Business and the Economy

SB 157 Telecommunications Modernization Act of 2012 (A. Williams, Murray, Scheffle, and Tochtrop):

                This bill modifies the regulation of telecommunications services by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). SB 157 would eliminate subsidies in areas of the state that have at least four alternative service offerings at a comparable price. Half of the savings from cutting subsidies will be used to reduce consumer phone surcharges. The current 2.9% phone surcharge is expected to drop to 2.4% in the first year of this bill being in effect, and will be eliminated by 2025. The other half of the savings from cutting subsidies will be invested into a broadband fund to promote broadband infrastructure development grants in un-served areas; the fund sunsets in 2025. In areas with 5 or more competitors, no one will receive subsidies and everyone will be subject to the same level of regulation. Existing regulation and oversight for emergency 911 services are completely untouched.

Status: Postponed Indefinitely in Senate Appropriations (5/4/2012)

HB 1012 Increase Agency Displacement Payment Cap (A. Williams and Guzman):

This bill changes the reimbursement to a business that is displaced by Department of Transportation project or a project that is overseen by the Department of Transportation from $10,000 to $50,000.

Status: Signed by the Governor (5/3/2012)

 HB 1134 Prohibit Job Discrimination Against Unemployed (Pabon, Casso, Court, Duran…A. Williams)

                This bill would have prohibited employers from advertising for any job vacancy that includes a requirement for applicants to be currently employed. Employers who violated the provisions would be subject to a penalty up to $1,000 for first violation, $5,000 for the second violation, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation.

Status: Postponed Indefinitely in House Economic and Development (2/21/2012)

 HB 1110 Regulation of Appraisal Management Companies (A. Williams and Carroll):

This bill redefined the legal meaning of Appraisal Management Companies (AMC) and establishes a licensure program for AMCs in the Division of Real Estate division in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This bill continues to make Appraisal Management Companies transparent and reliable to the consumer.

Status: Passed House and Senate (5/9/2012)

 HB 1221 Direct Billing for Anatomic Pathology Services (Liston and Tochtrop…A. Williams):

                This bill prohibits a licensed practitioner from billing anatomic pathology (blood work, biopsies, etc.) services unless the tests were conducted by the practitioner personally, under the practitioner’s direct supervision, or performed in a lab owned and operated by a groups practice.

Status: Signed By Governor (3/22/2012)

Government Efficiency

 SB 166 Synchronize Economic Development Reports and Require Annual Report (A. Williams, Priola, Giron, and Roberts):

                This bill requires the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to annually submit a report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each year that describes the offices programs. The report must contain a review and summary of the activity, information, and data on all programs administered by the OEDIT during the prior year. In summary, this bill synchronizes all the programs under the OEDIT and requires the OEDIT to submit a report on one date, instead of multiple dates. This is an effective, elegant, and efficient bill that keeps the state organized and transparent.

Status: Passed House and Senate (5/8/2012)

 HB 1053 Victims’ Rights Changes (Gardner, Giron, and A. Williams)

                This bill changes victims’ rights after being involved in certain crimes.

Status: Passed House and Senate (3/27/2012)

Family and Civil Justice

 SB 147 Prohibit False Election Information made to Deter Voting (A. Williams and Aguilar):

                This bill would have made it a class 5 felony to prevent or dissuade a person from voting by knowingly making false statements in regards to election procedures 90 days before the election.

Status: Postponed Indefinitely in House Judiciary (3/20/2012)

 HB 1151 Human Trafficking and Prostitution (McCann and King):

                This bill tightened current Colorado laws that prohibits Human Trafficking or Prostitution.

Status: Signed by Speaker and President(5/3/2012)

 HB 1271 Juvenile Direct File Limitations (Nikkel, McCann, and A. Williams):

                This bill raises the minimum age for a juvenile to be directly filed as an adult to 16. District Attorney’s are no longer able to consider children 15 years and younger as adults, juveniles will be seen in front of a preliminary hearing, if the adult (direct) court does not find probable cause for the juvenile be tried as an adult, the case goes to the juvenile courts.

Status: Signed by the Governor (4/20/2012)

Education

 SB 015 Creating Optional Category of Higher Education (Duran, A. Williams and Giron, Johnston):

                ASSET would have increased Colorado’s state revenue by up to $2.8 million in fiscal year 2012-2013 as well as, increase revenue up to $4.2 million in fiscal year 2012-2014. This bill created a new tuition bracket for undocumented students who had completed 3 years of high school in Colorado and who were on their way on becoming a United State’s citizen. This bill would have increased revenue in our education department.

