By Gene Davis, DENVER DAILY NEWS
From national health care reform to changing Denver’s zoning code, Colorado lawmakers are plotting an ambitious 2010 with wide ranging goals.
The Denver Daily News asked some of Colorado’s leading lawmakers, and one leading challenger, what they view as being the top legislative priorities for 2010. The Denver Daily News also asked the lawmakers what they liked and didn’t like about the 2009 legislative session. The following is their responses.
Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo.
2010 priorities:
— Continuing to push for more exploration and development of domestic energy supplies;
— Continuing to fight to bring a new Veterans Affairs National Cemetery to Southern Colorado;
— Having Congress refocus its homeland security efforts to “protect Americans from those who would do us harm;”
— Having the federal government cut spending and begin paying down the national debt.
Proud moment of 2009: “I am pleased that Congress funded a troop surge in Afghanistan. I am also pleased that the House of Representatives passed my bill to help fix the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. I look forward to its passage in the Senate in this coming year.”
Disappointment of 2009: As for this past year in Congress, I am disappointed, as I think most
Americans are, with the Stimulus bill and its false promise of jobs and economic growth. I am also disappointed in the continued corporate bailouts and in the push to nationalize our health care.
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
2010 priorities:
— Work to bring about change to the United States health care system, bringing costs under control, increasing choice and “ensuring every Coloradan has access to quality, affordable health care;”
— Pursuing comprehensive financial reform that will “prevent the kind of recklessness and greed on Wall Street that got us into this mess in the first place;”
— Supporting efforts to advance Colorado’s clean energy economy, getting climate change under control and breaking the country’s dependence on foreign oil;
— As a member of the Senate HELP Committee, Bennet plans on leading the charge in the Senate to support effective teachers, reform the nation’s schools, and prepare the nation’s kids to compete in the global economy.
Proud moment of 2009: “Pushing past the partisan gridlock in Washington and getting 100 senators — Republicans and Democrats — to support an amendment I offered that will help strengthen and protect Medicare for America’s seniors. It was a rare sign of bipartisanship in a place that often puts politics above public purpose, and it showed that folks in Washington can still work together, regardless of party, to do right by the American people.”
Disappointment of 2009: “Seeing people from both parties putting politics above public purpose, and finding out, first-hand, that Washington is still out of touch. A Washington that is more interested in scoring political points, more interested in the 278 health care lobbyists who used to work for members of Congress, than in it is in what everyday Americans struggling to make ends meet have to say.”
Gov. Bill Ritter
2010 priorities:
— Creating jobs and continuing to partner with Colorado businesses to save the jobs the state has;
— Keeping the state’s budget balanced;
— Protecting the safety net: ensuring that human services, child protection services, health care, and services for people with mental illnesses continue operating on a strong level;
— Looking at ways to streamline government operations.
Proud moment of 2009: According to Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer, the governor was proud of the state’s emphasis on the New Energy Economy and the bills that helped bring hundreds of new jobs to the state. Specifically, Ritter was proud of House Bill 1001 — which provides an incentive for companies to create new jobs and pay wages above the local average, and Senate Bill 51 — which, according to Colorado Conservation Voters, encourages renewable-energy development in the state by making incentive programs more widely available.
Disappointment of 2009: According to Dreyer, the biggest frustration and disappointment for Ritter came from the economy and the challenges that the recession has presented over the past 15 months and will present in the foreseeable future.
Scott McInnis, primary Republican challenger for Colorado governor
2010 priorities:
— Taking an approach that helps middle class families feel economic security;
— If he becomes governor, creating jobs and opportunities;
One thing Ritter has done right as governor: According to spokesman Sean Duffy, McInnis likes that when a soldier has lost his or her life, Ritter lowers the flag to half staff. “That is a tradition that Scott will continue when he is governor,” Duffy said.
Mayor John Hickenlooper
2010 priorities (according to the mayor’s end-of-year letter to city employees):
— Breaking ground on the redevelopment of Denver Union Station;
— Opening the new Justice Center two blocks west of City Hall. The $444 million project includes a courthouse, detention center and post office/parking garage;
— Hosting the inaugural Denver Biennial of the Americas in July. The month-long “world’s fair” of art and ideas will be a center for hemispheric dialogue and collaboration.
Proud moment of 2009:
— Getting 100 of the Better Denver Projects completed;
— Denver’s Office of Economic Development helping recruit three world-class companies — DaVita, SMA Solar Technology, Repower USA Corp. — to establish business operations in Denver;
— Denver International Airport seeing a record 5.1 million passengers in July, bucking the trend of declining passenger traffic at many other major airports around the globe.
Denver City Council President Jeanne Robb
2010 priority:
— Getting the city’s new zoning code in place, which has been in the works for five years: “A more transparent and organized code I think is very important in terms of regulatory process and being sure that we are open for business and open for development,” she said.
Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters
