Some asking if Coffman should have noticed red flags
By Kate Larsen, Camera Staff Writer
December 25, 2002
While it's clear the St. Vrain Valley School District mismanaged its budget into a $14 million debt, some community members say they think the State Treasurer's Office should share the blame.
It's common for school districts to borrow money from the state treasury's interest-free loan program to tide them over until property tax revenues are collected in the spring. For the past two years, St. Vrain Valley borrowed a larger amount of money than normal to cover its growing debt and did it earlier than usual — and some say that should have raised a red flag at the state level.
Rick Samson, vice president of the St. Vrain Valley school board, said if a lending institution notices an abnormal borrowing pattern, it should take notice.
"We hardly ever borrow, and then one year we borrow six times and earlier — you'd think that someone would say, 'What is St. Vrain doing?'"
State Treasurer Mike Coffman, who approves the loans, said the law outlining the loan program is not set up in a way that would help him detect problems. Additionally, Coffman said St. Vrain Valley used misleading numbers on its loan request forms.
"I wish they had been honest with us," Coffman said. "They disguised their purpose."
On a Nov. 5 loan request, St. Vrain Valley Finance Director Walker Nielsen stated the district's cash balance to be about negative $2.4 million. The debt was in fact much larger — about $10 million — at that point.
Nielsen has since resigned. Ken Kirkland, the district's assistant superintendent of business services, has been suspended without pay.
In an agreement with St. Vrain Valley last week, Coffman ordered across-the-board pay cuts and a series of other cost-cutting measures to rectify the district's recently uncovered $13.8 million deficit, attributed to budget mismanagement over several years. The Boulder County District Attorney's Office is investigating the mismanagement.
Jennie White, the parent of a Skyline High School student, said she holds St. Vrain Valley staff and board members accountable for the budget crisis, but Coffman should also take some responsibility. White said she's concerned that Coffman loaned the district so much money without ever asking questions.
"I have concerns not only as a citizen of the (school) district but of the state," she said. "Where was Coffman's office when it came to checks and balances?"
Dick Murphy, who served as a deputy state treasurer and as the chief financial officer for the Boulder Valley School District, said St. Vrain Valley's loan applications may not have raised any red flags because school districts' spending patterns can vary.
"One large purchase can throw off a budget," Murphy said. He is acting as a liaison between Coffman's office and the St. Vrain Valley staff as the district works on its financial recovery plan.
"The state treasurer doesn't have much choice but to loan the money unless there is evidence that the loan cannot be repaid," Murphy said. "I don't think there's anything within the (loan) document that would indicate one way or another if it could be paid back."
Coffman said he had no reason to be suspicious, as St. Vrain Valley had never been in default on previous loans and there hadn't been any problems with other school districts.
But Jack Pommer, a Democrat recently elected to the State House to represent Boulder and Longmont, says it is Coffman's job to be suspicious because he's watching over the state's money.
"Mike Coffman is so interested in becoming governor that he forgot he's the state treasurer, and the state treasurer has the responsibility to watch over our money," Pommer said.
Pommer said Coffman overreacted to the situation to keep the public's attention away from his office and on the school district.
One change Pommer said he would like to see in the loan program is for school boards to be notified within 30 days of how much their district is borrowing and for what purpose. He is drafting legislation to introduce during the next legislative session.
Currently the loan program requires the signature of a school district's chief financial officer and the superintendent.
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Friday, July 18, 2003
Boulder lawmaker to target high prescription drug costs
By TOM McAVOY
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
DENVER - A Boulder legislator plans to introduce a bill next year to use the state's buying power to negotiate reduced prescription drug prices for Colorado's working poor.
Rep. Jack Pommer's proposal would cover people who don't qualify for Medicaid's federally controlled prescription rates and who aren't on any managed health insurance plan.
"It's an unfair twist in the market," Pommer said Thursday. "It forces people who are working but can't afford insurance and people on Medicare to pay the absolute highest prices for prescriptions."
Pommer relied on a Colorado Public Interest Research Group survey that found Colorado's uninsured pay 64 percent more than the federal supply price for 10 commonly prescribed drugs.
According to the survey of 19 states, filling prescriptions for the 10 common drugs costs $52.59 if purchased through Medicaid, but for the uninsured, $86.12 in Colorado and $90.21 nationally.
Colorado buys millions of dollars worth of prescription drugs for Medicaid recipients, giving the state the buying power used by private insurers to negotiate discounts, Pommer said.
Similar bills were introduced by Pommer and Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, in the last legislative session, but they died.
Salazar's HB1162 would have established a Colorado Council on Pharmaceutical Bulk Purchasing to negotiate discount prices on behalf of government agencies and other organizations wanting to participate in a pool insurance program.
Two other area legislators - Reps. Dorothy Butcher, D-Pueblo, and Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West - sponsored bills intended to make prescription drugs more affordable. Their bills also died in the House Health, Environment, Welfare and Institutions Committee.
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
DENVER - A Boulder legislator plans to introduce a bill next year to use the state's buying power to negotiate reduced prescription drug prices for Colorado's working poor.
Rep. Jack Pommer's proposal would cover people who don't qualify for Medicaid's federally controlled prescription rates and who aren't on any managed health insurance plan.
"It's an unfair twist in the market," Pommer said Thursday. "It forces people who are working but can't afford insurance and people on Medicare to pay the absolute highest prices for prescriptions."
Pommer relied on a Colorado Public Interest Research Group survey that found Colorado's uninsured pay 64 percent more than the federal supply price for 10 commonly prescribed drugs.
According to the survey of 19 states, filling prescriptions for the 10 common drugs costs $52.59 if purchased through Medicaid, but for the uninsured, $86.12 in Colorado and $90.21 nationally.
Colorado buys millions of dollars worth of prescription drugs for Medicaid recipients, giving the state the buying power used by private insurers to negotiate discounts, Pommer said.
Similar bills were introduced by Pommer and Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, in the last legislative session, but they died.
Salazar's HB1162 would have established a Colorado Council on Pharmaceutical Bulk Purchasing to negotiate discount prices on behalf of government agencies and other organizations wanting to participate in a pool insurance program.
Two other area legislators - Reps. Dorothy Butcher, D-Pueblo, and Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West - sponsored bills intended to make prescription drugs more affordable. Their bills also died in the House Health, Environment, Welfare and Institutions Committee.
State drug discount proposed for uninsured
By Julia C. Martinez, Denver Post Capitol Bureau
July 18, 2003
A Democratic lawmaker on Thursday proposed to protect uninsured Coloradans from high costs of prescription medication by having the state negotiate lower prices on their behalf.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Longmont, said he will sponsor legislation again next year to create a program similar to one in Maine, which enables uninsured citizens to get a discount on retail pharmaceutical prices.
"We don't want to wait for the federal government. We can solve the problem in Colorado," Pommer said at a news conference at the state Capitol to discuss a survey released earlier this week.
Pommer estimated that 100,000 Coloradans lack prescription drug coverage, including thousands of seniors.
The national survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group found that uninsured Americans pay an average of 72 percent more than the federal government for 10 common prescription drugs. Uninsured Coloradans are paying an average of 64 percent more for prescription medications, the report said.
While the federal government is able to use its buying power to negotiate lower prices for its employees, veterans and retirees, uninsured citizens have no one to negotiate on their behalf, said Rex Wilmouth of CoPIRG, the local arm of the national consumer advocacy group.
"They are at the whim of the pharmaceutical industry," Wilmouth said.
In dollars and cents, for example, the average price charged to uninsured Coloradans for a 30-day supply of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor is $131.82. That is 94 percent more than the price charged the federal government, $67.81, the survey found.
For Celebrex, a medication for people with arthritis, the average monthly price for Colorado's uninsured is $166.54, 29 percent more than the federal supply price.
Denverite Martha Everett, 54, said that her eight prescription medicines cost $300 a month before she got help from the state's Indigent Care Program. She sometimes did not bother to get them refilled.