Status: Postponed Indefinitely in House Finance (4/25/2012)

 HB 1013 Interventions for Middle School Students (Fields and Holbert) (A. Williams, co-sponsor):

                This bill requires that local school district boards of education consider adopting procedures to identify middle school students whose behavior makes them at-risk for dropping out.

Status: Signed by Governor (3/16/2012)

 HB 1147 Western Tiger Salamander State Amphibian (A. Williams and Foster):

                This bill names the Western Tiger Salamander the state amphibian. It was a wonderful experience to open the doors of the state capitol to teach our young people about how legislation is passed. Students from the Denver Public School system lobbied legislators and researched for the Western Tiger Salamander.

Status: Signed by Governor (3/16/2012)

Homeowner 

HB 1237 Common Interest Community HOA Records and Copies (A. Williams and Harvey):

                This bill clarifies records that must be kept by Homeowner’s Associations to include minutes, receipts, emails of directors, and other affairs of common interest community under CCIOA. This bill is a stepping stone to a more transparent HOA system.

Status: Passed House and Senate (5/9/2012)

Mortgage Foreclosure Settlement:

                Without the use of legislation I was able to negotiate $5.6 million for mortgage foreclosure relief under the Attorney General’s $204.6 million in Foreclosure-Relief Funds under a multi state settlement. Out of the money being allocated to Colorado

Customers of five settling banks who lost their homes to foreclosure between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011 may be eligible for restitution under the settlement. The independent, third-party administrator of the settlement hopes to contact affected victims by the end of the summer.Customers of the five settling banks who are still in their homes but either behind on their payments or underwater should contact the banks directly through dedicated toll-free contact numbers to determine if they are eligible for assistance.

• Bank of America - 1.877.488.7814
• Chase - 1.866.372.6901
• Citi - 1.866.272.4749
• GMAC/Ally - 1.800.766.4622
• Wells Fargo - 1.800.288.3212

The Office of the Attorney General will work with the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly to ensure that the $52.5 million Colorado directly receives under the settlement will be used for purposes including foreclosure prevention housing-counseling services, additional legal services for distressed homeowners, promotion of loan-modification opportunities and anti-blight efforts.

I encourage homeowners who believe they are facing foreclosure TO PICK UP THE PHONE and call 1.877.601.4673 or visit  www.coloradoforeclosurehotline.org. The hotline works with homeowners in or facing foreclosure. Homeowners who call the free hotline can speak with a housing counselor about their options.

Resolutions

 HJR 1003 Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail I-70 (A. Williams and S. Williams):

                This resolution recognized the significant role African American’s have played in the United States military. Tuskegee Airmen consisted of not only pilots but also navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all personnel who kept planes in the air. This resolution creates I-70 trail from Kansas to the Utah Border.

Status: Passed out of House (1/23/2012), passed out of Senate (2/21/2012)

 HJR 1018 Celebrating Colorado Girls and Women in Sports and Fitness (House of Representatives):

                Recognizing the many positive impacts sports have on girls and women. This resolution recognizes the 40^th anniversary of Title IX, which provides females with equal opportunities in athletics.

Status: Passed out of House and Senate (3/30/2012)

 SJR 015 Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary (Senators and House of Representatives):

                Recognizing and celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Girl Scouts, which began on March 12, 1912, when Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, a native of Savannah, Georgia, gathered 18 girls to provide them the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Status: Signed by Speaker and President (3/12/2012)

SJR 017 National Women’s History Month (Senators and House of Representatives):

                Recognizing women’s historical contributions to the United States, our country would not be here without the strength, bravery, insight, and persistence of the women who have come before us.

Status: Passed out of House and Senate (3/2/2012)

 SJR 022 Single Parents Awareness Day (A. Williams and Jahn):

                Recognizing single parents and the time, energy, and devotion it takes when raising their children in order to provide them with love, support, and guidance required to become responsible, productive, and successful adults. This is a great resolution that acknowledged the ability of a single parent to raise successful children.

Status: Passed in House and Senate (3/21/2012)

 SJR 032 Holocaust Awareness Week (Senators and Representatives):

                Recognizing prejudice, bigotry, racism, and hate have been the cause of conflict, war, and mass atrocities through history. Also, recognizing that it is imperative that we and future generations never forget the tragic lessons to be learned from the organized, government-sponsored mass killings of the Holocaust and that it is important to remember, honor, and emulate those who risked their lives to save thousands of innocent people during the Holocaust.

