While the Forest Health Act of 2011 still awaits Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s signature, the wheels are already turning on the act’s goal of removing and using 4 million acres of beetle-kill wood from the state’s forests. “We need to try to take this issue head-on,” said Colorado State Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, who sponsored…Read More »
One of my greatest privileges in representing State Senate district 5 is working with our K-12 and higher education institutions. In today’s economy, funding of Colorado’s public education has been especially challenging. Given past accomplishments and the brilliant potential of our 2011 graduates, we can only hope that they will invest their efforts into Colorado’s…Read More »
Sine Die – Legislative Update from Senator Schwartz May 24, 2011 As the regular session of the General Assembly has come to a close, it is time to both look back on our work at the capitol and look forward to spending more time at home and in my district. What stand out as successes…Read More »
Sine Die -
Legislative Update
from Senator Schwartz
May 24, 2011
As the regular session of the General Assembly has come to a close, it is time to both look back on our work at the capitol and look forward to spending more time at home and in my district.
What stand out as successes from this session are the progress I was able to make on natural resources issues including species conservation, forest health and the threats associated with the beetle epidemic, promotion of rural economic development with tourism and jobs bills, and ensuring a bright future for our state’s higher education. It was an honor to serve as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee which considers important issues relative to SD5 and the State.
During the upcoming summer and fall interim, I will serve on a number of interim committees and I plan to attend conferences, numerous community events & festivals as well as host town halls throughout all of our counties of Senate District 5. The interim is a time to develop a deeper understanding of constituent concerns and become more familiar with critical issues, in particular, health care, water and energy. What I learn throughout my time in the district helps me to better serve the interests of SD-5 and build a strong future during upcoming legislative sessions. As always, I would like to hear from you in person at events or by email – make sure to keep an eye out for town halls and other announcements on my website www.gailschwartz.org or through your local newspapers!
One of my greatest privileges in representing State Senate district 5 is working with our K-12 and higher education institutions. In today’s economy, funding of Colorado’s public education has been especially challenging. Given past accomplishments and the brilliant potential of our 2011 graduates, we can only hope that they will invest their efforts into Colorado’s future and communities!
I was particularly honored to give the graduation address at the Adams State College undergraduate commencement on May 14th. Click here to read The Pueblo Chieftain’s story on the ASC graduation address.
The Forest Health Bill of 2011 - my priority this legislative session – passed through the legislature and awaits the Governor’s signature. This bill is an important step in the right direction for Colorado, as it creates a working group that will be able to address a number of forestry issues that plague Colorado. With an extensive stakeholder process and much expert analysis, the group will define market opportunities for beetle-kill wood, reduce the risk of dead timber and forest fires in affected areas, discuss biomass & other clean energy uses for harvested forest waste as well as how to protect our utility infrastructure for water and electricity. The process will benefit many Coloradans by addressing this statewide issue head-on. For more information contact the Colorado State Forester’s office at 970-491-6303.
A team from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) has returned to the Ziegler reservoir in Snowmass Village for a seven-week excavation project. Now that the ice is thawing, the team can continue their excavation of the site where the most significant find of North American ice-age fossils were uncovered late last fall. At the official press conference for the Snowmastodon Project on May 17th, the team already had new findings to announce – an ice age camel plus more mammoth and ground sloth specimens! Here I joined Dr. Kirk Johnson (Vice President of Research & Collections and Chief Curator of DMNS) in Snowmass at the Ice Age Discovery Center to announce the latest round of discoveries and excavation process at the site.
We were so pleased to recognize this discovery and all the staff involved at the capitol with a Senate Joint Resolution (SJR11 – 018) and visit this past winter. I will continue to support their efforts, and look forward to monitoring their progress – who would have expected I would have such distinguished neighbors just down the street? Read about the history and findings & follow live DMNS updates of the dig here!
To kickoff the summer tourism season, legislators and Coloradans (and some mascots!) gathered on the West steps of our Capitol. They announced the release of a new mobile site designed for smart-phones that can help tourists find accommodation, activities, restaurants, and many other fun things to do in Colorado. We certainly do hope that a great number of Americans choose to visit Colorado this summer; not only is tourism good for the state’s economy, but visitors are sure to enjoy spending time here! Click here, or visit http://www.colorado.com/, to plan your Colorado adventure!
