News from Colorado Senior Lobby
April 26, 2018
A Message to our Members and Friends of Colorado Senior Lobby:
Action Item
SUPPORT HB18-1380
This bill is in danger
Greetings!

It is urgent that everyone contact the Republican Members of the House of Representatives immediately! The HB18-1380 could be heard on the house floor at any time. Urge them to support the PTC Rebate Bill (HB18-1380).

You can find contact information here:

Here is a suggested message for emails and phone calls:

Dear Representative:

I am a constituent of yours (if applicable). I am asking you to support HB18-1380. This bill will help low-income seniors and adults with disabilities living below the poverty level to offset property taxes, rent, and heating expenses. This bill’s modest increases in the rebate amounts for these expenses will help some of the most vulnerable people in our state to remain in our homes and communities. The rebate amounts in statute have been stagnant since 2014 and have lost purchasing power during a time when housing costs have skyrocketed. For these reasons, I urge you to support HB18-1380.
This CSL-initiated bill to increase the property tax/rent/heat rebate amounts for low-income elders and individuals with disabilities passed out of House Appropriations Committee this morning on a party line vote. 

The following committee members, all Democrats, voted “yes” on the bill: 
  • Esgar
  • Garnett
  • Hansen
  • Kraft-Tharp
  • Pabon
  • Winter
  • Hamner
  • Young

The following committee members, all Republicans, voted “no” on the bill:
  • Becker J.
  • Beckman
  • Everett
  • Neville P.
  • Rankin

The bill had passed the House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee yesterday afternoon. Following is the breakdown of that vote:

The following committee members, all Democrats and one Republican, voted “yes” on the bill:
  • Ginal
  • Hooton
  • Lontine
  • Michaelson Jenet
  • Pettersen
  • Winkler (R)
  • Danielson
  • Singer

The following committee members, all Republicans, voted “no” on the bill (with one excused):
  • Beckman (Excused)
  • Catlin
  • Everett
  • Landgraf
  • Ransom

So, that brings the two-committee vote count to 18 Democrats and one Republican “yes”; and nine Republicans “no”. 

IF THIS BILL GOES TO THE SENATE WITH A PARTY LINE VOTE
ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, IT IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES
AND VARIOUS NETWORKS. 

Additional Background Information on the bill:
  • The bill increases the PTC rebate amounts for potentially 88,500 low-income seniors and adults with a disability, amounts which haven’t been increased since 2014. It will then tie future rebate increases each year to the Consumer Price Index. 
  • The bill increases the rental expense and property tax rebates by $53 which is only 7.5% increase even though the average housing costs have increased by approximately 40%.  
  • The bill increases the heating expense rebate by $14 which is only 7.3% increase even though the average housing costs have increased by approximately 40%.  
  • These increases will help all seniors and adults with disabilities state-wide living on less than $14,608 a year, or $1,217 a month. The federal poverty level for a single person is $16,632. 
Have you joined CSL for 2018?
Join now - CLICK HERE
Questions?
Have questions about Colorado Senior Lobby? Contact a Colorado Senior Lobby Board Member  - CLICK HERE