"It wasn't right for me to go without medication, but often I couldn't afford them," said Everett, a part-time employee of a Denver nonprofit agency.
The survey found that Denver ranks as one of the least expensive cities for uninsured consumers, yet prices also averaged 64 percent more than the federal price, roughly the same as statewide average prices.
Pommer proposed that the state use its buying power to obtain medicine for underinsured or uninsured Coloradans whose income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. A similar measure he introduced in this year's legislative session was killed in committee.
Last month, the U.S. House and Senate passed differing versions of legislation to add drug coverage beginning in 2006 under Medicare. A conference committee will try to reach a compromise.
July 18, 2003
A Democratic lawmaker on Thursday proposed to protect uninsured Coloradans from high costs of prescription medication by having the state negotiate lower prices on their behalf.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Longmont, said he will sponsor legislation again next year to create a program similar to one in Maine, which enables uninsured citizens to get a discount on retail pharmaceutical prices.
"We don't want to wait for the federal government. We can solve the problem in Colorado," Pommer said at a news conference at the state Capitol to discuss a survey released earlier this week.
Pommer estimated that 100,000 Coloradans lack prescription drug coverage, including thousands of seniors.
The national survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group found that uninsured Americans pay an average of 72 percent more than the federal government for 10 common prescription drugs. Uninsured Coloradans are paying an average of 64 percent more for prescription medications, the report said.
While the federal government is able to use its buying power to negotiate lower prices for its employees, veterans and retirees, uninsured citizens have no one to negotiate on their behalf, said Rex Wilmouth of CoPIRG, the local arm of the national consumer advocacy group.
"They are at the whim of the pharmaceutical industry," Wilmouth said.
In dollars and cents, for example, the average price charged to uninsured Coloradans for a 30-day supply of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor is $131.82. That is 94 percent more than the price charged the federal government, $67.81, the survey found.
For Celebrex, a medication for people with arthritis, the average monthly price for Colorado's uninsured is $166.54, 29 percent more than the federal supply price.
Denverite Martha Everett, 54, said that her eight prescription medicines cost $300 a month before she got help from the state's Indigent Care Program. She sometimes did not bother to get them refilled.
"It wasn't right for me to go without medication, but often I couldn't afford them," said Everett, a part-time employee of a Denver nonprofit agency.
The survey found that Denver ranks as one of the least expensive cities for uninsured consumers, yet prices also averaged 64 percent more than the federal price, roughly the same as statewide average prices.
Pommer proposed that the state use its buying power to obtain medicine for underinsured or uninsured Coloradans whose income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. A similar measure he introduced in this year's legislative session was killed in committee.
Last month, the U.S. House and Senate passed differing versions of legislation to add drug coverage beginning in 2006 under Medicare. A conference committee will try to reach a compromise.
Democratic lawmaker proposes Maine-like prescription plan
Friday July 18, 2003
DENVER (AP) Uninsured Coloradans could gain some protection from high medication costs if the state negotiated lower prices on their behalf, a Democratic lawmaker says.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said he plans to try again next year on legislation to create a program similar to one in Maine, which gives uninsured residents a discount on retail pharmaceutical prices.
``We don't want to wait for the federal government,'' Pommer said.
He estimated that 100,000 state residents, many of them seniors, lack prescription drug coverage.
A national survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group reported that uninsured Americans pay an average of 72 percent more than the federal government does for 10 common prescription drugs. Uninsured Coloradans pay an average of 64 percent more for the medications, the report said.
The federal government can negotiate lower prices for its employees, veterans and retirees, but uninsured Americans have no one to negotiate on their behalf, said Rex Wilmouth of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group.
``They are at the whim of the pharmaceutical industry,'' he said.
Martha Everett, 54, of Denver, said her eight prescription medicines cost $300 per month before she got help from the state Indigent Care Program. She sometimes could not afford to refill her prescriptions, she said.
``It wasn't right for me to go without medication,'' said Everett, a part-time employee of a Denver nonprofit agency.
Pommer proposed that the state negotiate for prescription-drug discounts for underinsured or uninsured Coloradans whose income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. A similar measure he introduced this year was killed in committee.
DENVER (AP) Uninsured Coloradans could gain some protection from high medication costs if the state negotiated lower prices on their behalf, a Democratic lawmaker says.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said he plans to try again next year on legislation to create a program similar to one in Maine, which gives uninsured residents a discount on retail pharmaceutical prices.
``We don't want to wait for the federal government,'' Pommer said.
He estimated that 100,000 state residents, many of them seniors, lack prescription drug coverage.
A national survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group reported that uninsured Americans pay an average of 72 percent more than the federal government does for 10 common prescription drugs. Uninsured Coloradans pay an average of 64 percent more for the medications, the report said.
The federal government can negotiate lower prices for its employees, veterans and retirees, but uninsured Americans have no one to negotiate on their behalf, said Rex Wilmouth of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group.
``They are at the whim of the pharmaceutical industry,'' he said.
Martha Everett, 54, of Denver, said her eight prescription medicines cost $300 per month before she got help from the state Indigent Care Program. She sometimes could not afford to refill her prescriptions, she said.
``It wasn't right for me to go without medication,'' said Everett, a part-time employee of a Denver nonprofit agency.
Pommer proposed that the state negotiate for prescription-drug discounts for underinsured or uninsured Coloradans whose income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. A similar measure he introduced this year was killed in committee.
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
House OKs study of health insurance
April 23, 2003
House members on Tuesday approved creation of a commission to study the effects of health-insurance mandates despite objections from Democrats that the findings will be biased.
"Seven of the commission's nine members will be appointed by a governor who has publicly stated his opposition to mandates," Rep. Angie Paccione, D-Fort Collins, told her fellow representatives.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, agreed, saying the commission would lack legitimacy. He compared it to the deposed regime in Iraq.
"A year ago, Saddam Hussein held an election and won 100 percent of the vote," he said. "It was a joke. No one took it seriously."
But Rep. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, who sponsored the bill, said the commission's findings would be fair and balanced and wouldn't tilt toward the insurance industry's interests.
"The disconnect between the insurance companies and the commission will be complete," he said.
The House passed the bill 37-28. It now heads to Gov. Bill Owens for his signature.
House members on Tuesday approved creation of a commission to study the effects of health-insurance mandates despite objections from Democrats that the findings will be biased.
"Seven of the commission's nine members will be appointed by a governor who has publicly stated his opposition to mandates," Rep. Angie Paccione, D-Fort Collins, told her fellow representatives.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, agreed, saying the commission would lack legitimacy. He compared it to the deposed regime in Iraq.
"A year ago, Saddam Hussein held an election and won 100 percent of the vote," he said. "It was a joke. No one took it seriously."
But Rep. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, who sponsored the bill, said the commission's findings would be fair and balanced and wouldn't tilt toward the insurance industry's interests.
"The disconnect between the insurance companies and the commission will be complete," he said.
The House passed the bill 37-28. It now heads to Gov. Bill Owens for his signature.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Open teacher contract talks
Thursday, March 27, 2003 - If you're talking about public money, the public ought to be able to listen.
It's a simple concept, really.
A bill approved by the state House of Representatives this week would shed some much-needed sunlight on teacher contract negotiations by opening them to the public.
Now, they mostly happen behind closed doors, even though millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake.
Watching negotiations between a teachers' union and a school board may sound as dry as learning the Pythagorean theorem, but there's much at stake beyond money in those sessions. Vital school-district policies, such as class sizes, also are discussed.
The public, including hard-line union folks, anti-tax crusaders and John Q. Citizen, should be allowed to watch the process. After all, it's their money.
House Bill 1314, sponsored by Rep. Rob Fairbank, R-Littleton, and Sen. Andrew McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, still must be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor. Yet even at this stage, the bill certainly has proven the adage that politics makes strange bedfellows.
