Seed Newsvine
A charter school principal will replace Peter Groff in the state senate.
A district 33 Democratic party vacancy committee selected Mike Johnston, the principal at Thornton's Mapleton Expeditionary School for the Arts, to complete Groff's term, which ends in January 2013.
Johnston, 34, was chosen on the first ballot. Among the hopefuls he defeated was former Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver.
Groff, who was originally appointed to the Senate in 2003 and then re-elected in 2004 and 2008, accepted an appointment as a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education. His resignation from the Senate took effect last Wednesday after the General Assembly adjourned its 2009 session.
Showing posts with label Peter Groff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Groff. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Former Sen. Grossman Named to Ethics Panel
A former Democratic state legislator has been appointed to one of the five seats on the state's Independent Ethics Commission.
Dan Grossman, who served as a state representative between 1997-2003 and as a state senator from 2003-2007, was nominated by Senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, to replace Republican Sally Hooper.
Grossman's nomination will have to be confirmed by the state senate. The vote on the nomination is expected to occur Wednesday.
Gov. Bill Ritter will name a replacement for Democratic commission member Nancy Friedman. Ritter is required by law to appoint a Republican to that seat.
The Independent Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcing Amendment 41, the far-reaching anti-corruption initiative approved by voters in 2006.
Dan Grossman, who served as a state representative between 1997-2003 and as a state senator from 2003-2007, was nominated by Senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, to replace Republican Sally Hooper.
Grossman's nomination will have to be confirmed by the state senate. The vote on the nomination is expected to occur Wednesday.
Gov. Bill Ritter will name a replacement for Democratic commission member Nancy Friedman. Ritter is required by law to appoint a Republican to that seat.
The Independent Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcing Amendment 41, the far-reaching anti-corruption initiative approved by voters in 2006.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Shaffer To Be Next Senate President
Senate Democrats elected Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, as the next Senate president this morning.
Shaffer, 38, is in his second and final term as a state senator. He was first elected in 2004.
He will replace Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, as president of the Senate effective May 7, 2009.
Groff has announced his resignation from the Senate in order to accept a position in the office of the U.S. Secretary of Education.
The chamber's majority caucus also chose Sen. John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs, as the new majority leader.
Morse will replace Shaffer in that role effective May 7, 2009.
The remaining members of the Senate majority's leadership team will remain the same.
Shaffer, 38, is in his second and final term as a state senator. He was first elected in 2004.
He will replace Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, as president of the Senate effective May 7, 2009.
Groff has announced his resignation from the Senate in order to accept a position in the office of the U.S. Secretary of Education.
The chamber's majority caucus also chose Sen. John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs, as the new majority leader.
Morse will replace Shaffer in that role effective May 7, 2009.
The remaining members of the Senate majority's leadership team will remain the same.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Groff Appointment to U.S. Department of Education Post Announced
Senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, is going to Washington, D.C.
U.S. secretary of education Arne Duncan announced Friday that Groff, 45, has been appointed director of the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center, which is housed in the office of the secretary.
The press release does not indicate when the appointment is expected to take effect.
U.S. secretary of education Arne Duncan announced Friday that Groff, 45, has been appointed director of the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center, which is housed in the office of the secretary.
The press release does not indicate when the appointment is expected to take effect.
Senate Decides to Tap Pinnacol Funds to Close Budget Hole
The Senate decided late Thursday night to close a $300 million funding hole for the state's higher education system by transferring $500 billion from Colorado's workers compensation insurer.
The move, which has drawn intense fire from Republicans and from Pinnacol itself, would leave the insurer with a reserve of $200 million.
Some legislators argued that the move, authorized by two Senate bills, would expose the state to a lawsuit and that the money might never be available to help close the state's huge budget shortfall.
The two bills that would open the door to a transfer of Pinnacol assets to the state's general fund are SB 273 and SB 281. The first was preliminarily approved in the Senate Thursday on a 19-14 vote. Two Democrats opposed it, while Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, joined most Democrats in support. The second was gained preliminary approval, also on Thursday, on an 18-15 vote. Three Democrats opposed that bill, while White abandoned his party to support it. Both measures must gain final approval in the Senate before moving over to the House.
Republicans argued that the Pinnacol reserves do not belong to the state, since it represents premiums paid to Pinnacol by private businesses.
"This is Hugo Chavez legislation," Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, said on the floor Thursday. "If a company is highly profitable, let's nationalize it."
Mitchell was making reference to the president of Venezuela, who has supported efforts to nationalize certain privately-owned industries in that country.
Pinnacol, which was created by the General Assembly and is chartered by the state, is not private. Its Board of Directors is appointed by the governor.
The move in the Senate, which came late Thursday evening, followed a confusing day of twists and turns in the ongoing budget debate at the Capitol.
For the first time in the state's history the Senate rejected a budget recommended by the Joint Budget Committee. Senate president Peter Groff, after consulting with minority leader Josh Penry, R-Fruita, sent the "long bill" back to the JBC for reconsideration so that the $300 million cut to higher education spending could be avoided.
The members of the JBC promptly sent the "long bill" right back to the Senate, with members of the committee from both parties later making clear that they had considered all reasonable alternatives.
Groff, when he sent the budget back to the JBC, asked the panel to consider whether to recommend repeal of about $2 billion in tax credits.
A state supreme court decision last month indicates that the General Assembly can repeal tax credits without approval of Colorado's electorate as long as that action does not result in revenue growth in excess of the limit specified in the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.
Meanwhile, Penry's Republicans argued for furloughs and layoffs of state employees and for across-the-board appropriations reductions to all state agencies and departments.
But the JBC rejected those suggestions, with members saying they oppose furloughs and layoffs and that there isn't time to consider either spending reductions or revocation of tax credits before this year's legislative session ends May 6.
The move, which has drawn intense fire from Republicans and from Pinnacol itself, would leave the insurer with a reserve of $200 million.
