Dan Gibbs for Senate - CO

Two More Wildfire Prevention Bills Pass Through House – Next Stop: Gov’s Desk

DENVER— Two bills that signal the state’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the threat of wildfires passed through the House today and now await Governor Ritter’s signature. Senate Bills 20 and 105 came out of the bi-partisan Interim Committee on Wildfires, where bill sponsor State Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) served as the Chair. Senate Bill 20 passed the House unanimously and Senate Bill 105 passed the House on a 46-18 vote.

Senate Bill 20 streamlines and clarifies the roles of state and local emergency personnel when fires occur. It also allows sheriffs to develop and update wildfire preparedness plans, and specifies what information should be included in a plan to be effective.

Senate Bill 105 expands the ability of counties to raise money to fight fires. Specifically, the bill removes the limit on property taxes that a county can collect – with voter approval – for forest fighting.

“As the real height of the wildfire season is on the horizon, the passing of these bills could not come at a better time,” said Sen. Gibbs. “We need organization and we need funding to protect communities from the devastating effects of wildfires in the area and we need it now. This is an urgent problem in Colorado and these bills put us on the right track to effective wildfire prevention and protection.”

Sen. Dan Gibbs has been a champion of bark beetle and wildfire mitigation. Along with Rep. Christine Scanlan, who carried these Senate Bills through the House, Sen. Gibbs recently went to Washington, DC to urge the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Forest Service, Interior Secretary Salazar and the Colorado Congressional delegation to address the bark beetle epidemic and reduce the threat of a potentially devastating forest fire.

Last week Sen. Gibbs, Gov. Bill Ritter, and Rep. Scanlan urged Colorado’s congressional delegation to support the FLAME Act, federal legislation that will help prevent fires, address the pine beetle epidemic and keep Colorado’s forests healthy.

Audio Clip: http://dangibbs.com/o/5058/images/Gibbs%20SB%2020.wav

Sen. Gibbs’ And Rep. Scanlan’s Important Wildfire Bill (SB-1) Signed Into Law

DENVER— Today, SB 1, which establishes community wildfire protection plans throughout the state, was signed into law by Governor Bill Ritter with the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) and Representative Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County), standing beside him.

“As a wildland firefighter I know how important community prevention plans are in terms public safety for the citizens of Colorado,” said Sen. Gibbs. “I am happy that this bill was signed by the Governor today and will soon be in place to help communities when wildfires start. The fact this bill was chosen as SB-1 highlights how important this issue is. It will help communities prioritize, prevent, and prepare for wildfires in their area. We need to make sure we protect schools, homes, churches, and other places where people gather. With 2 million acres of dead lodge-pole pine and about 1 million Coloradans who live in the wildland urban interface, SB 1 will bring the tools, resources and assistance to help people prepare for the worst.”

“Having a preparedness plan ready to go before firefighters hit the ground to battle a wildfire will help tremendously in emergency situations,” Rep. Scanlan said. “Colorado has more than 22 million acres of forested land, and with the threat of fire due to the dead lodge-pole pine, we need to take these steps now to protect our natural habitat and Coloradans who are living within the wildland urban interface.”

Senator Gibbs co-sponsored legislation in the 2008 session to establish a Wildfire Interim Committee, which he chaired. Rep. Scanlan was the Vice-Chair of the Wildfire Committee. This Committee created the four bills addressing the pressing issues of wildfire safety in Colorado which were introduced in the Senate on January 7, 2009, the first day of the legislative session. Unfortunately, that same day a wildfire burned through Boulder County.

We Want Your Input on Budget Priorities!

Friends,

The Colorado Senate Democratic Majority wants your input on what our state's budget priorities should be. If you'd like to voice an opinion on this issue, please take our survey here.

And, as always, if you'd like to contact me you can reach me at my office number, 303-866-4973 or by e-mail at dan.gibbs.senate@state.co.us.