It's comical to watch Republicans call for more sunlight on public proceedings. They're usually the first to smirk and furrow their brows when a reporter elbows into a previously secret meeting using Colorado's Sunshine Laws, specifically, the state's open-meetings act.
And Democrats, who are generally very cozy with labor unions, have stolen a familiar Republican battle cry to back their union buddies: It's about local control, stupid.
At least one Democrat goes so far as to predict citizen upheaval should the negotiations be open.
"If we have these negotiations open to the public we're going to have a potentially dangerous, potentially frightening situation," said Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs. He noted that school boards, unlike the statehouse, don't have a sergeant-at-arms to keep order.
Come on, Mike. Have more faith in Coloradans, especially your constituents.
We've survived blizzards, oil busts, tornadoes, floods and, from 1960 to 1998, a 38-year Super Bowl drought. We can survive teacher-contract negotiations without hand-to-hand combat.
Democratic insistence that teacher negotiations should be a local-control issue doesn't wash, either. With that argument, the state's open records and meetings laws shouldn't apply to municipalities and towns either unless they saw fit.
After all, openness is a state mandate. Are Democrats suggesting that cities be allowed to close the public out of meetings? Of course not.
"I think we should have faith that the school boards will do what they were elected to do," said Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder.
Generally, we do have that faith until our public servants violate it.
Coloradans are trusting folks, but we want to verify by watching government in action - from the governor on down.
It's a simple concept, really.
A bill approved by the state House of Representatives this week would shed some much-needed sunlight on teacher contract negotiations by opening them to the public.
Now, they mostly happen behind closed doors, even though millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake.
Watching negotiations between a teachers' union and a school board may sound as dry as learning the Pythagorean theorem, but there's much at stake beyond money in those sessions. Vital school-district policies, such as class sizes, also are discussed.
The public, including hard-line union folks, anti-tax crusaders and John Q. Citizen, should be allowed to watch the process. After all, it's their money.
House Bill 1314, sponsored by Rep. Rob Fairbank, R-Littleton, and Sen. Andrew McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, still must be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor. Yet even at this stage, the bill certainly has proven the adage that politics makes strange bedfellows.
It's comical to watch Republicans call for more sunlight on public proceedings. They're usually the first to smirk and furrow their brows when a reporter elbows into a previously secret meeting using Colorado's Sunshine Laws, specifically, the state's open-meetings act.
And Democrats, who are generally very cozy with labor unions, have stolen a familiar Republican battle cry to back their union buddies: It's about local control, stupid.
At least one Democrat goes so far as to predict citizen upheaval should the negotiations be open.
"If we have these negotiations open to the public we're going to have a potentially dangerous, potentially frightening situation," said Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs. He noted that school boards, unlike the statehouse, don't have a sergeant-at-arms to keep order.
Come on, Mike. Have more faith in Coloradans, especially your constituents.
We've survived blizzards, oil busts, tornadoes, floods and, from 1960 to 1998, a 38-year Super Bowl drought. We can survive teacher-contract negotiations without hand-to-hand combat.
Democratic insistence that teacher negotiations should be a local-control issue doesn't wash, either. With that argument, the state's open records and meetings laws shouldn't apply to municipalities and towns either unless they saw fit.
After all, openness is a state mandate. Are Democrats suggesting that cities be allowed to close the public out of meetings? Of course not.
"I think we should have faith that the school boards will do what they were elected to do," said Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder.
Generally, we do have that faith until our public servants violate it.
Coloradans are trusting folks, but we want to verify by watching government in action - from the governor on down.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Teacher open-talks bill gets initial OK
By Ryan Morgan
Denver Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - A bill requiring that employment contract negotiation sessions between teachers and their school boards be open to the public survived two Democratic attempts to kill it on the House floor Monday.
Instead, it won preliminary approval and will be up for a final vote later this week.
Sponsored by Rep. Rob Fairbank, R-Littleton, House Bill 1314 would "let the sunshine in" on the negotiations.
"I would ask for us to take a look at allowing the taxpayers to have some idea of how millions of dollars are being spent on teacher contract negotiations," he said.
Republican Rep. Don Lee of Littleton agreed.
"This could be a civics lesson for the children," he said. "It's much better to have it open to the public."
Current state law requires that public officials hold the vast majority of their meetings in public, but doesn't explicitly make that requirement for teachers' contract negotiations. Some school districts' meetings are public, while others hold theirs behind closed doors. The final contract, however, is public.
Democrats spoke up against the bill. Rep. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, said she supports the principle of Colorado's open-meetings law, and thinks that it should probably be expanded.
But, she said, "this bill is singling out teachers, and it's unfair."
Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, had another worry. Unlike legislative meetings, contentious school contract negotiation sessions don't have a sergeant-at-arms to keep order, he said, and could turn into a melee.
"If we have these negotiations open to the public, we're going to have a potentially dangerous, potentially frightening situation," he said.
But the floor debate itself soon took on an air of the potentially ridiculous a few minutes later, when Merrifield hopped up and down in front of the speaker's podium, incensed because it looked as though acting Speaker Rep. Ray Rose wouldn't recognize him to speak.
Rose relented, and Merrifield was able to speak again, denouncing a remark made by Republican Rep. Nancy Spence, who recalled "shakedowns" at the hands of teachers unions when she served as a school board member.
Several other Democrats criticized Fairbank's bill on the grounds that it violates the cherished Republican principle of local control.
"I think we should have faith that the school boards will do what they were elected to do," said Rep. Jack Pommer, a Boulder Democrat.
Officials at the Colorado Education Association, which came out against the bill, made similar criticisms.
"It is because the school district and its employees have determined how they want their negotiations to be held," spokeswoman Deborah Fallin explained. "They've decided at the local level how they're going to negotiate."
Denver Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - A bill requiring that employment contract negotiation sessions between teachers and their school boards be open to the public survived two Democratic attempts to kill it on the House floor Monday.
Instead, it won preliminary approval and will be up for a final vote later this week.
Sponsored by Rep. Rob Fairbank, R-Littleton, House Bill 1314 would "let the sunshine in" on the negotiations.
"I would ask for us to take a look at allowing the taxpayers to have some idea of how millions of dollars are being spent on teacher contract negotiations," he said.
Republican Rep. Don Lee of Littleton agreed.
"This could be a civics lesson for the children," he said. "It's much better to have it open to the public."
Current state law requires that public officials hold the vast majority of their meetings in public, but doesn't explicitly make that requirement for teachers' contract negotiations. Some school districts' meetings are public, while others hold theirs behind closed doors. The final contract, however, is public.
Democrats spoke up against the bill. Rep. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, said she supports the principle of Colorado's open-meetings law, and thinks that it should probably be expanded.
But, she said, "this bill is singling out teachers, and it's unfair."
Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, had another worry. Unlike legislative meetings, contentious school contract negotiation sessions don't have a sergeant-at-arms to keep order, he said, and could turn into a melee.
"If we have these negotiations open to the public, we're going to have a potentially dangerous, potentially frightening situation," he said.
But the floor debate itself soon took on an air of the potentially ridiculous a few minutes later, when Merrifield hopped up and down in front of the speaker's podium, incensed because it looked as though acting Speaker Rep. Ray Rose wouldn't recognize him to speak.
Rose relented, and Merrifield was able to speak again, denouncing a remark made by Republican Rep. Nancy Spence, who recalled "shakedowns" at the hands of teachers unions when she served as a school board member.
Several other Democrats criticized Fairbank's bill on the grounds that it violates the cherished Republican principle of local control.
"I think we should have faith that the school boards will do what they were elected to do," said Rep. Jack Pommer, a Boulder Democrat.
Officials at the Colorado Education Association, which came out against the bill, made similar criticisms.
"It is because the school district and its employees have determined how they want their negotiations to be held," spokeswoman Deborah Fallin explained. "They've decided at the local level how they're going to negotiate."