Some legislators argued that the move, authorized by two Senate bills, would expose the state to a lawsuit and that the money might never be available to help close the state's huge budget shortfall.
The two bills that would open the door to a transfer of Pinnacol assets to the state's general fund are SB 273 and SB 281. The first was preliminarily approved in the Senate Thursday on a 19-14 vote. Two Democrats opposed it, while Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, joined most Democrats in support. The second was gained preliminary approval, also on Thursday, on an 18-15 vote. Three Democrats opposed that bill, while White abandoned his party to support it. Both measures must gain final approval in the Senate before moving over to the House.
Republicans argued that the Pinnacol reserves do not belong to the state, since it represents premiums paid to Pinnacol by private businesses.
"This is Hugo Chavez legislation," Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, said on the floor Thursday. "If a company is highly profitable, let's nationalize it."
Mitchell was making reference to the president of Venezuela, who has supported efforts to nationalize certain privately-owned industries in that country.
Pinnacol, which was created by the General Assembly and is chartered by the state, is not private. Its Board of Directors is appointed by the governor.
The move in the Senate, which came late Thursday evening, followed a confusing day of twists and turns in the ongoing budget debate at the Capitol.
For the first time in the state's history the Senate rejected a budget recommended by the Joint Budget Committee. Senate president Peter Groff, after consulting with minority leader Josh Penry, R-Fruita, sent the "long bill" back to the JBC for reconsideration so that the $300 million cut to higher education spending could be avoided.
The members of the JBC promptly sent the "long bill" right back to the Senate, with members of the committee from both parties later making clear that they had considered all reasonable alternatives.
Groff, when he sent the budget back to the JBC, asked the panel to consider whether to recommend repeal of about $2 billion in tax credits.
A state supreme court decision last month indicates that the General Assembly can repeal tax credits without approval of Colorado's electorate as long as that action does not result in revenue growth in excess of the limit specified in the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.
Meanwhile, Penry's Republicans argued for furloughs and layoffs of state employees and for across-the-board appropriations reductions to all state agencies and departments.
But the JBC rejected those suggestions, with members saying they oppose furloughs and layoffs and that there isn't time to consider either spending reductions or revocation of tax credits before this year's legislative session ends May 6.
Report: Groff to Resign, Accept Post in Obama Administration
Senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, will resign soon to accept an appointment as an official in the U.S. Department of Education, according to a report in today's Denver Post.
The article, by the Post's veteran capitol reporter Lynn Bartels, says that Groff declined to answer questions about the appointment from President Barack Obama, which Bartels wrote was confirmed by two sources.
The veteran legislator, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, was appointed to the Senate in 2003 as a replacement for former Sen. Penfield Tate. He became the first African-American president of the Colorado Senate in 2007 and, this year, joined with Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, as the first African-American team leading both chambers of the General Assembly in the state's history.
Groff is a leading advocate for education reform and a strong supporter of charter schools.
Another Post article says that Sens. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs, Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, and Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, are the leading candidates to replace Groff as Senate president if he does, in fact, resign his seat.
Groff was re-elected to his second full term in the Senate last year. That term is scheduled to expire in January 2013.
The article, by the Post's veteran capitol reporter Lynn Bartels, says that Groff declined to answer questions about the appointment from President Barack Obama, which Bartels wrote was confirmed by two sources.
The veteran legislator, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, was appointed to the Senate in 2003 as a replacement for former Sen. Penfield Tate. He became the first African-American president of the Colorado Senate in 2007 and, this year, joined with Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, as the first African-American team leading both chambers of the General Assembly in the state's history.
Groff is a leading advocate for education reform and a strong supporter of charter schools.
Another Post article says that Sens. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, John P. Morse, D-Colorado Springs, Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, and Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, are the leading candidates to replace Groff as Senate president if he does, in fact, resign his seat.
Groff was re-elected to his second full term in the Senate last year. That term is scheduled to expire in January 2013.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Senate Committee OKs GOP Bill Terminating Business Personal Property Tax
The Democratic-controlled Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee approved Tuesday a bill that would eliminate the state's business personal property tax, a levy that is assessed on top of other property and income taxes.
SB 85, sponsored by freshman Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, was endorsed by Senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, and won the approval of the committee on a 6-1 vote, with only Democrat Evie Hudak of Arvada opposed.
The personal property tax has been a favorite bogey of the state's business community for decades. Opponents have argued that it unnecessarily and unwisely impedes business investment. Prior efforts at repeal, whether in GOP-led legislatures or Democratic-controlled General Assemblies, have failed.
Scheffel's bill would phase out the tax over 20 years.
Nor is SB 85 the only tax repeal that has gained the endorsement of a Senate committee in the past week.
On Monday another Senate committee approved a bill by Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, that would repeal the tax businesses must pay on certain insurance premiums.
SB 85, sponsored by freshman Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, was endorsed by Senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, and won the approval of the committee on a 6-1 vote, with only Democrat Evie Hudak of Arvada opposed.
The personal property tax has been a favorite bogey of the state's business community for decades. Opponents have argued that it unnecessarily and unwisely impedes business investment. Prior efforts at repeal, whether in GOP-led legislatures or Democratic-controlled General Assemblies, have failed.
Scheffel's bill would phase out the tax over 20 years.
Nor is SB 85 the only tax repeal that has gained the endorsement of a Senate committee in the past week.
On Monday another Senate committee approved a bill by Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, that would repeal the tax businesses must pay on certain insurance premiums.
Charter School Bill Killed by Senate Committee
A bill that would have opened the door to several innovative ways of financing charter school construction was killed by a Senate committee Tuesday.
SB 155 was shot down on a 4-3 party-line vote despite the sponsor's acceptance of an amendment that removed controversial provisions that would have allowed metropolitan districts to build schools.
The Senate Local Government and Energy Committee shot down the measure proposed by Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, after hearing testimony against it by Jane Urschel of the Colorado Association of School Boards, Aurora Public Schools superintendent John Barry and Bruce Caughey of the Colorado Association of School Executives.