FASTER on Colorado Pols

The always illumintating Colorado Pols has an article up on the importance of supporting the FASTER bill. Check it out:

Look, everybody knows the transportation funding crisis is real and won't be solved long-term by the federal stimulus package--it's just a question of how the state will respond. We think it's a cogent argument that anyone who values all the stuff in the budget besides transportation should try to preserve a funding channel from transportation-related sources, like the FASTER plan tries to do.

Read the whole article here.

“FASTER” On Senate Floor Wednesday

DENVER— Wednesday, President Peter Groff (D-Denver) will preview the plan for the second reading of SB 108, also known as FASTER (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery). A short announcement will be followed by Q and A.

WHAT: Press Conference to preview SB 108

WHEN: 8:30 am Wednesday, February 4, 2009

WHERE: 2nd floor steps outside Senate Chambers

WHO: Senate President Peter Groff (D-Denver)

A FASTER Way to Create Jobs

Hello all,

You have probably been reading and hearing about the FASTER transportation bill which I am sponsoring with Representative Joe Rice this session. It's a vital bill that will fix our roads and bring jobs to Colorado. In order to explain the bill and cut to heart of the issue, I wrote a guest editorial which appeared in the February 2, 2009 edition of the Denver Post. Please feel free to read the editorial if you have any questions about FASTER and, of course, always feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

In the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, the economic test we face touches each of us in one way or another. These difficult times call for dramatic action. To be blunt, Colorado needs solutions, and quickly.

That's why last month, I introduced legislation known as "FASTER" (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery). I intend to move this urgently needed bill through the process with all deliberate speed to start the process of rebuilding Colorado's economy and repairing our infrastructure.

The effects of this state-level economic recovery plan will be fast and far-reaching. By infusing millions of dollars into critical bridge and road projects in every corner of Colorado, FASTER will create tens of thousands of jobs.

The American Public Works Association estimates that an investment of $1 billion in transportation projects will create 37,000 jobs and $6 billion in additional gross domestic product. Over the course of four years, FASTER will do just that.

It will also address head-on a sprawling public safety problem: aging bridges and rutted roads.

Because of steadily declining gas-tax revenues, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is currently operating on the inflation-adjusted equivalent of its 1983 budget. As a result, maintenance has suffered.

Some portions of our highways are 75 to 100 years old, and 40 percent of Colorado's roads are rated in "poor" condition.

Most troubling of all, 126 of our state's bridges are rated "structurally deficient."

From massive, multi-lane viaducts in the metro area to small structures that span rivers or railroads in rural Colorado, these bridges carry nearly 2 million vehicles every day. Our children are driven over these bridges to school. Trucks deliver goods to grocery stores on them. Ambulances use them en route to the hospital.

A new revenue source is needed, and we no longer have the luxury of putting off this problem.

That's where FASTER can help. The bill includes immediate assistance, a medium-term approach, and a long-term vision for a sustainable source of transportation funding into the future.

The immediate fix consists of a modest investment in economic strength and public safety paid through bridge safety and road safety surcharges, phased in to reduce the impact to Coloradans during the recession. The driver of an average car will pay approximately $2.67 per month next year, and about $3.50 per month in following years.

Rental car surcharges, penalties for late vehicle registration, and fines for oversize or overweight trucks are also part the plan.

The medium-term approach involves the creation of a High Performance Transportation Enterprise, which will be authorized to create public-private partnerships. The goal is to leverage millions of dollars in private investor capital to get projects started right away.

Finally, a viable long-term vision for transportation funding will require us to wean ourselves off the outdated gas tax. This transition will not happen for five, 10 or 20 years, but we need to start looking at alternative funding options now. The bill establishes a commission to investigate potential alternatives, including a temporary, optional pilot program to examine a mileage-based revenue system. We need to think creatively to find fair, effective ways to sustain a healthy transportation grid for future generations.