Monday, March 17, 2003
A no-brainer for schools
Monday, March 17, 2003 - House Bill 1032 seemed like a no-brainer.
Fortunately, state lawmakers saw it that way, too. Even though it was sponsored by two Boulder Democrats - folks not necessarily en vogue this session - it sailed through both chambers.
The bill, which becomes effective upon Gov. Bill Owens' signature, requires school district superintendents and chief financial officers to get school board approval before seeking an interest-free loan from the state.
"It's a good idea to prevent another St. Vrain," state Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, told the Senate Education Committee last month. He was a co-sponsor of the bill, along with Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder.
Had the St. Vrain Valley School District board been given monthly updates on the district's loans and financial status, the nearly $14 million financial fiasco that has engulfed the district might have been avoided.
Lawmakers should be lauded for passing HB 1032 quickly and with few changes.
According to the bill, the CFO and superintendent must explain to the board why the loan is needed. A majority of the board members must then approve the request.
It's up to State Treasurer Mike Coffman to decide whether they'll receive the money.
The Colorado Association of School Boards supported the bill for much the same reason we do: It triggers an opportunity for boards to start asking questions.
Most school board members are not financial experts (although we wouldn't be surprised if some St. Vrain candidates this fall have money backgrounds) and could use the extra dialogue.
Really, it's about oversight. In these days of Enron and Qwest, it's hard to argue against more disclosure.
Fortunately, state lawmakers saw it that way, too. Even though it was sponsored by two Boulder Democrats - folks not necessarily en vogue this session - it sailed through both chambers.
The bill, which becomes effective upon Gov. Bill Owens' signature, requires school district superintendents and chief financial officers to get school board approval before seeking an interest-free loan from the state.
"It's a good idea to prevent another St. Vrain," state Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, told the Senate Education Committee last month. He was a co-sponsor of the bill, along with Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder.
Had the St. Vrain Valley School District board been given monthly updates on the district's loans and financial status, the nearly $14 million financial fiasco that has engulfed the district might have been avoided.
Lawmakers should be lauded for passing HB 1032 quickly and with few changes.
According to the bill, the CFO and superintendent must explain to the board why the loan is needed. A majority of the board members must then approve the request.
It's up to State Treasurer Mike Coffman to decide whether they'll receive the money.
The Colorado Association of School Boards supported the bill for much the same reason we do: It triggers an opportunity for boards to start asking questions.
Most school board members are not financial experts (although we wouldn't be surprised if some St. Vrain candidates this fall have money backgrounds) and could use the extra dialogue.
Really, it's about oversight. In these days of Enron and Qwest, it's hard to argue against more disclosure.
Friday, March 14, 2003
THEY GROWLED IT
March 14, 2003
"HJR 1022 shows a wanton disregard for both my natural urges and my now nonexistent future offspring."
Buckley, chief of morale (and Golden retriever)in State Treasurer Mike Coffman's office, in a letter to Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, regarding Pommer's proposed resolution 1022, proposing Spay and Neuter Your Pet Day
"HJR 1022 shows a wanton disregard for both my natural urges and my now nonexistent future offspring."
Buckley, chief of morale (and Golden retriever)in State Treasurer Mike Coffman's office, in a letter to Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, regarding Pommer's proposed resolution 1022, proposing Spay and Neuter Your Pet Day
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Status report
By Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Thursday, March 13, 2003 -
Committee kills bill for renewable energy
The Senate Business Affairs Committee voted 4-3 Wednesday to kill a bill mandating use of renewable energy for power generated by Xcel Energy and Aquila Inc.
House Bill 1295 would have required Colorado's investor-owned utilities to acquire about 8 percent of their electricity from wind and other renewable sources by 2010.
Opposition came from the rural electric associations, which feared that the measure would have increased costs. Supporters said the measure would have created nearly $100 million in rural economic development.
Spay-neuter day gets legislative resolution
It's a day that conscientious pet owners will mark on their calendars - and cats and dogs will come to dread.
House Joint Resolution 1022 - the Spay and Neuter Your Pet Day measure - makes its legislative debut in the House Agriculture Committee today.
Sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, the nonbinding resolution designates Feb. 25 of every year as Spay and Neuter Your Pet Day and encourages pet owners to get animals fixed.
Thursday, March 13, 2003 -
Committee kills bill for renewable energy
The Senate Business Affairs Committee voted 4-3 Wednesday to kill a bill mandating use of renewable energy for power generated by Xcel Energy and Aquila Inc.
House Bill 1295 would have required Colorado's investor-owned utilities to acquire about 8 percent of their electricity from wind and other renewable sources by 2010.
Opposition came from the rural electric associations, which feared that the measure would have increased costs. Supporters said the measure would have created nearly $100 million in rural economic development.
Spay-neuter day gets legislative resolution
It's a day that conscientious pet owners will mark on their calendars - and cats and dogs will come to dread.
House Joint Resolution 1022 - the Spay and Neuter Your Pet Day measure - makes its legislative debut in the House Agriculture Committee today.
Sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, the nonbinding resolution designates Feb. 25 of every year as Spay and Neuter Your Pet Day and encourages pet owners to get animals fixed.
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Bill requres school boards to know about loans
March 11, 2003
A bill requiring school boards to approve requests for no-interest loans from the state is on its way to Gov. Bill Owens' desk.
The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1032 on Monday.
The bill, sponsored by Boulder Democrats Rep. Jack Pommer and Sen. Ron Tupa, comes in response to St. Vrain Valley's discovery of a $13.8 million budget deficit. The district borrowed money from the state through a program in the state treasurer's office, but school board members didn't know about the loans until the entire budget crisis came to light.
HB 1032 would require school board notification and approval before administrators could ask to borrow money from the state.
A bill requiring school boards to approve requests for no-interest loans from the state is on its way to Gov. Bill Owens' desk.
The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1032 on Monday.
The bill, sponsored by Boulder Democrats Rep. Jack Pommer and Sen. Ron Tupa, comes in response to St. Vrain Valley's discovery of a $13.8 million budget deficit. The district borrowed money from the state through a program in the state treasurer's office, but school board members didn't know about the loans until the entire budget crisis came to light.
HB 1032 would require school board notification and approval before administrators could ask to borrow money from the state.
Friday, February 21, 2003
Mandated primaries, conventions sought
Friday, February 21, 2003
A Republican-sponsored bill that Democratic lawmakers claim is a direct assault on third-party candidates passed in the House on a voice vote Thursday.
Colorado's election law was changed several years ago to make it easier for "minor parties" to get on the ballot by avoiding primaries and instead having the party's leadership choose the candidate they want to appear on the ballot.
Those changes were necessary because small parties don't have the resources to hold primaries, Democrats said.
Rep. Bill Crane's House Bill 1194 would put minor parties on the same footing as their larger Democratic and Republican counterparts, requiring them to hold conventions, and hold primaries if more than one candidate qualifies.
Crane said the issue is simple: all parties, large and small, should play by the same rules. Minor parties currently enjoy an unfair amount of leeway in the way they conduct their business, he said.
But several Democrats attacked the measure.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, called it "the epitome of the arrogance of power."
Republican Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, disagreed. The measure, he said, isn't meant to keep third parties down. "This has nothing to do with who wins the election," he said. "It has to do with the integrity of who gets on the ballot."
A Republican-sponsored bill that Democratic lawmakers claim is a direct assault on third-party candidates passed in the House on a voice vote Thursday.
Colorado's election law was changed several years ago to make it easier for "minor parties" to get on the ballot by avoiding primaries and instead having the party's leadership choose the candidate they want to appear on the ballot.
Those changes were necessary because small parties don't have the resources to hold primaries, Democrats said.
Rep. Bill Crane's House Bill 1194 would put minor parties on the same footing as their larger Democratic and Republican counterparts, requiring them to hold conventions, and hold primaries if more than one candidate qualifies.
Crane said the issue is simple: all parties, large and small, should play by the same rules. Minor parties currently enjoy an unfair amount of leeway in the way they conduct their business, he said.
