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End of Session Report

May 14, 2013

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2013-05-14 14:56
Click here to read the full end of session report from the Colorado Senate Republicans.

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Brophy Passes Bill to Extend Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Companies

May 7, 2013

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2013-05-07 09:13
Monday, the Colorado Senate passed Senate Bill 286. The bill, sponsored by Senators Greg Brophy (R-Wray) and Mary Hodge (D-Brighton), would extend the time period for renewable energy companies to claim investment tax credits they have earned and could earn in the future.

“I’ve always supported an ‘all of the above’ energy policy,” Brophy stated. “Other states are already making the tax process simpler for alternative energy companies and other new startups. If we don’t compete for these businesses now, we may never get another chance.”

Many alternative energy companies do not become profitable for several years and so cannot claim enterprise zone investment tax credits until they begin paying taxes. This bill would allow renewable energy companies to utilize the investment tax credit when they are required to pay taxes, saving these businesses money and allowing them to offer their energy at a more competitive price.

Cadman Bill Compensating Fire Victims Moves Forward

May 7, 2013

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2013-05-07 08:55
Yesterday, the Senate gave final approval to Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman’s (R-Colorado Springs) bill to authorize payment to the victims of the Lower North Fork Fire.

“Last year, the promise was made by the legislature to pay for the devastation caused by actions of a state agency,” said Cadman. “Earlier this session, we actually set aside money to start honoring valid claims. With this bill, we can begin to get checks into the hands of victims.”

Senate Bill 288, co-sponsored by Senate President John Morse (D-Colorado Springs), gives the State Claims Board the authority to pay victims of the Lower North Fork Fire who have settled their claims with the state.

Democrats Pass ‘Union Protection Act’

May 6, 2013

Submitted by admin on Mon, 2013-05-06 14:42
Today, a bill that would increase the costs of public projects in Colorado and tell businesses who they must employ passed the Senate on a party-line vote.

“This is not a Colorado jobs bill,” said Senator Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley). “This bill fulfills the union’s wish list and makes it more difficult and costly for small businesses to have a fair bid in public works projects.”

House Bill 1292 requires that businesses hire a workforce of at least 80% Colorado residents or risk a fine up to $25,000. The bill implements a new requirement that ultimately forces public utility companies to use unionized labor in order to get basic operating permits.

Bill Honoring Fallen Soldier Passes Senate

May 3, 2013

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2013-05-03 15:14
Today, Senator Vicki Marble’s (R-Fort Collins) resolution honoring Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Birdwell, unanimously passed the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 32 designates a portion of Highway 34, near Windsor, as the Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Birdwell Memorial Highway.

“This heroic young man gave his life for our country,” said Marble. “It is only fitting that we honor him for his sacrifice to ensure his service to our country will be remembered by all those who had the honor of knowing him.”

Staff Sergeant Birdwell was killed in Afghanistan on August 27, 2012 while his convoy was on a mission in Kalagush. SSG. Birdwell’s convoy had to stop due to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion ahead of them. While SSG. Birdwell was securing the perimeter and assisting two injured soldiers, a member of an Afghan convoy opened fire on them. SSG Birdwell and Army Specialist Mabry Anders from Baker’s City, Oregon were killed in the attack.

Scheffel Bill Gives Local Governments More Authority to Keep Jobs in Colorado

May 3, 2013

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2013-05-03 14:11
Today, the Senate unanimously passed Assistant Senate Minority Leader Mark Scheffel’s (R-Parker) bill to expand the authority of a local government to negotiate a business incentive agreement when there is a risk that a local business will relocate out of state.

“This bill provides local governments another resource to ensure that both small and large businesses have the ability to stay and contribute to their community,” said Scheffel. “This incentive makes local governments and businesses more competitive and allows them to cut companies’ business personal property tax when that company is being lured out of state.”

Currently, local governments can enter into business incentive agreements to offset all or a portion of their business personal property tax liability. However, the law only allows local governments to offer these incentives to businesses that are expanding their facilities or building new facilities.

Extreme Elections Bill Gets Final Approval

May 2, 2013

Submitted by admin on Thu, 2013-05-02 16:14
Today, Senate Democrats ignored widespread concerns about the threats to the integrity of Colorado elections and passed House Bill 1303 on a party-line vote of 20-15.

Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs) challenged the Democrat interest groups supporting the bill by saying, “You’re good at winning elections, I wish we were as good, so do you have to steal them too?”

Cadman added, “Not one idea, not one amendment was allowed to improve accuracy, improve transparency, improve security or to protect the civil rights of legitimate voters.”

“This bill challenges the very foundations of our republican form of government,” said Senator Greg Brophy (R-Wray). “Our democratic institutions will be severely damaged by giving citizens reasons to question the integrity of the elections that select our legislators, our governor, and our president.”

Scheffel Honors First Responders

May 1, 2013

Submitted by admin on Wed, 2013-05-01 14:42
Today, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Mark Scheffel (R-Parker) honored Colorado’s first responders with Senate Joint Resolution 28, which designates September 27, 2013 as First Responder Appreciation Day.

“First responders are the ones that never retreat. They always move towards danger, working to protect the lives of the citizens of our state,” said Scheffel. “These heroes deserve our most sincere thanks and appreciation, their dedication and willingness to serve and protect our communities is to be commended.”

Partisan Plan to Alter Elections Passes Senate

May 1, 2013

Submitted by admin on Wed, 2013-05-01 00:02
Today, Senate Democrats passed an extreme elections bill that radically alters the current Colorado voting system that helped produce the third highest turnout in the country for the 2012 election. The bill passed on a party-line vote on second reading.

“This bill demonstrates the Senate Democrats’ crusade to rush ideologically sweeping legislation as rapidly as possible at the end of session,” said Senator Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch). “Voters deserve a thorough and open inspection of a far-reaching bill that was drafted behind closed doors and passed by the Democrats in the middle of the night.”

House Bill 1303 is a radical overhaul of current election law that creates greater potential for voter fraud. The bill was drafted by the allies of the progressive agenda, without any input from the minority party and the Secretary of State’s office.

Roberts Bill Passes Senate Unanimously

April 29, 2013

Submitted by admin on Mon, 2013-04-29 16:12
Today, the Senate gave unanimous approval to Senator Ellen Roberts’ (R-Durango) bill to create the Wildfire Risk Reduction Fund Grant Program. The bill ensures there are funding sources available for community projects that seek to remove dead forest wood that contribute to the spreading of wildfires.

“This bill is an important step towards keeping our communities safer from catastrophic wildfires,” said Roberts. “With the large amount of beetle kill trees in our Colorado forests, this bill will reduce the risk of an uncontained wildfire that could ravage our communities.”

Senate Bill 269 ensures projects in high risk communities, watersheds and utilities will receive priority for funding. The Department of Natural Resources, which will administer the fund, is required to dedicate up to 25% of the grant funds for capacity-building efforts, including neighborhood slash piles and community equipment.
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