My chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture committee continues to be an important role, as I preside over range of issues that affect our rural communities.  My priority legislation includes reauthorization of the Building Excellent Schools Today (B.E.S.T.) program, which has been an enormous success for Senate District 5 and  rural Colorado since its inception in 2008.  Additionally, the “Rural Broadband Jobs Act” that I’m sponsoring with Rep. Coram awaits a final senate vote and our Forest Health bill will be introduced shortly.  I’m also focused on legislation to  complete the Parks and Wildlife department merger, legislation to expand the Homelake Veterans Cemetery, and a bill concerning funding for Colorado Water Conservation Board projects, which contains an important opportunity for storage in the San Luis Valley.

In addition to legislative work, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the district for some fun and meaningful events.  I traveled to Monte Vista for the opening of the Shriver-Wright State Wildlife Area and Representative Vigil and I held a town hall in Alamosa.  This past weekend, Rep. Hamner and I delivered a proclamation for Lindsey Vonn’s homecoming to Vail. It was great to meet Lindsey and other community members who will become my new constituents when Eagle County joins Senate District 5 in 2013.  I’ve even had the luxury of spending some time with my kids and grandkids, enjoying what’s left of our valuable high-country snow. I look forward to spending more time with my family over the upcoming holiday, and I wish all my friends and constituents a peaceful weekend filled with the joys of the season.

As always, please take time to stay engaged at www.colorado.gov and contact our office to have your perspective heard.

Sincerely,

This legislation will allow small growers to sell their products directly to consumers, jump starting local economies and increasing the availability of healthy, locally grown foods.

Dear Friends,

We’re well into the second month, as the legislature has been in session for a total 49 days now.  The Senate has introduced 157 bills and the House of Representatives has introduced 327. The Governor has already signed two bills into law and the session becomes more focused every day.  I am energized by my constituents and motivated to work with all of my fellow legislators to rebuild our economy, manage our natural resources, and improve access to healthcare and education in communities across the state.  My legislative agenda is focused on job growth in rural Colorado and Representative Don Coram and I are working as a bipartisan team to send many of these bills to the Governor’s desk.

An update on my legislation:

• SB12-048, the “Local Foods, Local Jobs Act,” passed through the Senate with bipartisan support and was sent to the House Ag. Committee where it passed through unanimously.  The bill now faces a vote before the State Representatives on the House floor.

• SB12-133, the “Electronic Device Recycling Act,” passed through the Senate with bipartisan support.  It will now be sent over to the House for a committee hearing.

• SB12-129, the “Rural Broadband Jobs Act,” passed through the Senate Ag. Committee with bipartisan support and will soon be scheduled for a vote of the full Senate.

• In progress: We are busy developing a Forest Health & Biomass bill to build a comprehensive approach to address the state’s growing problem of standing dead timber, and a bill to reauthorize the Building Excellent Schools Today (B.E.S.T.) program.

The stakeholders involved in all of these bills, among many others, have been absolutely critical to the process through their articulate advocacy and willingness to participate – a true testament to the power of informed citizens in the democratic process.  Please take time to stay engaged at www.colorado.gov and contact our office to have your perspective heard.

Sincerely,

In late January, I moderated a public hearing on a proposed BLM lease in Delta county.  Thanks to the citizens and stakeholder groups who organized the hearing, and thanks to Rep. Wilson for co-hosting, and Senator Bennet’s office, Senator Udall’s office, and the BLM for sending delegates to listen to concerns. The hearing was a very productive conversation that showcased the strengths of the democratic process.

Dear Friends,

We’re well into the second month, as the legislature has been in session for a total 49 days now.  The Senate has introduced 157 bills and the House of Representatives has introduced 327. The Governor has already signed two bills into law and the session becomes more focused every day.  I am energized by my constituents and motivated to work with all of my fellow legislators to rebuild our economy, manage our natural resources, and improve access to healthcare and education in communities across the state.  My legislative agenda is focused on job growth in rural Colorado and Representative Don Coram and I are working as a bipartisan team to send many of these bills to the Governor’s desk.