But several Democrats attacked the measure.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, called it "the epitome of the arrogance of power."
Republican Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, disagreed. The measure, he said, isn't meant to keep third parties down. "This has nothing to do with who wins the election," he said. "It has to do with the integrity of who gets on the ballot."
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Voucher bill nearer passage
HB 1160 ready for its third, final reading in House
By Ryan Morgan
Denver Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - The Republican-backed voucher bill most likely to become law took another step closer to passage when a razor-thin majority gave it the nod on the House floor Tuesday afternoon.
Rep. Nancy Spence's House Bill 1160, which passed on a standing vote, would take money out of school districts and use it to pay for private schooling for poor, low-achieving students.
"Everyone wants to close the opportunity gap" between wealthy, high-performing districts and their poor, low-performing counterparts," Spence, a Centennial Republican, said in presenting her bill. "Now is the time to do it."
The program would apply to students who receive "low" or "unsatisfactory" scores on their CSAP tests, and who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Those students' parents could take money from the school - 85 percent of the school's "per pupil operating revenue" - and use it to pay for private or religious schools.
Supporters and critics alike agree small, inner-city schools, such as the tiny Watch Care Academy in northeast Denver, will receive most of the funds.
The bill would begin as a pilot program and would expire in 2008 unless lawmakers decide to renew it.
Spence amended her bill on the floor to bar support for schools that promote hate speech, and also to require that students who use the vouchers continue to take the CSAP tests.
But Democrats didn't let the bill pass without a fight.
Rep. Suzanne Williams, an Aurora Democrat, said vouchers are a discredited solution that voters have repeatedly turned down at the polls.
"The voucher system, or whatever you want to call it, is an old system now," she said.
Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, said Spence's bill runs afoul of Colorado's "Blaine amendment," which holds that "no public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment."
But Republicans, including Rep. Doug Fairbank, said recent Supreme Court decisions limited the scope of the 19th century Blaine amendment. Fairbank also noted that James Blaine, the amendment's author, was motivated by bigotry. Blaine successfully amended 36 state constitutions because he wanted to stop the spread of Catholic schools, Fairbank said.
"The only reason there is a Blaine amendment is anti-Catholic sentiment," he said.
Other Democrats tried to change the bill.
Rep. Jack Pommer introduced an amendment intended to address religious discrimination in schools receiving the funds. Spence's bill prohibits schools that receive public money from discriminating against students using the vouchers.
But those schools would still be allowed to discriminate in hiring their staff members and teachers, which Pommer's amendment would have barred.
The amendment failed after Spence said it would be an unfair imposition on those schools.
Other Democratic amendments shared a similar fate. Rep. Dorothy Butcher, D-Pueblo, tried to change the bill to apply only to kindergarten through sixth grade, but that measure died on the floor.
Spence's bill finally passed after nearly two hours of floor debate. It will be up for its third and final reading by the end of the week, and will head to the Senate if passed.
By Ryan Morgan
Denver Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - The Republican-backed voucher bill most likely to become law took another step closer to passage when a razor-thin majority gave it the nod on the House floor Tuesday afternoon.
Rep. Nancy Spence's House Bill 1160, which passed on a standing vote, would take money out of school districts and use it to pay for private schooling for poor, low-achieving students.
"Everyone wants to close the opportunity gap" between wealthy, high-performing districts and their poor, low-performing counterparts," Spence, a Centennial Republican, said in presenting her bill. "Now is the time to do it."
The program would apply to students who receive "low" or "unsatisfactory" scores on their CSAP tests, and who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Those students' parents could take money from the school - 85 percent of the school's "per pupil operating revenue" - and use it to pay for private or religious schools.
Supporters and critics alike agree small, inner-city schools, such as the tiny Watch Care Academy in northeast Denver, will receive most of the funds.
The bill would begin as a pilot program and would expire in 2008 unless lawmakers decide to renew it.
Spence amended her bill on the floor to bar support for schools that promote hate speech, and also to require that students who use the vouchers continue to take the CSAP tests.
But Democrats didn't let the bill pass without a fight.
Rep. Suzanne Williams, an Aurora Democrat, said vouchers are a discredited solution that voters have repeatedly turned down at the polls.
"The voucher system, or whatever you want to call it, is an old system now," she said.
Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, said Spence's bill runs afoul of Colorado's "Blaine amendment," which holds that "no public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment."
But Republicans, including Rep. Doug Fairbank, said recent Supreme Court decisions limited the scope of the 19th century Blaine amendment. Fairbank also noted that James Blaine, the amendment's author, was motivated by bigotry. Blaine successfully amended 36 state constitutions because he wanted to stop the spread of Catholic schools, Fairbank said.
"The only reason there is a Blaine amendment is anti-Catholic sentiment," he said.
Other Democrats tried to change the bill.
Rep. Jack Pommer introduced an amendment intended to address religious discrimination in schools receiving the funds. Spence's bill prohibits schools that receive public money from discriminating against students using the vouchers.
But those schools would still be allowed to discriminate in hiring their staff members and teachers, which Pommer's amendment would have barred.
The amendment failed after Spence said it would be an unfair imposition on those schools.
Other Democratic amendments shared a similar fate. Rep. Dorothy Butcher, D-Pueblo, tried to change the bill to apply only to kindergarten through sixth grade, but that measure died on the floor.
Spence's bill finally passed after nearly two hours of floor debate. It will be up for its third and final reading by the end of the week, and will head to the Senate if passed.
Friday, February 14, 2003
Subpoena powers sought
Bill would boost accounting board
By Arthur Kane
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Friday, February 14, 2003 - Legislators approved bills that would give accounting regulators subpoena power and government officials more information about their investments as part of a series of corporate corruption measures heard in a House committee Thursday.
But the Business Affairs and Labor Committee killed a bill that holds company directors responsible for their company's environmental and safety violations. It would also have prohibited the shredding of documents by companies under investigation.
Tony Van Westerum, an attorney representing corporate clients, said the bill is too broad and criminal laws already prohibit shredding. "I had lunch today, and I think that was at the expense of the environment," he said of House Bill 1203 by John Pommer, D-Boulder. "Almost everything humans do are at the expense of the environment."
But Rex Wilmouth, of Colorado Public Interest Research Group, said the bill is important to preserve people's retirement plans and keep the economy healthy.
"Our economy prospers only when the honest companies are not disadvantaged by dishonest companies," he said.
The bill failed 8-5 because legislators were concerned that it was too broad.
"Holding a director responsible for any impact on the environment" is too much, said Rep. Angie Paccione, D-Fort Collins.
A bill reinstating subpoena powers to the state Board of Accountancy passed despite misgivings by some legislators.
The state Supreme Court three years ago overturned the board's broad subpoena powers. HB 1197, by Rep. Mike May, R-Douglas County, would reinstate the powers for accountants' work documents if they attest to a company's financial condition.
The committee also passed HB 1204, by Rep. Joe Stengel, R-Littleton. The bill would require investment firms that do business with the state or local government to disclose any financial interests they have in the securities they are selling.
A fourth bill, by Rep. Michael Garcia, D-Aurora, was killed after the sponsor said federal legislation already covers the situation. HB 1277 would have required auditors to wait a year before taking jobs with companies they are auditing.
By Arthur Kane
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Friday, February 14, 2003 - Legislators approved bills that would give accounting regulators subpoena power and government officials more information about their investments as part of a series of corporate corruption measures heard in a House committee Thursday.
But the Business Affairs and Labor Committee killed a bill that holds company directors responsible for their company's environmental and safety violations. It would also have prohibited the shredding of documents by companies under investigation.
Tony Van Westerum, an attorney representing corporate clients, said the bill is too broad and criminal laws already prohibit shredding. "I had lunch today, and I think that was at the expense of the environment," he said of House Bill 1203 by John Pommer, D-Boulder. "Almost everything humans do are at the expense of the environment."
