GOV. RITTER PRAISES HEALTH-CARE REFORM PANEL

GOV. RITTER PRAISES HEALTH-CARE REFORM PANEL

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated the 27-member Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform for completing an historic and important review of Colorado's health-care system. He also reiterated his commitment to building on the work of the "208 Commission" and making steady and significant progress on health-care cost, quality and access issues in 2008.

 

"The commission embarked on an extremely challenging task," Gov. Ritter said. "The process brought together a wide spectrum of health-care policy experts, interested stakeholders and the general public. The final product is a thoughtful package of recommendations that will inform this discussion for years to come. The commission and the thousands of people involved in this process are to be commended for their public service.

 

"Our challenge now is to build on this work. Health-care costs are spiraling out of control for businesses, families and individuals – not to mention the state. Nearly 800,000 Coloradans, including 180,000 children, lack insurance. Many more fear they are one paycheck away from being uninsured. And those who do have insurance can't always access care.

 

"My vision and goals remain the same – that all Coloradans have access to some basic level of health care. I know this is bold and ambitious. I also know we made good progress in 2007, and that we must be realistic about how we continue to address these goals in 2008 and beyond.

 

"We must have a shared sense of responsibility from individuals, employers, insurers, providers and government. We must take a building-block, steady approach to progress, and cost control must continue to be at the heart of this.

 

"Many of the 208 Commission recommendations address these goals and will provide an important roadmap to reform. Changing this system will not be easy – and it will not happen with one bill or in one legislative session. But I am committed to working with the legislature, the health-care community and the public as we move forward."

 

Colorado - Ritter up, Bush down

Colorado voters give President Bush a failing grade while

Governor Bill Ritter's approval ratings soar.

Denver, CO –A recent survey conducted by Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy indicates Coloradans -- including many Republicans -- disapprove of the job President Bush doing. Only 33% approve the president's job performance while an overwhelming 68% approve of Governor Ritter's job performance.

"Colorado Republican leaders would have you believe that Governor Ritter and the Democratic agenda he is pursuing is somehow unpopular with voters," said Pat Waak, Chair for the Colorado Democratic Party. "This polling indicates how out of touch the Republican leadership is and how detached they are from voters even in their own party."

The Talmey-Drake survey was conducted from January 22 to January 28, 2008. Details of the survey questions are attached.

The survey also concludes that the majority of Coloradans believe the state is going in the right direction. While the majority of voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

"Tonight in Cherry Hills, Bob Schaffer is going to be raising money but avoiding doing anything public with one of the most unpopular Republican presidents in our history," said. Waak. "I wouldn't doubt that Bob Schaffer sneaks into the trunk of one of the limousines in the motorcade to avoid being seen with Bush."

"It is ironic that George Bush, a sitting U.S. President will drop into Colorado a day after former President Bill Clinton and Senator Barrack Obama spoke to record crowds of Colorado voters and avoid a public schedule. I am not surprised, because Mr. Bush's record of failure is nothing to brag about."

Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy

COLORADO STATEWIDE OMNIBUS SURVEY

Hello, my name is _____________. First, I want to assure you that we're not selling anything, or asking for money. I'm with Talmey-Drake Research, a public opinion and market research company in Boulder, Colorado. We're interviewing voters in Colorado with a very interesting survey about important issues facing the State of Colorado, and we would like to include your opinions.

SCREENER

A. First, I would like to confirm that you are over 18 years old and registered to vote in Colorado. [n=500]

Yes ......................................................................................................................... 100% Þ Go to Screener C

No.................................................................................................................................. -- Þ Go to Screener B

DK/NS......................................................................................................................... -- Þ Go to Screener B

B. [Ask only if R says "No" or "DK/NS" in A; else go to C] Is there someone in this household, who is 18 years old, or older, and registered to vote in Colorado, with whom I may speak?

Yes.......................................................................................................... 100% Þ Continue

No.................................................................................................................. -- Þ Terminate

DK/NS......................................................................................................... -- Þ Terminate

C. Thinking back to the 2006 election for Governor in Colorado between Bill Ritter and Bob Beauprez, did you vote in that election, or did you not vote?

Did vote......................................................................................................................... -- Þ Go to Screener D

Did not vote.................................................................................................................. -- Þ Go to Screener E

DK/NS......................................................................................................................... -- Þ Terminate

D. [Ask if R says "Did vote" in Screener C; else go to Screener E] And on a scale of ZERO to TEN, where a ZERO means you will absolutely not vote, and a TEN means you will absolutely vote, how likely are you to vote in the next presidential election to be held this November. You can use any number between ZERO and TEN.

