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Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, said today he will retire from the legislature to focus on his hotel business.
May, the minority leader, was reelected by a wide margin in November.
“It has truly been an honor serving in the legislature, and serving as the Republican Leader these last few years,” May said. “However, as the owner of a company, I have an obligation to the families that work for me. It has become increasingly difficult to balance my duties at the statehouse with those of keeping my business running in these difficult economic times. This decision was one of the hardest I have ever had to make, but I wouldn’t have made it if I didn’t think it was the right decision.”
The House Republican caucus will elect a new leader before the legislative session begins Jan. 7.
Contenders for the minority leader post are expected to include assistant minority leader David Balmer of Centennial, caucus chair Amy Stephens of Monument and minority whip Cory Gardner of Yuma.
Gov. Bill Ritter congratulated May on his service.
“I greatly appreciate Mike May’s service to the legislature and to the people of Colorado," Ritter said in a written statement. "We didn’t always agree on the issues, but I respect him and wish him and his business nothing but success in the future.”
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Ritter Gives Obama Stimulus Suggestions
Gov. Bill Ritter has offered President-elect Barack Obama a list of suggestions for stimulus spending in Colorado next year, asking that the new administration in Washington, DC focus on transportation projects and energy infrastructure.
The governor included his ideas in a letter sent to Obama Dec. 9. Ritter specifically mentioned 112 highway projects costing $1.1 billion; 23 aviation projects costing $113 million; and 22 transit projects costing $144 million.
Ritter also asked Obama to push Congress to appropriate about $90 million to the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program grants and to create a $10 billion energy retrofit program that would cover all types of structures. Ritter also suggested increases to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation block grant program, the federal fund that pays for weatherization projects and assistance to utilities to pay for transmission projects. He also recommended a variety of tax changes aimed at encouraging investment and research into renewable energy sources and facilities, including "clean coal" research.
"Colorado and the nation face significant economic challenges,” Ritter said. “But these challenges also create enormous opportunities. Colorado’s successes at building a New Energy Economy and creating new jobs can be a model for the nation. Through wise infrastructure investments, we can create jobs and hasten economic recovery in the short-term, and put the nation on a long-term path for growth that will allow us to compete and succeed on a global economic stage.”
Obama is expected to ask Congress for a large fiscal stimulus bill, possibly approaching as much as $ 1 trillion, shortly after his inauguration as President Jan. 20, 2009.
The governor included his ideas in a letter sent to Obama Dec. 9. Ritter specifically mentioned 112 highway projects costing $1.1 billion; 23 aviation projects costing $113 million; and 22 transit projects costing $144 million.
Ritter also asked Obama to push Congress to appropriate about $90 million to the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program grants and to create a $10 billion energy retrofit program that would cover all types of structures. Ritter also suggested increases to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation block grant program, the federal fund that pays for weatherization projects and assistance to utilities to pay for transmission projects. He also recommended a variety of tax changes aimed at encouraging investment and research into renewable energy sources and facilities, including "clean coal" research.
"Colorado and the nation face significant economic challenges,” Ritter said. “But these challenges also create enormous opportunities. Colorado’s successes at building a New Energy Economy and creating new jobs can be a model for the nation. Through wise infrastructure investments, we can create jobs and hasten economic recovery in the short-term, and put the nation on a long-term path for growth that will allow us to compete and succeed on a global economic stage.”
Obama is expected to ask Congress for a large fiscal stimulus bill, possibly approaching as much as $ 1 trillion, shortly after his inauguration as President Jan. 20, 2009.
Soper, Court Vow to Push Mandatory CO Monitor Legislation
Two Democratic members of the House are promising to introduce a bill requiring all new homes and existing homes put up for sale have carbon monoxide monitors installed.
Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Rep.-elect Lois Court, D-Denver, said at a news conference today that the recent deaths of Parker and Caroline Lofgren and their children Owen and Sophie due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a west slope cabin motivated their efforts.
“So many Coloradans knew and loved the Lofgrens and are so devastated by their deaths,” Court said. “I think the Lofgrens would be happy to see their community mobilized to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.”
The proposed legislation, which would be similar to one considered by the General Assembly in the 2008 session, would be called the "Lofgren Family Home Safety Act."
The Lofgren family lived in the district of outgoing House speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver. Court was elected to replace the term-limited Romanoff in November.
Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Rep.-elect Lois Court, D-Denver, said at a news conference today that the recent deaths of Parker and Caroline Lofgren and their children Owen and Sophie due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a west slope cabin motivated their efforts.
“So many Coloradans knew and loved the Lofgrens and are so devastated by their deaths,” Court said. “I think the Lofgrens would be happy to see their community mobilized to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.”
The proposed legislation, which would be similar to one considered by the General Assembly in the 2008 session, would be called the "Lofgren Family Home Safety Act."
