“This bill will standardize and clarify how we identify voters in an election,” said Szabo, R-Arvada. “It brings certainty to our election process and ensures only those who are eligible can vote.”

Summers, R-Lakewood, added:

“House Bill 1111 will bring greater integrity and confidence to the voting process. People have to show photo identification for performing basic activities of life; I think it’s fair to expect the same securities for elections.”

House Bill 1111 passed the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee and now moves to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

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Szabo’s Senate Bill 094 Unanimously Passes the House 

DENVER—Today, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 094, sponsored by state Rep. Libby Szabo. The measure ensures food meant for home consumption remains eligible for a Colorado state sales tax exemption regardless of how the food is marketed.

Under current law, food sold for home consumption at grocery stores, supermarkets or convenience stores is exempt from state and local sales taxes. Any “convenience food” that is prepared for immediate consumption, like hot food sold at restaurants, is taxable.

Recently, some municipalities in Colorado have attempted to levy taxes on foods for domestic consumption because they have been marketed as “convenience foods.” Szabo’s measure ends this overreaching practice.

“Undermining current tax law at the expense of struggling families and working individuals is wrong,” said Szabo, R-Arvada. “This bill safeguards Colorado families and food vendors from over-taxation.”

A number of food distributors have come out in support of Szabo’s legislation, including Safeway, King Soopers, 7-Eleven, Valero, the Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association and the Colorado Retail Council.

Szabo’s measure passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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DENVER—Today, the House of Representatives passed the Save Colorado Jobs Act, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Holbert. The measure offers Colorado business owners relief from the burden of the business personal property tax.

House Bill 1029 would allow local governments, including counties, to exempt up to 100 percent of locally assessed business personal property taxes.

“The Save Colorado Jobs Act encourages businesses to grow,” said Holbert, R-Parker. “It respects the authority of local governments and works to keep jobs in Colorado while accelerating our economic recovery.”

Relocation consultants report that Colorado’s business personal property tax factors into many job creators’ decision to leave the state. Holbert’s measure is written to prevent this drain on Colorado’s economic recovery.

“Communities and local governments play a vital role in our state’s economic recovery,” said Kevin Hougen, of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. “Rep. Holbert’s bill gives local entities and job creators the flexibility and resources necessary to ensure Colorado’s small businesses remain a powerful force for job creation and retention.”

The Save Colorado Jobs Act passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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House Majority Leader Amy Stephens is sponsoring House Bill 1064 to prevent the seizure of firearms during a declared state of emergency.

“The right to bear arms for law-abiding citizens must never be violated,” said Stephens, R-Monument. “Our Second Amendment rights help guarantee protection against violence to ourselves, our families and property.”

Over thirty states have passed legislation similar to Stephens’s measure. HB 1064 passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

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“Our open house was a great success,” said state Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock, who serves as the House Majority Caucus Chair.  “Our goal was to show Coloradans from across the state and all walks of life that this is their building, and that they are welcome here any time. And I believe we did just that.”

Members of the public appreciated the access they had, not only to the House Floor and the House Balcony, but also to their elected officials.

“It’s nice to meet people in our government in a less formal setting,” said Lynde Iozzo of Fairplay, who was touring the capitol with her son Flynn.  “In our crazy, email world, it’s nice to put faces to names.  My son Flynn had a great time too.  He especially enjoyed slamming the gavel with the Speaker.”

The open house is encouraging Coloradans to take an active role in their state government. Last year, Mason Kasunic of Douglas County a guest at the open house with his family; this year he was serving punch to visitors.

“I came here last year and met Rep. Murray; it was my first time in the capitol, and now I intern for her,” said Kasunic, a senior at Castle View High School.  “It’s amazing how things have come full circle.”

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said that people like Kasunic and the Iozzos are why he decided to have a casual evening for citizens to roam the capitol and meet their elected representatives.

“We are here to serve the people of Colorado.  Good government comes with the active participation of all Coloradans.  I hope events like this will help our citizens feel more comfortable taking an active role in the legislative process,” said McNulty.

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House Bill 1084 makes hit-and-runs a Class 4 felony, which carries the same weight as driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Just like a person who gets behind the wheel drunk, people who flee the scene of an accident make a conscious decision that puts others in danger,” said Conti, R-Littleton. “This bill corrects an injustice that is long overdue.”