0-7.................................................................................................................. -- Þ Terminate

8, 9 or 10........................................................................................................ -- Þ Go to Screener F

DK/NS......................................................................................................... -- Þ Go to Terminate

E. [Ask if R says "Did not vote" in Screener C; else go to Screener F] Did you not vote because you were too young to vote in 2006, or was it for some other reason?

Too young..................................................................................................... -- Þ Go to Screener F

Other reason.................................................................................................. -- Þ Terminate

DK/NS......................................................................................................... -- Þ Terminate

*An asterisk, wherever it appears, means that the result for that response rounds to less than 1%.

SCREENER

F. Are you currently registered as a Republican, a Democrat, some other party or are you unaffiliated? [Do not read list] [n=500]

Republican................................................................................................................ 35%

Democrat.................................................................................................................. 30%

Unaffiliated............................................................................................................... 33%

Green............................................................................................................................ -- Ü No Prompt

Libertarian..................................................................................................................... * Ü No Prompt

Some other party........................................................................................................ 1%

DK/NS...................................................................................................................... 1%

G............ [County Quotas: Adams 8%; Arapahoe 11%; Boulder 6%; Broomfield 1%; Denver 13%; Douglas 4%; El Paso 12%; Jefferson 12%; Larimer 6%; Mesa 3%; Pueblo 3%; Weld 4%, All others 17%] [From Sample]? [n=500]

Adams....................... 8% Denver................ 12% Kit Carson.............. * Phillips................... --

Alamosa....................... * Dolores.................... -- Lake..................... 1% Pitkin...................... --

Arapahoe................ 11% Douglas................ 5% La Plata................... * Prowers.................. *

Archuleta..................... * Eagle...................... 1% Larimer................ 6% Pueblo................. 3%

Baca.............................. -- Elbert..................... 1% Las Animas........... -- Rio Blanco ............ *

Bent.............................. * El Paso................ 12% Lincoln................... * Rio Grande.......... 1%

Boulder..................... 6% Fremont................. 1% Logan.................. 1% Routt...................... --

Broomfield................ 1% Garfield.................. 1% Mesa................... 3% Saguache............... *

Chaffee...................... 1% Gilpin........................ * Mineral................... -- San Juan................ --

Cheyenne.................... -- Grand........................ * Moffat.................... * San Miguel............ --

Clear Creek................... * Gunnison................. -- Montezuma............ * Sedgwick............... --

Conejos........................ -- Hinsdale................... -- Montrose............ 1% Summit.................... *

Costilla......................... -- Huerfano.................. * Morgan............... 1% Teller....................... *

Crowley........................ * Jackson.................... -- Otero....................... * Washington.......... --

Custer........................... * Jefferson............. 13% Ouray..................... -- Weld.................... 3%

Delta.......................... 1% Kiowa....................... -- Park......................... * Yuma....................... *

H. Sex [Do not ask] [n=500]

Male........................................................................................................................... 49%

Female....................................................................................................................... 51%

1. First, would you say things in the State of Colorado are generally going in the right direction, or have they gotten off on the wrong track in the past few years? [n=500]

Right direction..................................................................................................... 53%

Wrong track......................................................................................................... 37%

No opinion............................................................................................................. 8%

DK/NS................................................................................................................... 2%

2. Regardless of how you feel things are going in the state, do you approve or disapprove of the overall job Bill Ritter is doing as Governor of Colorado? [n=500]

Approve................................................................................................................ 68%

Disapprove........................................................................................................... 21%

No opinion/DK/NS....................................................................................... 11%

2a. And what about George W. Bush, do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing as president? [n=500]

Approve................................................................................................................ 33%

Disapprove........................................................................................................... 63%

No opinion/DK/NS.......................................................................................... 4%

Our last questions are about you and your family. The answers to these questions help us statistically classify the results we obtain. Your responses to these questions, as well as all others in this survey, will be kept strictly confidential, and only used when combined with the hundreds of other interviews conducted

D1. Approximately how long have you lived in Colorado? [n=500]

3 years or less......................................................................................................... 3%

4-10 years.............................................................................................................. 14%

11-20 years............................................................................................................ 18%

21-30 years............................................................................................................ 23%

31 or more years................................................................................................. 42%

DK/NS...................................................................................................................... --

D2. What was the last grade in school you had the opportunity to complete? [Do not read list] [n=500]

Less than HS degree............................................................................................. 1%

HS graduate or equivalent, vocational.......................................................... 18%

