FIRST LADY ANNOUNCES GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE PRESERVATION FUND

 

First Lady Jeannie Ritter today launched a new Governor's Residence Preservation Fund as part of the centennial celebration of "Colorado's home." The Fund will pay for needed repairs, restorations and enhancements to the 100-year-old Residence, and allow for an expansion of public programs and tours of the historic facility and grounds.

 

"We really want to throw open the doors to 'Colorado's home,'" the First Lady said. "This is the 100^th anniversary of the Residence and we want to protect it for the next 100 years so future generations of Coloradans also can enjoy it. This Fund will build on the tremendous work of my predecessor, Frances Owens, when it comes to opening up the Residence to the public."

 

Former First Lady Owens took part in today's announcement at the Governor's Residence. "This is an important next step," she said.  "This really is the people's house and this is an important legacy for the entire state of Colorado."

 

Built in 1908, the Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion became the official residence of the First Family in 1959. The new Fund will create the first privately supported endowment for public programming and facility maintenance at the Residence.

 

The Fund will allow the Residence to expand hours for public tours, and it will support new and innovative programs to educate visitors about the history of the Residence and Colorado. Partnership programs with local educators also will help teach students about the Residence.

 

"Our goal is to make this property more inclusive and more relevant to our young people so that they have a lifelong connection toColorado's home," the First Lady said.

 

The Fund's preservation activities will focus on long-term historic protection while also supporting the greening and modernizing of the Residence.

 

The Fund's goal is to raise $1 million in year one and $10 million over the next 10 years. Visit www.coloradoshome.org or contact Margy Moseley at 303.837.8350 or grpfund@yahoo.com for information about how to contribute.

 

The Governor's Residence Preservation Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. First Lady Jeannie Ritter is the honorary chair. Board officers: Jean Galloway, chair; Dean Prina, vice chair; and Suzie Boyd, treasurer. Board members: John Beeble, Molly Broeren, Joy Dinsdale, Arlene Hirschfeld, Deborah Jordy, Theresa Marchetta, Tricia McConathy, Paul Mesard, Christopher Nims, Marie Patterson, Karyn Sparks, Stephanie Tryba and David Tryba.

 

State Leaders Come Together to Underscore Importance of Health Reform

State Leaders Come Together to Underscore Importance of Health Reform

Hospitals Urge Consensus Around Key Health Reform Issues

Denver, Colo. – Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and other state leaders
representing a wide array of sectors across Colorado will come
together to
highlight successes the state has seen in working towards health
reform and
to discuss other steps they can take to keep reform moving forward at
the
national and state level. The community forum, hosted by the American
Hospital Association (AHA), the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA)
and the
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Wednesday, July 30
at 9:30
a.m. in the Craig Hall Community Room at the University of Denver.

Lt. Gov. O'Brien will be joined by Kevin Lofton, the president and chief
executive officer of Catholic Health Initiatives and immediate past
chairman
of the AHA Board of Trustees, William N. Lindsay, III with the Denver
Metro
Chamber of Commerce, and other leaders to discuss the urgent need for
health
reform. The community forum aims to generate substantive discussions and
encourage consensus around key health reform issues in Colorado.

At a time when nearly 47 million Americans, including about 826,000
Coloradans, find themselves uninsured, coupled with a broken health care
system that leaves millions more hard-working families behind, public
support and political will for safe, reliable and affordable health
care for
all Americans is at an all-time high. The need to address comprehensive
reform is real and the time is now.

Health for Life, a roadmap for health reform, was created by the AHA,
along
with leaders representing many sectors of the community. Health for Life
includes five core elements: health coverage for all, paid for by all; a
focus on wellness; the most efficient, affordable care; the highest
quality
care; and the best health information.

Panelists will discuss a variety of issues surrounding health reform
within
the Health for Life framework. To learn more about Health for Life, go
to
www.HealthForLifeAmerica.net <http://www.HealthForLifeAmerica.net> .

WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: University of Denver, Craig Hall, Community Room, 2148 S. High
Street, Denver, CO 80208 (Craig Hall is on the corner of S. High
Street and
E. Evans Avenue; paid parking is available in lot 301 with entrances
off of
High Street and eastbound Evans.)

RITTER, NATION'S GOVERNORS URGE CONGRESS TO EXTEND CLEAN ENERGY TAX CREDITS

Gov. Bill Ritter today joined the governors of every other state in the nation urging Congress to extend for at least five years tax credits that encourage renewable energy development and promote energy efficiency. The credits are set to expire at the end of this year.

 

"Renewable energy plays an important role in our nation's energy security, and governors have pioneered a wide array of innovative energy policies in their states," the governors wrote to Congressional leaders. "To supplement state efforts, governors support the development of federal tax incentives, including clean renewable energy bonds, to promote clean, secure, and affordable energy to fuelAmerica's future."

 

"Colorado is quickly becoming a national and international leader in building a New Energy Economy," Gov. Ritter said. "We needWashington to be a strong partner in this. If these credits are allowed to expire, an estimated 100,000-plus jobs and billions of dollars of investment will be at risk nationally. In Colorado, continuing these incentives will be a significant step forward for our economy, for our businesses and for our communities."

 

The text of the letter is below. The letter is below:

 

 

July 23, 2008

 

Dear Senator Reid, Senator McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Representative Boehner:

 

The nation's governors urge Congress to extend for at least five years tax provisions that encourage the development of renewable energy sources and promote energy efficiency.

 

Last February, leadership of the National Governors Association wrote the leaders of Congress' tax writing committees to urge enactment of legislation containing these provisions. Since that time, however, efforts to advance them have fallen short. Extending these credits is critical and action must be taken as soon as possible.

 

Renewable energy plays an important role in our nation's energy security, and governors have pioneered a wide array of innovative energy policies in their states. To supplement state efforts, governors support the development of federal tax incentives, including clean renewable energy bonds, to promote clean, secure, and affordable energy to fuel America's future.

 

We also encourage Congress to continue to develop incentives for programs that help families and businesses use energy-efficient building techniques, materials, and equipment readily available in today's market.

 

Extending incentives for energy efficiency and conservation will slow the growth of future energy needs, minimize ratepayer costs, and lessen potential environmental impacts.

 

Securing our energy future must be a priority at both the state and federal levels. We strongly urge you to partner with states by passing legislation on a bipartisan basis to extend expiring renewable energy and energy efficiency tax credits that can be enacted this year.

 

Sincerely,

 

GOV. RITTER CRITICIZES FEDS OVER OIL SHALE REGS

Gov. Bill Ritter criticized the federal government today for publishing draft regulations for commercial oil shale development, calling the move premature, unnecessary and irresponsible.

 

"I fully support the existing research, development and demonstration process for commercial oil shale development," Gov. Ritter said. "Colorado is doing its part – and will continue to do its part -- to help meet this nation's energy needs and achieve energy security.

 

"Someday the technology may exist that will allow us to responsibly extract oil from Colorado shale. But that day is years away. That day will only come when crucial questions about impacts to water, air quality, wildlife and our local communities – are fully understood and answered. That day is not today. This was a premature and unnecessary act by the federal government that is not supported by science or technology.

 

"This is a last-ditch, irresponsible attempt by the White House to issue commercial oil-shale leases, at Colorado's expense, and will do nothing to help hard-working Americans or family-owned businesses struggling today with $4-a-gallon gas. These regulations would set bargain basement royalty rates that could cost Coloradans billions of dollars.

 

"Instead of 11^th-hour political maneuvering, Washington should be working with states like Colorado to craft a comprehensive national energy policy for the 21^st century. We need Washington as a strong partner as we diversify our energy portfolio, refocus efforts on conservation and efficiencies, invest meaningful amounts of money into research, and inspire innovation and new technologies that will lead to a global New Energy Economy."

