Seed Newsvine
Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, as Colorado's next Secretary of State today.
Buescher has previously served in the state's executive branch and has been a businessman on the western slope for many years.
“Bernie Buescher is the perfect person to serve all of the people and all of the businesses of Colorado as the leader of this important statewide office,” Ritter said. “He will bring a wealth of knowledge and a diversity of legal, legislative and public-service experience to the job. He has led private businesses and government agencies, and he has managed large workforces and multimillion-dollar budgets."
Buescher, who recently lost his bid for re-election to Republican Laura Bradford, had been expected to succeed Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, as the next speaker of the house.
He will replace Republican Mike Coffman, who was elected to represent Colorado's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives in November.
Buescher will have to stand for election in 2010 if he wishes to retain the seat.
Showing posts with label Mike Coffman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Coffman. Show all posts
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Ritter Names Committee to Help Choose New Secretary of State
Gov. Bill Ritter appointed today a committee aimed at assisting him in choosing a replacement for Secretary of State Mike Coffman.
The committee, which will have seven members, will review applications submitted by Nov. 17 and recommend three finalists to the governor in December.
"It’s one of the most important positions in state government," Ritter said. "This selection committee will provide a broad spectrum of insights, perspectives and guidance as we select a replacement for departing Secretary Mike Coffman.”
Committee members include:
- Frank Daniels, former district attorney for the 21st Judicial District in Mesa County. Daniel served as district attorney from 1993 to 2005. He currently works in private practice and runs a small business in Grand Junction.
- Tom Downey, president of the Children’s Museum of Denver. Downey is an attorney who has worked in both the public and private sectors. He is the current chair of the board of the Colorado Nonprofit Association.
- Scott Doyle, Larimer County clerk and recorder. Doyle began his tenure with the county in 1995. He was chief deputy clerk and recorder from October 2000 until his election as clerk and recorder in November 2002, creating and first utilizing the Vote Center concept in 2003. He was re-elected clerk and recorder in November 2006.
- Sandy Gutierrez, president and CEO of the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on Gov. Ritter’s Jobs Cabinet and is the vice chair of the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, which she helped co-found.
- Rico Munn, executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Prior to becoming executive director in January 2007, Munn was a private-practice litigation attorney. He served on the State Board of Education from 2003 to 2007.
- Carol Snyder, former Adams County clerk and recorder. Snyder served on the Northglenn City Council for three years and in the Colorado House of Representatives from January 1991 to January 1999. She is currently the Adams County public trustee.
- Geoff Wilson, general counsel for the Colorado Municipal League. Wilson helps draft legislation and represents the league before the state legislature, state agencies and the courts on matters affecting municipalities. He has been with the league since 1987.
Coffman, a Republican, was elected to represent Colorado's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 4. He previously served as state treasurer and as a member of the General Assembly.
The committee, which will have seven members, will review applications submitted by Nov. 17 and recommend three finalists to the governor in December.
"It’s one of the most important positions in state government," Ritter said. "This selection committee will provide a broad spectrum of insights, perspectives and guidance as we select a replacement for departing Secretary Mike Coffman.”
Committee members include:
- Frank Daniels, former district attorney for the 21st Judicial District in Mesa County. Daniel served as district attorney from 1993 to 2005. He currently works in private practice and runs a small business in Grand Junction.
- Tom Downey, president of the Children’s Museum of Denver. Downey is an attorney who has worked in both the public and private sectors. He is the current chair of the board of the Colorado Nonprofit Association.
- Scott Doyle, Larimer County clerk and recorder. Doyle began his tenure with the county in 1995. He was chief deputy clerk and recorder from October 2000 until his election as clerk and recorder in November 2002, creating and first utilizing the Vote Center concept in 2003. He was re-elected clerk and recorder in November 2006.
- Sandy Gutierrez, president and CEO of the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on Gov. Ritter’s Jobs Cabinet and is the vice chair of the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, which she helped co-found.
- Rico Munn, executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Prior to becoming executive director in January 2007, Munn was a private-practice litigation attorney. He served on the State Board of Education from 2003 to 2007.
- Carol Snyder, former Adams County clerk and recorder. Snyder served on the Northglenn City Council for three years and in the Colorado House of Representatives from January 1991 to January 1999. She is currently the Adams County public trustee.
- Geoff Wilson, general counsel for the Colorado Municipal League. Wilson helps draft legislation and represents the league before the state legislature, state agencies and the courts on matters affecting municipalities. He has been with the league since 1987.
