February, 2010
Why was this bill killed?

Rep. David Balmer’s HB10-1079 was killed in the State Affairs Committee, despite the fact that Colorado would save approximately $200,000. The bill would have prohibited the state from erecting signs for projects funded by federal stimulus funds. In committee, Rep. Balmer reported that he had received complaints from constituents who questioned using taxpayer dollars for expensive signs, which require the use of a crane for installation.

Each sign was estimated to cost $500 each, and, if the numbers were extended nationwide, a conservative cost would be $10,000,000. How many taxpayers would love to have that money back in their pockets?

Tax increase bills slink through the legislature
Rep. Murray and her Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate gave it a good fight, but millions of dollars in tax increases were passed by way of lifting tax exemptions on several business functions. Included were taxes on the industrial use of fuel, agricultural production products, downloaded software, candy and soda, and direct mail. Also passed was a limit on write-offs for losses.

“While good people might disagree about whether certain businesses deserve tax exemptions,” said Rep. Murray, “there is no doubt that lifting them during a recession, with no planning time allowed for businesses, is disastrous. This degree of taxation will break the backs of some of our small businesses who are just trying to ‘hang on’ during the recession. You can’t kill the goose on any given day and expect to find eggs laid the next day. The legislature has been busy killing the golden goose that could create real and steady revenue for the state in the future.”

University academics now required to be accountable
Following several years of k-12 school reforms, one of the few remaining “sacred cow” issues has been addressed, thanks to the leadership of our state school board and Education Commissioner Dwight Jones. SB 39 requires teacher education programs to be tracked for their effectiveness in increasing student progress in k-12 schools.
Several years ago, a teacher and pupil ID database was instituted, and now that database will be used to track the effectiveness of education graduates from our higher education institutions.

“This is one of the most surprising bills to be passed in a long time,” said Rep. Murray. “The fact that we had finally reached trackable K-12 teacher accountability was amazing enough, but for us as a legislature to reach into our higher education institutions is groundbreaking.”
“There is anecdotal evidence about which institutions are most (or least!) successful at training teachers, but now we will have solid data to support our opinions. Colleges and universities will be held accountable as to whether they are doing a sufficient job of teaching our new teachers how to manage their classrooms and how to create a vibrant learning environment. No more hiding behind the ivory towers!”

Murray’s motor vehicle late fee relief bill dies
Rep. Murray sponsored a bill that would have given a little relief to motorists whose cars were in repair, as well as to owners of trailers. In addition, the bill would have recognized current practice for special mobile machinery, which is equipment used occasionally on construction sites. The late fee maximum would have been lowered from $100 to $25.
In the house state affairs committee, in partisan action, Rep. Murray’s bill was killed and she was asked to take parts of the bill to other sponsors for amendments to their bills.
Citizens should watch to see whether these amendments are accepted!

Bills that should not have died!
HB1091 Tightening up the allowable ID’s used in elections circumstances
HB1154 Requiring a moratorium on any new mandated health insurance benefits and establishing a new method for the legislature to determine the fiscal impact of any new legislative mandates
HB1100 Prohibiting questionable practices in the removal of ballot initiatives. Would have established it as a class one misdemeanor for a person to give or receive money or any valuable consideration to influence a person to withdraw a petition.
HB1126 Establishing priority-based budgeting for Colorado
HB1136 Requiring all Colorado k-12 schools to perform safety drills beyond fire drills.
HB1153 Modifying the state’s pension board to include more financial experts and fewer pension recipients.