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The new senator for district 8, which covers much of northwestern Colorado, will not have to look too far for advice on how to do the job.
Jean White, 60, was chosen by a Republican vacancy committee yesterday to replace her husband, Al White, in the state Senate.
Al White resigned recently after agreeing to lead the state Department of Tourism for Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper. He was in his first term in the Senate after serving eight years in the House of Representatives.
Showing posts with label Al White. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Al White. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
GOP Sen. White to join Hickenlooper administration
Another lawmaker is leaving the General Assembly to join Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's administration.
This time, though, it's a Republican - Al White of Hayden.
According to a report by the Denver Post's Lynn Bartels, White will direct the state's Office of Tourism.
He will resign his seat, to which he was elected in 2008, and a Republican vacancy committee in his Senate district will choose a replacement.
This time, though, it's a Republican - Al White of Hayden.
According to a report by the Denver Post's Lynn Bartels, White will direct the state's Office of Tourism.
He will resign his seat, to which he was elected in 2008, and a Republican vacancy committee in his Senate district will choose a replacement.
Friday, April 10, 2009
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.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Bill Banning Insurance Company Bonuses for Denial of Claims Advances
A measure that would prohibit insurance companies from paying employees bonuses when they deny claims has been approved by the Senate.
SB 103 also makes illegal the practice of paying bonuses to employees when they cancel insurance policies.
"Colorado consumers are one step closer to getting the quality medical care they’re already insurance companies paying for," bill sponsor Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, said. "To tie the denial of insurance coverage to monetary bonuses is not only unethical but unscrupulous. Insurance companies should not be in the practice of lining the pockets of those who deny medical services to their customers."
The bill provides that juries, in lawsuits contesting an insurer's refusal to pay a claim, may consider payment of bonuses for denial of claims or cancellation of policies as evidence of bad faith behavior by the insurer.
Technically, SB 103 defines insurers payment of bonuses in those circumstances as an unfair claim settlement practice.
The bill, which passed on third reading by a 22-11 vote, now moves to the House.
Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, joined all of the chamber's Democrats in support of the measure. Senate minority leader Josh Penry, R-Fruita, and Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, did not vote.
SB 103 also makes illegal the practice of paying bonuses to employees when they cancel insurance policies.
"Colorado consumers are one step closer to getting the quality medical care they’re already insurance companies paying for," bill sponsor Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, said. "To tie the denial of insurance coverage to monetary bonuses is not only unethical but unscrupulous. Insurance companies should not be in the practice of lining the pockets of those who deny medical services to their customers."
The bill provides that juries, in lawsuits contesting an insurer's refusal to pay a claim, may consider payment of bonuses for denial of claims or cancellation of policies as evidence of bad faith behavior by the insurer.
Technically, SB 103 defines insurers payment of bonuses in those circumstances as an unfair claim settlement practice.
The bill, which passed on third reading by a 22-11 vote, now moves to the House.
Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, joined all of the chamber's Democrats in support of the measure. Senate minority leader Josh Penry, R-Fruita, and Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, did not vote.
Friday, March 14, 2008
PUC Overhaul and Reauthorization Heads to Senate
The House cleared a bill that reauthorizes the Public Utilities Commission and makes some important changes in its mission Thursday, but not without a long debate the day before.
HB 1227 has gained attention because it includes provisions aimed at increasing the likelihood that additional taxicab companies will enter the market in the state's cities. However, the bill also broadens the function of the state's Office of Consumer Counsel. It requires the OCC to consider social and environmental factors, as well as the economic interests of consumers and business interests, when formulating and presenting a position on proposed rate increases or decreases to the PUC.
That provision drew controversy, with Republicans arguing that it would inevitably lead to higher utility bills. But Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, pointed out that a failure by the PUC to consider the social and environmental impacts inherent in public utilities' choice of fuels for power generation could actually result in increased costs to consumers.
The bill also authorizes the PUC to impose administrative fines against public utilities, an authority the agency currently has with respect to motor carriers, and subjects investor-owned water and sewer companies to PUC regulation.
The measure is sponsored by majority leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, and Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo.
It cleared the House on a near-party line 41-24 vote, with only Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, voting with the Democrats in support of the measure.
HB 1227 has gained attention because it includes provisions aimed at increasing the likelihood that additional taxicab companies will enter the market in the state's cities. However, the bill also broadens the function of the state's Office of Consumer Counsel. It requires the OCC to consider social and environmental factors, as well as the economic interests of consumers and business interests, when formulating and presenting a position on proposed rate increases or decreases to the PUC.
That provision drew controversy, with Republicans arguing that it would inevitably lead to higher utility bills. But Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, pointed out that a failure by the PUC to consider the social and environmental impacts inherent in public utilities' choice of fuels for power generation could actually result in increased costs to consumers.
The bill also authorizes the PUC to impose administrative fines against public utilities, an authority the agency currently has with respect to motor carriers, and subjects investor-owned water and sewer companies to PUC regulation.
The measure is sponsored by majority leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, and Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo.
It cleared the House on a near-party line 41-24 vote, with only Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, voting with the Democrats in support of the measure.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Joint Constitution Committee to Hear From DU Panel Thursday
The new Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Reform will hear a presentation from the authors of a University of Denver report calling for changes to the state's initiative process Thursday morning.
The DU report, issued Jan. 3, recommends that the General Assembly enact tougher standards for getting a proposed change to the state constitution on the ballot and protect statutory initiatives from legislative change for ten years.
The report also calls for creation of a "Constitutional Revision Commission" to study ways in which the state's legal charter could be simplified.
Members of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Reform are chair Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, vice-chair Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, and Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood.
The panel held its first meeting Tuesday.
The DU report, issued Jan. 3, recommends that the General Assembly enact tougher standards for getting a proposed change to the state constitution on the ballot and protect statutory initiatives from legislative change for ten years.
The report also calls for creation of a "Constitutional Revision Commission" to study ways in which the state's legal charter could be simplified.
Members of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Reform are chair Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, vice-chair Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, and Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood.
The panel held its first meeting Tuesday.
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