The metropolitan district provision of the bill would have allowed the organizations formed by developers to pay for subdivision infrastructure, which collect property taxes, to build charter schools on land donated by developers to school districts but which the districts do not want. The metropolitan districts would have been given permission to contract with charter school operators to run the schools.
King said his proposal was "innovative" and that it would help school districts avoid the need for new bonds to pay for necessary schools. King argued that some districts are approaching their bonding limits and cannot afford to build schools at a pace fast enough to keep up with rising population.
But Urschel told the committee that the state's school boards did not want to see their authority lessened and that state law already provides enough opportunities to build additional charter school facilities.
Barry said that opening the door to charter construction authority by entities not under the control of his district would compromise "long-term planning."
Two other bills affecting charter school construction, SB 89 and SB 176, are still being considered.
According to Education News Colorado,
SB 155 was shot down on a 4-3 party-line vote despite the sponsor's acceptance of an amendment that removed controversial provisions that would have allowed metropolitan districts to build schools.
The Senate Local Government and Energy Committee shot down the measure proposed by Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, after hearing testimony against it by Jane Urschel of the Colorado Association of School Boards, Aurora Public Schools superintendent John Barry and Bruce Caughey of the Colorado Association of School Executives.
The metropolitan district provision of the bill would have allowed the organizations formed by developers to pay for subdivision infrastructure, which collect property taxes, to build charter schools on land donated by developers to school districts but which the districts do not want. The metropolitan districts would have been given permission to contract with charter school operators to run the schools.
King said his proposal was "innovative" and that it would help school districts avoid the need for new bonds to pay for necessary schools. King argued that some districts are approaching their bonding limits and cannot afford to build schools at a pace fast enough to keep up with rising population.
But Urschel told the committee that the state's school boards did not want to see their authority lessened and that state law already provides enough opportunities to build additional charter school facilities.
Barry said that opening the door to charter construction authority by entities not under the control of his district would compromise "long-term planning."
Two other bills affecting charter school construction, SB 89 and SB 176, are still being considered.
According to Education News Colorado,
The issue of funding charter school facilities will surface again Thursday, when the Senate Education Committee considers Senate Bill 09-089, and yet again on Feb. 18, when that panel hears Senate Bill 09-176.
SB 09-089 is a general rewrite of laws affecting the state Charter School Institute, which oversees charters that aren’t under the jurisdiction of individual district boards. The bill would exempt the institute from some state purchasing rules, allow the institute to approve “alternative school” charters anywhere in the state and change the charter funding formula, including putting some money into a charter construction fund.
While the bill killed Tuesday was sponsored only by King, the institute bill includes two Democratic sponsors, including Rep. Karen Middleton, D-Aurora, as House prime sponsor.
SB 09-176 addresses charter construction funding more directly, and it contains lots of provisions that will spark opposition. It would require school boards to give their charters advance notice of possible bond issues, remove a district’s power to review charters’ bond requests, basically require districts to include charter projects in bond issues and removes the current requirement that charter buildings revert to a district if a charter closes or can’t pay its debt.
Its sole sponsor right now is Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial. But Spence told EdNews Tuesday that Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver, asked her to carry the bill. Groff, who represents an inner-city district, is a charter supporter who’s sometimes at odds with Democrats who hold more traditional views about education. Groff also sits on Senate Ed.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Weissman Again Tries to Get Rid of Death Penalty to Pay For Cold Case Investigations
Rep. Paul Weissman, D-Louisville, is ready to try again to convince his colleagues to shift money from the state's rarely-used death penalty to cold-case investigations.
According to a report in this morning's Gazette (Colorado Springs), Weissman will soon introduce a bill that would eliminate Colorado's death penalty.
The money saved would be made available to the state attorney general's office for investigations of unsolved crimes, including murders.
The Gazette article quoted Senate president Peter Groff as saying he is not sure the bill's prospects are entirely positive.
According to a report in this morning's Gazette (Colorado Springs), Weissman will soon introduce a bill that would eliminate Colorado's death penalty.
The money saved would be made available to the state attorney general's office for investigations of unsolved crimes, including murders.
The Gazette article quoted Senate president Peter Groff as saying he is not sure the bill's prospects are entirely positive.
Report Says Groff Backs Elimination of Personal Property Tax
The Democratic president of the Senate will back a GOP bill aimed at eliminating the state's personal property tax, at least as it affects businesses, according to a Denver Post report.
The article, by the Post's John Ingold, says Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, has told members of the Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth that he believes the proposal by freshman Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, would strengthen Colorado's economy.
The personal property tax requires business owners to pay a tax every year on their physical assets, including such mundane items as desks, computers and printers.
Scheffel's bill, if enacted into law, would phase the tax out over 20 years.
SB 85 is sponsored in the House by Reps. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, and Kevin Priola, R-Brighton.
The article, by the Post's John Ingold, says Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, has told members of the Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth that he believes the proposal by freshman Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, would strengthen Colorado's economy.
The personal property tax requires business owners to pay a tax every year on their physical assets, including such mundane items as desks, computers and printers.
Scheffel's bill, if enacted into law, would phase the tax out over 20 years.
SB 85 is sponsored in the House by Reps. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, and Kevin Priola, R-Brighton.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ritter Issues MLK Day Statement
Gov. Bill Ritter paid homage to Rev. Martin Luther King today, pointing to Colorado's recent pioneering steps of naming African-Americans as leaders of both chambers of the General Assembly as evidence that King's ideals are having an effect on American society.
“Today, as the nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we stand on the eve of history," Ritter said in a written statement. "Barack Obama will be inaugurated tomorrow as the United States’ first African-American president, and in Colorado our state legislature has made history by becoming the first in the nation with an African-American Senate president and an African-American House speaker.
“King would be proud to see how far we have come toward achieving his dream of judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. While we have come a great distance, we still have far to go, especially in today’s difficult economy. As we look to a new president to help lead us through this financial crisis, we must pursue King’s ideals with a renewed commitment so that we emerge from the downturn as a stronger nation and as a better Colorado.”
