Better Schools Because of BEST

NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS
FOR SOUTHERN COLORADO
Sen. Schwartz congratulates five Southern Colorado school districts named BEST finalists

DENVER – Today, Senator Gail Schwartz ( SD 5 – Democrat ) congratulated five Southern Colorado schools districts named finalists for receiving new schools buildings and improvements under the B.E.S.T. program.

The five Southern Colorado school districts and projects are:

• Alamosa School District RE-11J; two new elementary schools will replace three elementary schools
• Sangre De Cristo School District RE-22J; new PK-12 school
• Centennial School District R-1; new PK-12 school (supplemental)
• Sargent School District RE-33J; new junior/senior high school and elementary school renovation
• Mountain Valley School District RE-1; roofing and repair under designed structure (supplemental)

A total of eleven Colorado school districts were selected as finalists to receive B.E.S.T. funding for construction or renovation projects, with five being from Southern Colorado.

Senator Schwartz was a key sponsor of the 2008 legislation that created the B.E.S.T, or Building Excellent Schools Today, program. B.E.S.T. increases the financial assistance provided to school districts for desperately- needed capital construction projects, particularly in rural school districts.

“This is one of my happiest moments as a lawmaker,” said Sen. Gail Schwartz. “To know that hundreds of children in Southern Colorado will be able to attend school each day in new, safer buildings is good news for two main reasons. First, our children deserve safe learning environments. Second, these construction projects will provide good-paying jobs in these communities. I encourage the State Board of Education to grant their final approval to these projects so that we can get to work on providing better schools for children in Southern Colorado.”

The Colorado State Board of Education will give their final approval at their March 2009 state board meeting. Projects approved by the State Board will be awarded after March 19.

For more information on the BEST project recommendations, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/CapConstMain.htm

Colorado Gets Charged Up for Electric Cars

Schwartz’s Electric Car Showcase

Wows Crowds at the State Capitol

DENVER— They came. They saw. They conquered a few hearts. Today, dozens of visitors came to the State Capitol to learn more about neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) and Senate Bill 75.

Several neighborhood electric vehicles were displayed on the East Lawn to the delight of those who decided to hop behind the wheel and take a spin around the Capitol grounds. Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) was on hand to tout the benefits of NEVs. Joined by Tom Perkins, owner of Motor City Dodge (Colo. Springs); Valerie Weber Hamann, president of Evergreen Consulting Services; Shae Singer from Aspen Electric Cars; and Aaron Nelson, project director for Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, the event underlined the importance of Senate Bill 75 and the move toward a sustainable electric transportation system.

“Neighborhood electric vehicles will help drive Colorado’s new energy economy,” said Sen. Schwartz. “These vehicles are a greener way to travel around town – to the store, to drop the kids off at school, to dinner and a movie – and I can’t wait to see these vehicles on city streets from Fort Collins to Alamosa.”

“Senate Bill 75 is triple-bottom line policy. The Neighborhood Electric Vehicles legislation reduces carbon emissions, stimulates our economy, and supports community,” Nelson said.

Supporters say the widespread adoption of these eco-friendly vehicles will stimulate neighborhood cohesion by encouraging shorter trips to local small businesses, reducing load on public roads and parking areas, as well as encouraging new job growth in an emerging industry.

Senate 75 is scheduled to be heard in Appropriations before heading to the Senate for 2^nd reading. The bill will set statewide standards for the safe operation of electric cars and make it easier than ever to drive one.

This piece of legislation is the result of months of collaborative work with dedicated individuals and Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. We are ready to move Colorado towards a future focused on expanding access to alternative forms of transportation that fit within the framework of Colorado’s New Energy economy, and this bill is another step in the right direction for our state.”

The House Sponsor of SB 75 is Representative Don Marostica (R-Larimer County).

Fast Facts about Neighborhood Electric Cars:
Zero emissions
No gas required
30-45 mile driving range
Estimated battery life 25,000 miles
Easily charged at any standard 110V outlet
Average cost of operation is 1-3 cents/mile
4-6 hours charge time from 50% to full battery

Prevents over 12,000 pounds of emissions from tailpipes annually
for every replacement of gas powered vehicles

JOB CREATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT

Senate Chamber
State of Colorado
Denver

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

CONTACT

Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez (303)866-5288
Abigail Vacanti (303) 866-4882

JOBS COMMITTEE ENCOURAGES FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR JOB CREATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT

DENVER— Wednesday, Democratic members of the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage continued federal funding to strengthen Colorado’s economy, part of which would come from the federal recovery President Obama signed into law yesterday.

Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth, submitted the letter Wednesday after a briefing at the Joint House and Senate Agriculture Committee meeting on 2008 Forest Health Report by Jeff Jahnke, State Forester, and Rick Cables, the U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester.

Tuesday President Obama traveled to Denver to sign the $787 billion “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” into law at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. That bill included $3.1 billion for repair restoration and improvement of public facilities on public and tribal lands. Colorado is hoping some of this funding could go toward important projects in the state which will create jobs for Colorado workers.

"Colorado is well positioned to use the federal recovery money to stimulate job creation, particularly in the forestry industry and new energy economy," said Senator Schwartz. "We must find jobs for the thousands of people who have lost theirs here in Colorado, and this is a huge opportunity to put people to work and help our environment. This is something everyone needs to step up on, we have our children's future at stake and must not let this opportunity pass us by."

