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Dear Friend,
Time sure flies when you’re having fun! To date, we have completed twenty eight days of the 2007 Legislative Session with 281 bills introduced in the House and 157 bills introduced in the Senate. Needless to say, we consume too much paper at the State Capitol, but we are making progress on the recycling front. Back home, I have participated in two town hall meetings with Representative Randy Fischer and Senator Bob Bacon as well as one HD-52 Saturday morning community conversation.
The next town hall meeting is March 3, and I am recommending to my Democratic colleagues that we make this a bipartisan event – inviting our Republican legislators. What do you think?
The next HD-52 community conversation will be this Saturday, February 10th, 9:30 AM – 11 AM at The Bean Cycle Coffee Shop, 144 N. College Ave. Everyone is welcome at the table of ideas and dialogue, and I would appreciate suggestions for community conversation locations in the southeast part of town.
On Saturday, February 17, 9:30 AM – 11 AM, we will have our first community forum, “Mobile Home Parks: A Dying Breed? What Can We Do?” at the Larimer County Courthouse Community Room.
As for my bills, I am pleased to report that:
- HB-1026, Concerning Graduate Student Health Insurance passed out of the House on 2/5 and is headed to the Senate. There was lively debate, and I made the case that allowing CSU the option to require health care coverage for graduate students would empower the university and graduate students to develop health care options that are more affordable and meet the needs of students and the university.
- HB-1131, Concerning Hemodialysis Technician Training Standards passed out of Health & Human Services Committee unanimously on 2/1 – referred to Appropriations Committee. . Three community members, who have been directly impacted by this issue, presented compelling testimony along with supportive testimony from a representative of the Colorado Hospital Association. This is another example of grassroots involvement at its best.
- HB-1162, The Voter Choice Act of 2007 is scheduled before the State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee this Thursday (see legislative action alert sent last night). This bill establishes a multi-partisan voter choice study group to examine advanced voting methods like Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). The study group will make recommendations to the 2008 General Assembly with pilot projects in 2009 – leading to statewide implementation in 2010 (if all goes according to plan).
My fifth bill has not been filed but it concerns budget transparency and tax fairness. As always, your constructive feedback is most welcome on these bills and anything else, and it most gratifying to receive so much input on a variety of issues. It may come as no surprise that we are all quite opinionated.
Although it has been hard for me to keep up with timely responses, I do respond to every inquiry and opinion even though we may not always agree. Some bills are easy to deal with, but most require an incredible amount of thought and discernment. Some bills just slide through while others are contentious with high stakes.
Regarding an Iraq War Resolution from the 66th Colorado General Assembly, I spoke to Senator Ron Tupa who is drafting a Senate Joint Memorial that he will share with me this Thursday. He has asked me to be the House sponsor and to check with the House leadership. Stopping the war and bringing our troops home is very important to me, and many of you know that this issue is personal since my older son is scheduled to re-deploy to Iraq as early as May. I trust that we can move forward on this issue in a way that sends a strong and effective message to Congress – from a united legislative body that can find some common ground on this issue. We shall see.
Here are few recent highlights that I am proud to have been a part of:
- 2/6: Gov. Ritter signs into law, HB-1048, Concerning Longitudinal Analysis of Student Assessments,
- 2/6: House passes HB-1133, Concerning Health Care Worker Whistle Blower Protection
- 2/5: Gov. Ritter signs into law, SB-001, Concerning the Colorado Cares Rx Program
- 1/31: Gov Ritter signs an executive order that directs the state to develop a preferred drug list and participate in a multi-state prescription purchasing pool – saving money for the state and taxpayer.
There are many more legislative and personal highlights, but this is enough for now. In the meantime, I will get into a better rhythm for reporting to you - our progress as we move Colorado forward – together, by fulfilling the commitments we’ve made to one another. Stay in touch and be well.
Sincerely,
John
Rep. John Kefalas
Web: www.johnkefalas.org
Email:
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Phone: office-303-866-4569, home-970-221-1135
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