The governor did not appear at the Denver "Marade" ceremonies at City Park or Civic Center Park today because he is in Washington, DC for the inauguration ceremonies Tuesday.
“Today, as the nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we stand on the eve of history," Ritter said in a written statement. "Barack Obama will be inaugurated tomorrow as the United States’ first African-American president, and in Colorado our state legislature has made history by becoming the first in the nation with an African-American Senate president and an African-American House speaker.
“King would be proud to see how far we have come toward achieving his dream of judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. While we have come a great distance, we still have far to go, especially in today’s difficult economy. As we look to a new president to help lead us through this financial crisis, we must pursue King’s ideals with a renewed commitment so that we emerge from the downturn as a stronger nation and as a better Colorado.”
The governor did not appear at the Denver "Marade" ceremonies at City Park or Civic Center Park today because he is in Washington, DC for the inauguration ceremonies Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Groff's Opening Comments to Senate
Here is the text of Senate president Peter Groff's remarks during opening ceremonies today:
"Mr. Majority Leader, Mr. Minority Leader, Senate colleagues, distinguished guests, friends and my family. Let me begin by thanking the Senate for my election as president of the Colorado Senate for the 67th General Assembly.
"It has been an honor to serve as your president and I am humbled that you would elect me again to lead this august body. I again pledge to work with all of you on both sides of the aisle to continue to build a better Colorado -- one we can be proud to leave our children and one we can be proud to present to the nation and the world. Thank you for this tremendous responsibility and honor.
"I want offer my congratulations to Speaker Terrance Carroll on his election just moments ago. It is yet another stitch in the great fabric that is the history of our great state. The historic uniqueness of what is happening in the Senate and House today is not a testament to Speaker Carroll or me but a testimonial to Colorado and her people and members of the 67th General Assembly.
"Let us welcome our new members. Senators, please stand when I call your name:
"Senators Morgan Carroll of Aurora, Joyce Foster of Denver, Rollie Heath of Boulder, Evie Hudak of Arvada, Linda Newell of Littleton, Mark Scheffel of Parker, Keith King of Colorado Springs, Al White of Hayden and Mary Hodge of Brighton.
"Welcome to the Colorado Senate. Strive to never lose the feeling you felt when you entered this historic chamber this morning -- if you can maintain that feeling our state will be better after your service. I also offer congratulations to the families and friends who were the foundation for your victories -- now say good bye for the next 119 days.
"Much has been made of the challenges we will face over those 119 days -- a precarious economy, rising unemployment, crumbling bridges, a broken education system and thousands of Coloradans without health care.
"The mountainous challenges we face today pale in comparison to the struggles faced by the pioneers who came to the foot of our majestic rocky mountains to build a life and a state with a vision that would not be diminished in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
"Driven by a collective yearning to conquer any and all barriers that stood in their way, Colorado’s pioneers faced and vanquished every challenge -- whether it was a rocky and unfamiliar terrain, unrelenting and unpredictable weather, deceptive people and practices or a dismissive government the pioneers soldiered on not to be deterred. Making the decisions that would build this magnificent state.
"Colorado’s foundation is based on this pioneering spirit. When these pioneers first came to this region in search of land and opportunity, they found a rugged terrain but also the best land possible for agriculture. They found a land with endless possibilities, but possibilities dependent on hard work and determination - not unlike the landscape we see before us as we head into this next session. Since even before Colorado was a state, Coloradans have been used to hard work and tough decisions.
"We sit in this grand house built by the children and grandchildren of those pioneers -- some five and a half generations later we are the descendants of their land and decisions facing daunting challenges of our own -- with tough decisions of our own to make.
"The decisions made by the pioneers shaped the future of Colorado. The decisions we will make over the next 119 days will also shape the future -- but this time it is for our children and grandchildren who will be the beneficiaries.
"These decisions will begin a new chapter in Colorado’s history -- one that must be written by all of us: Democrats and Republicans; farmers and businesspeople; urban dwellers and suburbanites; by engineers and teachers. The decisions we make will be difficult ones, but we have made tough and difficult decisions recently and while we have made progress we still have work to do.
"Despite decisions and investments we have made in our efforts to create the new energy economy and assist small businesses which has placed Colorado in a much better economic situation than many states face -- we are not immune from the national financial crisis -- we face a tremendous budget deficit of $604 million, we now have 43,000 people in our unemployment insurance system and saw $48 million paid in unemployment benefits in November - the highest unemployment rate in the history of state. In the first three quarters of 2008 there were almost 30,000 foreclosure filings, and according to the Food Bank of the Rockies, nearly half a million people rely on food banks and the last six months that number has increased by 20% or 91,000 people.
"Despite the decision in the closing hours of our last session to introduce a late bill to repair 122 structurally deficient bridges and handle other transportation needs -- that effort failed and we crossed our fingers and prayed to God that those bridges would hold and we wouldn’t have a Minneapolis tragedy. We didn’t. But we now face 126 structurally deficient bridges that must be repaired at a total cost of $1.3 billion and an overall yearly shortfall of $1.5 billion for all other transportation needs.
"Despite our decisions to expand school choice and create innovation in our K-12 system to the point that we are national leaders in education reform -- Our college readiness rate is only 34%, colleges spend $14.6 million on remedial classes and 52% of parents can’t attend school related events because they aren’t granted sensible leave.
"Despite our decision to establish building blocks in the area of health care and health insurance to create better access, to lower cost and insure more Coloradans -- including covering an additional 50,000 children by next year, we still have nearly 800,000 Coloradans who face the frightening specter of being uninsured.
"Together we have made decisions that have created a better Colorado and put us in a better stead than most, but as you can see we still face monumental and watershed challenges that will require difficult decisions to preserve the land bequeath to us by the pioneers and our maker.
"In Joshua 1:6 it says “be strong and courageous, because you will lead the people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.”
