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An ethics committee has cleared House assistant GOP leader David Balmer of charges he tried to inappropriately influence a GOP leadership election, according to a report in the Rocky Mountain News.
Committee chair Claire Levy was reported as explaining in an announcement that there is no credible evidence to support an allegation that the Centennial Republican had acted improperly in attempting to secure votes in an anticipated election to replace minority leader Mike May, R-Parker, in December 2008.
Balmer, who in 2004 faced allegations that he padded his resume during a political campaign in North Carolina, had been accused by May of using the promises of campaign contributions and a future committee chairmanship to secure the vote of Rep. Cindy Acree, R-Aurora, in the planned caucus election.
House rules forbid such tactics to obtain votes in a leadership election.
May had announced his resignation from the legislature in mid-December.
He later rescinded the resignation when the controversy over Balmer's alleged conduct arose.
May told the Rocky that he filed the complaint against his Republican colleague Balmer because he did not want the public to get the impression that the GOP caucus was "trying to cover something up."
"That is worse," May is quoted by the Rocky as saying.
The ethics committee is still considering charges that lobbyist Erik Groves violated rules against participating in legislative decisions relating to leadership.
Showing posts with label David Balmer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Balmer. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Merrifield's Bill Discouraging Slow Mountain Drivers Moves On
The House gave preliminary approval today to a bill that would punish drivers on narrow mountain roads who hold up lines of traffic by driving too slowly.
HB 1042 cleared the chamber after rural legislators led by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, led an unsuccessful effort to secure an exemption for farm vehicles and Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, failed to win a provision excusing trucks carrying hazardous waste from the proposed law.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, has argued that slow-moving vehicles are dangerous because they provoke drivers of vehicles behind them to attempt to pass when not advisable.
Merrifield has said that the bill would not require slower drivers to pull off the road if there is no safe place to do so.
The bill, if enacted into law, would allow law enforcement officers to cite a driver's operation of his or her motor vehicle at slow velocity is impeding the forward progress of five or more other motor vehicles
The bill must pass a third reading in the House before moving on to the Senate.
HB 1042 cleared the chamber after rural legislators led by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, led an unsuccessful effort to secure an exemption for farm vehicles and Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, failed to win a provision excusing trucks carrying hazardous waste from the proposed law.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, has argued that slow-moving vehicles are dangerous because they provoke drivers of vehicles behind them to attempt to pass when not advisable.
Merrifield has said that the bill would not require slower drivers to pull off the road if there is no safe place to do so.
The bill, if enacted into law, would allow law enforcement officers to cite a driver's operation of his or her motor vehicle at slow velocity is impeding the forward progress of five or more other motor vehicles
The bill must pass a third reading in the House before moving on to the Senate.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Ethics Committee To Take Up Balmer Matter Friday
The ethics committee assigned to investigate complaints against Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and a lobbyist will meet tomorrow morning.
The committee is considering allegations that Balmer and the lobbyist, Erik Groves, attempted to exert inappropriate influence on a member of the House GOP caucus.
The member, freshman Rep. Cindy Acree, R-Aurora, alleged that she was promised a campaign contribution and a future committee chair slot if she voted for Balmer in the GOP caucus election to choose a new minority leader.
House Republicans had planned to select a replacement for Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, after May announced his retirement in mid-December. May has since said he will remain in the General Assembly at least until the ethics inquiry is completed.
Balmer's answer to the ethics committee inquiry says that he was not aware of Groves' activities or that of some chiropractors associated with the advocacy organization for whom Groves works.
The members of the committee are Reps. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, Joel Judd, D-Denver, Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Ken Summers, R-Lakewood.
A website maintained by an organization called Colorado for Ethics has posted to the Internet the documents related to the ethics inquiry. You can find them here.
The committee is considering allegations that Balmer and the lobbyist, Erik Groves, attempted to exert inappropriate influence on a member of the House GOP caucus.
The member, freshman Rep. Cindy Acree, R-Aurora, alleged that she was promised a campaign contribution and a future committee chair slot if she voted for Balmer in the GOP caucus election to choose a new minority leader.
House Republicans had planned to select a replacement for Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, after May announced his retirement in mid-December. May has since said he will remain in the General Assembly at least until the ethics inquiry is completed.
