SENATE SATISFIED WITH SUDS ON SUNDAYS

DENVER—Today the Senate gave initial approval to Senate Bill 82 by Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver), which would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays.

“I think it’s time that Colorado makes its move,” said Veiga. “The vast majority of people agree that this is a bill whose time has come.”

Currently, 34 states permit Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages. Since 2002, 12 states have authorized Sunday liquor sales for the first time. Data compiled by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States suggest that in 2006, with 31 percent of the stores open in those new states, sales of alcoholic beverages increased an average of 4.4 percent. Projected statewide increases in the 12 states at full Sunday operation would yield an increase of 9 percent in sales.

State law has banned liquor stores from opening on Sundays since Prohibition ended in 1933.

The bill will next be considered on third and final reading in the Senate.

ROMER LAUNCHES WIKI-BILL

DENVER—Today Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver) announced the launch the country’s first
Wiki-Bill, which will give every Coloradan the historic opportunity to help craft legislation to ease weekend traffic on Interstate 70.

Romer first floated the idea of congestion pricing on I-70 after a four hour drive up to a Colorado ski resort.

“My fervent hope is that the collective brain of all of Colorado is at least as powerful as the people in the Capitol,” said Romer. “I believe that Colorado’s pioneering spirit can solve this problem and fix I-70 now.”

Log on to the Wiki-Bill at:

WILLIAMS SUPPORTS NEEDY KIDS

Bill Provides Early Intervention Services
for Children Who Need Additional Support

DENVER—Today the Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 89, which would provide early intervention services to children who are not yet identified with a disability but need additional academic and behavioral support.

Sponsored by Senator Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora), the bill would authorize a school district to offer early intervention services for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. While services are available for all grade levels, the legislation is aimed at children in 3rd grade or younger.

“The bill would enable children to succeed in a general education environment and utilize fewer special education services later in life,” Williams said. “Studies show that early intervention provides economic benefits to society, resulting from the child’s increased educational gains and eventually maximizes the child’s eventual contribution to society.”

The bill provides opportunities for learning and development and lays a foundation for success in the children’s later learning and working years.

The bill next moves to the House for consideration.

JBC APPROVES HEALTH DISPARITIES FUNDING

Continued Funding Helps All Coloradans Stay Healthy Regardless of Race or Ethnicity

DENVER—This week the Joint Budget Committee gave initial approval to continue funding for the Health Disparities program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The Office of Health Disparities is a state program of multi-cultural professionals dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Colorado, by fostering systems change and capacity building through multi-sector collaboration.

“Communities of color suffer at a greater rate from medical afflictions,” remarked Morse. “We don’t completely understand why, but understanding and addressing why would drastically improve thousands of lives.”

Having been approved by the JBC, the funding will be incorporated into the state budget which will be considered by the legislature in April.

MEET THE PREZ

DENVER—On Friday, February 22nd, Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon (D-Denver) will jointly host a media availability with Senate President Peter Groff (D-Denver). The Senators will be available for questions for 30 minutes.

WHAT: Senate Majority Media Availability

WHEN: Friday, February 22nd from 1pm – 1:30pm

WHERE: Senate President’s Office

WHO: Sen. Groff
Sen. Gordon

SETTING SAIL? BETTER LAY OFF THE GROG

Gibbs & Tupa Pass Bill Decreasing
Legal Alcohol Limit for Boaters

DENVER—Today the Senate Transportation Committee passed Senate Bill 159, which would improve public safety on Colorado’s waters by lowering the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) from 0.10 to 0.08 for boat operators.

Sponsored by Senators Dan Gibbs (D-Silverthorne) and Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), the bill stipulates that boaters above the .08 threshold would be charged with boating under the influence. The bill also expands boating under the influence to include all vessels, not just motorboats or sailboats.

“Drunk boating is as serious an issue as drunk driving, and just as dangerous,” Tupa said. “Senate Bill 159 will help ensure public safety on Colorado waterways by applying the same blood alcohol content limit for boats as we have for cars and motorcycles.”