The Lofgren family lived in the district of outgoing House speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver. Court was elected to replace the term-limited Romanoff in November.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Scanlan to be Majority Whip
Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Summit County, will be the new majority whip of the House.
The announcement by incoming speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, is an effort by the Democratic majority to assure that its leadership team is representative of rural Colorado.
“I am proud to announce that our caucus has elected yet another smart, Western Colorado woman to a leadership post," Carroll said. "Rep. Scanlan has a deep and broad understanding of the issues that affect all Coloradans, especially education, forest health and transportation issues. Rep. Scanlan will help lead our caucus as we fight for the middle-class, for job creation, and for economic stability in Colorado. I am thrilled that she has joined our leadership team.”
Scanlan, who was appointed to the House in 2007 and elected to a full term in November, said that Democrats will focus on the economy in 2009.
“One thing should be clear: when this leadership team of men and women, Front Range and West Slope, lawyers and ranchers, comes together in January, we are going to spend every day working to create jobs, jobs and more jobs," she said. "As different as we are, that's our common goal: to strengthen this economy and get Coloradans working, creating a more stable economy for future years.”
Carroll was elected speaker in November after the leading candidate to replace current speaker Andrew Romanoff of Denver, Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction, lost his re-election bid.
The announcement by incoming speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, is an effort by the Democratic majority to assure that its leadership team is representative of rural Colorado.
“I am proud to announce that our caucus has elected yet another smart, Western Colorado woman to a leadership post," Carroll said. "Rep. Scanlan has a deep and broad understanding of the issues that affect all Coloradans, especially education, forest health and transportation issues. Rep. Scanlan will help lead our caucus as we fight for the middle-class, for job creation, and for economic stability in Colorado. I am thrilled that she has joined our leadership team.”
Scanlan, who was appointed to the House in 2007 and elected to a full term in November, said that Democrats will focus on the economy in 2009.
“One thing should be clear: when this leadership team of men and women, Front Range and West Slope, lawyers and ranchers, comes together in January, we are going to spend every day working to create jobs, jobs and more jobs," she said. "As different as we are, that's our common goal: to strengthen this economy and get Coloradans working, creating a more stable economy for future years.”
Carroll was elected speaker in November after the leading candidate to replace current speaker Andrew Romanoff of Denver, Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction, lost his re-election bid.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Members of Committee on Job Creation & Economic Growth Announced
Senate president Peter Groff and House speaker-designate Terrance Carroll announced the members of the new Joint Committee on Job Creation & Economic Growth today, naming six Democrats and four Republicans to the panel.
The members include Senator Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass; Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver; Sen.-elect Rollie Heath, D-Boulder; Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen.-elect Mark Scheffel, R-Parker; Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton; Rep. Judy Solano, D-Thornton; Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West; Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs; and Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial.
Schwartz will be the chair of the committee.
The members include Senator Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass; Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver; Sen.-elect Rollie Heath, D-Boulder; Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen.-elect Mark Scheffel, R-Parker; Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton; Rep. Judy Solano, D-Thornton; Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West; Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs; and Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial.
Schwartz will be the chair of the committee.
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.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Senate GOP Leader Makes Committee Assignments
New senate minority leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, announced committee appointments today, assigning conservative members of his caucus to the chamber's principal economic policy-making bodies.
The appointments are:
Business Affairs, Labor & Technology Committee: Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, and Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker. Scheffel is a new senator.
Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy Committee: Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray; Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch; Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas.
Finance Committee: Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray; Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker. King, a veteran of the house of representatives, is new to the senate.
Judiciary Committee: Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley; senator to be appointed in district 15 to replace Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins. Johnson was elected to the Larimer County Commission this month and is leaving the senate.
Education Committee: Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial. Spence is a veteran of the committee and a leading GOP voice on education issues.
Local Government Committee: Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas; SD-15 replacement.
State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee: Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.
Health and Human Services Committee: Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs; SD-15 replacement.
Transportation Committee: Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley; Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.
Joint Budget Committee: Sen. Al White, R-Hayden.
Appropriations Committee: Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch; Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Al White, R-Hayden.
Audit Committee: Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.
The appointments are:
Business Affairs, Labor & Technology Committee: Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, and Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker. Scheffel is a new senator.
Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy Committee: Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray; Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch; Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas.
Finance Committee: Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray; Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker. King, a veteran of the house of representatives, is new to the senate.
Judiciary Committee: Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley; senator to be appointed in district 15 to replace Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins. Johnson was elected to the Larimer County Commission this month and is leaving the senate.
Education Committee: Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial. Spence is a veteran of the committee and a leading GOP voice on education issues.
Local Government Committee: Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas; SD-15 replacement.
State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee: Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.
Health and Human Services Committee: Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs; SD-15 replacement.
Transportation Committee: Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley; Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.
Joint Budget Committee: Sen. Al White, R-Hayden.
Appropriations Committee: Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch; Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Al White, R-Hayden.
Audit Committee: Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.
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