Balmer's answer to the ethics committee inquiry says that he was not aware of Groves' activities or that of some chiropractors associated with the advocacy organization for whom Groves works.
The members of the committee are Reps. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, Joel Judd, D-Denver, Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Ken Summers, R-Lakewood.
A website maintained by an organization called Colorado for Ethics has posted to the Internet the documents related to the ethics inquiry. You can find them here.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Ethics Committee to Look Into Allegations Against Balmer
A bipartisan committee of House members will investigate allegations that assistant minority leader David Balmer, R-Centennial, attempted to improperly influence colleagues' votes in the race to replace Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, as minority leader.
The committee, which was announced by speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, today, includes five veteran legislators.
Members of the ethics committee, which will consider a complaint filed against Balmer on Dec. 16, include Reps. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, Joel Judd, D-Denver, Claire Levy, D-Boulder, Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Ken Summers, R-Lakewood.
The complaint against Balmer, which was filed by May, alleges that Balmer attempted to coordinate a campaign contribution by a professional association in exchange for a vote in his favor in the GOP caucus meeting. It also alleges that Balmer promised a future committee chairmanship to another legislator in exchange for his or her vote for Balmer as the new minority leader.
As a Rocky Mountain News article on the ethics controversy points out, the partisan makeup of this committee is different from the one that investigated Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, last session. That committee has three Democrats and three Republicans.
Balmer is accused of violating House Rule 49b, which requires that ethics committees assigned to investigate such allegations "shall be in proportion generally to the relative number of members of the two major political parties in the House."
The committee, which was announced by speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, today, includes five veteran legislators.
Members of the ethics committee, which will consider a complaint filed against Balmer on Dec. 16, include Reps. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, Joel Judd, D-Denver, Claire Levy, D-Boulder, Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Ken Summers, R-Lakewood.
The complaint against Balmer, which was filed by May, alleges that Balmer attempted to coordinate a campaign contribution by a professional association in exchange for a vote in his favor in the GOP caucus meeting. It also alleges that Balmer promised a future committee chairmanship to another legislator in exchange for his or her vote for Balmer as the new minority leader.
As a Rocky Mountain News article on the ethics controversy points out, the partisan makeup of this committee is different from the one that investigated Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, last session. That committee has three Democrats and three Republicans.
Balmer is accused of violating House Rule 49b, which requires that ethics committees assigned to investigate such allegations "shall be in proportion generally to the relative number of members of the two major political parties in the House."
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Ethics Committee to Examine 'Vote Buying" Connected to May Replacement
A legislative ethics committee will investigate accusations that a lobbyist attempted to buy votes for one of the contenders to replace Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, as minority leader, according to a report in today's Rocky Mountain News.
The report, by the Rocky's statehouse reporter Ed Sealover, says that a professional association allegedly offered a campaign contribution in exchange for a vote for Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, as the new minority leader.
Sealover's article says that Balmer denied knowledge of any vote-buying effort.
It also explains that two separate ethics investigations are planned, one of a lobbyist and another of a House member.
The report, by the Rocky's statehouse reporter Ed Sealover, says that a professional association allegedly offered a campaign contribution in exchange for a vote for Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, as the new minority leader.
Sealover's article says that Balmer denied knowledge of any vote-buying effort.
It also explains that two separate ethics investigations are planned, one of a lobbyist and another of a House member.
May Says He'll Delay Retirement
Rep. Mike May surprised his colleagues at the Capitol today by saying he'll stick around awhile after all.
May, who announced last week that he'd retire before the start of the legislative session in January, said he'll delay his retirement due to unexplained interference in the process of choosing his successor as minority leader.
"Today I have made the difficult decision to temporarily delay my retirement from the House because of my sense of duty to the members of the Republican caucus," May, R-Parker, said in a statement. "With the possibility that outside influences may have attempted to interfere with the leadership election, and the reality of a delayed election, I do not feel that now would be an appropriate time to leave."
May did not elaborate.
"I will remain the representative of House District 44 and will continue to serve as minority leader until this situation has been resolved, as long as that may take," May said.
The House GOP caucus will have to meet sometime either before or after the start of the legislative session in January to work out the party's leadership in the chamber. May did not say how long he would stay or how long he expected that process to take.
Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, are jockeying to replace May as House Republican leader.
