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Colorado's 96th supreme court justice took her seat Friday after being sworn in by her father, a retired court of appeals judge.
Monica Marquez replaced Mary Mullarkey on the bench. Mullarkey retired on Nov. 30.
The new justice, 41, is a former deputy attorney general.
She becomes the second Latino justice on the current supreme court, the first Latina ever to sit on the court, Colorado's first openly gay justice, and the third openly gay state supreme court justice in the country.
Marquez's father, Jose D.L. Marquez, administered her oath of office. The elder Marquez also made history as Colorado's first Latino court of appeals judge.
He retired from the state bench in 2008 after 20 years of service.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Ferrandino warns of huge higher education cuts
A member of the Joint Budget Committee warned a Greeley audience Saturday that Colorado could be facing drastic cuts in higher education funding within the next few years.
A report in Saturday's Greeley Tribune says that Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, told people attending an open forum at Evans Community College that the requirements of federal stimulus funding, which have protected the colleges' budgets during the last two years, are ending.
Gov. Bill Ritter's FY 2011 budget proposal would set higher education funding at $555 million. If that amount, or less, is adopted by the General Assembly, Colorado would rank last among the 50 states in the amount of money budgeted for colleges and universities.
Unlike other areas of the state budget, such as Medicaid and K-12 education, there is no law that mandates a minimum level of funding for higher education.
A report in Saturday's Greeley Tribune says that Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, told people attending an open forum at Evans Community College that the requirements of federal stimulus funding, which have protected the colleges' budgets during the last two years, are ending.
Gov. Bill Ritter's FY 2011 budget proposal would set higher education funding at $555 million. If that amount, or less, is adopted by the General Assembly, Colorado would rank last among the 50 states in the amount of money budgeted for colleges and universities.
Unlike other areas of the state budget, such as Medicaid and K-12 education, there is no law that mandates a minimum level of funding for higher education.
Hamner to replace Scanlan in Summit County seat
The superintendent of the Summit school district will replace resigning Democratic Rep. Christine Scanlan in the state House of Representatives.
According to a report in Sunday's Summit Daily, Millie Hamner was chosen by a District 56 vacancy committee.
Hamner will be replaced in her job as the Frisco-based school district superintendent by her top assistant. She had previously announced that she would retire on July 1, 2011.
Hamner has been a West Slope educator since 1978. She spent the last ten years in Summit County and the prior 23 in Eagle County.
Scanlan is leaving the legislature to join Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's staff.
According to a report in Sunday's Summit Daily, Millie Hamner was chosen by a District 56 vacancy committee.
Hamner will be replaced in her job as the Frisco-based school district superintendent by her top assistant. She had previously announced that she would retire on July 1, 2011.
Hamner has been a West Slope educator since 1978. She spent the last ten years in Summit County and the prior 23 in Eagle County.
Scanlan is leaving the legislature to join Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's staff.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Business paper reports that Marostica won't be retained by Hickenlooper
Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper won't be keeping his predecessor's economic development chief.
The Denver Business Journal reported Thursday that former GOP Rep. Don Marostica, who leads the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade, had sought to keep the post, but that Hickenlooper has decided to bring in a new cabinet when he takes office in January.
Marostica joined Gov. Bill Ritter's administration in July 2009. He had previously served in the House from Jan. 2007, representing a Loveland-area district.
The Denver Business Journal reported Thursday that former GOP Rep. Don Marostica, who leads the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade, had sought to keep the post, but that Hickenlooper has decided to bring in a new cabinet when he takes office in January.
Marostica joined Gov. Bill Ritter's administration in July 2009. He had previously served in the House from Jan. 2007, representing a Loveland-area district.
Post: Scanlan, Romer to leave seats Dec. 31
Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, and Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Summit County, will leave the General Assembly on Dec. 31.
That's according to a report in today's Denver Post.
Romer resigned to seek election as Denver mayor, while Scanlan is joining Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's staff.
Democratic vacancy committees will appoint replacements.
That's according to a report in today's Denver Post.
Romer resigned to seek election as Denver mayor, while Scanlan is joining Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's staff.
Democratic vacancy committees will appoint replacements.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Rep. Weissman to serve as House Dems' chief of staff
The House Democratic caucus has chosen a legislator with long experience at the capitol to serve as its chief of staff for the 68th General Assembly.
Rep. Paul M. Weissman, D-Louisville, will lead the new minority party's team of employees, and provide strategic guidance to members of the caucus, after serving four terms in the House and one in the Senate between 1993-97.
Weissman, 46, is term-limited in the House.
"I feel like we snagged the big one!," minority leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, said in a statement. "Paul has managed the Blue Parrot restaurant in Louisville for years, and he understands how to run government like a business, with an eye on the bottom line and balancing the budget. He is widely respected in the Capitol and among stakeholders for his commitment to bi-partisanship. His deep understanding of the issues and of legislative process, and his integrity and ethics make him a natural fit. It doesn't hurt that like all good bartenders, he has a great sense of humor and an ability to listen to others."
Rep. Paul M. Weissman, D-Louisville, will lead the new minority party's team of employees, and provide strategic guidance to members of the caucus, after serving four terms in the House and one in the Senate between 1993-97.
Weissman, 46, is term-limited in the House.
"I feel like we snagged the big one!," minority leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, said in a statement. "Paul has managed the Blue Parrot restaurant in Louisville for years, and he understands how to run government like a business, with an eye on the bottom line and balancing the budget. He is widely respected in the Capitol and among stakeholders for his commitment to bi-partisanship. His deep understanding of the issues and of legislative process, and his integrity and ethics make him a natural fit. It doesn't hurt that like all good bartenders, he has a great sense of humor and an ability to listen to others."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Insurance commissioner Morrison steps down
Colorado insurance commissioner Marcy Morrison has left her post.
The former school board member, Manitou Springs mayor, county commissioner, and state legislator had held the job since 2007. She advocated for a number of consumer-friendly insurance bills, including one adopted in 2010 that will require insurance policies to be readable by a person with a tenth-grade education starting in 2012.
"Marcy is a tireless advocate who worked to balance the needs of consumers with the needs of the insurance industry," Gov. Bill Ritter said.
Morrison will be temporarily replaced by John J. Postolowski, a deputy commissioner of the agency.
The state Division of Insurance is housed within the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
The former school board member, Manitou Springs mayor, county commissioner, and state legislator had held the job since 2007. She advocated for a number of consumer-friendly insurance bills, including one adopted in 2010 that will require insurance policies to be readable by a person with a tenth-grade education starting in 2012.
"Marcy is a tireless advocate who worked to balance the needs of consumers with the needs of the insurance industry," Gov. Bill Ritter said.
Morrison will be temporarily replaced by John J. Postolowski, a deputy commissioner of the agency.
The state Division of Insurance is housed within the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
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