“I’m happy to see this bill pass unanimously out of committee today,” said Gibbs. “This bill will help reduce instances of dangerous activity so that Coloradans can safely enjoy our state’s beautiful lakes and rivers.”

The penalty for operating a motorboat or sailboat under the influence would include a mandatory five days in jail and up to one year in county jail. Additionally, lawbreakers could face fines between $200 to $1,000 as well as community service.

In 2007, there were 27 reported cases of boating under the influence. Currently, 36 other states have similar regulations for boating.

The bill next moves to the full Senate for consideration.

GORDON GETS GREENER GOVERNMENT GOING

Bill Would Save Tax Dollars Used
For State Facilities Maintenance

DENVER—Today the Senate Local Government Committee passed Senate Bill 147 to increase energy efficiency in state-assisted facilities.

The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon (D-Denver), authorizes the Department of Personnel to incorporate national and local energy efficient practices in performing life-cycle costs analyses.

Life-cycle costs analysis is a method for assessing the total cost of facility ownership. The process compares all costs of acquiring, owning, and disposing of a building or building system. The purpose is to find ways to maximize efficiencies and net savings.

“With the passage of this bill, Colorado will be a leader in energy efficiency in state buildings,” Gordon said. “In this day and age it is inexcusable for us to build buildings that waste energy. We can do better than that.”

The bill calls for energy efficiency within the designed, constructed and renovated housing projects and facilities of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). With high performance buildings, Colorado stands to decrease energy consumption by nearly 30 percent and water use by between 30 and 50 percent.

The bill next moves to the full Senate for consideration.

MORSE SALUTES COLORADO TROOPS, FAMILIES

Bill Would Reauthorize Tax Checkoff
For Military Family Relief Fund

DENVER—Today the Senate Finance Committee passed House Bill 1035, which would reauthorize the tax checkoff for the Military Family Relief Fund on Colorado tax forms. The fund provides financial assistance for military families who face financial hardship due to military service.

Sponsored by Senator John Morse (D-Colorado Springs), the bill would extend the program created in 2005 to help military families pay for various living expenses, including day care, marital or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling, car or home repair, even mortgage payments.

"Resolutions supporting our troops are important, but real financial support is critical,” Morse said. “With the passage of this bill, every taxpayer has the ability to put their money where their heart is."

The fund is available to all branches of the military, active, reserve and National Guard.

The bill next moves to the full Senate for consideration.

GIBBS GETS FRESH WITH SOFT DRINKS

Bill Encourages Healthy Choices for Kids’ Drinks

DENVER—Today the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 129 in support of healthier beverage options in schools and healthier kids in Colorado.

Sponsored by Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Silverthorne), the bill requires school districts and the Colorado State Charter School Institute to establish policies prohibiting the sale of unhealthy beverages at school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, and fund-raising activities.

“We can do better in Colorado and our kids deserve better,” Gibbs said. “With the passage of this bill we’re setting our sights on the problem of childhood obesity.”

The bill directs the State Board of Education to determine which drinks are considered healthy enough to meet child nutrition beverage standards. Those drinks could include milk, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices and bottled water.

The bill also encourages schools to adopt a wellness policy ensuring a child's access to healthy food and beverages on the school premises, nutritional information, daily physical activity; and instruction regarding proper nutrition and health.

If passed, both parts of the bill would take effect Sept. 8, 2008. The federal "Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004" requires adoption of such a policy by all districts receiving funding under either the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

The bill next heads to the full Senate for consideration.

BOYD SHINES LIGHT ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Measure Would Create Council
To Address Disease in Colorado

DENVER—Today the Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 08-58, sponsored by Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood), which would address issues related to Alzheimer's disease in Colorado.

The bill would create the Colorado Alzheimer's Coordinating Council to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease in the state and to formulate a plan to address the disease. The Council will report its findings to the Governor, the General Assembly, and participating state departments.