"It doesn’t take strength and courage to turn this chamber into a stadium of political gamesmanship where the score is kept when Mr. McGowne calls the roll on some legislation offered to get the other party on “record” and then we announce the winner in November of 2010.
"However, it does take strength and courage to transform this august chamber into an arena of policy concepts and ideas that produces not Democratic answers nor Republican responses, but generates Colorado solutions where the winner in 119 days are the people of Colorado as we lead them in the land we inherited.
"It will take strength and courage to make the difficult decisions that we must over the next 119 days -- but as we muster that strength and courage we must balance it with the overriding role of government which is to stand for the people that live in margins.
"That role is our responsibility and our moral obligation.
"That responsibility and moral obligation accompanies every elected official as we make the difficult decisions that will have to be made -- that responsibility and moral obligation will not let us not forget about the family in Greeley who after years of savings and planning and prayers they were able to purchase they dream home several years ago, but last spring their dream became a nightmare as they now bounces from relative to relative all but homeless with their dream home foreclosed.
"That responsibility and moral obligation will not let us not forget the father from in Colorado Springs who came home shortly before Thanksgiving to tell his wife and young family that he had been laid off from his job and who now worries how he is going to buy diapers for their newborn and food for the rest of the family.
"That responsibility and moral obligation will not let us not forget the young student from Jefferson County who in September during her first week of college sat numb in her dorm room after being told that she would have to take remedial classes because she wasn’t prepared for college.
"That responsibility and moral obligation will not let us forget the couple in Grand Junction who have made a difficult choice of their own and have decided to forgo the potentially life saving and maintenance drugs for the husband so that they make mortgage payment.
"Let us not forget those stories and those individuals and so many others who await our decisions and our leadership. We will have to make some difficult decisions this session, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that these decisions affect real people, with real lives and real dreams and hopes.
"However, Coloradans are resilient it is our pioneering DNA -- and like our forefathers we will be modern day Joshuas. We will be strong and courageous in the decisions we make as we lead our state in the land we’ve inherited.
"A land that remains one of endless possibilities and opportunities, undergirded by a persistent hope, pushed forward by an eagerness for change and steadied by an unwavering dedication to conquering every challenge.
"We are better than we think and we must be better than we’ve been -- our future depends on it.
"God bless you, God bless this honorable body and God bless the great state of Colorado.
"Mr. Majority Leader, Mr. Minority Leader, Senate colleagues, distinguished guests, friends and my family. Let me begin by thanking the Senate for my election as president of the Colorado Senate for the 67th General Assembly.
"It has been an honor to serve as your president and I am humbled that you would elect me again to lead this august body. I again pledge to work with all of you on both sides of the aisle to continue to build a better Colorado -- one we can be proud to leave our children and one we can be proud to present to the nation and the world. Thank you for this tremendous responsibility and honor.
"I want offer my congratulations to Speaker Terrance Carroll on his election just moments ago. It is yet another stitch in the great fabric that is the history of our great state. The historic uniqueness of what is happening in the Senate and House today is not a testament to Speaker Carroll or me but a testimonial to Colorado and her people and members of the 67th General Assembly.
"Let us welcome our new members. Senators, please stand when I call your name:
"Senators Morgan Carroll of Aurora, Joyce Foster of Denver, Rollie Heath of Boulder, Evie Hudak of Arvada, Linda Newell of Littleton, Mark Scheffel of Parker, Keith King of Colorado Springs, Al White of Hayden and Mary Hodge of Brighton.
"Welcome to the Colorado Senate. Strive to never lose the feeling you felt when you entered this historic chamber this morning -- if you can maintain that feeling our state will be better after your service. I also offer congratulations to the families and friends who were the foundation for your victories -- now say good bye for the next 119 days.
"Much has been made of the challenges we will face over those 119 days -- a precarious economy, rising unemployment, crumbling bridges, a broken education system and thousands of Coloradans without health care.
"The mountainous challenges we face today pale in comparison to the struggles faced by the pioneers who came to the foot of our majestic rocky mountains to build a life and a state with a vision that would not be diminished in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
"Driven by a collective yearning to conquer any and all barriers that stood in their way, Colorado’s pioneers faced and vanquished every challenge -- whether it was a rocky and unfamiliar terrain, unrelenting and unpredictable weather, deceptive people and practices or a dismissive government the pioneers soldiered on not to be deterred. Making the decisions that would build this magnificent state.
"Colorado’s foundation is based on this pioneering spirit. When these pioneers first came to this region in search of land and opportunity, they found a rugged terrain but also the best land possible for agriculture. They found a land with endless possibilities, but possibilities dependent on hard work and determination - not unlike the landscape we see before us as we head into this next session. Since even before Colorado was a state, Coloradans have been used to hard work and tough decisions.
"We sit in this grand house built by the children and grandchildren of those pioneers -- some five and a half generations later we are the descendants of their land and decisions facing daunting challenges of our own -- with tough decisions of our own to make.
"The decisions made by the pioneers shaped the future of Colorado. The decisions we will make over the next 119 days will also shape the future -- but this time it is for our children and grandchildren who will be the beneficiaries.
"These decisions will begin a new chapter in Colorado’s history -- one that must be written by all of us: Democrats and Republicans; farmers and businesspeople; urban dwellers and suburbanites; by engineers and teachers. The decisions we make will be difficult ones, but we have made tough and difficult decisions recently and while we have made progress we still have work to do.
"Despite decisions and investments we have made in our efforts to create the new energy economy and assist small businesses which has placed Colorado in a much better economic situation than many states face -- we are not immune from the national financial crisis -- we face a tremendous budget deficit of $604 million, we now have 43,000 people in our unemployment insurance system and saw $48 million paid in unemployment benefits in November - the highest unemployment rate in the history of state. In the first three quarters of 2008 there were almost 30,000 foreclosure filings, and according to the Food Bank of the Rockies, nearly half a million people rely on food banks and the last six months that number has increased by 20% or 91,000 people.