Status: Passed in House and Senate (4/19/2012)

 SJR 035 Equal Pay Day (House of Representatives and Senators):

                Recognizing that forty-nine years after the passage of “Equal Pay Act of 1963″ and Title VII of the “Civil Rights Act,” women and people of color continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay. This recognizes the continued inequities between sex, gender, and color in the United States and the state of Colorado.

Status: Passed in House (4/27/2012)

Lowering Consumer Fees Postponed Indefinitely
Legislators Call Upon Public Utilities Commission to Adopt Reforms

Denver – Bi-partisan legislation calling for reform of Colorado’s telecommunication laws (SB 12-157) was post-poned indefinitely today in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  With a broad coalition of consumers, chambers, technology organizations and providers supporting the legislation, Senate Bill 157 sought to modernize Colorado’s archaic telecommunication laws by reducing consumer fees, updating regulations to reflect marketplace changes in technology, phasing out subsidies in competitive areas, and investing in broadband infrastructure in unserved areas of the state.

“We took a bi-partisan approach to modernize Colorado’s 25-year-old telecommunication policies with the goal of preparing our state for a broadband future that, quite honestly, is already here,” said Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Parker).    “The disappointing factor is not whether or not we have won or lost on a bill – the disappointing factor is that residents, businesses and anyone who uses technology remain behind as we try to move Colorado forward.  We just couldn’t get Senate leadership to grasp the complexities of this bill. ”

“While we are extremely disappointed that the bill did not go forward, it should provide clear direction to the Public Utilities Commission on the steps needed to modernize the High Cost Fund and ensure regulatory parity for all the carriers.  Consumer dollars are being wasted by subsidizing large companies where competition already exists. ” said Rep. Angela Williams (D-Denver).

Specifically, bill sponsors are calling upon the PUC to play an active role over the next 6 months and to implement parts of the bill under their regulatory authority.  This includes reviewing the Colorado High Cost Fund and ensuring these dollars go only to areas that lack sufficient competition to help lower consumer bills.  They call on regulators to create a competitive test to determine where subsidies are still required from the High Cost Fund.  And they call upon the Commission to lower intrastate access rates and reduce regulation on traditional landline services that reflect changes in the marketplace, as well as taking steps to ensure that the small rural carriers are treated fairly by requiring all fund recipients to use the same cost model.

“Make no mistake—telecom modernization and the dynamics behind crafting reform—or even discussing it, is not an easy task.  But we have worked tirelessly on what is now two years of discussions and collaboration,” said Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton).  “Our hope is the Public Utilities Commission will continue this important work in the months ahead.”

“Big Labor and a large corporation—CenturyLink—conspired to continue taking money from the people, without any benefit to citizens,” said Rep. Carole Murray (R-Castle Rock).  “I regret that Senate Democrat leadership was also a party to preventing groundbreaking telecom reform.”

The legislation was sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators including Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Parker), Senator Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton), Representative Angela Williams (D-Denver), and Representative Carole Murray (R-Castle Rock).

# # #

CONTACT: Rep. Fields 303-246-8280 | Communications Director Dean Toda 303-866-3844

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2012

GOP’s Rx for Gun Violence: More Guns
House Republicans Vote to End Colorado Background Check for Gun Buyers

(Denver) – House Republicans’ loyalty to GOP — Guns Over People — prevailed today when they gave initial approval to a bill that would end Colorado’s background check for firearms purchasers.

HB12-1048, sponsored by Rep. Mark Waller (R-Colorado Springs), would make the FBI background check the only insurance that a gun buyer is a law-abiding citizen without murderous intent.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check goes beyond the FBI version by catching individuals against whom charges are pending or who are subject to restraining orders – a key indicator of the potential for domestic violence. Rep. Su Ryden (D-Aurora) said the CBI “instacheck” has prevented at least 450 at-risk individuals from buying a gun.

Rep. Claire Levy (D-Boulder) noted that every major law enforcement organization in the state opposes Rep. Waller’s bill.

Rep. Angela Williams (D-Denver), who lost a cousin this year to gun violence, rose to note the outcry over “the senseless death” of Trayvon Martin, the Florida youth whose shooting death has prompted nationwide protests. “We cannot continue to stand by as our young and primarily minority men die senseless deaths,” she told the House.

Rep. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora), who lost a son in 2005 to gun violence, said the Republican agenda made the GOP a “menace to society.”

