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Gov. Ritter Testifies in Favor of Clean Energy Bill

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He appeared before the House Transportation and Energy Committee on behalf of House Bill 10-1001, sponsored by Reps. Max Tyler and Jack Pommer and Sens. Gail Schwartz and Bruce Whitehead. The measure would increase the current 20 percent by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard to 30 percent by 2020, which would be the most aggressive standard in the Rocky Mountain West and among the highest nationally.

This is just the third time Gov. Ritter has testified on behalf of legislation since taking office in 2007.

The complete text of Gov. Ritter’s testimony as prepared for delivery is below:

SCHWARTZ SUPPORTS NEW ENERGY: Senate Passes Clean Energy Bill

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DENVER— Today, Senate Bill 19, sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), passed the Colorado Senate. The bill will provide hydro-electric plants the same property tax structure as other renewable energy facilities.

This innovative legislation will encourage Colorado’s new energy economy businesses and jobs to continue to grow. SB 19 passed on 2nd reading and will be heard tomorrow for third and final passage before heading to the House.

Schwartz Bill Makes Colorado Farms More Competitive - Certified Potato Seed Bill Strengthens Potato Farmers Global Competitiveness

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In the global economy, Colorado businesses need to compete not only with businesses in other states, but also with businesses in other countries. Today, the Colorado Senate passed Senator Gail Schwartz’s (D-Snowmass) “Colorado Potato Seed Act” (SB 10-072) which will increase the competitiveness of Colorado potato growers. The bill will also help prevent outbreaks of diseases that affect potatoes.

Cuts could balance state budget deficit

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The Senate on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to almost $500 million in budget cuts that would balance the state's budget, surmounting what was a $2.2 billion deficit.

A final vote on the budget-

balancing bills is expected as soon as Friday.

While most of the items the Senate worked on Wednesday involved taking funds from departments, projects and programs, it gave $2.1 million to the state's parks.

House votes ease-up on FASTER late fees, source of unanticipated complaints last year

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Lawmakers in the Colorado House passed some exceptions Tuesday to the controversial late fees in last year’s FASTER bill, including one that allows commercial trailer owners to avoid the fee if they can document they had idled that part of their fleet.

But the scope of the changes is limited and leaves most of the late fees in place.

Two bills on the subject – HB 1211 and HB 1212 – passed 62-2 with one absence. House Speaker Terrance Carroll and Rep. Jeanne Labuda, both Denver Democrats, voted no.

They now go to the Senate.

ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, GOV. RITTER PRAISES RECOVERY ACT

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Marking the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s one-year anniversary, Gov. Bill Ritter today praised the landmark legislation for preventing a second Great Depression, preserving and creating 1.5 million to 2 million jobs nationwide and helping to get America’s economy healthy again.

Ten School Districts in Colorado Receive "Healthy Kids Learn Better" Grant To Improve Health And Wellness Programs

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Feb. 17, 2010

News Release

The Colorado Legacy Foundation today announced that 10 school districts in Colorado have been selected to receive funding to support and guide their efforts to improve existing health and wellness programs.

The Legacy Foundation received the grant totaling $868,080 last summer from the Colorado Health Foundation. Applications for the grant were due in January.

CMC bill sponsorship close to Sen. Schwartz's heart

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Finding ways to expand access to higher education opportunities, especially in rural areas, has been a labor of love for Colorado state Sen. Gail Schwartz.

Before the Snowmass Village Democrat was elected to the state Senate, she spent six years as an elected member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents. She served on the Colorado Commission on Higher Education for four years prior to that.

CMC bill clears senate committee hurdle by a 7-1 vote

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The Colorado Senate Education Committee voted 7-1 Wednesday in support of SB 101, which would allow Colorado Mountain College to offer a limited number of four-year bachelor's degrees.

The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) and Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County), now moves on to the full Senate. A hearing date has not been set.

Rescheduled hearing on CMC bill takes place today

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DENVER, Colorado — A rescheduled committee hearing today may determine the fate of a bill before the Colorado Legislature that would allow Colorado Mountain College to offer some four-year degree programs.

SB101, sponsored by Sens. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass, and Dan Gibbs, 5D-Boulder, was to have been heard earlier this month by the Senate Education Committee, but the hearing was postponed.

Gibbs is slated to present the bill in committee following today's regular agenda. Several witnesses will also be testifying on behalf of the college, CMC spokeswoman Debbie Crawford said.

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