Some college........................................................................................................ 22%

College grad......................................................................................................... 33%

Post grad. study..................................................................................................... 8%

Post Graduate degree........................................................................................ 18%

Refused....................................................................................................................... --

DK/NS....................................................................................................................... *

D3. May I ask how old you are? [n=500]

18-24......................................................................................................................... 5%

25-34...................................................................................................................... 14%

35-44...................................................................................................................... 20%

45-54...................................................................................................................... 25%

55-64...................................................................................................................... 21%

65 or older............................................................................................................ 14%

Refused.................................................................................................................... 1%

D4. And, which of the following income groups includes your family's total annual income from all sources in 2007? [Read list except refused and DK/NS] [n=500]

Up to $20,000........................................................................................................ 5%

$20,000, but less than $30,000........................................................................... 6%

$30,000, but less than $40,000........................................................................... 8%

$40,000, but less than $50,000........................................................................... 9%

$50,000, but less than $60,000........................................................................ 10%

$60,000, but less than $75,000........................................................................ 10%

$75,000 but less than $100,000...................................................................... 16%

$100,000 but less than $150,000..................................................................... 17%

$150,000 or more................................................................................................ 9%

Refused.................................................................................................................... 8% ÜDo not read

DK/NS................................................................................................................... 2% ÜDo not read

D5. Finally -- so that we can make sure all groups are represented -- would you please tell me what racial or ethnic group you consider yourself to be a member of? [Do not read list] [n=500]

White/Anglo........................................................................................................ 84%

Hispanic................................................................................................................... 5%

Black/African American..................................................................................... 2%

Asian/Oriental....................................................................................................... 1%

American Indian.................................................................................................... 1%

Multi-Ethnic/Mixed race.................................................................................... 2%

Other........................................................................................................................ 2%

Refused.................................................................................................................... 3%

DK/NS...................................................................................................................... --

Thank you for taking our survey, your answers have been extremely helpful.

Methodology

The January 2008 Colorado OmniPoll was conducted by Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, Inc., a public opinion and market research firm in Boulder, Colorado. The results of this survey are based on 500 random telephone interviews active voters throughout Colorado. A list of all active voters was obtained, then randomly sampled. Interviews were conducted from January 22 to January 28, 2008. County quotas were established to ensure a representative distribution of interviews throughout Colorado, and quotas were also established to get approximately equal numbers of men and women. A random sample of 500 has a worst-case 95% confidence interval of plus or minus 4.4% about any one reported percentage.

GOV. RITTER TO PARTICIPATE IN 'FOCUS THE NATION' AT CU-BOULDER ON THURSDAY

GOV. RITTER TO PARTICIPATE IN 'FOCUS THE NATION"

AT CU-BOULDER ON THURSDAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter will take part in Thursday's "Focus the Nation" event at the University of Colorado atBoulder, a nationwide teach-in designed to focus student attention on climate change. More than 1,300 universities, colleges, high schools and other groups across the nation, including more than 30 institutions in Colorado, are participating.

 

Gov. Ritter issued Colorado's first Climate Action Plan in November, calling for a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado by 2020 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050. 

 

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

 

9 a.m.                          Gov. Bill Ritter will address students and faculty as part of the "Focus the Nation" climate-change awareness initiative. CU-Boulder, Old Main Chapel, first floor.

 

GOV. RITTER'S TRANSPORTATION PANEL REPORT RELEASED TODAY

 TRANSPORTATION PANEL REPORT RELEASED TODAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today presented his Blue Ribbon Transportation Panel's final report – "A Report to the People" – to the legislature's joint Transportation Caucus.

 

The complete report is available by visiting Gov. Ritter's website, www.colorado.gov/governor, or byclicking here. An executive summary is available in a separate document by clicking here.

 

Gov. Ritter praised the 32-member Transportation Panel, including co-chairs Bob Tointon, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy and Colorado Transportation Commissioner Doug Aden. He also noted that the report is dedicated in honor of the late John Parr, who helped facilitate the panel's work.

 

"Transportation is one of the most important issues facing Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "A safe and efficient transportation is key to our economy, our communities, our overall quality of life and our future.

 

"If there is one thing that is clear from this report, it's that we have an imperative to take action now," Gov. Ritter added. "It is incumbent upon every Coloradan to recognize the importance of reaching consensus and working together to create a 21^st century transportation system."