May was appointed minority leader in 2006 after his predecessor Joe Stengel, R-Littleton, resigned in the aftermath of a scandal relating to per diem payments.
May, who announced last week that he'd retire before the start of the legislative session in January, said he'll delay his retirement due to unexplained interference in the process of choosing his successor as minority leader.
"Today I have made the difficult decision to temporarily delay my retirement from the House because of my sense of duty to the members of the Republican caucus," May, R-Parker, said in a statement. "With the possibility that outside influences may have attempted to interfere with the leadership election, and the reality of a delayed election, I do not feel that now would be an appropriate time to leave."
May did not elaborate.
"I will remain the representative of House District 44 and will continue to serve as minority leader until this situation has been resolved, as long as that may take," May said.
The House GOP caucus will have to meet sometime either before or after the start of the legislative session in January to work out the party's leadership in the chamber. May did not say how long he would stay or how long he expected that process to take.
Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, are jockeying to replace May as House Republican leader.
May was appointed minority leader in 2006 after his predecessor Joe Stengel, R-Littleton, resigned in the aftermath of a scandal relating to per diem payments.
Friday, December 12, 2008
House Minority Leader May Says He'll Retire
Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, said today he will retire from the legislature to focus on his hotel business.
May, the minority leader, was reelected by a wide margin in November.
“It has truly been an honor serving in the legislature, and serving as the Republican Leader these last few years,” May said. “However, as the owner of a company, I have an obligation to the families that work for me. It has become increasingly difficult to balance my duties at the statehouse with those of keeping my business running in these difficult economic times. This decision was one of the hardest I have ever had to make, but I wouldn’t have made it if I didn’t think it was the right decision.”
The House Republican caucus will elect a new leader before the legislative session begins Jan. 7.
Contenders for the minority leader post are expected to include assistant minority leader David Balmer of Centennial, caucus chair Amy Stephens of Monument and minority whip Cory Gardner of Yuma.
Gov. Bill Ritter congratulated May on his service.
“I greatly appreciate Mike May’s service to the legislature and to the people of Colorado," Ritter said in a written statement. "We didn’t always agree on the issues, but I respect him and wish him and his business nothing but success in the future.”
May, the minority leader, was reelected by a wide margin in November.
“It has truly been an honor serving in the legislature, and serving as the Republican Leader these last few years,” May said. “However, as the owner of a company, I have an obligation to the families that work for me. It has become increasingly difficult to balance my duties at the statehouse with those of keeping my business running in these difficult economic times. This decision was one of the hardest I have ever had to make, but I wouldn’t have made it if I didn’t think it was the right decision.”
The House Republican caucus will elect a new leader before the legislative session begins Jan. 7.
Contenders for the minority leader post are expected to include assistant minority leader David Balmer of Centennial, caucus chair Amy Stephens of Monument and minority whip Cory Gardner of Yuma.
Gov. Bill Ritter congratulated May on his service.
“I greatly appreciate Mike May’s service to the legislature and to the people of Colorado," Ritter said in a written statement. "We didn’t always agree on the issues, but I respect him and wish him and his business nothing but success in the future.”
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Architect Continuing Education Requirement Gets Preliminary House Approval
The House gave preliminary approval today to a measure that will require architects to fulfill continuing education requirements in order to maintain their licenses.
SB 29 would add Colorado to the list of 34 other states that have imposed a similar requirement.
"As you may know, the architects take their registration exam to become an architect, and that's basically it," sponsor Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, said. He said the bill is important to assure that architects are designing buildings as safely as possible.
Democrat Paul Weissman of Louisville argued that former Gov. Bill Owens was correct to veto a similar bill several years ago.
"I generally supported Governor Owens in his position on continuing ed," Weissman said. "What they sometimes become, and this is what Governor Owens talked about, is trips for tax write-offs. I agreed with the Governor in questioning the value."
Balmer, the assistant minority leader, pointed out that the state's architects association and the Department of Regulatory Affairs support the bill. He said DORA suggested changes that would link continuing education to certification requirements and emphasized the public safety implications of continuing education standards.
"Architects are designing buildings that have to be safe," Balmer said. "So I think it is very appropriate that they have continuing education."
Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, argued that Colorado should extend the requirement to engineers as well.
SB 29 would add Colorado to the list of 34 other states that have imposed a similar requirement.
