The 2014 legislative session has concluded, and while it did not compare to the extreme partisanship and overreach of last year, it was not without controversy. The Democrats continue to wield their majority to impose the most liberal agenda Colorado has ever seen. They continue to ignore us, the people, and listen only to their wealthy backers like Michael Bloomberg and Jared Polis. While we lacked the votes, I was proud to stand side by side with my GOP colleagues as we relentlessly fought against the Democrat’s radical agenda and advocated for conservative reform. But let’s be honest, with Republicans in the minority, we can’t advance many of our conservative values until we take back the majority. That’s why this summer, I intend to not only work in my community of Colorado Springs, but also travel around the state to help conservative candidates committed to winning back the majority. I believe the stage has been set for a Republican comeback in 2014 but it won’t happen without a lot of hard work. Momentum is certainly on our side but we have to keep the pressure on.
As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you, please call me personally on my cell: 719-357-6768 or email me directly at danforhd14@gmail.com. It’s an honor to serve you in the Legislature and I appreciate your support in helping me defend our freedoms.
Respectfully,
Colorado House of Representatives
House District 14
HB 14-1003-Non-Resident Disaster Relief Worker Tax Exemption:
Individuals from other states are currently liable to pay Colorado income tax on income derived from all sources within Colorado. This bill exempts non-residents from the state income tax if they perform emergency-related work on critical infrastructure that has been affected by a declared state disaster emergency. The measure would also provide an exemption to non-resident emergency service workers (Example: fire-fighters) if they provide emergency service work related to the declared disaster emergency. The exemption would only be in effect for 60 days following a disaster declaration by the Governor.
-Signed into law by the Governor
SB 14-157-DMVA Commission Report on Value of US Military Activity in Colorado:
Over the next ten years, the Department of Defense will cut close to $1 trillion in defense spending. These cuts will not only lead to force reductions, but also numerous restructuring decisions that will likely lead to a new Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), potentially as soon as 2017. To that end, SB-157 authorizes a comprehensive analysis highlighting the impact and benefit that our nation’s armed forces have in the state so that we may maintain and expand military missions, defense spending, and defense-related investment in Colorado.
-Signed into law by the Governor
HB 14-1090-Super Majority for a New or Increased Fee:
Would have required at least 60% of both houses of the general assembly to approve any law that creates a new fee or increases an existing fee. With over 740 state sanctioned fees, costing Colorado taxpayers millions of dollars a year, the Legislature needs to increase their oversight of government agencies and ensure the fees they create aren’t just new taxes in disguise.
-Killed by Democrats on a party-line vote
HB 14-1257-Concerning the Authority of the State Auditor to Conduct a Performance Audit on the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange:
Would have authorized the State Auditor to conduct a broad and comprehensive performance audit of the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange. With receipt of over a $100 million in federal funds and recent news of a Colorado health exchange Director being indicted for embezzlement, it’s important now more than ever that we provide transparency to the citizens of Colorado.
-Passed House, Killed in Senate Health Committee
HB 14-1106-Tax Deduction for Affordable Care Act Penalty:
As a result of Obamacare, thousands of Colorado families have had their health insurance plans cancelled through no fault of their own. Now, these families are forced to make a difficult choice: either buy an insurance plan they cannot afford or pay a fine levied by the government.
HB 1106 would have provided a state tax deduction for Coloradans, in an amount equal to the federal tax penalty, levied against them for failing to purchase health insurance as mandated by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
-Killed by Democrats on party-line vote
SB 14-037-Prohibtion On The Use By Recipients Of Public Benefits Of Automated Teller Machines At Certain Establishment’s:
Bill would have prohibited the use of welfare benefit cards at Colorado pot shops.
-Killed by Democrats on party-line vote
SCR 14-002-CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF ELECTRONIC DATA FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES:
Would have added “electronics and other data” to the established list of “persons, papers, homes, and effects”, all of which are protected from unreasonable search and seizure as set forth in Article 2, Section 7 of the Colorado constitution. If passed, law enforcement would have been required to establish probable cause and obtain a warrant before searching an individual’s electronic data.
Passed Senate, killed by House Democrats