The second regular session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly of the House of Representatives was called to order by the speaker of the House, Dickie Lee Hullinghorst, on Jan. 13, following a prayer. After the posting of the colors, the speaker began the first day with a speech on what she hoped would be accomplished in the next 120 days.
Following Hullinghorst’s speech, the Republican leader of the House, Brian DelGrosso, gave his talk on what the Republican caucus expected to accomplish in this session.
Among other things, DelGrosso emphasized the need for affordable housing in Colorado and urged the passage of construction defect legislation that will protect homeowners from bad building contractors, but also protect home builders and homeowners from frivolous lawsuits. This legislation is supported by all of the business organizations in the state. The minority leader stressed that at times, government needs to get out of the way so that free people can make a living and create jobs.
Our minority leader also emphasized the need for maintaining our highways and outlined proposed legislation that will put more money into highway infrastructure. He has stressed that, “The Department of Transportation is struggling to maintain our existing roads, and without a large infusion of funding, their list of critical transportation project will likely never be completed.” I am running one of the bills that will require at least some additional funding for highways. This bill will guarantee the five years of transfers promised in Senate Bill 09-228 by adding one year of transfers for every year that the transfers are not fully appropriated.
In 2009, the Legislature replaced Senate Bill 97-001 with SB 228. SB 1 required general fund transfers into highways almost every year. However, even though SB 228 was supposed to trigger five years of general fund transfers to the Colorado Department of Transportation, not one dollar has gone into highways until this year. My bill will guarantee full transfers for the full five years.
Another question that I and many others have is whether we are using transportation funding in the most efficient way possible. I am running a bill with Sen. Randy Baumgardner and Rep. Dan Nordberg which will require more transparency and efficiency from CDOT. A recent audit revealed that taxpayer dollars are not being used efficiently and that the department does not have transparent processes in place to prioritize highway projects. Our bill requires an audit of all construction and maintenance funds as well as an annual budget transparency report to the Transportation Commission. It also would implement transparency measures for CDOT bidding processes, ensure CDOT closes contracts within a reasonable amount of time following completion, and require CDOT to seek legislative approval to bond out for facilities. This bill will make CDOT more accountable to both the Transportation Commission and the Legislature.
I am excited to serve the people of the 59th District and to make government more efficient and accountable to the taxpayers of Colorado.
J. Paul Brown represents House District 59 in Colorado’s General Assembly. The district encompasses La Plata, Archuleta, San Juan, Ouray and Hinsdale counties and part of Gunnison County. Reach him at jpaul.brown.house@state.co.us.