 

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[CSU-NewsReleasesList] GOVERNOR APPOINTS TWO TO COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF GOVERNORS

GOVERNOR APPOINTS TWO TO COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF GOVERNORS

DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter has appointed Thomas Farley, lawyer and
public servant from Pueblo, Colo., and Patrick McConathy, a rancher
from McCoy, Colo., to the Board of Governors of the Colorado State
University System.

The nine-member board had appointed McConathy in November to the
position held by Jeff Shoemaker of Denver, who resigned last year.
Board members are typically appointed by the governor, but the board
can fill vacancies that occur mid-term. The Governor's appointment
enables McConathy to serve a full term.

"Patrick and Tom have been stalwart public servants in their
communities and for the state. Their experience will be a great value
to the Colorado State University System and the state of Colorado,"
said Douglas L. Jones, board chairman. "We are pleased to have them
serve full terms on the board to help the CSU System reach new levels
of success."

"The tremendous experience that Patrick and Tom have in the political
arena and as business and community leaders in southern and western
Colorado will complement Colorado State's land-grant mission to serve
the needs of rural, urban, and suburban communities across our state,"
added Larry Edward Penley, chancellor of the Colorado State University
System. "We welcome them to the board."

Farley, a former state Representative in Pueblo from 1967-1975, is an
attorney and senior partner in Petersen & Fonda in Pueblo who
specializes in education and health care law. While in the state
Legislature, he served as House Minority Leader. He is a past member
and president of the CSU System Board of Governors and the board for
Fort Lewis College, once known collectively as the State Board of
Agriculture.

He also has served as Community Advisory Director for the Wells Fargo
Bank of Pueblo and on boards of the Colorado Forum, Public Service Co.
of Colorado, Health Net, Inc., and Colorado Public Radio. He has been
a commissioner for the Colorado
Division of Wildlife and served as a trustee for the Great Outdoors
Colorado Trust Fund and the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo Foundation. He
is currently a regent at Santa Clara University.

Among Farley's many honors are membership in the Pueblo Hall of Fame
and Distinguished Service Awards from the University of Colorado and
the then-University of Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo). Sierra Club
awarded him the honor of "Foremost Among Fifty" in 1978. He is a
graduate of Santa Clara University and the University of Colorado
School of Law.

McConathy has spent most of his career in the oil and gas industry. He
began working as a petroleum landman for the Placid Oil Co. in
Shreveport, La., before starting McConathy Production Co., which
operated wells in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Wyoming. He
later purchased additional wells in those states under the name
Phoenix Oil and Gas. In 2000, Phoenix, Yarmony Creek Oil and Gas and
partner Castle Peak Resources began acquiring and operating oil and
gas properties in California.

McConathy's numerous community activities in McCoy and nearby Vail
include serving as member and chairman of the Vail Mountain School
Board of Trustees and in the Leadership Circle of U.S. Sen. Ken
Salazar. He was a member and chairman of the Long Range Planning
Committee of Trinity Church in Edwards and co-founded a spiritual-
based retreat for men at his Yarmony Creek Lodge in McCoy.

In Louisiana, McConathy served as chairman of United Way for northwest
Louisiana and chairman of Congressman Buddy Roemer's successful
campaign for governor in 1987. He also served as the chairman of the
economic development of Northwest Louisiana. McConathy has led several
capital campaigns for non-profits and schools. He earned his
bachelor's in political science from Louisiana State University in 1975.

The Board of Governors consists of 13 members, nine of which are
voting members. The remaining members represent the component
universities of the Colorado State University System with one faculty
member and one student leader from each campus.

Colorado State University's two campuses, in Fort Collins and Pueblo,
attract about 27,000 new and returning scholars annually. Highly
skilled graduates number more than 6,500 a year, and more than 150,000
alumni live throughout the state, nation and world. As part of its
mission as a land-grant university, CSU Extension has offices in 59 of
64 Colorado counties and delivers research-based information and
educational programs. CSU is home to several top centers and programs,
including the veterinary medicine program, which is ranked No. two in
the country by U.S. News and World Report and is ranked first in the
country in federal research dollars. CSU's annual research
expenditures totaled a record $296 million in fiscal year 2007.

GOV. RITTER TO VISIT GUNNISON ON SATURDAY & TAKE PART IN WINTER BIG-GAME FEEDING PROGRAM

GOV. RITTER TO VISIT GUNNISON ON SATURDAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter will be visiting Gunnison on Saturday to thank volunteers and Colorado Division of Wildlife staff for their efforts with an emergency winter-feeding program for deer and antelope herds. Gov. Ritter also will be meeting with local officials and hosting a town hall style meeting with constituents.