"Despite the decision in the closing hours of our last session to introduce a late bill to repair 122 structurally deficient bridges and handle other transportation needs -- that effort failed and we crossed our fingers and prayed to God that those bridges would hold and we wouldn’t have a Minneapolis tragedy. We didn’t. But we now face 126 structurally deficient bridges that must be repaired at a total cost of $1.3 billion and an overall yearly shortfall of $1.5 billion for all other transportation needs.
"Despite our decisions to expand school choice and create innovation in our K-12 system to the point that we are national leaders in education reform -- Our college readiness rate is only 34%, colleges spend $14.6 million on remedial classes and 52% of parents can’t attend school related events because they aren’t granted sensible leave.
"Despite our decision to establish building blocks in the area of health care and health insurance to create better access, to lower cost and insure more Coloradans -- including covering an additional 50,000 children by next year, we still have nearly 800,000 Coloradans who face the frightening specter of being uninsured.
"Together we have made decisions that have created a better Colorado and put us in a better stead than most, but as you can see we still face monumental and watershed challenges that will require difficult decisions to preserve the land bequeath to us by the pioneers and our maker.
"In Joshua 1:6 it says “be strong and courageous, because you will lead the people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.”
"It doesn’t take strength and courage to turn this chamber into a stadium of political gamesmanship where the score is kept when Mr. McGowne calls the roll on some legislation offered to get the other party on “record” and then we announce the winner in November of 2010.
"However, it does take strength and courage to transform this august chamber into an arena of policy concepts and ideas that produces not Democratic answers nor Republican responses, but generates Colorado solutions where the winner in 119 days are the people of Colorado as we lead them in the land we inherited.
"It will take strength and courage to make the difficult decisions that we must over the next 119 days -- but as we muster that strength and courage we must balance it with the overriding role of government which is to stand for the people that live in margins.
"That role is our responsibility and our moral obligation.
"That responsibility and moral obligation accompanies every elected official as we make the difficult decisions that will have to be made -- that responsibility and moral obligation will not let us not forget about the family in Greeley who after years of savings and planning and prayers they were able to purchase they dream home several years ago, but last spring their dream became a nightmare as they now bounces from relative to relative all but homeless with their dream home foreclosed.
"That responsibility and moral obligation will not let us not forget the father from in Colorado Springs who came home shortly before Thanksgiving to tell his wife and young family that he had been laid off from his job and who now worries how he is going to buy diapers for their newborn and food for the rest of the family.
"That responsibility and moral obligation will not let us not forget the young student from Jefferson County who in September during her first week of college sat numb in her dorm room after being told that she would have to take remedial classes because she wasn’t prepared for college.
"That responsibility and moral obligation will not let us forget the couple in Grand Junction who have made a difficult choice of their own and have decided to forgo the potentially life saving and maintenance drugs for the husband so that they make mortgage payment.
"Let us not forget those stories and those individuals and so many others who await our decisions and our leadership. We will have to make some difficult decisions this session, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that these decisions affect real people, with real lives and real dreams and hopes.
"However, Coloradans are resilient it is our pioneering DNA -- and like our forefathers we will be modern day Joshuas. We will be strong and courageous in the decisions we make as we lead our state in the land we’ve inherited.
"A land that remains one of endless possibilities and opportunities, undergirded by a persistent hope, pushed forward by an eagerness for change and steadied by an unwavering dedication to conquering every challenge.
"We are better than we think and we must be better than we’ve been -- our future depends on it.
"God bless you, God bless this honorable body and God bless the great state of Colorado.
Colorado Takes Historic Step as Carroll Assumes Speakership
The Centennial State took a pioneering step this morning as the General Assembly opened with African-American men at the helm of the Senate and House.
Rep. Terrance David Carroll, D-Denver, a former police officer, minister and lawyer, was formally installed as speaker of the House before a packed gallery and to the enthusiastic applause of members from both parties.
Over in the Senate chamber his counterpart, Sen. Peter Groff, a lawyer and educator, was again chosen by his colleagues to be president of the Senate.
The pomp in the House began with stirring and emotional renditions of the National Anthem and "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by Mary Louise Lee and the presentation of the colors by two members of the Colorado Army National Guard.
Outgoing speaker Andrew Romanoff launched the 2009 session of the legislature, as has been his custom, by injecting some humor into the proceedings.
“Pursuant to the Constitution, and the power now waning in me, I do hereby now call the House of Representatives to order for the 67th General Assembly of the state of Colorado,” outgoing speaker Andrew Romanoff said. Romanoff then joked that House Chief Clerk Marilyn Eddins would be “appointed for life.”
The House erupted into a standing ovation when new majority leader Paul Weissman, before moving for election of a new speaker, congratulated Romanoff on his service.
So did the Republican leader. “A special thank you for how you conducted the business of the house these past four years, Rep. Mike May of Parker said. “Thank you for your friendship.”
May seconded the nomination of Carroll as speaker. No one opposed Carroll.
Upon taking the podium Carroll congratulated Romanoff for his service and presented him with the gavel and “Bruce base” used during his tenure at the podium.
“Members, thank you for your vote of confidence,” Carroll said in his first comments to the House. “II look forward to living up to the confidence you have placed in me by electing me as speaker of this body.”
“I am honored and humbled to lead this chamber as its 34th speaker,” Speaker Carroll said in his opening address. “The people of Colorado have granted all of us a unique opportunity at this critical time in history.”
Carroll’s historic day was observed by a panoply of former African-American legislators, including ex-Sen. Penfield Tate, Denver clerk and recorder Stephanie O’Malley, ex-Sen. Regis Groff, former Rep. Rosemary Marshall, former Rep. Wilma Webb and former Denver mayor Wellington Webb.
Carroll paid homage to Romanoff and former majority leader Alice Madden for “working endlessly to move this state forward.”
