FW: First Day of Session
meredith lopez
From: P...@PatSteadman.com [mailto:P...@PatSteadman.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 6:02 PM
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year,
I hope everyone had a relaxing and safe holiday season. 2010 brings with it many new challenges. It is a new year, a new decade, and a new opportunity. As we venture into 2010 many of us find a sense of renewal and hope. Colorado has emerged from this recession much stronger than other states and continues on the path to economic recovery. Our unemployment is much lower than the national average, and we created almost 3,000 jobs last year. Colorado also experienced the fourth highest population growth in the nation last year. All of these factors indicate a bright future for the Centennial state.
Today is the first day of the 2010 legislative session! I have attended many opening days before, but not as an elected official. I am excited for the opportunities that my colleagues and I have to move Colorado forward. As many of you know, the budget will be a large factor in our ability to make creative, plausible, and responsible decisions for Colorado.
How does the Colorado Budget Work?
The budget is often a confusing and complicated issue. Hopefully I can help you understand more of where the money comes from, how the money is spent, and exactly how big the shortfall is this year. The Colorado state budget comes from taxes, fees, fines and other revenue. The three major sources of revenue are:
· Money from the federal government
· Cash fund revenues such as user fees, payments for services, and fines
· General Fund revenue, primarily from income and sales tax, but other sources as well
All three of these revenue sources are vital in funding the Colorado state budget. 95% of these revenue sources go to support six main areas of state services:
· K-12 Education
· Health Care
· Higher Education
· Human Services
· Prisons
· Judicial System
All of these vital Colorado state services are needed to keep our state on the road to recovery. That calls upon the legislature to be creative and efficient with our state budget monies, especially when we have such a shortfall. Currently, Colorado’s state budget shortfall is $600 million. This does not account for increases in spending that will result from rising caseloads, inflation, or constitutional requirements to increase the budget. Even though balancing our budget, living within our means and continuing to provide essential services seems to be an impossible task, we are committed to getting Colorado back on track.
It All Starts With a Good Job: Senate Dems 2010 Agenda
The state senate convened today with an air of anticipation and hope, however, it will not be without challenges. Full economic recovery will require sacrifice, determination, and responsible decision-making. The legislative agenda for the coming session is innovative, bold, and ambitious. We will work to balance the budget so that core services like education, public safety and human services are preserved, while still stimulating economic growth and protecting small businesses.
Our first step in achieving these goals will be job creation and job training—we want to get Coloradans back to work. We know that a healthy economy can only be achieved with a healthy work force. This session several bills will be introduced to increase access and reduce costs for health care.
We will also continue to expand the New Energy Economy. Renewable energy not only makes Colorado a cleaner and more environmentally responsible state but also has the potential to create thousands of new jobs. As we begin these new projects, we will not neglect our responsibility to great challenges such as reforming PERA and Medicaid, ensuring funding for higher education, and maintaining a competitive edge in K-12 education.
A New Governor for Colorado!
I am sure that you all have heard about Governor Ritter’s decision to not run for reelection in 2012. Governor Ritter was a champion for education reform and Colorado’s new energy economy. Although it saddens me to see him go, the Colorado State Senate will remain dedicated to our job and focused on the challenges that we face. Even though there will be a lot of sidetracks as the campaign season approaches, you can rest assured that we are working hard and completing the task at hand. Please check out my website to see an updated list of legislation that I am sponsoring this session.
Tune In
2010 has also brought progress in our efforts to increase government accessibility and transparency for citizens. As a member of the Colorado Channel board, I am happy to announce that State Senate proceedings will now be broadcast live on Comcast channel 165. You can also catch live streaming video of your Colorado Senate on the internet at www.coloradochannel.net. This is another great way to stay involved and keep updated with what your legislature is doing. You can also get involved by volunteering in our office. Click here if you wish to experience government hands-on.
I Work for You
As an elected official, my number one responsibility is to you, the people who gave me the honor of representing you. Your perspective is vital to my decision-making. There are many ways for you to get in touch with me. You can contact me by phone at 303 866-4861 or email me at Sen.St...@Gmail.com. You can also keep up with my daily activity by following me on Twitter @PatSteadman or checking out my Facebook page. Additional information can be found at ColoradoSenate.org, and on my website. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, questions, and concerns.
Town Hall Meetings & Coffee Talk Meet-Ups
· House District 35 Town Hall: every second Saturday of the month at the Westminster Grange Hall (Directions Here) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
· Coffee Talk Meet-Up Westminster: January 16th at Carol Lee Donuts located at 72nd and Meade in Westminster from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
· Coffee Talk Meet-Up Denver: January 30th at the Penn Street Perk located at 13th and Pennsylvania in Denver from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
I would like to reiterate my sincere commitment to the people of District 31. With our combined efforts we can continue moving Colorado in the right direction and make 2010 a productive and monumental year. I look forward to hearing from you throughout the session and wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.