In addition, we will establish an efficiency committee within the Department of Transportation. Legislators should not ask drivers to contribute even a small amount of additional revenue without increased accountability and oversight to ensure that the money is being spent wisely.

If we can generate jobs and create a safer environment for those who travel on our roads and bridges, let's do it.

I am expecting more debate on this bill before it becomes law, and I am open to new ideas. At the end of the day, I sincerely do not want this to be an exclusively Democratic or Republican proposal. Colorado needs a reliable, sustainable, responsible solution built on the best ideas that everyone has to offer.

State Sen. Dan Gibbs is a Democrat from Summit County.

Read the editorial here.

“FASTER”Moves Out Of Finance Committee

SB 108 voted out of Finance Committee by a vote of 4-3

DENVER— Today SB 09-108, known as FASTER (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery), was passed by the Finance Committee. Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) is sponsoring this comprehensive job creation and transportation bill which will create tens of thousands of jobs in Colorado. It was voted out of committee by a vote of 4-3 along party lines.

“I’m really happy we are moving this bill through the process,” said Senator Gibbs. “If we can create a safer environment while creating more jobs for people in Colorado, let’s do it and let’s do it now. The 'ER' in FASTER in for 'Economic Recovery’. We need a reliable, sustainable, responsible solution and a real plan for the future of Colorado now, and this is it. ”

“The goal is to come up with $250 million dollars,” Senator Gibbs added. “We are facing a budget shortfall and we must find ways to create jobs and fix our poor roads and bridges. The faster we can get this done and preserve these jobs the better.”

Tamra Ward, Senior Vice President Public Affairs and Communication for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce testified today. “Transportation should be something that unites us not divides us,” said Ms. Ward. “This is a safety issue and a jobs issue in all corners of the state. As a representative of Colorado’s business community, the Denver Metro Chamber is a strong supporter of Senate Bill 108."

FASTER was also endorsed by the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth today. It was released as part of a package of nine bills aimed at creating jobs and stimulating Colorado’s economy.

SB 09-108 will next be heard in Appropriations Committee next week.

“FASTER” Is Moving Fast

SB 108 voted out of Transportation Committee by a vote of 4-3

DENVER— Today SB 09-108, known as FASTER, was passed by the Transportation Committee. The bill, sponsored by Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County), is the Democrats comprehensive job creation and transportation bill which will create tens of thousands of jobs in Colorado. It was voted out of committee by a vote of 4 to 3. Many business leaders thanked Senator Gibbs for paying such great attention to job creation and the state’s transportation needs.

“I am pleased that SB 108 passed out of the Transportation Committee,” said Sen. Gibbs. “If we can create jobs while at the same time making our roads and bridges safer, let’s do it. I’ve been working closely with the business community, local governments and my constituents to make sure we start creating these jobs now.”

Joe Blake, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified at the committee hearing today. “Colorado and this country are in unprecedented times,” Joe Blake told the committee. “At this moment we have a choice and a responsibility. We need to get Colorado back to work and Senate bill 108 provides stable and reasonable sources of funding to address the maintenance problems in our transportation system. This proposal will create needed jobs.”

Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver) serves on the Transportation Committee and heard the testimony today. “There are people losing their jobs today who we could get out to work immediately,” said Sen. Romer. “This bill would create more than 30,000 jobs by June.”

“I’m happy that Senator Gibbs has taken on this important job creation legislation,” said Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D- Longmont). “We cannot wait any longer to get this legislation through the process, to get these projects going and to get Coloradans to work. The time for leadership is now.”

SB 108 will next be heard in Finance Committee.

“Faster” On The Fast Track

Sen. Dan Gibbs introduces comprehensive job creation transportation bill

DENVER— Today, Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) introduced Senate Bill 09-108, also known as "FASTER". This comprehensive transportation legislation will create thousands of jobs in Colorado.