“Both parties, and indeed the entire state, benefited from Andrew Romanoff’s and Alice Madden’s capacity to consider various, and at time competing, viewpoints,” he said. “Their thoughtful management of this chamber translated into transformative policies that have benefited all of Colorado.”
Republicans joined twice in a standing ovation for Romanoff and Madden.
Carroll, who is in his final term as a state representative, succeeds term-limited Andrew Romanoff in the speaker’s chair. Romanoff, who played a key role in helping Democrats win the majority in both houses of the General Assembly in 2004, was term-limited. He had recently been considered a contender for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Democrat Ken Salazar.
Groff commences his second session as Senate president. During his opening address to the Senate Groff said his status as the chamber's president, and Carroll's as House speaker, are not so much a reflection on them as on the state and those elected to the General Assembly.
"It is yet another stitch in the great fabric that is the history of this remarkable state," Groff said. "The historic uniqueness of what is happening in the Senate and House today is not a testament to Speaker Carroll or me, but a testimonial to Colorado and her people and members of this General Assembly."
Friday, January 2, 2009
Denver Dailies Say Bennet's the One
Both Denver newspapers are reporting today that Gov. Bill Ritter has selected Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet as the state's next U.S. senator.
Bennet, who has been in charge of DPS for 3 1/2 years, used to work as chief of staff to Denver mayor John Hickenlooper and as a senior attorney in the Clinton administration's Justice Department.
If true, the choice of Bennet obviously means that senate president Peter Groff will not be going anywhere.
Bennet, who has been in charge of DPS for 3 1/2 years, used to work as chief of staff to Denver mayor John Hickenlooper and as a senior attorney in the Clinton administration's Justice Department.
If true, the choice of Bennet obviously means that senate president Peter Groff will not be going anywhere.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
"Politico" Says Groff May Be Dark-Horse in Race for Salazar Seat
A national political blog says senate president Peter Groff, D-Denver, may be under consideration by Gov. Bill Ritter to replace U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.
Ritter's spokesman has said the governor will make an appointment before the new Congress convenes on Jan. 6.
Groff has been mentioned on most of the speculative lists of candidates, but isn’t considered a top-tier contender to win the appointment.
Groff has a strong resume. He quickly moved up the ranks in the state legislature after being elected to the state House in 2000. Before that, he served as an adviser to former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb. One Democratic operative in Colorado called him the “best public speaker” of all the prospective candidates in either party.
And by making an outside-the-box selection, Gov. Bill Ritter (D-Colo.) would get some national attention as he prepares to face his own tough reelection campaign in two years.
The negatives: Groff hasn’t been tested politically, as he represents a solidly Democratic legislative district in Denver. He has an eight-year voting record that Republicans could scrutinize in a general election. And he would have to demonstrate he can raise the millions necessary for a statewide race in 2010.
Ritter's spokesman has said the governor will make an appointment before the new Congress convenes on Jan. 6.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Dems Create Joint Job Growth Committee
The Democratic leaders of both houses of the General Assembly will create a joint Job Growth and Economic Growth Committee to develop ways of strengthening Colorado's economy.
The committee is to develop possible legislative approaches to strengthening Colorado’s small businesses and non-profits, improve the state's infrastructure, expand its "New Energy Economy," and stimulate job growth in rural areas.
"Colorado can't wait for a future federal bailout," Sen. Peter Groff, the senate president, said. "We have serious issues to address right now, and it is up to us to find new ways to address these economic challenges."
Carroll said that he and Groff moved to establish the committee because they expect economic conditions to worsen.
“The national economic forecast is bleak; economic indicators suggest the U.S. faces a potentially deep recession,” Carroll, the speaker-designate of the House, said. “Colorado, with its diversified economy and well-trained workforce, has fared better than the nation as a whole. But our state is not immune to those forces driving the economic downturn."
The committee, which will have ten senators and representatives drawn from both parties among its members, will make recommendations to the General Assembly in January.
Colorado's economy appears to be performing, at least in some ways, better than the national economy. The state has experienced 26 consecutive months of job growth and its unemployment rate is nearly one full percentage point lower than the national rate.
The committee is to develop possible legislative approaches to strengthening Colorado’s small businesses and non-profits, improve the state's infrastructure, expand its "New Energy Economy," and stimulate job growth in rural areas.
"Colorado can't wait for a future federal bailout," Sen. Peter Groff, the senate president, said. "We have serious issues to address right now, and it is up to us to find new ways to address these economic challenges."
Carroll said that he and Groff moved to establish the committee because they expect economic conditions to worsen.
“The national economic forecast is bleak; economic indicators suggest the U.S. faces a potentially deep recession,” Carroll, the speaker-designate of the House, said. “Colorado, with its diversified economy and well-trained workforce, has fared better than the nation as a whole. But our state is not immune to those forces driving the economic downturn."
The committee, which will have ten senators and representatives drawn from both parties among its members, will make recommendations to the General Assembly in January.
Colorado's economy appears to be performing, at least in some ways, better than the national economy. The state has experienced 26 consecutive months of job growth and its unemployment rate is nearly one full percentage point lower than the national rate.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Terrance Carroll is New House Speaker
Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, was chosen as the new speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives today.
Carroll, who served as assistant majority leader this past session, will be the first African-American speaker in the state's history.
The slot opens up when Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, and the speaker since January 2005, leaves the house in early January. Romanoff is term-limited.
Observers originally believed that Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, would be the next speaker. However, Buescher was defeated in his bid for re-election Tuesday.
Carroll joins Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, as a legislative trailblazer in the Centennial State. Groff, chosen as senate president last January, is the first African-American to hold that legislative post.
Carroll, who served as assistant majority leader this past session, will be the first African-American speaker in the state's history.
The slot opens up when Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, and the speaker since January 2005, leaves the house in early January. Romanoff is term-limited.
Observers originally believed that Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, would be the next speaker. However, Buescher was defeated in his bid for re-election Tuesday.
Carroll joins Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, as a legislative trailblazer in the Centennial State. Groff, chosen as senate president last January, is the first African-American to hold that legislative post.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Denver Election Chief O'Malley Appointed to Reform Panel
Senate president Peter Groff of Denver appointed the Mile High City's chief election official, Stephanie O'Malley, to a panel set up to examine Colorado's voting systems.
The Colorado Election Reform Commission, which was created by legislation approved last spring, will study the question whether electronic voting equipment is reliable and accurate. The commission will make recommendations to the state legislature by March 2009.
Two other county clerks, Scott Doyle of Larimer County and Patty Nickell of Bent County, were previously named to the commission by House speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver.
The Colorado Election Reform Commission, which was created by legislation approved last spring, will study the question whether electronic voting equipment is reliable and accurate. The commission will make recommendations to the state legislature by March 2009.
Two other county clerks, Scott Doyle of Larimer County and Patty Nickell of Bent County, were previously named to the commission by House speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Teacher Merit Pay Program Added to School Finance Bill by Senate
The Senate, sticking to its guns on a bipartisan bill to implement performance pay for teachers in Colorado, added an amendment creating the program to the annual school finance bill Thursday, sending a rebuke to the House after a committee of that chamber killed an independent bill on the subject.
Sens. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, Sue Windels, D-Arvada, and Peter Groff, D-Denver, convinced their colleagues to add the substance of SB 65 to HB 1388. SB 65 had been killed in the House Appropriations Committee.
The pay plan would establish a $2 million fund to help launch efforts by school districts to cultivate and retain teachers based on their performance.
SB 65 aimed to make $2 million available in seed money to all Colorado school districts for programs that those districts design to reward their teachers. The bill set some basic criteria, such as that the programs must be designed to help close the achievement gap between different groups of students. However, any district applying for some of the seed money would be free to come up with a specific program that best addressed its circumstances.
Denver Public Schools recently implemented a performance-pay program on its own, and Douglas County Schools also have such a plan in place.
Gov. Bill Ritter has indicated his support for Spence's proposal to implement performance pay programs for public school teachers.
Sens. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, Sue Windels, D-Arvada, and Peter Groff, D-Denver, convinced their colleagues to add the substance of SB 65 to HB 1388. SB 65 had been killed in the House Appropriations Committee.
The pay plan would establish a $2 million fund to help launch efforts by school districts to cultivate and retain teachers based on their performance.
SB 65 aimed to make $2 million available in seed money to all Colorado school districts for programs that those districts design to reward their teachers. The bill set some basic criteria, such as that the programs must be designed to help close the achievement gap between different groups of students. However, any district applying for some of the seed money would be free to come up with a specific program that best addressed its circumstances.
Denver Public Schools recently implemented a performance-pay program on its own, and Douglas County Schools also have such a plan in place.
Gov. Bill Ritter has indicated his support for Spence's proposal to implement performance pay programs for public school teachers.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Senate Gives Preliminary Nod to Expansion of Sexual Preference Discrimination Ban
The Senate, after a heated and emotional argument over a Republican attempt to equate discrimination against short people with discrimination against gay men and women, gave preliminary approval this morning to a measure that would expand the scope of the state's ban on sexual preference discrimination.
Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, introduced an amendment aimed at preventing private sector discrimination on the basis of height, which provoked a tempestuous, and at times heated, exchange. Brophy argued that gay people don't face different treatment in any area of public life.
“What I’m talking about is economic discrimination, political discrimination, employment discrimination,” Brophy said. “I find no pattern of any of those.”
That statement prompted strong responses from several Senate Democrats.
“It must be nice, as a white male, to sit back and mock the real discrimination that occurs in our society, especially on the basis of sexual orientation,” Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, said.
And Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, recounted how his son, who is gay, felt compelled to leave Colorado to practice law because he did not believe he would have a fair chance to succeed in this state.
Senate president Peter Groff of Denver also indicated that he was displeased by Brophy's comments.
“Discrimination is a practice that has gone on in this country too long,” Groff said. “It is the birth defect of this country. And I think it’s time we deal with that.”
SB 200 would expand the reach of existing state law preventing discrimination on the basis of race and gender, among other demographic characteristics, in a wide variety of areas, including in housing, places of public accommodation, consumer credit, labor unions and school enrollment, to cover sexual preference.
Last year the General Assembly enacted, and Gov. Bill Ritter signed, a measure that prohibits private employers from making job-related decisions on the basis of a person's sexual preference.
The bill faces a final vote in the Senate before moving on to the House.
Brophy withdrew his amendment before the second reading voice vote took place this morning.
Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, introduced an amendment aimed at preventing private sector discrimination on the basis of height, which provoked a tempestuous, and at times heated, exchange. Brophy argued that gay people don't face different treatment in any area of public life.
“What I’m talking about is economic discrimination, political discrimination, employment discrimination,” Brophy said. “I find no pattern of any of those.”
That statement prompted strong responses from several Senate Democrats.
“It must be nice, as a white male, to sit back and mock the real discrimination that occurs in our society, especially on the basis of sexual orientation,” Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, said.
And Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, recounted how his son, who is gay, felt compelled to leave Colorado to practice law because he did not believe he would have a fair chance to succeed in this state.
Senate president Peter Groff of Denver also indicated that he was displeased by Brophy's comments.
“Discrimination is a practice that has gone on in this country too long,” Groff said. “It is the birth defect of this country. And I think it’s time we deal with that.”
SB 200 would expand the reach of existing state law preventing discrimination on the basis of race and gender, among other demographic characteristics, in a wide variety of areas, including in housing, places of public accommodation, consumer credit, labor unions and school enrollment, to cover sexual preference.
Last year the General Assembly enacted, and Gov. Bill Ritter signed, a measure that prohibits private employers from making job-related decisions on the basis of a person's sexual preference.
The bill faces a final vote in the Senate before moving on to the House.
Brophy withdrew his amendment before the second reading voice vote took place this morning.
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