Seed Newsvine
Citing an impending budget crisis, the legislature's minority Republicans announced today that they would create a "task force" to examine priorities and potential solutions to the state's anticipated budget shortfall.
According to recent estimates Colorado could face a $600 million difference between revenues and budgeted expenditures this fiscal year.
“The state budget and the economy will be the number one issues we face this year in the Legislature,” House minority leader Mike May of Parker said. “That is why we are putting together a task force to examine the issues and come up with workable solutions.”
Joining May on the task force will be GOP Reps. Don Marostica of Loveland, Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs, Cory Gardner of Yuma and Ellen Roberts of Durango.
Republican lawmakers plan to use the recommendations developed by the GOP panel mambers to argue for passage of a "responsible budget that reflects the values of Colorado families," according to a press release issued by the House GOP communications office.
The party's statehouse press office declined to say whether the GOP expects majority Democrats to give serious consideration to Republican budget proposals.
The state's budget is written by the bipartisan Joint Budget Committee of the General Assembly.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Greeley Tribune: Biggest Issue Under Dome is Recession
The Greeley Tribune published on Sunday an excellent article surveying the impact the recession is likely to have on the work of the General Assembly this year.
GOP Sets Senate Committee Assignments
The Senate GOP caucus has finalized some committee appointments for the upcoming 2009 session, choosing a veteran legislator from El Paso county to be the ranking minority member on the key State, Veterans and Military Affairs panel.
Bill Cadman, who was appointed to the Senate last year, will assume the ranking member post on the committee that deals with military matters, minority leader Josh Penry said.
"Sen. Cadman’s military service along with his natural leadership skills make him the perfect choice to lead the Republican efforts to fight for Colorado’s military community," Penry said.
Other appointments announced by the Senate's minority caucus are:
* Former House majority leader and freshman Sen. Keith King of Colorado Springs as ranking minority member on the Finance Committee;
* Veteran conservative Sen. Dave Schultheis of Colorado Springs as ranking minority member on the Health & Human Services Committee.
Bill Cadman, who was appointed to the Senate last year, will assume the ranking member post on the committee that deals with military matters, minority leader Josh Penry said.
"Sen. Cadman’s military service along with his natural leadership skills make him the perfect choice to lead the Republican efforts to fight for Colorado’s military community," Penry said.
Other appointments announced by the Senate's minority caucus are:
* Former House majority leader and freshman Sen. Keith King of Colorado Springs as ranking minority member on the Finance Committee;
* Veteran conservative Sen. Dave Schultheis of Colorado Springs as ranking minority member on the Health & Human Services Committee.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Bennet Appointed to U.S. Senate
Surprising many observers, Gov. Bill Ritter today appointed Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Farrand Bennet to the U.S. Senate.
Bennet, 44, was not among those generally considered the front-runners for the slot, which will open if Sen. Ken Salazar is confirmed, as expected, as secretary of the interior in President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet.
"Uncertain times call for certain leadership, and that’s why Michael Bennet is the right choice to represent all Coloradans in the Senate," Ritter said.
Ritter had been expected to name Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, house speaker Andrew Romanoff, or U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter to replace Salazar through the end of his current term, which would end in early January 2011.
Bennet's tenure at DPS has been widely considered to be successful, but it has not been without controversy. He has fought with the Denver Classroom Teachers Association over merit pay, encountered resistance to decisions to close under-performing schools and wrestled with ongoing low levels of student achievement and faculty attrition.
His achievements while serving the state's largest public school district include winning voter approval and implementing DPS’ ProComp program, the nationally recognized teacher pay-for-performance system; helping to improve graduation rates, enrollment and access to early childhood education opportunities; and playing a vital role in ending a several-years long period of annual multimillion-dollar budget cuts.
Bennet worked with billionaire businessman Phil Anchutz and as chief of staff for Hickenlooper before coming to DPS.
