Wednesday, April 30, 2008

GOV. RITTER PRAISES PLATTE RIVER LEGISLATION


Gov. Bill Ritter today praised yesterday's passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of legislation authorizing the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. The program will allow Colorado to work withWyoming, Nebraska, the federal government, water providers and other organizations to recover threatened and endangered species within the Platte River Basin.
 
The Senate passed the legislation, which is part of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, on April 10.

"This is a major step toward assuring that the Platte River Recovery Program succeeds," Gov. Ritter said. "Water providers, environmentalists and Colorado citizens should be proud that Sen. Salazar, Sen. Allard and Rep. Udall took leadership roles to support the passage of this legislation."
 
"This step allows us to move immediately to take direct actions to recover the whooping crane, least tern, piping plover and pallid sturgeon," said Harris Sherman, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. "The whooping crane is North America's largest bird species, and through our actions we have been able to bring this species from the brink of extinction to the highest recorded numbers in decades."
 
In 1979, there were just 56 whooping cranes in the wild flock that uses the Platte River. In 2007, 257 whooping cranes were counted in the flock.
 
"This legislation opens the door to land restoration efforts that are critical to the program's success," said Ted Kowalski, program manager for the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
 

Monday, April 28, 2008

GOV. RITTER TO SIGN FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 STATE BUDGET INTO LAW TODAY

 
Monday, April 28, 2008
 
1:30 p.m.                    Gov. Ritter will be signing the Fiscal Year 2008-09 state budget into law at 1:30 p.m. today. Joining him will be members of the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, University of Northern Colorado President Kay Norton and 208 Health Care Reform Commission Chairman Bill Lindsay.
 
                                    Location: State Capitol, West Steps.
 
                                    Quick Facts:
 
n      $18.4 billion total budget, including operating and capital.
 
n      $7.6 billion operating budget/general fund.
 
n      Total Budget Breakdown:
            23 percent:      K-12 Education
            20 percent:      Health Care
            15 percent:      Higher Education
            12 percent:      Human Services
            4 percent:        Prison and Corrections
            7 percent:        Transportation
            19 percent:      All Others
 
Additional Budget Details:
 
n      Prison Recidivism Reduction: $5.7 million for 12 initiatives.
 
n      Renewable Energy: $2 million for solar incentives, $7 million for Clean Energy Fund to advance new-energy initiatives.
 
n      Building Blocks to Health Care Reform.
 
n      Higher Education: 9 percent, or $66 million increased investment into college and university operating budgets.
 
n      Development Disabilities: $17.4 million increase for additional services and community resources.
 
n      Capital Construction: $188 million increase for construction projects statewide, including higher education but excluding transportation.
 

Friday, April 25, 2008

GOVERNOR RITTER SIGNS NEW LAWS TODAY

GOVERNOR RITTER SIGNS NEW LAWS TODAY

 
Gov. Bill Ritter signed several pieces of legislation into law today:
 
Bill #
Short Title
Sponsors
Date Action
Action
HB08-1038
Assisted Living Residence Regulation Fee 
RIESBERG / WARD 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1131
Mergers Of Health Insurance Companies 
MCGIHON / HAGEDORN 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1148
Adverse Possession 
WITWER & ... / TUPA 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1224
School District Student Wellness Program 
BENEFIELD / TUPA 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1236
Ag Dept Livestock Info Security Act 
CURRY / ISGAR 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1248
Joint Tenancy In Real Property 
KERR J. / VEIGA 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1249
Emergency Telephone Services 911 Charge 
RICE / KESTER 
4/25/2008
Signed
HB08-1337
CO Children's Trust Fund Audit 
WHITE / MORSE 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-030
Increase Delegation Period Pub Security 
VEIGA / FERRANDINO 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-041
Clarify Mineral Ownership Under Highways 
CADMAN / CURRY 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-050
Elder Driver's License Renewal Mail Elec 
WINDELS / GAGLIARDI 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-089
Early Intervening Services For Students 
WILLIAMS / GARDNER C. 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-096
State Agricultural Commn Composition 
ISGAR / CURRY 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-097
Anhydrous Ammonia Regulation 
TOCHTROP / SONNENBERG 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-105
Classification Of Trailers 
JOHNSON / LEVY 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-108
Purple Heart Recipients Wildlife License 
SPENCE / WHITE 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-129
School Nutrition Beverages Policy 
GIBBS / RIESBERG 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-159
Lower Boater DUI Blood Alcohol Levels 
TUPA & ... / SCANLAN 
4/25/2008
Signed
SB08-172
Community Parole Officer Revisions 
WARD / STAFFORD 
4/25/2008
Signed