“If we can create jobs while at the same time creating safer roads and bridges, let’s do it,” said Sen. Gibbs. “This bill will evolve, but we’ve been working with a coalition of businesses, individuals and legislators to get jobs going as quickly as possible. The well-paying jobs this bill will create are urgently needed, so we couldn’t wait any longer to introduce the bill.”

The plan will generate approximately $265 million in annual funding for transportation infrastructure and tens of thousands of jobs for Coloradans, while keeping the impact to the average driver at less than $4 per month. To reduce the impact to Colorado drivers during tough economic times, the bridge safety surcharge will be phased in so for the first year, effective July 1, 2009, the driver of an average car will pay a total of $32, or about $2.50 a month. The first year the entire FASTER package will generate an estimated $214 million.

FASTER will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m.

You can see a full draft of SB-108 here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2009A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/636E40D6A83E4DE987257537001F8AD6?Open&file=108_01.pdf

Sen. Dan Gibbs To Talk About Transportation Bill

NOON-- Friday, January, 23, 2009

DENVER— Friday morning, Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) will introduce the “FASTER” bill to the Senate. This comprehensive transportation funding bill will create jobs for Colorado. There will be media availability immediately upon adjournment on Friday.

WHAT: Sen. Dan Gibbs talks about the transportation bill, “FASTER”

WHEN: Friday, January 23 , 12pm

WHERE: at the back of the Senate floor

WHO: Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County)

Sen. Dan Gibbs To Talk About Transportation Bill

Friday, January, 23, 2009, upon adjournment

WHAT: Sen. Dan Gibbs talks about the transportation bill, “FASTER”

WHEN: Friday, January 23 upon adjournment (around noon)

WHERE: Room 263, Majority Leader’s Office Rm. 263

WHO: Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County)

Legislative Update #1

Greetings all!

The 2009 legislative session has been off to a great start down here at the Capitol. While our state faces some tremendous challenges this year, it has been inspiring to see so many citizens and legislators come together to try and find solutions to our various economic, environmental, and transportation challenges.

On that note, I have been working on some much needed legislation this session - particularly to deal with our transportation and forest health crises. We're hard at work down at the Capitol developing a bill that would infuse our state with needed dollars to help fix our badly decaying transportation infrastructure. We need to fix dangerous roads and bridges now, and I'm working hard to make sure we do.

Along with transportation, I am working on a host of bills that would bring needed dollars and support to fighting fires in Colorado. It is critical that we provide communities with the resources, tools, and guidelines needed to effectively protect lives and property.

For those wishing to peruse bills or search for particular legislation, I recommend check the Colorado General Assembly website: http://www.leg.state.co.us/. There you can find calendars for upcoming committees and floor work, search for bills, and find contact information for legislators around the capitol.

Finally, I will be holding a series of town hall meetings throughout my district and I would encourage everyone to periodically check this website for upcoming dates and times in their area. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you all throughout the session!

Best wishes,

Dan

Dan Endorsed by Daily Camera

Dan was endorsed today by Boulder's Daily Camera. You can read about why they picked Dan, along with other relevant State Senate races, here.&#160; This is another in a long line of endorsements than Dan is honored to receive.

Dan Endorsed by Summit Daily News!

Dan was endorsed by the Summit Daily News today, marking another wonderful endorsement in a string of ednrosements from great organizations, papers, and people. You can find the endorsement here. Dan is, as always, honored by all the great support he has received from all over his district and hopes to keep working for folks in Senate District 16 as their elected State Senator.

The Daily Camera- Boulder Valley School District Education Forum

Dan weighs in on education issues facing Boulder County and the state http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/sep/17/parents-question-candidates-education/

Dan Featured on CBS 4

This Sunday Dan was featured on CBS Channel 4 News regarding colleague Representative Christine Scanlan's trip to Washington, D.C. to recruit Federal help in dealing with Colorado's pine beetle epidemic. You can see the video and read the article here.

Happy Labor Day!

