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The 2024 Colorado Legislature is now in session.
Here is CUT's first position email of the year.
Thank you to the all-volunteer CUT Board for the hours you spend to research and take positions on proposed legislation with the CUT pledge as our guide:
Rob Knuth, Vice-President
Wendy Warner, Secretary
Bill Hammel, Treasurer & Rating Statistician
Marty Neilson, Assistant Treasurer
Steve Dorman
Greg Golyansky
Russ Haas
Karl Honegger
Mary Janssen
Ramey Johnson
John Nelson
Joseph O'Loughlin
SENATE BILLS
SB24-001
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Michaelson-Jenet
Rep. Brown
Continue Youth Mental Health Services Program
Concerning continuation of the youth mental health services program, and, in connection therewith, requiring an annual evaluation of the program.
CUT VOTE NO
No program should be continued indefinitely, particularly one that began as temporary. Legislators must go back to the drawing board on this one. Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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SB24-005
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Roberts, Sen. Simpson
Rep: McCormick, Rep. McLachlan
Prohibit Landscaping Practices for Water Conservation
Concerning the conservation of water in the state through the prohibition of certain landscaping practices.
CUT VOTE NO
It is not the proper role of government to dictate our landscaping. Let us make free choices regarding our individual landscaping. And instead of government controlling landscaping, how about unleashing the power of the people to address such a challenge with creativity and innovation instead of government force.
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SB24-007
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Fields, Sen. Michaelson-Jenet
Rep. Titone
Behavioral Health First Aid Training Program
Concerning creating a behavioral health first aid training program in the office of suicide prevention.
CUT VOTE NO
Duplicating programs that are already offered and opens up the potential for cronyism in the selection of the contractor to implement the program. Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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SB24-009
Prime Sponsors: Se. Cutter, Sen. Jaquez-Lewis
Rep. Snyder
Local Government Disaster-Related Programs
Concerning assisting local governments in disaster-related programs, and, in connection therewith, establishing the slash removal pilot program and providing guidance to local governments on debris removal programs.
CUT VOTE NO
Pilot programs are the camel's nose under the tent to increase the size and scope of government. Pilot programs do not show what the taxpayer will ultimately have to pay.
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SB24-018
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Simpson, Sen. Michaelson-Jenet
Rep. Amabile, Rep. Winter
Physician Assistant Licensure Compact
Concerning the enactment of the "Physician Assistant Licensure Compact".
CUT DO NOT RATE
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SB24-027
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Gonzalez, Sen. Rodriquez
Rep. Martinez
Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Process Study
Concerning a study to examine how individuals proceed through the various justice systems.
CUT VOTE NO
Another "study" at taxpayer's expense. The "consultants" that are hired to conduct these studies are many times cronies of the politicians who are proposing and trying to pass these "studies." The consultants do no "earn" their fees, they are "awarded" their fees. Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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SB24-028
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Cutter, Sen. Will
Rep. Velasco
Study Biochar in Wildfire Mitigation Efforts
Concerning a comprehensive study on biochar, and, in connection therewith, studying the use of biochar in wildfire mitigation efforts.
CUT MONITOR
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SB24-030
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Rodriquez, Sen. Gonzales
Recidivism Definition Working Group
Concerning creating a working group to develop a definition of recidivism.
CUT VOTE NO
Wasted legislation to develop a definition? Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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SB24-039
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Liston
Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource
Concerning the inclusion of nuclear energy as a source of clean energy.
CUT VOTE YES
Nuclear has a proven track record of being reliable, clean, and consistent.
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SB24-040
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Danielson, Sen. Ginal
Rep. Willford, Rep. Young
State Funding for Senior Services
Concerning the appropriation for state funding for senior services, and, in connection therewith, adjusting the general fund appropriation for inflation annually, reviewing the adequacy of the appropriation every three years, and making an appropriation.
CUT VOTE NO
Purports to adjust spending for seniors because of inflation. The proper way to fight inflation is to lower government spending which leads to seniors and everyone else keeping more of our money in our wallets. Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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SB24-043
Prime Sponsors: Sen. Roberts, Sen. Pelton
Rep. McCluskie
Authorizing Direct-to-Consumer Sales of Raw Milk
Concerning direct-to-consumer sales of raw milk.
CUT VOTE NO
When reading the title of the bill, it appears to move in the direction of free markets and consumer choice. However, Amendments L001 and L002 are packed with high-handed government authority and regulations.
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HOUSE BILLS
HB24-1024
Prime Sponsors: Rep. Story, Rep. Velasco
Sen. Cutter
Extend Outreach Campaigns Wildfire Risk Mitigation
Concerning the continuation of public outreach campaigns relating to wildfire risk mitigation in the wildland-urban interface, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
CUT VOTE NO
Individuals choose to live in wildfire areas. They must take personal responsibility for their properties. It is their duty to learn the risks and mitigate those risks. It is not fair to take money out of the pockets of others to pay for this outreach. Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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HB24-1026
Prime Sponsor: Bockenfeld
Local Government Tax Payers' Bill of Rights Prior Voter Approval Requirement
Concerning a requirement that voters reauthorize a local government to retain revenue in excess of the limitations imposed by section 20 of article X of the state constitution.
CUT VOTE YES
Over the years, many of the municipal, county, and special district ballot questions included de-Taboring language buried deep in the ballot question. The result is many jurisdictions de-Tabored and voters' did not realize it. This is a step in the right direction to reclaim Colorado's Taxpayer's Rights (TABOR) for the people.
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HB24-1049
Prime Sponsors: Rep. Weinberg, Rep. Vigil
Sen. Marchman, Sen. Winter
School Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
Concerning the creation of a loan repayment program for licensed school mental health professionals practicing in Colorado schools.
CUT VOTE NO
It is unfair to play favorites, particularly with taxpayer's money. Why should one group of students receive loan repayment assistance when other students do not? This is really a question of equality. Shouldn't all students be treated equally? What really must be addressed is the high cost of attending college or a university.
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HB24-1081
Prime Sponsors: Rep. Amabile, Rep. Vigil
Sen. Roberts, Sen. Pelton
Regulate Sale Transfer Sodium Nitrite
Concerning regulation on the sale of sodium nitrite.
CUT VOTE NO
Sodium Nitrate can be used as a food preservative. Individuals should have the freedom to research a product and determine whether or not to purchase it. It is not government's proper role to restrict the choices of responsible citizens. Inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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HB24-1083
Prime Sponsors: Rep. Willford, Rep. Brown
Sen. Cutter
Construction Professional Insurance Coverage Transparency
Concerning insurance coverage for construction professionals.
CUT VOTE NO
This study should not be funded by taxpayers. We are concerned this proposed legislation will increase construction costs and make housing more expensive due to another government regulation.
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HB24-1084
Prime Sponsors: Rep. Willford, Rep. Young
Sen. Kolker, Sen. Fields
Repeal & Reenact Earned Income Tax Credit Increase
Concerning the repeal and reenactment of the law enacted by House Bill 23B-1002 that increased the earned income tax credit for 2023, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
CUT VOTE NO
Uses refunds that are due to Colorado Taxpayers to redistribute to people who do not pay income taxes. Very inappropriate use of the Safety Clause.
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