Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
February 6, 2002
Colorado bishops to review legislative issues for support
Bishops to discuss bills that protect human life, serve the poor
By Jim Tatten
Colorado's state senators and representatives returned to the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 9, for the start of the Second Session of the 63rd General Assembly. If everything goes as planned, the Legislature will adjourn sine die (for an indefinite period) on Wednesday, May 8.
Because this is an election year, many members of the House and Senate will be eager to finish the 120-day meeting in order to turn their attention to the real business of the day — campaigning. Apparently, the aftermath of Sept. 11 and the recession had a real impact on fundraising.
This year the political stakes are high. Both parties know that party-control of the House, Senate and Governor's Office makes lawmaking much more enjoyable. In fact, some might go so far as to say "it makes for good government."
Before getting back to the business of slapping backs, shaking hands and kissing babies, however, the legislators will have to do the people's work — consideration of more than 600 legislative bills and setting the budget.
Participating in the public debate over many of the issues will be the Colorado Catholic Conference. The Colorado Catholic Conference is the statewide, pubic-policy agency operated jointly by the Archdiocese of Denver, the Diocese of Pueblo, and the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Through the conference, Colorado's five Catholic bishops speak with one voice on issues of public policy.
Through its legislative advocacy, the Colorado Catholic Conference fosters public understanding of the teachings of the bishops on human life, education, health, welfare and justice. Together with the state's three Catholic Charities organizations, the Colorado Catholic Conference seeks to shape public policy that protects human life, serves the poor, heals the sick, nurtures the family and promotes the common good.
On Feb. 14 the five bishops will meet in Colorado Springs to review, analyze and prioritize many of the bills pending before the General Assembly. As usual, the bishops will leave the meeting with a large and complex legislative agenda. The following are just a few of the important issues the bishops will discuss:
•Ban on Human Cloning: Rep. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, and Sen. Alice Nichol, D-Denver, are co-sponsoring HB 1073, which proposes to ban human cloning in Colorado. The bill will ban reproductive human cloning and human cloning for research purposes. At a recent hearing before the House Civil Justice and Judiciary Committee, the Colorado Catholic Conference offered testimony in support of HB 1073.
•Crimes Against Unborn Children: Rep. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, and Sen. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, are drafting a bill to expand the definition of homicide to include unborn children. The legislation is designed to provide legal protection to children who are born alive, but later die as a result of prenatal injuries. (Harvey is a first-year legislator. He was recently appointed to replace Joe Nunez, who resigned to join the Bush administration.)
•Education Assistance: Rep. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, and Sen. Rob Hernandez, D-Denver, are preparing a bill that will establish an income tax-credit for contributions made to scholarship funds, which provide tuition assistance to low-income students. (Last year, the bishops supported a similar measure, which failed to pass by one vote.)
•Sen. Bruce Cairns, R-Aurora, has introduced SB 66, which will establish a tax-credit for contributions made to organizations that assist low-income and homeless families.
•Human Services: There will be a number of bills to improve the operation and effectiveness of Colorado's welfare program, which is known as Colorado Works. Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, is sponsoring HB 1082, which proposes an extension to the effective date of the state's low-income housing tax credit and would authorize unused credits to be carried forward to future years. Rep. Lauri Clapp, R-Littleton, and Sen. Dave Owen, R-Greeley, have joined forces to sponsor SB 62, which will provide health-care coverage to an estimated 3,300 low-income pregnant women under Colorado's Children' Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
•State Budget: The Legislature's chief economist recently told lawmakers the state collected $108 million less in December than was originally projected. That number, together with two other revenue downgrades, account for a $550 million shortfall for the fiscal year. It is a financial picture that is worse than expected. In fact, for the first time since 1991, the legislature is facing budget cuts. Good luck to the Joint Budget Committee! Unfortunately, the Legislature doesn't have complete authority to address the real issue - establishing a budget policy that effectively funds state government, year in and year out.
Tatten is the executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference. From early January to early May, you can find him in the halls and hearing rooms of the Capitol watching, listening, and monitoring the work of the General Assembly. For more information on the General Assembly or on how to join a legislative network, please contact the Colorado Catholic Conference at 303-894-8808.
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