“With the passage of this bill people with Alzheimer’s and their families have new hope for support in their ongoing battle with the disease,” Boyd said. “We hope to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and find more opportunities for shared community support.”

The Council would include 22 members and would begin meeting no later than March of next year.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 72 seconds. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias amount to more than $148 billion in annual spending. In 2000 nearly 49,000 Coloradoans suffered from Alzheimer's disease. That number is expected to grow by 47 percent, rising to 72,000 by 2010.

Senate Bill 58 next moves to the House for consideration.

TUPA: NO BUTTS FOR UNDERAGE SMOKING

Bill to Curb Underage Smoking Clears Senate

DENVER—Today the Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 88, sponsored by Senator Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), which would close a loophole in law and make it illegal for minors to possess or use tobacco products.

Currently, Colorado law only prohibits the sale and distribution of tobacco products to people younger than 18 years old. Colorado is one of 15 states to have no prohibition on minors possessing tobacco products.

Ninety percent of tobacco users pick up the habit before age 18. The bill will help keep children safe and ultimately save taxpayer dollars in long-term health costs.

About 92,000 youth smokers 17 years old and younger are expected to die prematurely as a result of tobacco use. For every person who dies from tobacco, another 20 suffer with at least one serious tobacco-related illness.

The bill next moves to the House for consideration.

TUPA DRAWS THE LINE ON HIGH COST OF TEXTBOOKS

College Textbook Affordability Act Clears Senate

DENVER—Today the full Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), which would help lower the cost of textbooks in Colorado.

The College Textbook Affordability Act will prohibit college professors from ordering textbooks until they know how much the publisher is going to charge for those textbooks. The proposal also requires publishers to disclose changes made to each new edition of their textbooks. The bill will also prohibit publishers from bundling textbooks with additional materials such as CD-ROMs, as they are rarely used by instructors or students but significantly increase the price of textbooks.

Tupa represents Boulder, which has the highest student population in the state. Many of his constituents are already making enormous financial sacrifices to even enroll in colleges and universities.

The bill next moves to the House for consideration.

TUPA WINNING FIGHT AGAINST HIGH COST OF TEXTBOOKS

College Textbook Affordability
Act Passes on 2nd Reading

DENVER—Today the full Senate gave initial approval to Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), which would help lower the cost of textbooks in Colorado.

The College Textbook Affordability Act will prohibit college professors from ordering textbooks until they know how much the publisher is going to charge for those textbooks. The proposal also requires publishers to disclose changes made to each new edition of their textbooks. The bill will also prohibit publishers from bundling textbooks with additional materials such as CD-ROMs, as they are rarely used by instructors or students but significantly increase the price of textbooks.

Tupa represents Boulder, which has the highest student population in the state. Many of his constituents are already making enormous financial sacrifices to even enroll in colleges and universities.

The bill will next be considered by the full Senate on third and final reading.

TUPA SNUFFS OUT UNDERAGE SMOKING

Bill to stop underage smoking

passes with strong bipartisan support

DENVER—Today the full Senate gave initial approval to Senate Bill 88, sponsored by Senator Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), which would close a loophole in law and make it illegal for minors to possess or use tobacco products.

Currently, Colorado law only prohibits the sale and distribution of tobacco products to people younger than 18 years old. Colorado was one of 15 states to not have that law. This bill goes is a big step in reducing the incidence of teens picking up the habit of smoking.

Ninety percent of tobacco users pick up the habit before age 18. This bill will help keep our children safe and will ultimately save taxpayer dollars in long-term health costs.

About 92,000 youth smokers 17 years old and younger are expected to die prematurely as a result of tobacco use. For every person who dies from tobacco, another 20 suffer with at least one serious tobacco-related illness.

For the first time ever it requires a retailer to ask for an identification card if the purchaser looks younger than 30 years old. According to testimony from Jodi Radke with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 54 percent of teens were not asked for identification before purchasing tobacco products.

The bill will next be considered by the full Senate on third and final reading.