It's all about the budget

It's all about the budget

Jan. 8, 2001

Capitol Report
By State Senator Jim Isgar

As we gear up for the coming year, with all its challenges and expectations, it becomes apparent how committed we all need to be in finding ways of keeping Colorado moving forward. I plan on using my time here at the Capitol to focus on those issues that directly affect our health, our jobs and our families.

This year is different from previous "flush" years because the economy began to slump in the summer and has continued since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Colorado tourism is down, spending is down and that means there is less money in the state budget. As the economy slowed, we saw unemployment rise from a low of 2.6 percent to 4.3 percent and many of you have felt the pressure. Paying health care insurance premiums and prescription costs, finding affordable housing and new jobs will be among the issues that the legislature will tackle this session.

My goal is to be fiscally responsible and come up with creative solutions that look out for Colorado families. Last week, after I spoke to the Joint Budget Committee in support of additional funding for Colorado's tourism industry, the JBC approved a supplemental expenditure on tourism of a half-million dollars from a special economic development fund. The $500,000 will be used for an in-state and neighboring state tourism marketing campaign to encourage people to choose Colorado as a vacation destination rather than traveling to more distant locations.

As chairman of the Agricultural, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, I will be in a position to keep rural issues at the forefront, helping our farms and ranches to stay healthy and prosperous through these rough economic times. I have spent my life in agriculture and know the value of its family-oriented lifestyle. Even the folks who are not dependent on agriculture are well aware of these values and I will continue to fight for them. We need to protect our water as well, and in doing so we support open space and safeguard the beauty that draws tourists to our area of Colorado.

In addition to my committee duties, I will be supporting positions and carrying legislation that I also think is important to western Colorado:

Tourism

We depend heavily on tourism in Western Colorado. We need to nurture these businesses and we need to preserve the health of tourism. I will continue to work for the re-establishment of a statewide marketing effort that will allow us not only to maintain, but also expand our tourist-based economy. Toward that end, I will be working for the long-delayed funding for the Four Corners Monument Visitors' Center. Despite the budget shortfall, I am optimistic this can be accomplished through the legislature or administratively.

Health Care

Some insurance companies delay payment on claims, causing frustration and even causing further injuries in some cases. I plan on tackling the prompt pay issue with a bill that will require insurance companies to accept electronically filed claims, standard claim forms and standard codes. It will set up penalties for not paying claims in a timely fashion.

I will also introduce a bill that will require motor vehicle insurance coverage to include a "living expense benefit." This bill would allow the injured person will be able to draw some income to spend on food and a place to live while they are in rehabilitation programs.

Colorado Water Conservation Board Projects

I will be the Senate sponsor of the Colorado Water Conservation Board projects bill. Many of these wide ranging expenditures (from flood plain mapping to hatchery enhancement to satellite data monitoring to rehabilitation projects) affect Western Slope water users and issues. Water is life to our semi-arid area and I will continue to fight for projects that enhance our way of life and our geographic area.

Congressional Redistricting

This is a partisan issue that is already being fought in the courts. I have supported and will continue to support keeping the Western Slope in a single congressional district. We are a unique community of interest on the western slope and we need the same representation in Washington for the entire area.

The legislature begins meeting again on January 9th and I would encourage you to contact me or visit the Capitol. If you would like to contact me on a specific issue, my phone number is 303-866-4884 (Capitol) or 970-385-7664 (home). You can also reach me by e-mail at: jim.isgar@qwest.net.

Election years tend to be more contentious at the Capitol, but it is important that we have an open public debate on the important issues. We all bring our different perspectives to represent our constituents and, in the end, we manage to pass good legislation. May the New Year bring joy and peace to everyone.