“Already this session, the House Republicans have passed bills to allow anyone to carry a concealed handgun without a permit and to allow business owners to shoot fleeing robbers even if their own lives aren’t threatened,” Rep. Fields said. “Maximizing the number of guns is no way to stem the violence that afflicts our society.”

# # #

The final vote on HB12-1335 was 64-1, with a lone Republican holdout, Rep. Chris Holbert (R-Parker). The budget now goes to the Senate, which will make its own modifications, initiating a period of negotiations with the House before a final agreement is reached. The 2012-13 fiscal year begins July 1.

“Politics is compromise, and on a JBC with three Democrats and three Republican we got through the budget process without a lot of acrimony,” said Rep. Claire Levy (D-Boulder), the House Democrat on the Joint Budget Committee. “That doesn’t mean I’m thrilled with the result. We could have put more resources into education, the disabled and low-income seniors, but we couldn’t because the senior property tax exemption diverted so much funding.” 

The debate was made easier by the state’s improving economic picture. With a rising economy, state revenues are projected to be nearly $200 million higher than previously estimated. The budget awards the largest shares of that money to the senior homestead property tax exemption and K-12 schools.  

Democrats tried to get the Republicans to use part of the budget cushion to finally support some form of economic development and job creation. But the GOP shot down a handful of amendments to connect Coloradans to good jobs, and even prevented an effort by Rep. Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs) to increase funding for the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade, which offers incentives to attract businesses and jobs to Colorado.

The Republicans also stripped out resources to protect air and water quality from oil and gas drilling.
 
Democrats scored some victories, including Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino’s motion to overturn Rep. Spencer Swalm’s amendment defunding the Office of Consumer Counsel, which advocates for lower utility rates for consumers. The House was unanimous, including even Rep. Swalm (R-Centennial), in voting to kill the amendment.

Rep. Daniel Kagan (D-Englewood) was able to secure an additional $200,000 for grants for affordable housing, and Rep. Edward Vigil (D-Fort Garland) got an extra $100,000 to reimburse water commissioners for their travel expenses.
 
# # #

While the nation reacts to Trayvon Martin’s death, Denver loses three of its own

By: State Representative Angela Williams

On April 4^th, we will observe, in multiple moments of silence and reflection, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.  His life was cut short 44 years ago today when a rifle’s bullet killed him on a hotel balcony in Memphis.  Yet, every day in our communities nationwide – including here in Denver – we continue to stand by as our young and primarily minority men die through senseless, heartbreaking violence.

Last week, Isaiah Garcia, 18, was home with his wife and their 18-month-old child on Knox Court when someone knocked on their front door and shot him at point-blank range.

Dequan Walker-Smith, also 18, was shot dead in a park on 29^th and Franklin near Manual High School.

And Tamoi Millan Elliott, 25, was stopped at a red light on Montview and Dayton, when he was shot and killed.

The families of these three young men, which included their own young children, grieve their loss with scant attention from the media.  But their deaths are, in many ways, just as tragic as Trayvon Martin in a suburban Orlando community being shot in the chest by a reportedly overzealous neighborhood watchman who shouldn’t have owned a gun in the first place. Large crowds nationwide have decried the unnecessary violence.

Shouldn’t people in Colorado do the same for these three men?

Perhaps it’s the perception that our great state is immune from such tragedies. Or it’s the assumption that young men of color dying from gun violence only do so in other cities far from our idyllic plains and snow-capped mountains.  We don’t want to think of Denver in that way.

But, if we are to preserve the greatness that is Mile High City, we must face some ugly realities head on. We can’t ignore the violence – we must stop it. Each death is different – but they all have one thing in common: a young man is dead and the tears that families shed won’t bring any of them back.

Ignoring the violence and never expecting it to hit home won’t address the problem, either.

This is not a political message to grab headlines. It’s a call for urgency. You see, the violence that everyone reads about every day is now personal. Tamoi Elliott was a member of my family.

Now is the time for action. I am urging all of our religious leaders to join me in calling for a day of community prayer to remember those who have passed – and to help our young men under siege. Thousands of people gather every January in Denver to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday. We need to rediscover that same energy and use it to save our homes and protect our families.

Let’s unite and demand an end to this senseless violence.

A large number of delegates represented at the Denver County Assembly that House District 7 will have 56 delegates attending the Colorado State Convention on Saturday, April 14.  This was a great turnout and I am happy to see many constituents become involved in the democratic process.