Senate Bill 11-200 the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Act, was passed with bipartisan support. The exchange will help facilitate one-stop shopping for health insurance for more than 350,000 Colorado families and businesses. A health exchange is a single marketplace for health insurance designed to help individuals and small employers in Colorado make informed decisions about purchasing health insurance. The exchange will offer a choice of plans, facilitate competition to improve quality and lower costs, and offer a simple, navigable interface to help Coloradans purchase the health plans that best suit their needs.
While session has ended, my work continues into the interim with committees and events across my district. I will be working hard until the beginning of the 2012 legislative session on issue-specific committees and also touring around District 5 to learn more about the needs of people and organizations that I’m honored to represent. Make sure to check out my Facebook page, my website (Here), and summer calendar (Here).
Water Resources Review Committee,Chair:
This committee was established to monitor the conservation and use of Colorado’s water resources, and it also responsible for keeping track of development and finances in this area so that they are better able to serve the state’s water needs. The committee is scheduled to meet throughout the interim period, and works with experts to review issues and develop legislation. Click here to see the interim schedule.
Capitol Development Committee, member:
We’ll be touring the state assessing state facilities, including tours of eastern plains and the San Luis Valley. For information on our schedule, Click here.
Transportation Legislation Review Committee, member: Click here for schedule.
Legislative Legal Services Committee, member:
Click here for schedule.
One of my top priorities this year was SB11 – 258: a bill to foster direct connections from the farm to the table. TheLocal Foods, Local Jobs Act was designed to create jobs, strengthen local economies, and support promotion of farmers markets, agritourism and fresh foods in our schools throughout Colorado.
This bill would have made it easier for local food growers to sell baked goods, jams and jellies, spices, and dehydrated fruits and fresh vegetables directly to Colorado families. It also would have supported local entrepreneurial opportunities and year round income for farmers, and increased the availability of fresh, nutritious foods. While expanding access to local foods, Senate Bill 11-258 would also have maintained important safety standards such as extensive labeling regulations and requiring products to be sold by growers directly to consumers on farms, at farmers markets, or through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organizations.
Unfortunately, the bill succumbed to last-minute big business interests and partisan games in the House of Representatives. In the end, there is absolutely no question that we will keep fighting for the interests of my constituents that it represents. Thank you to all that supported this effort this year and we look forward to your support again next year!
If you’d like to support local growers & their homegrown goods, click here to find a farmers market near you. Also, visit my website for a copy of my delicious Peach Chutney recipe to prepare this summer with Colorado’s exceptional produce!
Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling, SB11-269
Another important piece of legislation that was not scheduled for a hearing in the House at the end of the session was the Electronic Waste Recycling bill. In Colorado we enjoy and consume a tremendous number of electronic products and only recycle a small percentage of the tens of thousands of tons of the electronic waste that is produced each year. The hazardous e-waste that is not properly recycled can lead to contamination of our state’s precious land and water resources. Following the lead of 24 other states that already have legislation protecting against the dangers of e-waste, SB11-269 would have ensured that every electronics recycler/processor in Colorado will handle these toxic materials properly, keeping toxins from the landfills and from being exported to countries without the oversight and infrastructure to handle them in a responsible and safe manner.
Summary of Select Committee on Redistricting: Giving All Coloradans a Choice and a Voice
Our democracy is founded on the core belief that every citizen should have a choice and a voice. With this goal in mind, the state legislature is charged with adjusting the Colorado congressional boundaries every ten years after the U.S. Census.
To take on this challenge this year – to incorporate over 700,000 more residents into the current seven districts – we created a historic, bipartisan redistricting committee with members of the House and Senate. The committee traveled across the state holding public meetings to gather input from Coloradans, and one thing was clear: Coloradans want representatives in Congress who will be held accountable to their constituents.
The Democratic representatives of the committee introduced the first official redistricting map proposal to create fair, competitive congressional districts and protect communities of interest in Colorado. I believe competitive districts are good public policy. A competitive district has a balanced number of registered Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters, so that a candidate from any party may win an election.
Despite many hours of strenuous negotiation, some of which included the Governor, the select redistricting committee was unable to come to an agreement on an acceptable map for Colorado’s Congressional Districts. Now the matter will be reviewed by Judge William W. Hood of Colorado’s 2nd Judicial District.
Click here to see the map and a breakdown of voter registration by district.
I especially want to thank my fellow caucus members for all of their hard work this session!