Hudak's Senate Notes - 2nd half of February 2009

Month: 
February
Year: 
2009

END OF FEBRUARY

February never stopped being busy.  People who have worked in the Capitol in previous years say that this was one of the busiest they can remember.  Most likely it is because we had to pass bills to deal with the huge shortfall in revenue in order to balance the current year's budget, while meeting the regular deadline to pass all Senate bills that were not granted "late bill" status or assigned to the Appropriations Committee. 

 KEY ACTIONS (the most important things that happened in the Legislature in February):

  • PASSAGE OF SB 108, FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) - This bill creates thousands of jobs and generates funds that will be used to maintain, repair, and rebuild Colorado's decaying transportation infrastructure.  Current state revenues are not sufficient to maintain the safety of the roadway system.  The bill will generate an estimated $250 million in annual funding, while keeping the impact to the average driver at $2.50 - $3.50 per month.  The new fees will be staggered and phased in.  Increases in vehicle registration fees will be based on vehicle weight.
  • INTRODUCTION OF BUDGET-BALANCING BILLS - Because state revenue is down about $600 million from what was projected for the current fiscal year, the Joint Budget Committee introduced a package of bills to reduce state spending through the end of June.  Each state department will have its funding reduced, based on a list of cuts it submitted.  Some programs will be delayed or eliminated.  In addition, the Legislature will transfer some money from reserves and cash funds into the General Fund.  We will be able to use over $100 million from the federal Recovery Act to balance the budget.
  • ELIMINATION OF THE 6% PROVISION - SB 228 has been introduced to provide more money for the General Fund by eliminating the statutory Arveschoug-Bird (AB) 6% provision.  AB requires that all revenue over 6% of the previous year be allocated for a couple of specific items, rather than the current needs and priorities.  By eliminating it, we can maximize federal recovery dollars and avoid making budget cuts permanent.  Getting rid of AB will not increase spending or taxes, just give us more flexibility and help us get out of the recession more quickly.

TOWN HALL MEETING:

My very first town hall meeting was held on Saturday, February 21.  The next one will be on Saturday, April 18, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at the Standley Lake Library.  Please note the change of location!

MY BILLS: 

As mentioned in previous editions of Hudak's Senate Notes, I am the prime sponsor of four bills; this is their status:

  • SB 38 - Clarification of Judicial Fees - Passed the Senate; awaiting action in the House.
  • SB 90 - Parent Involvement in Education - Passed the Senate Education Committee; still awaiting a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. 
  • SB 160 - Alternative Teacher Programs & Licensure - Passed the Senate Education Committee; awaiting a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. 
  • SB 163 - Education Accountability System - Passed the Senate Education Committee; awaiting a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 I am the Senate sponsor on six House bills; this is the status of those I described previously:

  • HB 1072 (with Rep. Middleton) - Library Districts - Passed the House; passed the Senate Local Government Committee.
  • HB 1116 (with Rep. Frangas) - Children's Dental Program Moneys - Passed the House; awaiting assignment to a Senate committee.
  • HB 1125 (with Rep. Merrifield) - Limit Incentives for School Attendance - Passed the House; laid over in the Senate Education Committee until March 11.
  • HB 1227 (with Rep. Frangas) - Neighborhood Equity Skimming and Nuisances - Passed the House; awaiting assignment to a Senate committee.
  • HB 1264 (with Rep. Benefield) - Higher Education Costs for State Inmates - Passed the House; awaiting a hearing in the Senate Education Committee.

I have agreed to be the Senate sponsor of the following bill with Rep. Green:  HB 1296, Extension for Reading Assistance Grant Program - This bill extends the Reading Assistance Grant Program for an additional year so the program can distribute assistive technology devices and educational materials for blind, dyslexic, and visually impaired persons.

HUDAK'S COMMENTARY ON BILL ACTION:

See the "

Issues

" page on my website for my commentary on a few bills that we took action on in the Senate.