But Rex Wilmouth, of Colorado Public Interest Research Group, said the bill is important to preserve people's retirement plans and keep the economy healthy.
"Our economy prospers only when the honest companies are not disadvantaged by dishonest companies," he said.
The bill failed 8-5 because legislators were concerned that it was too broad.
"Holding a director responsible for any impact on the environment" is too much, said Rep. Angie Paccione, D-Fort Collins.
A bill reinstating subpoena powers to the state Board of Accountancy passed despite misgivings by some legislators.
The state Supreme Court three years ago overturned the board's broad subpoena powers. HB 1197, by Rep. Mike May, R-Douglas County, would reinstate the powers for accountants' work documents if they attest to a company's financial condition.
The committee also passed HB 1204, by Rep. Joe Stengel, R-Littleton. The bill would require investment firms that do business with the state or local government to disclose any financial interests they have in the securities they are selling.
A fourth bill, by Rep. Michael Garcia, D-Aurora, was killed after the sponsor said federal legislation already covers the situation. HB 1277 would have required auditors to wait a year before taking jobs with companies they are auditing.
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Bill would give parents money to pay for private schools
By Ryan Morgan
Denver Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 13, 2003 - Republicans have spent the past decade trying to get school voucher bills passed into law.
This year, they're likely to succeed.
Rep. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, chairwoman of the House Education Committee, is pushing a bill that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle predict will become law. House Bill 1160 would take money out of school districts and use it to pay for private schooling for poor, low-achieving students. It has passed a House committee and is slated for action on the House floor as early as today.
Spence's bill in some ways is more modest than previous efforts. HB 1160 would launch a pilot program limited to Denver Public Schools, and the program would expire in 2008 unless lawmakers decided to renew it.
"We've got to do something to reach those at-risk, needy students to try and close that learning gap between the lowest-achieving group and the higher-achieving groups," said Spence, an early opponent of vouchers who has changed her mind.
"(Opponents) say, 'Keep more money in public schools, don't take it out.' Well, how long do we have to wait? I don't think parents are willing to continue to keep their students in schools where they don't have a quality classroom," she said.
The program would apply to students who receive scores of "low" or "unsatisfactory" on their CSAP tests, and who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Those students' parents could take money from the school - 85 percent of the school's "per pupil operating revenue" - and use it to pay for private or religious schools.
Spence's proposal has received the support of centrist - and even center-left - organizations, including the Bighorn Center for Public Policy and the Colorado Children's Defense Fund.
But Colorado Education Association officials and House Democrats aren't on board.
While they acknowledge that Spence's bill is almost certain to become law, they're not happy about it.
"It's a bait-and-switch," Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said recently. "You're going to have 500 kids in this so-called voucher program, and they're going to have these really rich backers making sure that this works for them."
The backers Pommer refers to are religious schools, some of which have large, wealthy backers who can help defray tuition and transportation costs.
If the program is expanded statewide, students trying to transfer to other, nonreligious private schools won't get those resources, Pommer said.
Or as fellow Democrat and Education Committee member Suzanne Williams put it: "What kind of school will this money buy them? Only a very small, Catholic religious school is going to take them."
But Spence said those small, subsidized religious schools are located where they can help students who need it the most, she said.
"Most of them are small religious schools in the inner-city neighborhoods where the poor students are," she said.
Denver Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 13, 2003 - Republicans have spent the past decade trying to get school voucher bills passed into law.
This year, they're likely to succeed.
Rep. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, chairwoman of the House Education Committee, is pushing a bill that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle predict will become law. House Bill 1160 would take money out of school districts and use it to pay for private schooling for poor, low-achieving students. It has passed a House committee and is slated for action on the House floor as early as today.
Spence's bill in some ways is more modest than previous efforts. HB 1160 would launch a pilot program limited to Denver Public Schools, and the program would expire in 2008 unless lawmakers decided to renew it.
"We've got to do something to reach those at-risk, needy students to try and close that learning gap between the lowest-achieving group and the higher-achieving groups," said Spence, an early opponent of vouchers who has changed her mind.
"(Opponents) say, 'Keep more money in public schools, don't take it out.' Well, how long do we have to wait? I don't think parents are willing to continue to keep their students in schools where they don't have a quality classroom," she said.
The program would apply to students who receive scores of "low" or "unsatisfactory" on their CSAP tests, and who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Those students' parents could take money from the school - 85 percent of the school's "per pupil operating revenue" - and use it to pay for private or religious schools.
Spence's proposal has received the support of centrist - and even center-left - organizations, including the Bighorn Center for Public Policy and the Colorado Children's Defense Fund.
But Colorado Education Association officials and House Democrats aren't on board.
While they acknowledge that Spence's bill is almost certain to become law, they're not happy about it.
"It's a bait-and-switch," Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said recently. "You're going to have 500 kids in this so-called voucher program, and they're going to have these really rich backers making sure that this works for them."
The backers Pommer refers to are religious schools, some of which have large, wealthy backers who can help defray tuition and transportation costs.
If the program is expanded statewide, students trying to transfer to other, nonreligious private schools won't get those resources, Pommer said.
Or as fellow Democrat and Education Committee member Suzanne Williams put it: "What kind of school will this money buy them? Only a very small, Catholic religious school is going to take them."
But Spence said those small, subsidized religious schools are located where they can help students who need it the most, she said.
"Most of them are small religious schools in the inner-city neighborhoods where the poor students are," she said.
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
St. Vrain gets needed loan
State treasurer decides reduction in training days acceptable
By Amy Bounds, Camera Staff Writer
February 12, 2003
State Treasurer Mike Coffman agreed Tuesday to send St. Vrain Valley School District the $1 million state loan it needs to make payroll this month.
Coffman considered withholding the loan because the district teachers negotiated a reduction in workloads to compensate for a 7 percent pay cut that went into effect last month.
"I am willing to accept the argument that cutting teacher professional development days and planning days will not adversely affect St. Vrain's students," Coffman said.
Teachers' union officials met with the district for almost 18 hours this weekend before reaching a compromise on workload.
Out of that meeting came an agreement to cut two training days — March 7 and May 16 — and one grading day — June 5 — from this year's schedule and reduce the hours spent in faculty meetings each month. Another six teacher training days also would be cut from next year's school calendar.
No student school days would be cut.
The district signed an agreement with the state in December stipulating the pay cuts in exchange for millions in state loans as the district works to erase a $13.8 million shortfall caused by financial mismanagement.
Coffman questioned why the district requires teacher training days if they don't directly benefit the district's 22,000 students.
"In talking to educators both in and out of St. Vrain, I've been informed that it just simply is not effective," Coffman said. "Should the taxpayer be paying for these days at all, or should teachers be spending them in the classroom?"
St. Vrain Valley school board President Kathy Hall countered that the days are valuable to update teachers on new programs and teaching methods, but it was necessary to compromise and give the days up.
She said Coffman should have forwarded the district the money Monday. She surmised he waited as a way to punish the district and set an example for other school districts.
"It was very difficult on students, parents, employees and the community — and unnecessary," Hall said.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said he and Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, met with Coffman early Tuesday afternoon to express their concerns. Pommer, who represents part of Longmont, said he's been hearing from many worried teachers and school district officials.
"These teachers are going to do what they need to do," Pommer said. "Having three days is not going to affect these kids' education."
After this $1 million payment, the district does not anticipate needing more state loans this school year. They originally expected to need $2.2 million this month based on conservative projections.
St. Vrain Valley's 1,100 union members still must ratify the workload agreement, and the school board must approve it. Teachers' votes are expected to be tallied on Feb. 19, followed by a school board vote.
Jeanne Beyer, St. Vrain Valley Education Association spokeswoman, said negotiators stayed away from cutting classroom hours after the district made it clear student days were off limits. Coffman had said he would cut off state aid if the school year was shortened.
