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Tochtrop: Amendment 41 means less weight

Contributed by: Lois Tochtrop on 2/22/2007

Amendment 41 has turned out to be a boon in some ways! Since lobbyists aren't allowed to put candy dishes on our desks this year, I'm not experiencing my usual weight gain. And I don't have to search for excuses to give lobbyists who want to take me to lunch. That's no longer allowed. My food intake level has dropped dramatically this session and that is certainly a plus.

This year I'm serving as Vice Chairman of the Business, Labor and Technology committee, and as a continuing member of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy committee and the Local Government Committee. I also serve as chairman of the Sportsmen's Caucus.

We're now into our sixth week of the 2007 legislative session. 514 bills have been introduced, 63 of those were killed in various committees, 2 bills were lost on 2nd or 3rd reading. The governor has signed 5 bills and vetoed one at this point.

Many of this year's bills involve health care. They deal with insurance coverage, workers' compensation, prescription drugs and rural health needs. Providing health care to the more than 700,000 Colorado residents who have no health care insurance continues to challenge us. Other priorities involve crime and criminals, water resources and illegal immigration.

There are always bills that grab public attention. This year some of them include:

- mandating that school districts who are forced to cut teachers' pay must cut administrators' pay as well;

- a change in DUI laws that would increases the driver's license revocation period for first-time DUI violators to five years and increase the revocation period for multiple DUI violators to twenty years. They would be allowed to apply for early reinstatement with a restricted license requiring the use of an approved ignition interlock device and attendance at drug and alcohol abuse classes.

- allowing the state to take gambling winnings to pay the winners' outstanding court fines, restitution, unpaid child support or taxes;

- licensing of private investigators;

- giving each county the right to restrict the use of fireworks.

We continue to face numerous, serious, statewide issues. Our most pressing matter this year is the state budget. By law we are required to provide a balanced budget that meets the needs of all Colorado residents. Finding and stretching revenue dollars to do that takes some pretty creative planning.

If you'd like to find out about other bills or events at your State Capitol, access the state web site at colorado.gov.

Senator Tochtrop represents Senate District 24, which includes parts of unincorporated Adams County, Thornton, Northglenn, and Federal Heights. She welcomes your feedback. Reach her at 303-866-4863 or at Lotochtrop@aol.com.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

John Eisel

Denver , COLORADO

John Eisel has posted 2865 stories and 12 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. John Eisel's average story rating is 4.39.
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