in rural areas, by supporting seller financing for residential property.

“I was elected to help get our economy back on track,” said Scott, a Grand Junction Republican. “A key component to our state economic recovery is to revive the housing market.”

HB 1022 exempts property owners providing seller financing on up to three residential properties in a 12 month period from having to be licensed as mortgage loan originators.

Current law places more restrictions on seller financing than what the federal government dictates. Presently, a large number of resort, farm and ranch properties are unable to secure conventional financing because they exceed Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits or are considered too risky by lending institutions.

“With credit tight, and too many homes on the market, especially in rural areas, it’s vital we find a responsible way to absorb the excess inventory,” Scott said.

“We can’t get our economy back on track without a recovery in the housing market,” added Scott. “I decided to carry this bill because it didn’t make sense for the state government to put unnecessary restrictions upon willing buyers and sellers.”

HB 1022 passed the General Assembly unanimously.

The bill will go into effect on August 10, 2011, assuming the General Assembly adjourns as scheduled.

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Charter School Victory Lauded

State Rep. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, today praised a bipartisan vote to prevent an audit singling out Colorado’s charter schools. The Legislative Audit Committee voted yesterday against the proposed audit, which Republican lawmakers called a punitive overreaction to the failings of one charter school. The measure failed on a five to two vote.

“Colorado’s charter schools continue to provide an excellent educational opportunity for our children,” Rep. Lambert said. “I applaud the Audit Committee’s decision to reject Rep. Merrifield’s (D-Colorado Springs) proposal in his continued attempts to discredit these particular institutions.”

State Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, who is serving as a temporary member on the Legislative Audit Committee this week, echoed Lambert’s statement.

“This request was way over the top,” he said. “It was a misguided attempt to unfairly target and discredit Colorado's charter schools and deprive parents of their right to public school choice.”

Both legislators say Colorado charter schools have been successful in educating Colorado students and providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children.