2012 General Assembly
The General Assembly will convene the 2012 Legislative Session on January 11.
I am working on bills to shore up funding for the Colorado Innovation Investment Tax Credit Program, increase small business access to capital through legislation and private-sector partnerships that promote main street community lending, promote economic development programs to augment and diversify venture equity capital, and a “Buy American” program to encourage investment in local economies and support Colorado and US manufacturing.
I am carrying a bill to expand the Property Tax Rent Heat Rebate Program to help 35,000 more seniors and persons with disabilities who are on fixed incomes and have property tax, rent or heat bills that are beyond their means. I am carrying a bill to require legislation to carry a Poverty Impact Note where possible, to help us evaluate proposed laws and promote best practices to address poverty. I have a bill to retool the Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force, which is presenting to the legislature a comprehensive strategy to cut poverty in half by 2019.
I am sponsoring legislation to eliminate unnecessary barriers and make it easier for relatives to care for foster care youth, and a bill to to reduce the "cliff effect" by creadting a graduated process for people to get off work support programs without losing child care and other services. Finally, I am running consumer protection legislation to help patients understand the charges on their chiropractic bills, creating greater transparency and accountability.
HB12-1047: Waiving Non-Safety Licensing Standards for Kinship Foster Care; passed Health & Environment Committee 11-0; 2nd reading 2/8
HB12-1138: Poverty Impact Statements for Bills; assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee; hearing 2/15, 1:30 PM, HCR 0112
HB12-1152: Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force, assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee; hearing 2/16, upon adjournment, HCR-0112
HB12-1253: Low-Income Property Expenses Assistance Grants; assigned to Finance Committee
HB12-1257: Health Care Consumer & Provider Protections; assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee