Printed on 6/28/10
The good people of House District 49 have consistently told me they want government to live within its means by finding solutions that correct spending problems, not take more tax dollars. They want government to provide basic, essential services, but not overreach its jurisdiction and intrude into the freedoms and liberties of American families. They have overwhelmingly told me they believe the foundational institution of marriage should remain as one man and one woman. And they are willing to live responsibly, knowing that those who cannot govern themselves are destined to be governed by others.
The bills I introduced this past session were consistent with these ideals. Most dealt directly with our state's financial concerns. After three years experience in the Colorado House, I am more convinced than ever that the primary issue we must deal with is the legislature's inability to control spending.
The first bill I introduced sought to establish a rainy day fund for the state by setting aside just one half of the final percent of the allowable General Fund growth to stabilize the budget during lean years. Even after amending out all financial requirements and just establishing the fund, the Democrats were still not interested.
Two of my bills were intended to address the largest line items in the General Fund: Education and Medicaid. One would have created a tax credit for families who moved their child from a public to a private educational system. This could have saved the state several thousand dollars for each child and provided substantial help for any family who voluntarily chose to participate.
My Medicaid Reform bill created a voluntary program for older citizens. It held the prospect of saving several million dollars by giving people a choice on how to spend the money designated for their care, while protecting their estate for their heirs.
One of my resolutions commended the President's effort to find solutions to our looming Social Security crisis. The Democrat response was to defeat my resolution in the State Affairs Committee and pass their own measure which condemned the President's solutions.
Another measure was meant to clarify the role of parents in driver education courses. It defined the term "teaching parent" and directed the Department of Revenue to include driver education courses that allow parental instruction.
The Judiciary Committee killed my bill to correctly define pregnancy in Colorado law as beginning at conception. This was the same committee that, on a party-line vote, killed my resolution to allow the voters of Colorado to decide on the definition of marriage.
Though my measures were all targeted for defeat this year by the new Democrat majority, and none were even allowed a discussion on the House floor, I am committed, with your help, to continue our fight for the common sense values of controlling taxation, limiting government regulation and intrusion into our families and businesses, and the preservation of our free and moral society. Without our strong proactive response, we can only expect the nanny government agenda of this past year's session to expand unabated.
For example, socialized medicine was heavily promoted in bills, resolutions and task force committees. There is a full-court press to put the government in complete charge of the medical industry.
Parental authority continued to erode. When my driver education bill was killed, the chairman of the Transportation Committee said he "didn't trust parents." Attempts to allow parents to truly opt out of the state's immunization tracking system were all killed. We are now on line to track all citizens, from birth until death, and the state is funded and empowered to contact parents and track their immunization compliance.
We have now increased the number of mandatory "suspected" child abuse reporters to include dog catchers. Kindergarten programs were made mandatory for all districts in preparation for more attempts to lower the compulsory attendance age.
A new hate crime was created called "bias-motivated crime." This, along with the bill prohibiting employers from considering sexual orientation or transgender dressing in their hiring decisions, goes a long way toward paying back the powerful lobbying group that funded the sweeping Democrat victories in 2004.
A sobering part of the discussion concerning the "emergency contraception" bill should be noted by all churches. In arguing for the bill, the Democrats repeated again and again that "institutions do not have any religious freedom."
The cost of living will be going up for all Colorado families because of many new fees and regulations, including a brand new wildlife area fee required for most adults who enter a state wildlife area, workman's compensation insurance being mandated on business owners in the construction industry, a vote to allow local governments to tax parts of the internet, and many other areas too numerous to list here.
The Democrats' big success this year, touted as their remedy to the state budget problems, was to put a measure on the ballot for next fall asking taxpayers to remove major spending limitations in TABOR and use some of that money to take the state into debt. And yet the excessive spending requirements of Amendment 23 are left untouched! This truly demonstrates their intent to expand government while rejecting all efforts to rein in spending.
I would encourage all those who value life and liberty to take an active role this coming year. Stand with me by letting your voice be heard publicly in defense of our cherished American values that honor the institution of the family, foster a vibrant economy by controlling spending and holding taxes as low as possible, and maintain government in its appropriate, limited role.