An update on my legislation:

• SB12-048, the “Local Foods, Local Jobs Act,” passed through the Senate with bipartisan support and was sent to the House Ag. Committee where it passed through unanimously.  The bill now faces a vote before the State Representatives on the House floor.

• SB12-133, the “Electronic Device Recycling Act,” passed through the Senate with bipartisan support.  It will now be sent over to the House for a committee hearing.

• SB12-129, the “Rural Broadband Jobs Act,” passed through the Senate Ag. Committee with bipartisan support and will soon be scheduled for a vote of the full Senate.

• In progress: We are busy developing a Forest Health & Biomass bill to build a comprehensive approach to address the state’s growing problem of standing dead timber, and a bill to reauthorize the Building Excellent Schools Today (B.E.S.T.) program.

The stakeholders involved in all of these bills, among many others, have been absolutely critical to the process through their articulate advocacy and willingness to participate – a true testament to the power of informed citizens in the democratic process.  Please take time to stay engaged at www.colorado.gov and contact our office to have your perspective heard.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

State Senator Gail Schwartz
Senate District 5

Capitol Events:

Recycle your Electronics at Work Day

 Earlier this week, a bipartisan team of legislators and I hosted an electronics recycling collection event to help Capitol staff and the public understand the importance and utility of safely desposing electronics.  Electronics in our landfills are problematic because devices contain large amounts of toxic metals and contaminants, threatening Colorado’s air, water and land.  The Electronic Recycling legislation that I’m sponsoring would increase the amount of electronic waste that is recycled in the state, and return valuable metals found in electronics back into manufacturing, strenthening our local economy and creating jobs. Thanks to the Colorado Association for Recycling and Metech Recycling for sponsoring the opportunity.

Dome Improvement: Share in the Care

 

The Colorado Capitol building’s golden dome is officially under construction, wrapped in scaffolding adorned with a “Share in the Care” sign to help get citizens involved and stay informed about the historical restoration effort. The “Share in the Care” campaign encourages Coloradans to help restore Colorado’s dome through donations. To make an instant gift of $10, simply text the word ‘DOME’ to 50555. For more information on the restoration campaign, click here.

The Centennial Farms Resolution

A group of Colorado middle and high school students, involved with the Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit, were responsible for drafting the resolution in honor of the Centennial Family Farm designees. We were so pleased to dedicate a day at the Capitol for the families to visit the chambers to honor their Centennial Family Farms and Ranches and their remarkable agricultural heritage – The Centennial Farms program recognizes Colorado farms and ranches that have been owned and operated by the same family for 100 years or more.  Within the past 25 years, 414 farms and ranches have been recognized. Their steadfastness across generations has truly shaped our state’s identity and has enabled these farms to endure over time to continue to support state and local economies.

Democracy at Work:  

Town Halls & Community Meetings

        

This past weekend, I hosted town halls in Salida, Gunnison, and Crested Butte.  I was joined by Rep. Roger Wilson and Rep. Millie Hamner for the Gunnison County town halls and  an education policy event at Western State College.  We engaged in compelling conversations with students, faculty, and local residents about the challenges with education funding in K-12 and Higher Ed institutions across the state.

In late January, I moderated a public hearing on a proposed BLM lease in Delta county.  Thanks to the citizens and stakeholder groups who organized the hearing, and thanks to Rep. Wilson for co-hosting, and Senator Bennet’s office, Senator Udall’s office, and the BLM for sending delegates to listen to concerns. The hearing was a very productive conversation that showcased the strengths of the democratic process.

The Colorado Channel website: Watch live video of the Colorado Senate and House of Representatives and find archived video from past proceedings. 

The vetting process for legislation is thorough at the state capitol.  In the two chambers — the Senate and the House of Representatives — and Democrats have the majority in the Senate, Republicans in the House.  That means we must work together because every bill that becomes law will have pass with bipartisan support.  Unlike Washington, gridlock is not an option for state government.  Working with people with different ideologies helps me to develop balanced, smart, common sense policy ideas and decisions. The tough economic recovery requires us to ban together with a focus on community.