Seed Newsvine
The newest state senator got her committee assignments Monday.
Democrat Irene Aguilar of Denver, who was recently appointed to replace Denver mayoral candidate Chris Romer, will serve on three committees: Business, Labor and Technology, Health and Human Services, and Local Government and Energy.
She will be vice-chair of the Business, Labor, and Technology committee.
A physician and a mother of three children, including a developmentally disabled daughter, Aguilar was chosen in December by a Democratic vacancy committee to fill out the remainder of Romer's term representing Senate district 32. Romer had just been re-elected to his second term in the Senate in November.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Senate majority leader Morse takes committee chairmanship from embattled Williams
Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, has lost the chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee.
The veteran legislator was involved in a fatal car accident in Texas on Dec. 26, 2010, and majority leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, said that he thinks Williams needs the time to focus on her family and the aftermath of the incident.
She had been appointed to lead the committee after the November election.
Instead, Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, will lead it.
Williams, 65, is in her last term as a senator. She previously served four terms in the state House of Representatives.
The veteran legislator was involved in a fatal car accident in Texas on Dec. 26, 2010, and majority leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, said that he thinks Williams needs the time to focus on her family and the aftermath of the incident.
She had been appointed to lead the committee after the November election.
Instead, Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, will lead it.
Williams, 65, is in her last term as a senator. She previously served four terms in the state House of Representatives.
Hickenlooper sworn in as governor
John Hickenlooper was inaugurated as Colorado's 42nd governor this morning at the State Capitol.
He delivered comments indicating that his administration would make job creation a priority.
Lieutenant governor Joe Garcia was also sworn in today.
A report on the event by Denver TV station KDVR is here.
Video courtesy Denver Post.
Monday, January 10, 2011
New Lt. Gov. Garcia to wear 2 hats in gov't, head Department of Higher Ed
Lieutenant governor-elect Joe Garcia is going to be a little bit busier than most of his predecessors. He'll have two jobs in the Hickenlooper administration.
Garcia, who has served as a college president, will lead the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Ordinarily that cabinet position is filled by someone who is not the elected number two in the administration. But Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper has apparently concluded that Garcia's experience as an educator is impossible to overlook.
“Joe Garcia is in a unique position to wear two hats in state government,” Hickenlooper said. “He is a known leader with tremendous expertise in education. He also understands the challenges facing higher education because he’s led a community college and a university. Allowing Garcia to serve in two roles will save money and serve the taxpayers of Colorado without compromising the work of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office or the Department of Higher Education."
Although Garcia does not have be confirmed by the state senate to serve as lieutenant governor, his appointment as director of CDHE is subject to that body's consent.
Garcia will be inaugurated as lieutenant governor tomorrow.
Garcia, who has served as a college president, will lead the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Ordinarily that cabinet position is filled by someone who is not the elected number two in the administration. But Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper has apparently concluded that Garcia's experience as an educator is impossible to overlook.
“Joe Garcia is in a unique position to wear two hats in state government,” Hickenlooper said. “He is a known leader with tremendous expertise in education. He also understands the challenges facing higher education because he’s led a community college and a university. Allowing Garcia to serve in two roles will save money and serve the taxpayers of Colorado without compromising the work of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office or the Department of Higher Education."
Although Garcia does not have be confirmed by the state senate to serve as lieutenant governor, his appointment as director of CDHE is subject to that body's consent.
Garcia will be inaugurated as lieutenant governor tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Former U.S. Rep. John Salazar to be state agriculture commissioner
Former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Salazar will serve in Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's cabinet as commissioner of agriculture.The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported today that Salazar, a Western Slope rancher and farmer who was defeated in a bid for a fourth term in Congress last November, has accepted the job and likely won't seek a re-match with congressman Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, in 2012.
Salazar, 57, served a term in the state house of representatives before going to Washington. Before that he was a member of the governor's Economic Development Advisory Board, the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, and the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Forum. Salazar also served as a member of the Colorado Agricultural Commission between 1999-2002.
The current agriculture commissioner, John Stulp, has taken a new job as special advisor to Hickenlooper.
Image courtesy Wikimedia.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sen. White's wife will replace him
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)