"As you may know, the architects take their registration exam to become an architect, and that's basically it," sponsor Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, said. He said the bill is important to assure that architects are designing buildings as safely as possible.
Democrat Paul Weissman of Louisville argued that former Gov. Bill Owens was correct to veto a similar bill several years ago.
"I generally supported Governor Owens in his position on continuing ed," Weissman said. "What they sometimes become, and this is what Governor Owens talked about, is trips for tax write-offs. I agreed with the Governor in questioning the value."
Balmer, the assistant minority leader, pointed out that the state's architects association and the Department of Regulatory Affairs support the bill. He said DORA suggested changes that would link continuing education to certification requirements and emphasized the public safety implications of continuing education standards.
"Architects are designing buildings that have to be safe," Balmer said. "So I think it is very appropriate that they have continuing education."
Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, argued that Colorado should extend the requirement to engineers as well.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Ritter, Legislators Announce Plan to Use Mineral Royalties To Create Rainy Day Reserve, Fund Higher Ed Capital Projects, Assist Local Communities
Gov. Bill Ritter and a bipartisan group of legislators announced Thursday morning a landmark bill to use the state's share of federal mineral royalties to fund higher education capital projects, assist local communities affected by energy development activities, and establish a reserve fund that would stabilize higher education funding.
About $1 billion of the expected royalty revenues would be directed to affected communities over the next decade. Another $650 million would be alloated toward capital construction projects at colleges and universities around the state.
The proposal would also direct three-quarters of a billion dollars into public education over the next ten years and dedicate $150 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Any bonus payments received by the state, in addition to royalties, would be used to fund the new rainy day reserve dedicated to higher education maintenance and appropriations stabilization. Another portion of those bonus payments would go into a "local government permanent fund" to help communities affected by energy extraction activities.
The U.S. government receives royalties on minerals, except for those governed by the General Mining Law of 1872, extracted from federal public lands. Colorado, like all other states, receives a share of the royalties attributable to extraction activities within its borders.
Forecasts say that Colorado can expect to receive about $2.7 billion in royalty payments between 2008 and 2018.
The bipartisan sponsors of the historic legislation spoke of its importance to assuring Colorado's fiscal stability as the bill was released this morning.
"The real legacy of this bi-partisan legislation is that when the drilling stops, Colorado will have a substantial permanent fund to take care of the state's colleges, universities and impacted communities,” Sen. Josh Penry, R-Fruita, said.
Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, noted that the proposal, if enacted into law, would be Colorado's first effort to tap energy extraction as a means of funding basic needs in over 100 years of mining history.
"We’ve had repeated booms from mineral and energy development in this state for over 100 years,” Buescher said. “This will be the first time we put something away for our children.”
SB 218 will make its first legislative stop in the Senate Education Committee. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, along with Penry and Buescher.
About $1 billion of the expected royalty revenues would be directed to affected communities over the next decade. Another $650 million would be alloated toward capital construction projects at colleges and universities around the state.
The proposal would also direct three-quarters of a billion dollars into public education over the next ten years and dedicate $150 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Any bonus payments received by the state, in addition to royalties, would be used to fund the new rainy day reserve dedicated to higher education maintenance and appropriations stabilization. Another portion of those bonus payments would go into a "local government permanent fund" to help communities affected by energy extraction activities.
The U.S. government receives royalties on minerals, except for those governed by the General Mining Law of 1872, extracted from federal public lands. Colorado, like all other states, receives a share of the royalties attributable to extraction activities within its borders.
Forecasts say that Colorado can expect to receive about $2.7 billion in royalty payments between 2008 and 2018.
The bipartisan sponsors of the historic legislation spoke of its importance to assuring Colorado's fiscal stability as the bill was released this morning.
"The real legacy of this bi-partisan legislation is that when the drilling stops, Colorado will have a substantial permanent fund to take care of the state's colleges, universities and impacted communities,” Sen. Josh Penry, R-Fruita, said.
Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, noted that the proposal, if enacted into law, would be Colorado's first effort to tap energy extraction as a means of funding basic needs in over 100 years of mining history.
"We’ve had repeated booms from mineral and energy development in this state for over 100 years,” Buescher said. “This will be the first time we put something away for our children.”