Before coming to Denver in 1997 Bennet worked in the Clinton Administration's Department of Justice and as a law clerk for a federal appellate judge. He earned his law degree from Yale University in 1993 and holds a B.A. in history from Wesleyan University. Bennet is married to another lawyer, Susan Daggett, who specializes in environmental law and used to be employed at the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (now known as Earthjustice). The couple have three children.
Bennet indicated a willingness to attempt bipartisan solutions to the nation's problems when he arrives in Washington, D.C. at the news conference announcing his appointment this afternoon.
"I have learned from Mayor Hickenlooper that there is no challenge without a solution and no problem too tough to withstand innovative thinking," Bennet said. "My experiences, not only in public service but also in business, have taught me that when people come together, put aside partisan differences, and focus on pragmatic problem-solving, we can accomplish great things.”
Republicans greeted the appointment with a mixture of surprise and some optimism that Bennet could be beaten in 2010 should he choose to run for a full term.
State GOP chair Dick Wadhams told the Associated Press Friday that he thinks Bennet's selection is "perplexing."
Democrats, at least publicly, welcomed Ritter's choice, starting with the President-elect.
"Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve," Obama said. "An innovator in the public and private sectors, he has shown himself willing to challenge old thinking and stale policies. His breakthrough work at the helm of Denver's schools has reflected that commitment, and established Michael as one of the nation's leading education reformers. He will be a breath of fresh air in Washington.”
Speaker-designate Terrance Carroll of Denver pointed to Bennet's history of being bold both in his public and private sector work in lauding the appointment.
“Families across the state are facing tough times, and it will take a proven leader to stand up on their behalf in Washington, D.C.," Carroll said. "Michael has unique experiences, an innovative approach to problem-solving, and the skills to bring people together to find real solutions.”
Some reports, however, indicate that a goodly portion of the state's Democrats might not be pleased with Ritter's decision.
The story in today's Rocky quoted former Denver city council member Susan Barnes-Gelt as saying that the choice of Bennet is "yet another example of Bill Ritter making a strange choice that reflects nothing but the fact that he has not been listening to an overwhelming number of Coloradans."
Here is a link to a recent New Yorker article focusing on Bennet's tenure at DPS. Here is a link to Bennet's official biography.
Bennet, 44, was not among those generally considered the front-runners for the slot, which will open if Sen. Ken Salazar is confirmed, as expected, as secretary of the interior in President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet.
"Uncertain times call for certain leadership, and that’s why Michael Bennet is the right choice to represent all Coloradans in the Senate," Ritter said.
Ritter had been expected to name Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, house speaker Andrew Romanoff, or U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter to replace Salazar through the end of his current term, which would end in early January 2011.
Bennet's tenure at DPS has been widely considered to be successful, but it has not been without controversy. He has fought with the Denver Classroom Teachers Association over merit pay, encountered resistance to decisions to close under-performing schools and wrestled with ongoing low levels of student achievement and faculty attrition.
His achievements while serving the state's largest public school district include winning voter approval and implementing DPS’ ProComp program, the nationally recognized teacher pay-for-performance system; helping to improve graduation rates, enrollment and access to early childhood education opportunities; and playing a vital role in ending a several-years long period of annual multimillion-dollar budget cuts.
Bennet worked with billionaire businessman Phil Anchutz and as chief of staff for Hickenlooper before coming to DPS.
Before coming to Denver in 1997 Bennet worked in the Clinton Administration's Department of Justice and as a law clerk for a federal appellate judge. He earned his law degree from Yale University in 1993 and holds a B.A. in history from Wesleyan University. Bennet is married to another lawyer, Susan Daggett, who specializes in environmental law and used to be employed at the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (now known as Earthjustice). The couple have three children.
Bennet indicated a willingness to attempt bipartisan solutions to the nation's problems when he arrives in Washington, D.C. at the news conference announcing his appointment this afternoon.
"I have learned from Mayor Hickenlooper that there is no challenge without a solution and no problem too tough to withstand innovative thinking," Bennet said. "My experiences, not only in public service but also in business, have taught me that when people come together, put aside partisan differences, and focus on pragmatic problem-solving, we can accomplish great things.”
