Mesa County Democrats News
News for Democrats in Mesa County and beyond
GARCIA- AN INSPIRED CHOICE FOR LT. GOVERNOR
DENVER – In response to the Hickenlooper for Colorado announcement for Lieutenant Governor, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak released the following statement:
“This is a historic candidate for Lt. Governor of Colorado. Joseph Garcia is a community leader with a diverse background in both the public and private sector and as a leader in higher education in this state. We are honored and very pleased he has joined the Democratic ticket for Lt. Governor. We are confident that the Hickenlooper-Garcia team will be the leadership Colorado needs.”
If elected, Joseph Garcia will be the first Latino Lieutenant Governor in Colorado’s history.
Federal budget - No one is about to cut it in half
Opinon Piece From Durango Herald on John Salazar and Scott Tipton http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Editorial/2010/05/21/Federal_budget/
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak Lauds Job Creation in March
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Grace Lopez Ramirez
(303) 623-4762 x112 Office
(303) 877-8173 Cell
glramirez@coloradodems.org
Latest Economic News Is Proof Policies of Obama and Democrats are Improving Economy
DENVER – Today, the Labor Department released its March jobs report, showing that 162,000 jobs were created last month, the largest monthly jobs gain in three years. In response to this news, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak released the following statement:
“This new jobs report shows clearly and without question that the policies put forth by President Obama and Democrats in Congress are working to bring our economy back from the brink and foster job creation and economic growth."
“It is important to remember where we were just a year ago. At that time, our economy was shedding nearly 800,000 jobs a month with no relief in sight. But thankfully, President Obama and Democrats across the country kept focused, concentrating on creating jobs and improving the economy--and now we are seeing the tangible results of their efforts. Because of the Recovery Act, the HIRE Act, and other important legislation, our economy is trending upwards and Americans are getting back on their feet. And they did this with almost no help from Republicans. While President Obama and Democrats work tirelessly to help the American people struggling in this economy, Republicans in Colorado and across the country have continued to put politics ahead of the American people. Whether it be their hypocrisy on the Recovery Act, blocking unemployment benefits for out-of-work Americans, or just saying “no” to everything put on the table, Republicans clearly care more about playing political games than helping middle class Americans. Republican leaders need to stop their obstruction and work with Democrats to help American families– but with a track record like theirs, we won’t hold our breath."
"Today's jobs numbers are welcome news, but our work is far from done. Although Colorado has a below the national average unemployment rate, until every Coloradan who wants a job has one, the President and Democrats will not rest. But I'm confident that with the Democratic Party leading the way, we will continue to see our economy improve for the short and long term. That's the kind of leadership we need, and it's the leadership the American people want."
IMMEDIATE BENEFITS OF HEALTH REFORM
AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CDP Unveils 2010 Caucus Night Results Website
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Grace Lopez Ramirez
(303) 877-8173 Cell
glramirez@coloradodems.org
CDP Unveils 2010 Caucus Night Results Website
Check it out: http://coloradocaucus.com
DENVER- The Colorado Democratic Party (CDP) will be marking the first step in the election process this Tuesday, March 16th during precinct caucuses. During caucus night, each county will be reporting their caucus results directly to the state party headquarters where they will be updated on the caucus result website: http://coloradocaucus.com.
Press are encouraged to check the website regularly the evening of March 16th or join CDP staff at the office to hear results as they come in.
Caucus is an opportunity for Democrats across the state to gather with their neighbors to discuss who they want representing our party and the issues that should be part of our state platform. Delegates will be elected from each precinct caucus to their county assembly. From the county assembly, delegates will be elected to participate at the state assembly in Broomfield on Saturday, May 22, 2010.
- WHO: CDP Chair Pat Waak (available for interviews on caucus) Democrat volunteers
- WHAT: Democratic Caucus Results Press availability and website unveil
- WHERE: CDP Headquarter Office777 Santa Fe Drive (SW Corner of 8th and Santa Fe Drive) Denver
- WHEN: Tuesday, March 16th 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
COLORADO PARTY CHAIR: Pat Waak
COLORADO PARTY CHAIR:
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S BUDGET MAKES TOUGH DECISIONS, RIGHT INVESTMENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Grace Lopez Ramirez
(303) 623-4762 x112 Office
(303) 877-8173 Cell
glramirez@coloradodems.org
Budget Begins to Reverse the Middle Class’ Decade-Long Decline, Restore Economic Security to American families.
DENVER - Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak released the following remarks today on President Obama’s proposed budget for FY 2011, providing concrete steps to move the nation from recession to recovery by sparking job creation and building a new foundation for the long-term prosperity for all American families.