SB 218 will make its first legislative stop in the Senate Education Committee. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, along with Penry and Buescher.
Friday, February 29, 2008
House Panel Okays Sunday Liquor Sales Bill
A House committee approved Thursday a bill that would open the door to Sunday sales of liquor in Colorado.
The vote was 8-3. The committee rejected as out of order an amendment by assistant minority leader David Balmer, R-Centennial, that would have permitted convenience stores to sell full-strength beer.
Under current law grocery stores can sell 3.2 beer.
Several convenience store owners testified in opposition to SB 82.
The bill now moves to the House floor. It has already passed the Senate.
The vote was 8-3. The committee rejected as out of order an amendment by assistant minority leader David Balmer, R-Centennial, that would have permitted convenience stores to sell full-strength beer.
Under current law grocery stores can sell 3.2 beer.
Several convenience store owners testified in opposition to SB 82.
The bill now moves to the House floor. It has already passed the Senate.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ritter, Legislators Want Paper Ballot-Only Elections in '08
Gov. Bill Ritter, flanked by legislative leaders, announced at a press conference this afternoon that he thinks the state should conduct traditional polling place, paper ballot elections this year.
The governor's stance places him at odds with the preferences of county clerks, who have said they would like elections this year to be conducted via mail ballots.
Paper ballots "ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past," said Ritter.
Ritter also sent a letter to county clerks laying out his opinion on how elections should be administered in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 decision by Secretary of State Mike Coffman to decertify electronic voting machines.
"While we understand that some clerks may have preferred a different outcome, we will continue to work with you to ensure a successful election process," Ritter wrote.
Coffman mildly criticized Ritter's decision following the press conference.
"The clerks are the ones who administer elections, and it is only fair that we defer to their judgment," said Coffman, who nevertheless agreed that the governor and legislature have the right to make the rules.
House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, will sponsor legislation aimed at writing Ritter's preference for traditional polling place, paper-ballot elections into law.
The governor's stance places him at odds with the preferences of county clerks, who have said they would like elections this year to be conducted via mail ballots.
Paper ballots "ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past," said Ritter.
Ritter also sent a letter to county clerks laying out his opinion on how elections should be administered in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 decision by Secretary of State Mike Coffman to decertify electronic voting machines.
"While we understand that some clerks may have preferred a different outcome, we will continue to work with you to ensure a successful election process," Ritter wrote.
Coffman mildly criticized Ritter's decision following the press conference.
"The clerks are the ones who administer elections, and it is only fair that we defer to their judgment," said Coffman, who nevertheless agreed that the governor and legislature have the right to make the rules.
House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, will sponsor legislation aimed at writing Ritter's preference for traditional polling place, paper-ballot elections into law.
Vote Solution to be Unveiled Today
Gov. Bill Ritter and legislative leaders will hold a news conference early this afternoon to announce a plan for running the autumn elections.
This morning, at an oversight hearing conducted by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Mike Coffman said he would support a proposal to conduct an all-mail election in November.
He also said the legislature should any counties desiring to permit in-person paper balloting in addition to mail balloting to do so.
There are several proposals aimed at resolving the voting quandary pending in the General Assembly.
These include HB 1155, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, which would allow Coffman to re-test the electronic voting machines that were decertified for use last month.
HB 1155 was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Jan. 17. It now moves to the House floor for the first of two votes needed to move the bill on to the Senate.
In addition, Gordon indicated before the start of the session that he would introduce a bill to permit use of traditional paper ballots, and possibly an all-mail election process, in order to sidestep Coffman's Dec. 17 decertification order.
This morning, at an oversight hearing conducted by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Mike Coffman said he would support a proposal to conduct an all-mail election in November.
He also said the legislature should any counties desiring to permit in-person paper balloting in addition to mail balloting to do so.
There are several proposals aimed at resolving the voting quandary pending in the General Assembly.
These include HB 1155, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, which would allow Coffman to re-test the electronic voting machines that were decertified for use last month.
HB 1155 was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Jan. 17. It now moves to the House floor for the first of two votes needed to move the bill on to the Senate.
In addition, Gordon indicated before the start of the session that he would introduce a bill to permit use of traditional paper ballots, and possibly an all-mail election process, in order to sidestep Coffman's Dec. 17 decertification order.
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