Coffman, a Republican, was elected to represent Colorado's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 4. He previously served as state treasurer and as a member of the General Assembly.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Ritter Tells Coffman He Should Clarify that Voter Deadline is Election Day
Gov. Bill Ritter today urged Secretary of State Mike Coffman to immediately correct an error Coffman’s office made regarding the deadline for fixing an incomplete voter registration application. The deadline is actually Nov. 4 (Election Day), not Oct. 6 as previously announced by Coffman.
Ritter also asked Coffman to cooperate with the administration in seeking an expansion of early voting opportunities in counties across the state.
“We are less than one month away from an election in which record numbers of people will seek to cast their ballots in Colorado and across the nation,” Ritter said. “We must do everything we can to ensure Colorado is in full compliance with all provisions of the Help America Vote Act, that voters are not being improperly purged from the voting rolls, and that eligible and qualified citizens are not being improperly denied the ability to register to vote.”
The text of Ritter's letter is available here.
Ritter also asked Coffman to cooperate with the administration in seeking an expansion of early voting opportunities in counties across the state.
“We are less than one month away from an election in which record numbers of people will seek to cast their ballots in Colorado and across the nation,” Ritter said. “We must do everything we can to ensure Colorado is in full compliance with all provisions of the Help America Vote Act, that voters are not being improperly purged from the voting rolls, and that eligible and qualified citizens are not being improperly denied the ability to register to vote.”
The text of Ritter's letter is available here.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Ward's Congressional Campaign Website Up and Running
In a sign that he's moving fast to get his campaign for Congress moving after returning from a combat tour in Iraq that ended less than two weeks ago, Sen. Steve Ward (R-Littleton) has put up his campaign website.
He's not alone. Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, Wil Armstrong and Secretary of State Mike Coffman also have their websites running at full speed.
All are competing to replace incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, as the Congressman for the 6th District.
To date we haven't found websites for any Democratic candidates running for the seat.
He's not alone. Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, Wil Armstrong and Secretary of State Mike Coffman also have their websites running at full speed.
All are competing to replace incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, as the Congressman for the 6th District.
To date we haven't found websites for any Democratic candidates running for the seat.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Electronic Vote Machine Re-Test Bill Moves On
The bill allowing Secretary of State Mike Coffman would be able to re-test electronic voting machines passed a Senate committee Monday, continuing its fast track to the Governor.
HB 1155 would not change the standards set by current law for recertification of electronic voting machines. Instead, it would open the door for county elections administrators to be involved in testing of the machines. That, in turn, would permit the Secretary of State to consider their procedures and experience when deciding whether the machines produce results that are accurate and secure.
The State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee amended the bill to make clear that re-certified machines could be used only in elections conducted in 2008 and 2009before they would have to be tested again.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, and David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sens. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, now moves to the Senate floor.
HB 1155 would not change the standards set by current law for recertification of electronic voting machines. Instead, it would open the door for county elections administrators to be involved in testing of the machines. That, in turn, would permit the Secretary of State to consider their procedures and experience when deciding whether the machines produce results that are accurate and secure.
The State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee amended the bill to make clear that re-certified machines could be used only in elections conducted in 2008 and 2009before they would have to be tested again.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, and David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sens. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, now moves to the Senate floor.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Clerks: Ritter Election Plan Will Cost Millions
The state's county clerks said Thursday that the cost of implementing Gov. Bill Ritter's plan to conduct 2008 elections by traditional paper ballots cast at polling places will cost at least $10 million.
A report published in the Rocky Mountain News says that counties have already spent almost $24 million to purchase the electronic voting machines and counting equipment needed to comply with a federal law enacted in 2002. About $9 million of that amount was paid for by the counties.
Only one county, Boulder County, uses the traditional polling place, paper ballot method of conducting elections. All other counties will face expenses either to acquire the necessary equipment, retrofit existing machines and/or rent polling places, pay election judges and print ballots.
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's Dec. 17 order decertifying electronic voting machines in counties across the state is being appealed by 50 counties and several equipment manufacturers.
A report published in the Rocky Mountain News says that counties have already spent almost $24 million to purchase the electronic voting machines and counting equipment needed to comply with a federal law enacted in 2002. About $9 million of that amount was paid for by the counties.
Only one county, Boulder County, uses the traditional polling place, paper ballot method of conducting elections. All other counties will face expenses either to acquire the necessary equipment, retrofit existing machines and/or rent polling places, pay election judges and print ballots.
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's Dec. 17 order decertifying electronic voting machines in counties across the state is being appealed by 50 counties and several equipment manufacturers.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)