STATEHOUSE: The Session Ahead – Three Questions to Senator Michael Johnston, Representative Beth McCann and Representative Angela Williams
With Editor Erin Vanderberg
As a result of redistricting, State Representative Beth McCann (HD8) now represents nearly all of Park Hill except for the portion north of Montview and east of Monaco which is represented by State Representative Angela Williams (HD7), while State Senator Michael Johnston’s (SD33) district still covers all of Park Hill. All three Democrats won their reelection campaigns in November and were appointed to committee chairmanships in their respective houses: Senator Johnston remains the chair of the Senate Finance committee; Representative McCann now chairs the House Health, Insurance and Environment committee; and Representative Williams now chairs the House Business, Labor, Economic, and Workforce Development committee. The GPHN asked Park Hill’s statehouse officials to share their focal points, explain the legislation they are sponsoring, and discuss how the year ahead will be shaped by the Democratic majority.
ONE: FOCAL POINTS
What central issues will you be focusing on this session?
Johnston: I’m working on a couple of pieces of education legislation that together have the goal of making Colorado the national model for a 21st century education system. One of these bills is a comprehensive rewrite of the school finance formula, which we hope will both increase funding for K-12 education and ensure we increase performance for all students in Colorado. Another aims to make Colorado the most competitive teaching environment in America by overhauling the teacher and principal licensure system (which hasn’t seen an update since 1991) and establishing a statewide, compensated “career ladder” framework that recognizes and rewards outstanding teachers and principals who want to take on extra leadership responsibilities in their schools.
McCann: This should be an exciting session. I am honored to be House Majority Whip and Chair of the Health, Insurance, and Environment Committee. Democrats in the Statehouse will work on improving our economy, creating jobs, supporting education, and lowering health care costs. I have several areas of focus, the most controversial being gun safety. Colorado is at the forefront on this, and we have the opportunity to be a leader in this area. I am working with Representative Rhonda Fields to find gun safety measures that decrease the likelihood of guns falling into the hands of people who should not have them. We are considering which approaches will best keep our communities safe.
Williams: My top priority is creating more economic opportunities for all Coloradans. The economy is improving, but the unemployment rate is still far too high. Colorado House Democrats will present legislation to lay the groundwork for sustained economic growth, from the first bill introduced this session: the Advanced Industry Acceleration Act, which will allow up to 15 million dollars each year over 10 years for grants to the high-tech sector that makes up 30 percent of Colorado’s economy. Several other bills have been introduced since to help Colorado companies grow and workers gain the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. The first of these bills will boost funding to our state Small Business Development Centers by providing up to and additional $500,000. The Economic Gardening Pilot Program in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade will provide a full year of strategic assistance to at least 20 second-stage companies to help them grow to the next level. The Colorado Careers Act will match skills training programs with jobs on the market today by providing grants to enable individuals to seek the necessary training. Finally, Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) connect unemployed and underemployed Coloradans to technical careers. We want to invest money into programs that work.
TWO: LEGISLATION
What key pieces of legislation are you sponsoring this session?
Johnston: Besides school finance, educator licensure, and ASSET, we’ll also revisit the elimination of “inactive voter” status, a bill that failed in the House last year. Currently, Colorado voters who miss one general election are deemed “Inactive – Failed to Vote” in the statewide registration system. In this last election, that meant that thousands of voters did not automatically receive a mail-in ballot, even if they had signed up for permanent vote-by-mail status. Our bill will eliminate “Inactive” status and ensure that the state is not erecting barriers to vote.
McCann: Foreclosure Procedures: The bill will require foreclosing lenders to prove their right to foreclose on someone’s home. The bill also protects borrowers from “Dual Tracking” which occurs when a borrower is attempting to modify a loan but the bank is simultaneously proceeding with foreclosure. Permanent Maintenance: This bill will increase predictability and consistency in permanent alimony orders by giving the courts guidelines. Health Insurance Bills: One bill will align our Colorado health laws with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Two other bills will make the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange, the entity responsible for managing access to subsidized health insurance, self sustaining after federal funding is withdrawn after 2016. Civil Remedies for Domestic Violence: This bill creates a simplified civil process and a mandatory criminal process in domestic violence cases and also expands the categories of intimidation and abuse that can trigger a protective order. Medical Marijuana Enforcement Funds: State enforcement of medical marijuana laws continues to be woefully underfunded. I will try to move unused moneys from marijuana patient card fees to fund additional inspectors, as well as substance abuse programs aimed at youth. Involuntary Civil Commitment: This bill will consolidate various provisions for civil involuntary commitments due to mental illness or substance abuse problems, and broaden the basis for commitments.
Williams: Compensation for the Wrongly Convicted: This bill would compensate people who are wrongly incarcerated. Under current law, the state is prohibited from giving any assistance to those who are incarcerated and later found to be innocent. This bill includes compensation, provisions for free participation in employment programs, physical and mental health care, help in securing affordable housing, and tuition waivers at state institutions of higher education. Telecommunications: I am sponsoring several bills that will attract business and create jobs in Colorado. Telecommunications reform will return this session. I will sponsor IP-Enabled Services, which will deregulate Internet Protocol services. If passed this legislation will help lure telecommunications and other high-tech companies to Colorado and bring great paying jobs to our state. Social Network Privacy: Currently employers can ask for a potential employee’s social media account, user name and password during the hiring and screening process. This legislation would prohibit an employer from requiring an employee or applicant for employment to disclose a user name, password or other means for accessing a personal account. It is a privacy issue that is preventing some people from obtaining employment. HOA Reform: We are working on concepts that will create more accountability and consumer protections.
THREE: DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY
As Democrats in a leadership roles, what do you aim to accomplish this year in the statehouse that wasn’t possible last year?
Johnston: On the week of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, we introduced the ASSET bill in the state Senate. This is a bill that will allow undocumented students who have graduated from Colorado high schools, and in many cases lived here their whole lives and graduated at the top of their class, to receive in-state tuition at Colorado colleges and universities. It’s a bill I’ve introduced the past three years, and we believe it will pass this year with bipartisan support.
McCann: With Democrats leading both houses of the 69th General Assembly, I hope to see passage of a civil union bill offering same-sex couples the legal rights enjoyed by traditional couples, and the ASSET bill providing in-state tuition to qualified undocumented students attending a public university in Colorado. A Democratic majority is also our opportunity to act on gun safety legislation, expand health care, and address our underfunded public education system.
Williams: For the seventh time, the Colorado ASSET measure, SB13-033, has been introduced. I am excited to sponsor this bill that will give aspiring students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of attending college by granting in-state tuition to all that qualify. It will also ensure that we do not waste our investment in education, which is essential to continuing Colorado’s economic development. We must also acknowledge that all committed couples deserve equal protection under the law. The legislature will approve civil unions for same-sex couples in 2013.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Senator Mike Johnston can be reached at 303-866-4864 or mike@mikejohnston.org. Follow him at mikejohnston.org, on Facebook at MikeJohnstonCO, or on Twitter @MikeJohnstonCO.
Representative Beth McCann can be reached at 303-866-2959 or beth@bethmccann.org. Follow her at bethmccann.org, on Facebook at Representative Beth McCann-Colorado House District 8, or on Twitter @bethmccannHD8.
Representative Angela Williams can be reached at 303-866-2909 or rep.angelawilliams@gmail.com. Follow her at angela4colo.com, on Facebook at Representative Angela Williams, or on Twitter @CoRepAWilliams.