The letter reads: “Colorado’s land base is comprised of a majority of federal land ownership which creates a unique relationship between federal land management agencies within the state and our citizens.” The letter goes on to describe forest improvement projects that are shovel ready and waiting for federal funding: “We can complete these projects through many means that offer jobs to the citizens of the state.”

The Democratic members who signed the letter include: Senator Gail Schwartz, Chair, (D-Snowmass), Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton), Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver), Rep. Judy Solano (D-Adams), Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), Rep. Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo).

SENATOR SCHWARTZ WELCOMES BROADBAND EXPANSION

SENATOR SCHWARTZ WELCOMES BROADBAND EXPANSION
THANKS TO FEDERAL RECOVERY

DENVER— Today, President Obama traveled to Denver to sign the $787 billion “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” into law. Colorado is expected to receive $2.791 billion over the next two years. And Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) could not be more excited that some of these federal recovery dollars are coming in. As the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth, Senator Schwartz has been working very hard to encourage an atmosphere of job creation, specifically in her district.

According to the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute:

Colorado will also see some of the $7 Billion earmarked for broadband Internet.

If Colorado sees even 2 % of this funding, it could provide $140 Million for Internet and digital infrastructure.

Senator Gail Schwartz introduced SB 162 to increase the mapping of broadband access through all areas of the state. Senator Schwartz saw the need to have a shovel-ready project for when the stimulus dollars came in, and this is that project. Colorado can’t expand broadband throughout the state without first mapping where it needs to go. This bill will pave the way for the federal funding which will lay out the broadband infrastructure in the state. These federal funds will help Colorado maintain and update that mapping long-term to continue the expansion of broadband.

“Schools, hospitals, and businesses don’t move to places where there is no broadband access,” said Sen. Schwartz. “It is important for us to focus our economic development state-wide: in rural areas in addition to our cities. These federal recovery dollars will bring essential support to Colorado and my broadband inventory bill helps to lay the ground work for the federal package.”

Today President Barack Obama addressed this part of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act”: “Because of this investment, nearly 400,000 men and women will go to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, repairing our faulty dams and levees, bringing critical broadband connections to businesses and homes in nearly every community in America, upgrading mass transit and building high-speed rail lines that will improve travel and commerce throughout the nation.”

SB 162 will be next heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee, possibly on Friday.

ELECTRIC CARS ARE ON A ROLL!

*Sen. Schwartz takes a spin in an Electric Car*
***
SB 75 cruises out of Transportation Committee on 5-2 vote


DENVER-- Last Week, Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) presented Senate Bill
75 before the Transportation Committee. The measure passed on a 5 -2 vote.
Voting for the measure were Senators Gibbs (D), Williams (D), Veiga (D),
Romer (D), and Spence (R).

SB 75 would open more Colorado low speed roads to fuel efficient electric
vehicles. Currently, Colorado has a patchwork of conflicting regulations
for these vehicles. By establishing statewide legislation for their
operation, Sen. Schwartz hopes to encourage more Coloradans to consider
using energy efficient electric cars.

“Electric cars are a greener way to travel and I am looking forward to
seeing more of them on Colorado city streets,” said Senator Schwartz. “By
facilitating their use we’re promoting an environmentally responsible
transportation option while outlining guidelines for their safe use.”

SB 75 will next be presented before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
***
keep an eye on legislation here: www.leg.state.co.us and follow the links to bills

Join me in Chaffee County!

Saturday February 14th
Buena Vista & Salida

BUENA VISTA at 10 am
Buena Vista Community Center
715 E. Main Street
Buena Vista, Colorado

SALIDA at 2 pm
Bongo Billy’s Meeting Room
300 W. Sackett Avenue
Salida, Colorado

With today’s economic issues on all of our minds, take advantage of this opportunity to speak directly with your State Senator for Chaffee County. Gain perspective on how Colorado’s budget decisions may affect your neighborhoods, communities and businesses.

*************************
Topics to be covered include:
The state of Colorado’s budget
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Schwartz
Renewable Energy & Transportation
Select Committee on Job Creation & Economic Growth
Ideas for stimulating growth within our local economy


For more Information please contact:
(303) 866-4871
gail.schwartz.senate@gmail.com

***

Schwartz Fights Displacement of Vets

SCHWARTZ FIGHTS DISPLACEMENT OF VETS at HOMELAKE CENTER

DENVER-- The Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake in Monte Vista has been undergoing a renovation for several months. The 30 residents who are military veterans were relocated to temporary facilities, however, the closure of the center has been proposed as a budget cut to address the State’s budget deficit. Homelake is a Veterans Administration facility.

After learning that the State would forfeit the remainder of a $4.1 million federal grant for the renovation, Senator Schwartz has begun meeting with executive department personnel and the Governor’s office to push for the completion of this project and the ultimate return of the vets to Homelake.

“At a time the state needs every dollar, we cannot afford to put ourselves in a position where we are returning a federal match of 65% and the $350,000 that has been received to date. It is imperative that we finish the life safety improvements and return these honorable vets to their domicile.”

Additional Facts:
The domiciliary program is currently under a provisional certification due to life safety deficiencies that will be corrected by the renovation project. The federal grant program provides 65% of the project funding, requiring a 35% match. If state matching funds are delayed or reverted, the State will be in default of its contract with the VA to provide state matching funds and to maintain a certified VA domiciliary operation within the facility.

Senate Chamber State of Colorado Denver

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 05, 2009

CONTACT

Senator Gail Schwartz (303) 866-4871/ gail.schwartz.senate@gmail.com