In 2010, a man crossing the street near Coors Field was hit by a driver who fled the scene. The victim was in a coma for several days but the driver only received three months in jail after making a plea bargain.

“Under current law, a person charged with a hit-and-run faces less of a penalty than someone caught driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Fields, D-Aurora. “This bill corrects that failure.”

House Bill 1084 passed the House Judiciary Committee and now moves to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

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House Bill 1029, or the Save Colorado Jobs Act, would allow local governments, including counties, to exempt up to 100 percent of locally assessed business personal property taxes. State Rep. Chris Holbert sponsors the measure.

“The Save Colorado Jobs Act encourages businesses to invest capital and grow,” said Holbert, R-Parker. “This bill not only makes Colorado more welcoming to the needs of our state’s job creators, it will save jobs and raise revenue—without increasing taxes—from expected gains in sales and income taxes.”

Relocation consultants report that Colorado’s business personal property tax factors into many job creators’ decision to leave the state. Holbert’s measure is written to prevent this drain on Colorado’s economic recovery.

“Communities and local governments play a very important role in Colorado’s economic recovery,” said Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella. “This bill will encourage local collaboration efforts in retaining businesses and in negotiating important new economic development opportunities.

“It will help Colorado be more competitive and will put our state on a stronger path toward economic recovery and economic prosperity.”

The Save Colorado Jobs Act passed the House Finance Committee without a fiscal note and now moves to the House floor for further consideration.

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Rep. Brian DelGrosso

DENVER—The House Finance Committee passed the Responsible Budgeting Act to reinstate the 6 percent general fund limit today.

House Bill 1075 is sponsored by Reps. Don Beezley, R-Broomfield, and Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland.

“This proposal reinstates the long-standing spending limit that Democrats in the General Assembly repealed in 2009,” said Beezley.  “Colorado’s working families and small businesses must live within their means, and they expect government to live within its means too.  This bill ensures that.”

Rep. Don Beezley

HB 1075 encourages responsible spending practices by limiting growth in General Fund appropriations to 6 percent of the prior year’s appropriations. Fifty percent of the funds above that limit will be allocated to a state reserve fund that can only be utilized by a two-thirds majority vote of the House and Senate. The remaining 50 percent will be split equally between transportation and capital construction.

“This bill ensures that our state will have a responsible budget for years to come, and protect the future needs of our state,” said DelGrosso, who chairs the House Finance Committee.

The measure now goes to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

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Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood

DENVER—Today a federal court began hearing the arguments of a group that includes current and former lawmakers who oppose the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. The challengers listed in the lawsuit Andy Kerr v. John Hickenlooper argue the 1992 voter-approved measure is unconstitutional.

The citizens of Colorado approved the Tax Payer’s Bill of Rights in 1992. The measure constitutionally requires all tax increases to be approved by registered voters in Colorado.

Several lawmakers, including state Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, and Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Fountain, have signed on to the lawsuit.

“This lawsuit is a politically desperate attempt to silence the voice of Colorado’s voters,” said Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood. “Even after voters rejected another tax increase last November, Democrats continue to look for ways they can revive their tax-and-spend agenda.”

Last November, voters rejected Proposition 103, which would have cost Colorado more than 119,000 jobs in five years by raising taxes on the backs of Colorado families and small business owners.

“If Rep. Andy Kerr and the Democrats’ lawsuit against TABOR succeeds, struggling Coloradans and small businesses would be left vulnerable to the onslaught of more damaging taxes,” said Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch. “House Republicans support the right of Coloradans to approve or reject tax increases and continue to oppose Democrat attempts to raise taxes.”

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Measure implements rules for establishing a teacher evaluation system

DENVER—Gov. John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1001 into law today.  The measure implements rules establishing a teacher evaluation system.

The bill’s cosponsor, Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock, hailed the bill’s signing, saying–

“A good education system is key to having a robust economy. Because of the teacher evaluation system established by this law, we are ensuring that our students come out of school better prepared to enter college and the workforce.”

Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, added–

“This law will provide true accountability for parents, so they can chart the best course for success of their children.  I’m proud of the bipartisan work that went into this bill.”

The rules were written and approved by the State Board of Education, as a result of Senate Bill 10-191.  The measure passed the General Assembly with wide bipartisan support.

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