If you have any questions about the Denver County Assembly, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best,

CONTACT: Representative Angela Williams– 303.905.4324| Senator Joyce Foster– 303.866.4882|
|Deputy Communications Director Megan Dubray – 405.596.8261|

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2012

Western Tiger Salamander Bill is Signed by Governor

(Denver) –A bill designating the Western Tiger Salamander as Colorado’s state amphibian was signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper today.

HB12-1147, introduced and sponsored by Rep. Angela Williams (D-Denver) and Sen. Joyce Foster (D-Denver), was initiated by students across the state who are tiger salamander enthusiasts. The students have been actively involved in every step of the legislative process to make sure this bill passed. Many children testified in support of the bill, noting the tiger salamander is found in all 64 counties of Colorado.

Rep. Williams said she was happy to support the students and their efforts on behalf of the tiger salamander.

“This is such a great way to teach students by showing them how a bill becomes a law,” Rep. Williams said. “Seeing their enthusiasm in the legislative process has been truly rewarding, and this experience can help shape these young minds into civically active adults.”

Sen. Foster echoed Rep. Williams’ sentiments.

“These students have worked so hard to see this idea become law so it was really rewarding to watch the governor sign this bill,” Sen. Foster said.  “They have not only gained an extremely valuable educational lesson, but also a priceless life experience that they will value for the rest of their lives.”

# # #

*Attached: Photo of Rep. Williams and students overlooking Gov. Hickenlooper signing HB12-1147, designating the Western Tiger Salamander as the Colorado state amphibian
About the Colorado General Assembly House Democrats
Thirty-two Democrats comprise the minority of Colorado’s 65-member House of Representatives. Leadership for the House Democrats includes Democratic Leader Mark Ferrandino, Assistant Democratic Leader Nancy Todd, Democratic Whip Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Deputy Whip Dan Pabon, Caucus Chair Lois Court, and Assistant Caucus Chair Su Ryden. For more information, visit www.cohousedems.com. For current and past House proceedings, go to Comcast Channel 165 or www.coloradochannel.net

CONTACT: Rep. Williams 303-866-2909 | Communications Director Dean Toda 303-866-3844

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2012

Williams Applauds Grant for Foreclosure Counseling Program
$5.6 Million Coming from Settlement With Banks Over Abusive Lending Practices

(Denver) – Rep. Angela Williams (D-Denver) said today she was delighted that $5.6 million from a $25 billion nationwide settlement with big banks accused of abusive loan servicing practices would go to Colorado foreclosure prevention counseling programs to help homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments.

Colorado’s $204 million share of the nationwide settlement is being managed by Attorney General John Suthers. The first allocation of the state’s share, $51.2 million, was announced today by Gov. John Hickenlooper and Suthers, who thanked Rep. Williams for her “meaningful input.”

Rep. Williams sponsored a bill in 2011 to expand an existing housing counseling program with a general fund appropriation. Today’s allocation makes such an appropriation unnecessary.

“I’m delighted that the counseling program will get robust funding,” Rep. Williams said. “It has proven successful in helping working Coloradans to keep their homes, and it will be the ideal mechanism to help homeowners navigate the inevitable bureaucratic maze surrounding disbursal of funds from the federal settlement.”

She noted that the need for the program remained great.

“The foreclosure surge triggered by the Great Recession of 2008 has not ended,” Rep. Williams said. “Currently, 20 percent of all homes in Colorado are underwater, and we’re seeing tens of thousands of foreclosures still on the horizon.”

Housing counseling programs administered by the Colorado Housing Finance Authority are the third biggest chunk of today’s allocation. The largest shares are $24 million for loan modifications for struggling homeowners and $18.2 million for affordable housing programs.

Included in the affordable housing allocation is $5 million to turn the shuttered Ft. Lyon prison near Las Animas into a housing and treatment facility for military veterans. Rep. Sal Pace (D-Pueblo) had sent a letter to Suthers urging that Ft. Lyon be included in the allocation.

# # #

About the Colorado General Assembly House Democrats
Colorado’s 65-member House of Representatives includes 32 Democrats. Leadership for the House Democrats includes Democratic Leader Mark Ferrandino, Assistant Democratic Leader Nancy Todd, Democratic Whip Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Deputy Whip Dan Pabon, Caucus Chair Lois Court, and Assistant Caucus Chair Su Ryden. For more information, visit www.cohousedems.com. For current and past House proceedings, go to Comcast Channel 165 or www.coloradochannel.net

We have come a long way as a society, and it is great to see Colorado as the number one state in the Nation with the most representation of women (40 percent) in our legislature.