 

GOV. RITTER PRAISES NEW CSU SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Gov. Bill Ritter today praised his undergraduate alma mater, Colorado State University, for establishing a new School of Global Environmental Sustainable to help prepare a new generation of green-collar workers for the New Energy Economy.

 

"CSU is currently producing some of the most groundbreaking environmental and energy research in the world," Gov. Ritter said. "And as a partner in the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, CSU is a crucial part of our New Energy Economy.

 

"This new School of Global Environmental Sustainability comes at a perfect time and will ensure that Colorado is able to provide New Energy Economy companies with the best green-collar workforce on the globe."

 

FIRST LADY TO LAUNCH GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE PRESERVATION FUND

First Lady Jeannie Ritter will be announcing a new project on Thursday – the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund – as part of the centennial celebration of "Colorado's home."

 

The Fund will pay for needed repairs, restorations and enhancements to the 100-year-old Residence, and allow for an expansion of public programs and tours at the facility and grounds.

 

WHO:             First Lady Jeannie Ritter, former First Lady Frances Owens, Governor's Residence Preservation Fund board chair Jean Galloway and other members of the board of directors.

 

WHAT:          News conference to announce the creation of the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund.

 

WHEN:          10:30 to 11 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008.

 

WHERE:       Governor's Residence, 400 E. 8^th Avenue. Media should park in the lot at the southwest corner of 8^th and Logan Street, and enter the Residence through the main gate on 8^th.  

 

Built in 1908, the Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion became the official residence of the First Family in 1959. The mission of the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund is to protect and preserve the Residence, and bring it into full use and enjoyment for allColorado residents. The goal is to establish a sustainable endowment, through fundraising and sponsorships, for generations to come.

 

DLC Names Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter New Democrat of the Week

Washington, D.C. - Today most Americans can't afford to be ill- informed when it comes to money as they struggle with high gas prices, the mortgage crisis, and other economic woes.  Now more than ever, financial literacy education is becoming crucial to understanding and coping with everyday finances. For his work to provide new tools for teaching Americans fiscal responsibility and efforts to reach across the aisle to pass new financial education legislation, The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) has named Governor Bill Ritter the DLC New Democrat of the Week.

 

This year's legislative session in Colorado was dubbed the "Education Session" by Governor Ritter as progress on a variety of educational fronts was made with strong bipartisan support. During the session, Governor Ritter signed a bill into law that requires the State Board of Education to adopt financial literacy standards, and mandates each district to revise its curricula and adopt assessments that include financial literacy. 

 

As the recent subprime mortgage crisis showed, unwise financial decisions can have calamitous consequences for consumers.  Unfortunately, too many Americans are not educated when it comes to their finances.  For example, the results of a 2006 report on financial literacy revealed that 40% of high school juniors and seniors have credit cards, yet only 52% of demonstrated competent levels of financial literacy.

 

"We know that if kids are given the right tools, they are less likely to be dragged under by torrents of debt and held under by bad credit," said Representative Rosemary Marshall, the primary sponsor of the financial literacy bill (HB1168).  "This bill offers a genuine lifeboat to kids lost in an otherwise troubled financial sea."

 

The financial literacy legislation is only the most recent in a number of education initiatives that Gov. Ritter has pushed through in recent months.  The governor has also championed the May 2008 Achievement Plan for Kids (SB 212), which aims to create a seamless education system from the preschool to the post-graduate level and prepare students with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy. 

 

As the "Education Session" came to a close Gov. Ritter said, "[i]t's been a privilege and an honor to work with all of the departing lawmakers.  The bills I'm signing today all represent progress and a pragmatic approach to solving problems and getting things done for the people of Colorado."

 

Each week, the DLC selects a New Democrat from across the nation who is making a difference in the lives of his or her fellow Americans using modern, innovative means to promote the traditional values of opportunity, responsibility and community. The DLC leads the New Democrat movement, a national network of elected officials and community leaders whose innovative ideas are modernizing progressive politics for the 21st century. For additional information on the DLC or for more background on the elected officials around the country governing as New Democrats, visit www.dlc.org.