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2005 Session
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My Observations of the 2005 Session
5/14/05The good people of House District 49 have consistently told me they want government to live within its means by finding solutions that correct spending problems, not take more tax dollars. They want government to provide basic, essential services, but not overreach its jurisdiction and intrude into the freedoms and liberties of American families. They have overwhelmingly told me they believe the foundational institution of marriage should remain as one man and one woman. And they are willing to live responsibly, knowing that those who cannot govern themselves are destined to be governed by others.
The bills I introduced this past session were consistent with these ideals. Most dealt directly with our state's financial concerns. After three years experience in the Colorado House, I am more convinced than ever that the primary issue we must deal with is the legislature's inability to control spending.
The first bill I introduced sought to establish a rainy day fund for the state by setting aside just one half of the final percent of the allowable General Fund growth to stabilize the budget during lean years. Even after amending out all financial requirements and just establishing the fund, the Democrats were still not interested.
Two of my bills were intended to address the largest line items in the General Fund: Education and Medicaid. One would have created a tax credit for families who moved their child from a public to a private educational system. This could have saved the state several thousand dollars for each child and provided substantial help for any family who voluntarily chose to participate.
My Medicaid Reform bill created a voluntary program for older citizens. It held the prospect of saving several million dollars by giving people a choice on how to spend the money designated for their care, while protecting their estate for their heirs.
One of my resolutions commended the President's effort to find solutions to our looming Social Security crisis. The Democrat response was to defeat my resolution in the State Affairs Committee and pass their own measure which condemned the President's solutions.
Another measure was meant to clarify the role of parents in driver education courses. It defined the term "teaching parent" and directed the Department of Revenue to include driver education courses that allow parental instruction.
The Judiciary Committee killed my bill to correctly define pregnancy in Colorado law as beginning at conception. This was the same committee that, on a party-line vote, killed my resolution to allow the voters of Colorado to decide on the definition of marriage.
Though my measures were all targeted for defeat this year by the new Democrat majority, and none were even allowed a discussion on the House floor, I am committed, with your help, to continue our fight for the common sense values of controlling taxation, limiting government regulation and intrusion into our families and businesses, and the preservation of our free and moral society. Without our strong proactive response, we can only expect the nanny government agenda of this past year's session to expand unabated.
For example, socialized medicine was heavily promoted in bills, resolutions and task force committees. There is a full-court press to put the government in complete charge of the medical industry.
Parental authority continued to erode. When my driver education bill was killed, the chairman of the Transportation Committee said he "didn't trust parents." Attempts to allow parents to truly opt out of the state's immunization tracking system were all killed. We are now on line to track all citizens, from birth until death, and the state is funded and empowered to contact parents and track their immunization compliance.
We have now increased the number of mandatory "suspected" child abuse reporters to include dog catchers. Kindergarten programs were made mandatory for all districts in preparation for more attempts to lower the compulsory attendance age.
A new hate crime was created called "bias-motivated crime." This, along with the bill prohibiting employers from considering sexual orientation or transgender dressing in their hiring decisions, goes a long way toward paying back the powerful lobbying group that funded the sweeping Democrat victories in 2004.
A sobering part of the discussion concerning the "emergency contraception" bill should be noted by all churches. In arguing for the bill, the Democrats repeated again and again that "institutions do not have any religious freedom."
The cost of living will be going up for all Colorado families because of many new fees and regulations, including a brand new wildlife area fee required for most adults who enter a state wildlife area, workman's compensation insurance being mandated on business owners in the construction industry, a vote to allow local governments to tax parts of the internet, and many other areas too numerous to list here.
The Democrats' big success this year, touted as their remedy to the state budget problems, was to put a measure on the ballot for next fall asking taxpayers to remove major spending limitations in TABOR and use some of that money to take the state into debt. And yet the excessive spending requirements of Amendment 23 are left untouched! This truly demonstrates their intent to expand government while rejecting all efforts to rein in spending.
I would encourage all those who value life and liberty to take an active role this coming year. Stand with me by letting your voice be heard publicly in defense of our cherished American values that honor the institution of the family, foster a vibrant economy by controlling spending and holding taxes as low as possible, and maintain government in its appropriate, limited role.
< Back to Archives