Republicans greeted the appointment with a mixture of surprise and some optimism that Bennet could be beaten in 2010 should he choose to run for a full term.
State GOP chair Dick Wadhams told the Associated Press Friday that he thinks Bennet's selection is "perplexing."
“There are some admirable things Bennet did with Denver Public Schools, but he’ll be judged by what he does in the Senate. There are major issues coming up this year, and he’ll have to vote on tax increases and bailouts. Those votes will define Michael Bennet,” Wadhams said.
Democrats, at least publicly, welcomed Ritter's choice, starting with the President-elect.
"Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve," Obama said. "An innovator in the public and private sectors, he has shown himself willing to challenge old thinking and stale policies. His breakthrough work at the helm of Denver's schools has reflected that commitment, and established Michael as one of the nation's leading education reformers. He will be a breath of fresh air in Washington.”
Speaker-designate Terrance Carroll of Denver pointed to Bennet's history of being bold both in his public and private sector work in lauding the appointment.
“Families across the state are facing tough times, and it will take a proven leader to stand up on their behalf in Washington, D.C.," Carroll said. "Michael has unique experiences, an innovative approach to problem-solving, and the skills to bring people together to find real solutions.”
Some reports, however, indicate that a goodly portion of the state's Democrats might not be pleased with Ritter's decision.
The story in today's Rocky quoted former Denver city council member Susan Barnes-Gelt as saying that the choice of Bennet is "yet another example of Bill Ritter making a strange choice that reflects nothing but the fact that he has not been listening to an overwhelming number of Coloradans."
Here is a link to a recent New Yorker article focusing on Bennet's tenure at DPS. Here is a link to Bennet's official biography.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Kopp to Call for Elimination of Tax on Workers Compensation Premiums
The senate's minority caucus chair says he has found a way to give the state's businesses $300 million in tax relief by repealing an "obsolete" assessment against workers compensation insurance premiums.
Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, said he thinks remaining beneficiaries after that fund is depleted could be covered from the state's general fund and that, in any event, the fund presents too much of a temptation for legislators interested in avoiding budget cuts in the general fund.
"Shutting it down not only would remove another burden from the businesses that create our jobs, but it also would keep the state's budget process a little more honest," Kopp said.
The programs that have funded by the tax on workers compensation premiums no longer accept new beneficiaries, according to Kopp.
There is about $250 million in the state fund created by the assessment, Kopp said.
Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, said he thinks remaining beneficiaries after that fund is depleted could be covered from the state's general fund and that, in any event, the fund presents too much of a temptation for legislators interested in avoiding budget cuts in the general fund.
"Shutting it down not only would remove another burden from the businesses that create our jobs, but it also would keep the state's budget process a little more honest," Kopp said.
The programs that have funded by the tax on workers compensation premiums no longer accept new beneficiaries, according to Kopp.
There is about $250 million in the state fund created by the assessment, Kopp said.
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.
Ritter Appoints Jefferson County Judge
Gov. Bill Ritter has appointed an Edgewater city court judge to the Jefferson County bench, according to a press release issued today.
Tammy K. Green of Littleton, a former prosecutor and sole practitioner, will serve a provisional two-year term before standing for retention in the 2010 election. Green earned her law degree from the University of Illinois in 1988. Her B.A. was awarded from the University of Tulsa in 1985.
Greene has been the presiding judge for Edgewater since January 2008. She also has been providing relief judge services to the cities of Aurora, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Westminster, Thornton, and Boulder since January 2003.
County court judges are paid $123,067 per year.
Tammy K. Green of Littleton, a former prosecutor and sole practitioner, will serve a provisional two-year term before standing for retention in the 2010 election. Green earned her law degree from the University of Illinois in 1988. Her B.A. was awarded from the University of Tulsa in 1985.
Greene has been the presiding judge for Edgewater since January 2008. She also has been providing relief judge services to the cities of Aurora, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Westminster, Thornton, and Boulder since January 2003.
County court judges are paid $123,067 per year.
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