Beyer said the union is considering legal action because Coffman publicly urged teachers to reject the agreement on the basis that any workload reduction would be unfair to students.
"That's pretty out of line," she said. "He's not a party to the collective bargaining agreement. Teachers are very critical of Mr. Coffman. He's never taught school to our knowledge. There's a lot of resentment that he was speaking about something that he knew nothing about."
Coffman said urging a "no" vote was simply idealism on his part.
"Teachers are absolutely sending the wrong message to the taxpayers of this district that they're not willing to make a sacrifice," he said.
By Amy Bounds, Camera Staff Writer
February 12, 2003
State Treasurer Mike Coffman agreed Tuesday to send St. Vrain Valley School District the $1 million state loan it needs to make payroll this month.
Coffman considered withholding the loan because the district teachers negotiated a reduction in workloads to compensate for a 7 percent pay cut that went into effect last month.
"I am willing to accept the argument that cutting teacher professional development days and planning days will not adversely affect St. Vrain's students," Coffman said.
Teachers' union officials met with the district for almost 18 hours this weekend before reaching a compromise on workload.
Out of that meeting came an agreement to cut two training days — March 7 and May 16 — and one grading day — June 5 — from this year's schedule and reduce the hours spent in faculty meetings each month. Another six teacher training days also would be cut from next year's school calendar.
No student school days would be cut.
The district signed an agreement with the state in December stipulating the pay cuts in exchange for millions in state loans as the district works to erase a $13.8 million shortfall caused by financial mismanagement.
Coffman questioned why the district requires teacher training days if they don't directly benefit the district's 22,000 students.
"In talking to educators both in and out of St. Vrain, I've been informed that it just simply is not effective," Coffman said. "Should the taxpayer be paying for these days at all, or should teachers be spending them in the classroom?"
St. Vrain Valley school board President Kathy Hall countered that the days are valuable to update teachers on new programs and teaching methods, but it was necessary to compromise and give the days up.
She said Coffman should have forwarded the district the money Monday. She surmised he waited as a way to punish the district and set an example for other school districts.
"It was very difficult on students, parents, employees and the community — and unnecessary," Hall said.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said he and Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, met with Coffman early Tuesday afternoon to express their concerns. Pommer, who represents part of Longmont, said he's been hearing from many worried teachers and school district officials.
"These teachers are going to do what they need to do," Pommer said. "Having three days is not going to affect these kids' education."
After this $1 million payment, the district does not anticipate needing more state loans this school year. They originally expected to need $2.2 million this month based on conservative projections.
St. Vrain Valley's 1,100 union members still must ratify the workload agreement, and the school board must approve it. Teachers' votes are expected to be tallied on Feb. 19, followed by a school board vote.
Jeanne Beyer, St. Vrain Valley Education Association spokeswoman, said negotiators stayed away from cutting classroom hours after the district made it clear student days were off limits. Coffman had said he would cut off state aid if the school year was shortened.
Beyer said the union is considering legal action because Coffman publicly urged teachers to reject the agreement on the basis that any workload reduction would be unfair to students.
"That's pretty out of line," she said. "He's not a party to the collective bargaining agreement. Teachers are very critical of Mr. Coffman. He's never taught school to our knowledge. There's a lot of resentment that he was speaking about something that he knew nothing about."
Coffman said urging a "no" vote was simply idealism on his part.
"Teachers are absolutely sending the wrong message to the taxpayers of this district that they're not willing to make a sacrifice," he said.
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Loan-notification bill for schools OK'd
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
A bill meant to prevent financial catastrophes such as the one crippling St. Vrain Valley School District passed the House on Monday morning.
HB 1032, sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, requires district officials to notify their school boards when they apply for short-term, interest-free loans from the state.
At St. Vrain, administrators used the loans to keep their financially askew district in the black, while elected school board members stayed in the dark. Board members only became aware of the problem once they were were $13 million in debt. The bill now goes to the Senate.
A bill meant to prevent financial catastrophes such as the one crippling St. Vrain Valley School District passed the House on Monday morning.
HB 1032, sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, requires district officials to notify their school boards when they apply for short-term, interest-free loans from the state.
At St. Vrain, administrators used the loans to keep their financially askew district in the black, while elected school board members stayed in the dark. Board members only became aware of the problem once they were were $13 million in debt. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Friday, January 31, 2003
Bills target school-board finances
St. Vrain, Elizabeth problems inspire package to protect districts, taxpayers
By Monte Whaley
Denver Post Education Writer
Friday, January 31, 2003 - A package of bills aimed at protecting school districts from financial disaster and taxpayers from "fiscal moonshine" was introduced Thursday by lawmakers.
All five measures were inspired by revelations that mismanagement plunged both the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont and the Elizabeth School District southeast of Denver into multimillion-dollar deficits.
The proposals range from one that would shore up accounting procedures in school districts to one that would allow citizens to block bond issues if they felt they were misled by school officials.
Problems in the St. Vrain and Elizabeth districts were "a wake- up call," state Treasurer Mike Coffman said Thursday while being flanked by bill sponsors.
"We must do all we can to see that it never happens again," Coffman said. "Colorado's students and taxpayers deserve nothing less."
Bill sponsors and state school officials said they will work hard to get the bills passed this session.
Many of the bills were recommendations made by a special group formed last month to study the fiscal problems in the two districts.
Mostly, the proposals will help ensure school districts get timely and easy-to-understand financial information before it's too late to fix problems, Coffman said.
The St. Vrain and Elizabeth boards said the deficits caught them by surprise.
One proposal - Senate Bill 149 - includes several "common- sense" measures such as requiring school districts to adhere to generally accepted accounting principles and prohibiting spending over available revenue, Coffman said.
The measure also would require state-mandated reserves to be fully funded and for school boards to review their district's financial situation at least quarterly. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Ken Arnold, R-Westminster, and Rep. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.
Arnold and Rep. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, are sponsoring a proposal to modify the state's Interest Free Loan Program for school districts. The lawmakers want the state to pass its interest costs on to borrowing districts.
"The program costs the state several million dollars per year in interest costs that it can currently ill afford," Mitchell said. "And school districts would still benefit from the state's ability to borrow at the lowest rates available."
The initiative would require school boards to formally vote on all loan requests.
A related proposal - SB 158 - would help districts that find themselves unable to repay loans by the annual June 25 deadline. It would allow school districts to engage in sale-leaseback transactions to satisfy restrictions on carrying debt from year to year, lawmakers said.
The legislation "will provide school districts the flexibility they need to comply with TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights) while meeting their financial obligations," said Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder. He and Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, are co-sponsoring SB 158.
SB 139 would let citizens fight bond issues when they felt that a school board, city, county or special district withheld key information before a bond election.
Top St. Vrain officials knew of the district's widening deficit before last fall's bond election but did not tell voters, Coffman said.
By Monte Whaley
Denver Post Education Writer
Friday, January 31, 2003 - A package of bills aimed at protecting school districts from financial disaster and taxpayers from "fiscal moonshine" was introduced Thursday by lawmakers.
All five measures were inspired by revelations that mismanagement plunged both the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont and the Elizabeth School District southeast of Denver into multimillion-dollar deficits.
The proposals range from one that would shore up accounting procedures in school districts to one that would allow citizens to block bond issues if they felt they were misled by school officials.
Problems in the St. Vrain and Elizabeth districts were "a wake- up call," state Treasurer Mike Coffman said Thursday while being flanked by bill sponsors.
"We must do all we can to see that it never happens again," Coffman said. "Colorado's students and taxpayers deserve nothing less."
Bill sponsors and state school officials said they will work hard to get the bills passed this session.
Many of the bills were recommendations made by a special group formed last month to study the fiscal problems in the two districts.
Mostly, the proposals will help ensure school districts get timely and easy-to-understand financial information before it's too late to fix problems, Coffman said.
The St. Vrain and Elizabeth boards said the deficits caught them by surprise.
One proposal - Senate Bill 149 - includes several "common- sense" measures such as requiring school districts to adhere to generally accepted accounting principles and prohibiting spending over available revenue, Coffman said.
The measure also would require state-mandated reserves to be fully funded and for school boards to review their district's financial situation at least quarterly. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Ken Arnold, R-Westminster, and Rep. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.
Arnold and Rep. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, are sponsoring a proposal to modify the state's Interest Free Loan Program for school districts. The lawmakers want the state to pass its interest costs on to borrowing districts.
"The program costs the state several million dollars per year in interest costs that it can currently ill afford," Mitchell said. "And school districts would still benefit from the state's ability to borrow at the lowest rates available."
The initiative would require school boards to formally vote on all loan requests.
A related proposal - SB 158 - would help districts that find themselves unable to repay loans by the annual June 25 deadline. It would allow school districts to engage in sale-leaseback transactions to satisfy restrictions on carrying debt from year to year, lawmakers said.
The legislation "will provide school districts the flexibility they need to comply with TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights) while meeting their financial obligations," said Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder. He and Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, are co-sponsoring SB 158.
SB 139 would let citizens fight bond issues when they felt that a school board, city, county or special district withheld key information before a bond election.
Top St. Vrain officials knew of the district's widening deficit before last fall's bond election but did not tell voters, Coffman said.
Thursday, January 9, 2003
150 bills introduced on opening day
Proposed legislation deals with abortion, lies, funeral homes
By John J. Sanko, Rocky Mountain News
January 9, 2003
State lawmakers proved Wednesday they've got more than money problems and drought on their minds as they battle to shape up Colorado laws and life this year.
On the opening day of the 2003 session, more than 150 bills were introduced in the Senate and the House - measures on such issues as guns, funeral homes, job protection for firefighters and restrictions on jobs for former legislators.
There's even a bill aimed at stopping political candidates and others from voicing bald-faced lies during a campaign.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m., when Senate President John Andrews, R-Centennial, gave committee assignments to the last of 62 bills to cross his desk, the staff members and few lawmakers still in the chambers applauded.
In the House, Speaker Lola Spradley, R-Beulah, worked even longer. She assigned the last of 89 bills just 15 minutes later.
One of the bills Andrews assigned for a committee hearing was his own - SB 36 - requiring that high school students successfully complete a course on civil government of the United States and Colorado in order to graduate.
Andrews fought a losing battle last year for legislation to force the teaching of patriotism and to require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The state already requires schools to teach history, culture and civil government. He wants to make sure students actually know something about civil government.
"It does not say it's a graduation requirement, so it's a toothless requirement in the law right now," Andrews said. "We're putting some teeth in it with my law."
Sen. Mark Hillman, R-Burlington, introduced SB 14 which makes it easier to prosecute people who make, publish, broadcast, or circulate false statements about a candidate or issue.
It's similar to a law he introduced a year ago that won support in the Senate but died in the House State Affairs Committee.
"Under current law, in order to show someone is guilty of lying in a campaign, you have to show they set out with the intent to lie," Hillman said.
"Under this change, you would simply have to show someone made absolutely no attempt to discern what the truth is. I believe this would be much more effective than trying to clean up campaigns by getting money out of them."
Among the other first-day bills were:
• SB 44, by Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, barring lawmakers from working as paid lobbyists for the first year after they leave the legislature.
• SB 40, by Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, providing job protection for any public employees who take a leave of absence from their regular job to fight designated wildland fires.
• HB 1064, by Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, requiring funeral establishments to register with the state and to comply with the "Mortuary Science Code."
• HB 1022, by Rep. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, requiring abortion clinics to be licensed by the state health department and directing the state health board to enact rules governing abortion clinics. The bill by Schultheis, an abortion opponent, outlines many of the requirements to be addressed in the rules.
• SB 24, by Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, setting up a statewide requirement for sheriffs to issue conceal-carry permits for Colorado residents, 21 and older, who meet certain qualifications.
• SB 28, by Sen. Doug Linkhart, D-Denver, adding sexual orientation and gender variance to anti-discrimination laws for employers.
• SB 1, by Sen. Bruce Cairns, R-Aurora, providing a property-tax credit for donors to organizations that provide assistance for students to attend independent or parochial schools.
• HB 1044, by Rep. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, making it easier to go after motorists who avoid paying tolls, including denial of drivers license renewals for those with default judgments for toll evasion.
• HB 1037, by Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, expanding the list of those who must immediately report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to workers in child-care facilities and child-placement agencies.
• HB 1032, by Rep. John Pommer, D-Boulder, requiring school boards to approve a district's application to participate in the interest-free loan program overseen by the state treasurer. The bill stems from problems in the St. Vrain Valley School District.
By John J. Sanko, Rocky Mountain News
January 9, 2003
State lawmakers proved Wednesday they've got more than money problems and drought on their minds as they battle to shape up Colorado laws and life this year.
On the opening day of the 2003 session, more than 150 bills were introduced in the Senate and the House - measures on such issues as guns, funeral homes, job protection for firefighters and restrictions on jobs for former legislators.
There's even a bill aimed at stopping political candidates and others from voicing bald-faced lies during a campaign.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m., when Senate President John Andrews, R-Centennial, gave committee assignments to the last of 62 bills to cross his desk, the staff members and few lawmakers still in the chambers applauded.
In the House, Speaker Lola Spradley, R-Beulah, worked even longer. She assigned the last of 89 bills just 15 minutes later.
One of the bills Andrews assigned for a committee hearing was his own - SB 36 - requiring that high school students successfully complete a course on civil government of the United States and Colorado in order to graduate.
Andrews fought a losing battle last year for legislation to force the teaching of patriotism and to require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The state already requires schools to teach history, culture and civil government. He wants to make sure students actually know something about civil government.
"It does not say it's a graduation requirement, so it's a toothless requirement in the law right now," Andrews said. "We're putting some teeth in it with my law."
Sen. Mark Hillman, R-Burlington, introduced SB 14 which makes it easier to prosecute people who make, publish, broadcast, or circulate false statements about a candidate or issue.
It's similar to a law he introduced a year ago that won support in the Senate but died in the House State Affairs Committee.
"Under current law, in order to show someone is guilty of lying in a campaign, you have to show they set out with the intent to lie," Hillman said.
"Under this change, you would simply have to show someone made absolutely no attempt to discern what the truth is. I believe this would be much more effective than trying to clean up campaigns by getting money out of them."
Among the other first-day bills were:
• SB 44, by Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, barring lawmakers from working as paid lobbyists for the first year after they leave the legislature.
• SB 40, by Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, providing job protection for any public employees who take a leave of absence from their regular job to fight designated wildland fires.
• HB 1064, by Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, requiring funeral establishments to register with the state and to comply with the "Mortuary Science Code."
• HB 1022, by Rep. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, requiring abortion clinics to be licensed by the state health department and directing the state health board to enact rules governing abortion clinics. The bill by Schultheis, an abortion opponent, outlines many of the requirements to be addressed in the rules.
• SB 24, by Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, setting up a statewide requirement for sheriffs to issue conceal-carry permits for Colorado residents, 21 and older, who meet certain qualifications.
• SB 28, by Sen. Doug Linkhart, D-Denver, adding sexual orientation and gender variance to anti-discrimination laws for employers.
• SB 1, by Sen. Bruce Cairns, R-Aurora, providing a property-tax credit for donors to organizations that provide assistance for students to attend independent or parochial schools.
• HB 1044, by Rep. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, making it easier to go after motorists who avoid paying tolls, including denial of drivers license renewals for those with default judgments for toll evasion.
• HB 1037, by Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, expanding the list of those who must immediately report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to workers in child-care facilities and child-placement agencies.
• HB 1032, by Rep. John Pommer, D-Boulder, requiring school boards to approve a district's application to participate in the interest-free loan program overseen by the state treasurer. The bill stems from problems in the St. Vrain Valley School District.
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