Hello,

This is Kevin with a brief campaign and website update. Last week was a fantastic week to be a democract in Colorado, wasn't it? The DNC was certainly exciting and really marked the beginning of the major stretch run in the campaign. Dan and the campaign are now even more focused on walking doors, raising funds, and running the best campaign possible. As always, contributions are what fuels a campaign and every single donation is greatly appreciated. If you have alreadyd donated or can't afford to right now, consider signing up for the e-mail list and we'll be sure to let you know of volunteer opportunities as they arise.

You may have noticed a new page on the website - endorsements. Listed so far are just a few of the many endorsements Dan has recieved over the course of the summer. Look for the page to be extensively updated in the next couple of days and then continually updated with new endorsments as the campaign continues.

Happy Labor Day everyone!

Kevin Burns

An Update from the Campaign Trail

Hello,

This is Kevin, Dan's campaign manager. I just wanted to give you all a brief update on Dan's campaign. Things have been going well, throughout the summer Dan has been attending events, meeting with folks, and walking door to door around his district. From speaking at a Sportsmen for Obama event to meeting folks at festivals and barbeques, Dan has been actively working to make sure that voters know they can continue to count on him in office.

If you'd like to participate in Dan's election campaign, the best ways to do that are to sign up to receive newsletters and campaign updates via e-mail (you can do this at the top of this page), and/or to donate to the campaign. Every dollar is used to make sure that Dan and his message of common sense government is heard by all his constituents across Senate District 16.

Thanks, and we hope you've been enjoying your summer!

Kevin Burns

A News Roundup

Dan has been in the news a lot lately. Here is a roundup of some of the issues that have been covered in the press and Dan's involvment in particular stories.

Recently, Dan chaired a Legislative Interim Committee on Wildfire Preparedness. More on the committee and Dan's involvment can be found here and here.

Dan also sponsored a state law which went into effect earilier this month, requiring employers to accomodate breastfeeding mothers. More about the bill and Dan's work on it can be found here, here and here.

Other laws Dan sponsored have gone into effect as well, such a new BUI law (more about that bill and Dan's involvement here) and new requirements for healthy food standards at schools (more on that here).

Last but not least, Dan played an active role in reopening Summit County's Dam Road - a major road for that part of his district. Some articles on the issue and Dan's role in the reopening of the road can be found here, here and here.

Dan Featured in Summit Daily

Yesterday, an article appeard in the Summit Daily News regarding the visible results of House Bill 1130 - a bill which Dan co-sponsored. The bill funds, among other things, the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp to come into Senate District 16 and fight the pine beetle and help protect the health of our forests. You can read the entire article here.

Dan Featured on CBS News 4

With new laws taking effect this week, a few of Dan's sponsored bills on high country preservation were put into action as well. Laws to extend the inspection program on Colorado ski area chair lifts, fund wildfire management and bark beetle mitigation, and a law designed to make it clear what wilderness areas are designated for off-road vehicles and where off-roading is prohibited. CBS News 4 has coverage of the bills. You can find the news article here and watch video of Dan speaking about the bills and CBS' television story on the bills here.

Online Donations Up and Running!

HI there,

This is Kevin, Dan's campaign manager. i just wanted to give everyone a quick update that our online donations page is up and running! You can donate to Dan by clicking on the "Contribute" button at the top right of the page. If you'd like to donate but would prefer not to do it online, that link also has information on how to mail a check to the campaign.

When donating, be sure to fill out every required field, including the employment information and eligibility to donate checkbox.

Thanks so much for supporting Dan and making a difference in the future of our state!

Dan Appeared on Colorado Matters

Last week Dan was invited to discuss the pine beetle issue on Colorado Public Radio's "Colorado Matters" program. Dan talks about some of the bills he has successfully worked on as well as the challenges still facing Colorado when dealing with this epidemic. You can listen to the entire interview here and visit the Colorado Matters website for more information here.