Blog

3/24/09
Oil & Gas Rules head to Gov. Ritter's Desk!

SENATE DEMOCRATS
PROTECT COLORADO’S HEALTH,
ENVIRONMENT, AND JOBS
The Rule Review Bill (HB 1292) passes on 2nds

DENVER— Making sure Colorado has clean air and clean water. Protecting the health and safety of Colorado’s citizens. Strengthening our economy by keeping our workers healthy and allowing the oil and gas industry to thrive. Those are just a few things the new Rules Review bill does and HB 1292, which includes new rules for Oil and Gas, passed the Senate today on 2nd reading.

HB 1292 is sponsored by Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver) in the Senate. “The rule review process is a limited process to look at Executive Branch rules to see if they have exceeded the statutory authority we have given them. We have both generally and specifically given the Oil and Gas Commission the authority to manage and balance the needs of the oil and gas industry with wildlife and natural resources protections. The Commission has done that in this omnibus rules bill and we have found the rules are appropriate.”

Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass): “The rules protect our environment, our drinking water supplies, our groundwater, our clean air standards, and our wildlife habitat. They reflect a...
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3/24/09
Consumer Insurance Protection

GOV. RITTER APPLAUDS NEW CONSUMER INSURANCE PROTECTION AND EDUCATION TOOL

HB 1385 was sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz in 2008


DENVER-- Gov. Ritter today announced that the Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Division of Insurance has launched a new online guide designed to protect and educate consumers on insurance choices and to help them save money during this economic crisis. This is the result of a bill from last year sponsored by Rep. Diane Primavera and Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass).

"The creation of this website will make shopping for insurance policies less of a headache for consumers. This website increases transparency and creates a centralized location online where policies can be compared, questions answered and complaints filed and read. We are taking the anxiety out of insurance shopping and making the process easier for everyone," said Sen. Gail Schwartz, who was the Senate sponsor of the bill.

“Rep. Primavera’s 2008 House Bill 1385 called for this web guide, which is a part of our ‘Building Blocks for Healthcare Reform’ plan,” said Gov. Ritter. “As we face this global economic crisis, we know that every...
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3/24/09
BIODIESEL FUELING AHEAD
BIODIESEL FUELING AHEAD
SB098 passes final with bipartisan support in Senate



DENVER – Friday, the Senate passed a bill on final reading sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) which assigns the same tax-exempt status for biodiesel as given to dyed special fuels in Colorado. The bill received unanimous bipartisan support during third reading in the Senate on Friday.

“This bill supports both the biofuel industry and our agricultural community today and into the future,” said Sen. Schwartz. “We hope to promote and expand the next generation of biofuel production in Colorado, including new energy crops such as algae. By supporting these industries, we are creating a positive model for the development of alternative energy sources while supporting Colorado businesses and our rural economy.”

Over the past several years, biofuels have been at a competitive disadvantage due to a Special Fuel excise tax. Senate Bill 98 will open up the market for biofuels by providing the same tax-exempt status for biodiesel as given to dyed special fuels in Colorado. The bill will create the opportunity for petroleum distributors to blend biofuel locally and sell biodiesel products for construction and agricultural use without having to tax consumers.

In working on this legislation, Sen. Schwartz partnered with the biodiesel community, the Colorado Petroleum Association, and the Governor’s Energy Office. This broad base for support and input...
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3/20/09
Sen. Schwartz congratulates five Southern Colorado school districts awarded BEST grants

STATE CAPITOL CELEBRATES
B.E.S.T. ANNOUNCEMENT

DENVER – Today, Senator Gail Schwartz ( Senate District 5 ) joined Governor
 Bill Ritter, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, and former Speaker of the House
 Andrew Romanoff to officially announce the schools receiving new schools
 buildings and improvements under the B.E.S.T. (Building Excellent Schools
 Today) program.

 Of the eleven school districts selected to receive grants, five are from
 Southern Colorado. The five Southern Colorado school districts and projects are:
Alamosa School District RE-11J;
two new elementary schools will replace three elementary schools

Sangre De Cristo School District RE-22J;
new PK-12 school

Centennial School District R-1;
new PK-12 school

Sargent School District RE-33J;
new junior/senior high school and elementary school renovation

Mountain Valley School District RE-1;
roofing and repair under designed structure

Officials and students from the Sangre de Cristo School District traveled
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3/18/09
Acequias Honored by Colorado Legislature


SEN. SCHWARTZ PROTECTS
HISTORIC SOUTHERN COLORADO

HB1233 passes final with bipartisan support in Senate


DENVER – Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill on final reading sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) which promotes and encourages the continued operation of acequias, or historic community ditches, and the viability of the historic communities that depend on this system as a means of irrigation and cultural preservation in Southern Colorado. The bill passed unanimously.

Senator Schwartz presented the bill in front of the Senate this morning. “It has been an honor to carry this historic bill with Rep. Vigil, whose family has lived in San Luis for generations,” said Sen. Schwartz. “HB1233 recognizes the value and cultural importance of the Acequia tradition. In carrying this bill, I have learned a tremendous amount about Colorado’s first water right and the role of early settlers in...

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3/13/09
New Energy Economy Expo at the Capitol with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.!


On Thursday March 12, I was joined by Governor Ritter and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at our New Energy Economy Expo to celebrate Colorado's leadership in new clean-energy technologies and legislation. With the help of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Environment Colorado, and the Governor's Energy Office, the event was organized to showcase advances in clean technology and Colorado's green energy future. The expo exhibitors featured New Energy Economy businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs from the solar, wind, efficiency, biofuel, transportation and smart grid sectors.

We are all proud of the great strides Colorado has made over the last few years with respect to renewable energy investment. In collaboration with Governor Ritter, the Colorado state legislature has committed to making Colorado a national leader in our New Energy Economy. Past and current legislation to support our state's green innovation has created a more stable and resilient economy in Colorado during these difficult economic times by attracting jobs,...

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3/4/09
DEMOCRATS’ JOBS BILLS PASS THE SENATE

Senate Chamber
State of Colorado
Denver

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
CONTACT
Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez (303)866-5288
Abigail Vacanti (303) 866-4882


DEMOCRATS’ JOBS BILLS PASS THE SENATE
SB 51 and SB 162 pass final reading and head to House

DENVER— The economic crisis is hitting people hard throughout the country and Colorado is not immune. 47,000 jobs have been lost in the last twelve month and Colorado’s unemployment rate is over 6%. With these numbers on everyone’s mind, the Colorado Senate passed two important bills on final...
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2/27/09
Better Schools Because of BEST

NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS
FOR SOUTHERN COLORADO
Sen. Schwartz congratulates five Southern Colorado school districts named BEST finalists

DENVER – Today, Senator Gail Schwartz ( SD 5 – Democrat ) congratulated five Southern Colorado schools districts named finalists for receiving new schools buildings and improvements under the B.E.S.T. program.

The five Southern Colorado school districts and projects are:

  • Alamosa School District RE-11J; two new elementary schools will replace three elementary schools
  • Sangre De Cristo School District RE-22J; new PK-12 school
  • Centennial School District R-1; new PK-12 school (supplemental)
  • Sargent School District RE-33J; new junior/senior high school and...
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2/26/09
Colorado Gets Charged Up for Electric Cars


Schwartz’s Electric Car Showcase
Wows Crowds at the State Capitol


DENVER— They came. They saw. They conquered a few hearts. Today, dozens of visitors came to the State Capitol to learn more about neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) and Senate Bill 75.

Several neighborhood electric vehicles were displayed on the East Lawn to the delight of those who decided to hop behind the wheel and take a spin around the Capitol grounds. Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) was on hand to tout the benefits of NEVs. Joined by Tom Perkins, owner of Motor City Dodge (Colo. Springs); Valerie Weber Hamann, president...
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2/18/09
JOB CREATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT

Senate Chamber
State of Colorado
Denver


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

CONTACT

Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez (303)866-5288
Abigail Vacanti (303) 866-4882



JOBS COMMITTEE ENCOURAGES FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR JOB CREATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT br...
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