It’s summer, but the work doesn’t stop

This past week, the governor addressed the final batch of bills, deciding whether to sign or veto them. I can now let out a big sigh of relief as all of the bills I sponsored in the House made their way to the finish line and I’m confident that each brings benefit to southwest Colorado.

There’s some uncertainty as to whether a special session may be called to deal with last week’s court ruling that the Ritter administration’s mill levy freeze from 2007, also called the property tax increase, was unconstitutional.

What’s at stake is at least $118 million that was put into this year’s budget and spent, so if the ruling is upheld, there’s some cutting to be done, given our state’s constitutional mandate for a balanced budget. Depending on what the Colorado Supreme Court decides on appeal, we may be back in Denver for the equivalent of legislative summer school.

Since the last day of the session in early May, I’ve been back to Denver to see the youth advisory council bill signed by the governor and to begin the work of forming the council. I’ve been fortunate to find people who work with youth civic programs in the Front Range area to help get the council up and running in time for the 2009 legislative session. There’s much to be done to make that happen.

Each senator will appoint one youth member from his or her district and there are five “at-large” appointments to be made by House Speaker Romanoff. I’m hopeful that given the role of the youths in this region in making the bill come to life, that we might get at least two members on the first council. Youths interested in being appointed should contact Senator Isgar since he covers this area or Speaker Romanoff at the Capitol. After the first council is set up with the senators’ and Speaker’s help, new youth members will apply to, and be selected by, the youth council, based on merit and diverse backgrounds.

While in Denver for the bill signing, I also met with the president of Rocky Mountain PBS to ask for any help possible in addressing the lack of the option of Denver television for some of my district. This meeting was prompted by an earlier visit I had to their studio to be on the show called “Colorado State of Mind” to talk about next year’s legislative priorities. But, because I can’t get Denver television at my house, I had to ask for a copy of the show on a DVD! I’ll keep working on this issue and will report back to you on that in the future.

All state representatives are up for re-election on a two-year cycle. So now, our attention turns to campaign season as well as the extra work assignments we’re given during the interim.

It appears that I’m in an uncontested race, but I’ll still have a campaign to run for re-election. I’ll be attending candidate forums and activities and I’ll continue to do outreach around the district. Also, I’m hearing from a number of people about various meetings and events they’d like me to attend and, schedule permitting, I’m happy to do that.

I’ve suspended my law practice for now, because there’s just too much work tied to the legislator role to be able to do everything as well as I’d like to. In Colorado, a state legislator has no staff or state provided office during the interim, so you can reach me at my home phone number, 259-1589.

With four counties to cover in my district, there’s a lot of road time ahead, but I’m looking forward to being home and to a great summer in the most beautiful part of Colorado. This is a demanding job, but it is a privilege. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the 59th House District.