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January 15, 2015 - In This Issue:
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Governor mentions construction defects in State of the State Address
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On Thursday, January 15, the Governor delivered his State of the State address. The passage of construction defect legislation was listed as one of the Governor's priorities. "I know this is a complicated issue, but its too important to give up on," he said as he urged the Legislature to work on the topic again this year. Hickenlooper pointed to the 12 cities and towns across the state - including Denver, that have implemented their own local ordinances in lieu of a state law as models to learn from, but ultimately not as effective as a statewide solution. "Let's hunker down and craft a law that balances the affordability concerns and homeowner's rights with business's ability to operate," he continued to resounding cheers from the audience - particularly the Republican side.
The Governor's to-do list for 2016 is lengthy, though lacking in detail, and includes everything from working to close the achievement gap between white and minority students in K-12 to overhauling the state's procurement laws that have remained unchanged for upwards of two decades.
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This year, the Governor's agenda prioritizes economic development in some of Colorado's rural areas that have yet to rebound from the great recession. He pointed to the local-sourcing Lockheed Martin has done to integrate 50 Colorado manufacturers into its supply chain as a great victory for small businesses across the state. The Governor called for rural areas to bring broadband internet access to "every corner and corral in Colorado." This effort is likely to see success this year as both President of the Senate, Senator Bill Cadman and Speaker of the House, Representative Dickie Lee Hullinghorst have named broadband access a priority.
Another key item on Hickenlooper's agenda for 2016 is situating Colorado as a leader for
cyber-security
intelligence. He proposed Colorado Springs as the home for the Colorado National
Cyber-Security Center which would utilize the various assets the city has from its military base, private sector investors and UCCS's cyber-intelligence program to research and develop global cyber-security solutions.
"In 1885 a Democratic Governor and Republican Legislature came together to collaborate on the legislation that built this building," Governor Hickenlooper said as he motioned to the newly renovated House chambers, "but the question is, could we do that today?" Despite the positive tone of the speech, the forecast for legislative compromise in 2016 is dim.
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HOUSING COSTS AND THE ECONOMY
The Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting released a report earlier this month on the state's rising housing costs and how it impacts us all.
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SETTING THE AGENDA
2016 House and Senate Leadership Speeches
The Second Regular Session of the Seventieth General Assembly in the State of Colorado convened on January 13, 2016. On opening day members (and the public) get to celebrate the tradition and decorum of our great state's highest law-making body. This is also the day that leadership in each chamber has the opportunity to lay out their respective legislative agendas for the session.
This year Republican Senate President Bill Cadman spent some time reflecting on the successes and shortcomings of himself and the body as a whole during the 2015 session. Cadman, the most powerful Republican in the State Legislature, is term-limited and serving his last year at the Capitol, fueling speculation around what issues he will take on this session to define his legacy. Largely, Cadman stayed away from naming specific agenda items on tap for the Senate and instead stuck to emphasizing the broad themes of bipartisanship, increasing public trust in government, and keeping government as small as possible.
Like Cadman, House Speaker Dickie Lee Hullinghorst is serving her final session as the most powerful Democrat in the House. Unlike Cadman, Speaker Hullinghorst used her opening remarks to focus on specific agenda items she has this year. Some items on her list include professional and job training, equal pay, improving trust between law enforcement and citizens, and capping student loan interest rates. Hullinghorst also declared that House Democrats will be introducing a bill to help small businesses with the costs of regulation compliance, an issue likely to see broad bipartisan support. Conversely, the last issue on Hullinghorst's agenda for the session, the hospital provider fee, is unlikely to garner bipartisan cooperation and is seen by some to be the most contentious issue the legislature will debate this year.
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Representative Paul Lundeen (R, El Paso County)
Representative Paul Lundeen has spent more than 30 years active in both small business and public policy in Colorado. He is the founder of numerous small businesses providing services ranging from education and learning centers to real estate development and investment. A champion for improving K-12 education in Colorado, Paul was elected to the State Board of Education as Chairman of the 5th Congressional District (Colorado Springs) in 2011 and continues to serve today. Since his election to the Colorado State House in 2014, Paul's signature issue has been education. Paul sits on the House Education Committee and has sponsored several education bills including HB 15-1108, a bill to protect Colorado students by revising the way schools collect and release student data. During the 2015 session, Paul strongly supported Senate Bill 177 for construction defects reform.
Email: paul@paullundeen.org
Capitol Phone: 303-866-2924
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Senator Mary Hodge (D, Adams County)
Senator Mary Hodge, a native Coloradan, was born and raised on a farm in the eastern plains town of Idaila. Mary attended the University of Northern Colorado where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education before teaching elementary school in Greeley and Glenwood Springs and owning her own small business. First elected to the Colorado State House for House District 30 in 2000, Mary served as a successful State Representative for 8 years before winning a State Senate seat in Senate District 25 in 2008. Senator Hodge now serves on the Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Committee along with the Appropriations Committee and Water Committee. With her interest in agriculture and water issues, Mary has sponsored a number of water-related bills in past sessions including HB 15-1038 last session that aimed to create more flexible water markets in Colorado. Last year, Senator Hodge broke with party ranks and supported Senate Bill 177, construction defects reform. 2016 will be her last session as she is term limited. However, Hodge will continue her public service and run for Adams County Commissioner in the fall.
Email: senmarryhodge@gmail.com
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4855
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