HB1214-Appropriate Use of Prison Beds
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill requires a court determination that incarceration is the most appropriate course of action for class 5 and 6 felonies, changes parole considerations for low-risk offenders, and amends statute around drug programming for parolees. This bill establishes a PRESUMPTION of parole for class 5 & 6 felons which means these criminals are let out on the street. This trades the SAFETY of Coloradans for lowering the number of prison beds. While prison beds are reduced, total FTEs go up by 15 and the number of hearings and additional findings required increases. Colorado needs to be tougher on crime-not more lenient.
Sponsors: Chad Clifford (D)”, Julie Gonzales (D)”
Bill Status: In Committee
SB148-Modifications to Campaign Finance Requirements
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. The bill increases the prohibition on lobbyist campaign contributions from during the legislative session to year-round. This is an unnecessary restriction on free speech.
Sponsors: Michael Weissman (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
SB196-Insurance Coverage Preventive Health-Care Services
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. CUT members unanimously oppose this bill. The bill allows the Department of Regulatory Agencies to mandate insurance coverage of certain preventative health care services in the event that federal organizations are repealed or modified. First, the bill is predicated on a hypothetical condition, that the federal mandate for insurance to provide certain types of coverage is dropped. There is no assurance that this will occur. And if it does, this bill would leave Colorado in a position of having unique insurance mandates. This could drive out insurers and raise our costs and potentially force us into single (government) coverage. Second, CUT members are opposed to health insurance coverage mandates. It is not the proper role of government to impose requirements into private contracts. People should be able to buy a “bare bones” policy without unnecessary items for them. Third, it allows the (unelected) commissioner of insurance to determine requirements if the hypothetical condition occurs. These requirements would come from the Nurse-Physician Advisory Task Force for Colorado Health Care (also unelected). Determining law should be the exclusive duty of the legislature. Last, through use of the Safety Clause, this bill makes the absurd claim that there is an immediate threat to “peace, health or safety”. This bill is only addressing some imaginary, future condition.
Sponsors: Iman Jodeh (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