 

8:30 a.m.                     Gov. Ritter will meet with Division of Wildlife staff and community volunteers. 300 W. New York Ave., Gunnison.

 

9 to 10:30 a.m.           Gov. Ritter will head out with DOW staff on Sno-Cats to several feeding sites. He also will be participating in an aerial feed drop and tour of the GunnisonBasin. Note to media: There is limited seating available on the Sno-Cats. Please call 303.866.6324 if you would like to request a space.

 

1:20 to 2:30 p.m.        Gov. Ritter will meet with local elected officials. Gunnison County Courthouse,County Commissioners' Room, 200 E. Virginia Ave., Gunnison.

 

3 to 4 p.m.                  Gov. Ritter, state Rep. Kathleen Curry and state Sen. Gail Schwartz will host a town hall-style gathering with constituents. Fred R. Field Western HeritageCenter, 275 S. Spruce St., Gunnison.         

 

Background on the emergency big-game feeding program: The Division of Wildlife launched an emergency feeding plan in the Gunnison Basin earlier this month because heavy snow and bitter cold were preventing deer and antelope herds from reaching their natural food supplies.

 

Gov. Ritter requested and the legislature's Joint Budget Committee approved $1.75 million in spending authority from the Wildlife Cash Fund, which is supported by hunting and fishing licenses and other fees, to pay for the feeding program in southwest Colorado. The funds will also be available for other parts of Colorado if necessary.

 

GOV. RITTER HONORS RECORD-SETTING ANGLERS

 GOV. RITTER HONORS RECORD-SETTING ANGLERS

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today honored Don Walker from Florence, who in May 2007 caught a record-setting lake trout of 50.35 pounds in Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County.

 

Joining Walker during today's visit with Gov. Ritter were the previous two Colorado record-holders:

 

·         Walker's brother-in-law, Larry Cornell of Pueblo West. Cornell caught a 47-pound lake trout on May 21, 2003.

 

·          Matt Smiley of Arvada, who caught a 44-pound trout in April 2003.

 

Gov. Ritter is an avid fly fisherman. The largest fish he has caught was a 23-pound tiger fish during his stint running a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia, Africa, from 1987 to 1990.

 

PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Matt Smiley, Don Walker, Gov. Ritter and Larry Cornell visit in Gov. Ritter's Office on Monday, Jan. 28. The trio offered to take Gov. Ritter fishing any time he chooses.Photo courtesy of Gov. Ritter's Office.

 

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GOV. RITTER, LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONDAY, JAN. 28, 2008

 

CONTACT: Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

 

GOV. RITTER AND BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE

SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER

 

Gov. Ritter and two bipartisan legislative sponsors today announced plans to create a Colorado SchoolSafety Resource Center, which will assist schools in preventing, responding to and recovering from emergencies.

 

"Colorado is home to more than 1,600 public schools, plus dozens of colleges and universities," Gov. Ritter said. "From kindergarten classrooms to college campuses, our students and teachers deserve safe, protected and healthy learning environments. By establishing this School Safety Resource Center, we can bring together experts from multiple disciplines and provide statewide expertise to help prevent school violence and better respond to emergencies of all kinds. We want Colorado to be a leader in preventing violence, not enduring it."

 

Authorizing legislation will be sponsored by Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, and Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Monument. Colorado would join about 20 other states that have adopted some form of a statewide school safety center.

 

The Colorado School Safety Resource Center would operate within the Department of Public Safety with leadership and guidance from educators, law enforcement, mental health professionals and researchers. The center would serve as a statewide resource to help schools and communities blend and integrate expertise from education, law enforcement, mental health and social service professionals.

 

Initially, the School Safety Resource Center would identify several pilot sites to create and implement individually tailored prevention, response and recovery plans. Safety plans would include information-sharing and response agreements among local law-enforcement agencies, schools and social-service providers.

 

"Senate Bill 1 strives to ensure the safety of our schoolchildren by gathering real world solutions and best practices from safe schools around the country," Sen. Morse said. "Our children are among our most precious resources; there can be no exception to their safety."

 

"This is crucial for our children and their education," Rep. Stephens said. "SB 1 is going to move us in the right direction and get us working together to ensure we are providing the best safety practices possible and addressing these issues in a comprehensive fashion."

 

The School Safety Resource Center model was developed after a year of planning sponsored by the Colorado Trust. A day-long workshop sponsored by Gov. Ritter and attended by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt following the Virginia Tech tragedy in April 2007 also provided valuable input into the School Safety Resource Center concept.

 

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