“The new budget proposal is President Obama’s latest aggressive move to put Coloradans and working families nationwide first. When the President took office, the economy was on the brink of a depression, and the economic crisis required immediate and extraordinary steps to prevent a complete economic collapse that would have caused millions more to lose their jobs,” Pat Waak said. “But as the middle class struggles – even as the economy shows encouraging signs of improvement – the President has signaled his full commitment to job creation through the private sector and strengthening the economic security of American families with investments in education, clean energy, infrastructure and innovation.”
"The fiscal year 2011 budget will make important investments in job creation and health care and make the tough choices we must make to begin getting our fiscal house in order. President Obama's budget would reverse the declines middle-class families have experienced over the past decade, a decade where Americans worked harder for less; where a college education became less affordable; where health care costs skyrocketed and cut into wages. Specifically, the budget would provide access to credit for small businesses and entrepreneurs – while eliminating taxes on investments in small businesses – so that these firms can grow and hire. It make inroads in opening markets abroad to American-made goods and services, giving our companies the best chance for expansion and creating new jobs for American workers; help build new clean energy economy; and propose historic reform and investment in our schools to give our kids the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century economy."
Treatment of Colorado's Migrant Range Workers
January 14, 2010
To: Interested Parties
From: Chandra Russo, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition , Jennifer Lee, Colorado Legal Services
Re: State & National News Coverage of Colorado Legal Services Report on Unfair and Unequal Treatment of Colorado's Migrant Range Workers
Report, "Overworked and Underpaid: H-2A herders in Colorado"
Current clips: here
Jan. 14, 2010
New York Times/Associated Press
Immigrant Sheepherders Endure Harsh Work, Low Pay "Alone and thousands of miles from home, the immigrant sheepherder roams some of the West's most desolate and frigid landscapes, tending a flock for as little as $600 a month without a day off on the horizon. …
Rep. Daniel Kagan, a Democrat from Denver, said "sheepherders often don't speak English, don't know where they are, and depend entirely on their employers for food, water and contact with the outside world."
Jan. 13, 2010
Survey stirs debate over treatment of foreign sheepherders
By Dennis Webb
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
"Colorado Legal Services says non-herding migrant farm workers must receive at least $9.88 an hour in Colorado. Some Colorado herders report working 91 or more hours per week, not including the time they are on call, meaning they average about $2 an hour, Colorado Legal Services says."
Jan. 14, 2009
Denver Post
Poor treatment of immigrant sheep herders alleged
"A lot of the actual shocking stuff is allowed under current law," said Jennifer Lee, a Colorado Legal Services attorney who oversaw the report. …Many of the conditions described were drastically worse than those existing for farmworkers, let alone for other types of laborers in Colorado," the report said.
" Note: AP Story also appeared on the following news sites:
Earlier Articles:
December 25, 2009
Tough way to make a living
Migrant sheepherders endure loneliness, low wages on Colo. ranches .
"Migrant sheepherders sign three-year contracts and live in “campitos” — mini trailers with no bathroom, no shower, no running water. Water is delivered to the workers in 5-gallon jugs."
Feb. 21, 2009
By Dan Frosch
New York Times
In Loneliness, Immigrants Tend the Flock
“It’s like going back in time,” said Thomas Acker, a Spanish professor at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., who hopes to persuade the state legislature to raise herders’ wages and to require ranchers to improve their standard of living. “That these men are required to live under these conditions for such long periods is inhumane.”
Preliminary Analysis of Proposition 101
Published on The Bell Policy Center
Preliminary Analysis of Proposition 101
Type: Policy Brief
Preliminary Analysis of Proposition 101
Proposition 101 ("Concerning limits on government charges") is intended to drastically reduce a wide range of state and local taxes and fees in Colorado.
The first sentence of the measure reads, "This voter-approved revenue change shall be strictly enforced to reduce government revenue." Proponents say they intend for this language to be interpreted according to the provision in TABOR that defines spending limits. If so, then proponents clearly intend to repeal Referendum C, passed by voters in 2005, and impose a new, lower state spending limit moving forward. And just like before Ref C, this new limit would ratchet down state spending after recessions.
Proponents also intend the measure to impose new, lower spending limits in all cities and counties in Colorado.
Based on preliminary estimates from the Bell Policy Center, when fully implemented the provisions of Proposition 101 would reduce state income tax revenues by $1.2 billion per year (current value), state and local revenues from a range of sales taxes and vehicle fees by well over $1.1 billion per year (current value), and state revenues from telecommunications charges and fees by $4.5 million (current value) per year.
When fully implemented, the provisions of Proposition 101 would cut state revenueby at least:
- $1.2 billion in income tax revenues (rate reduced from 4.63% to 3.5%)
- $179 million in transportation revenues from elimination of FASTER fees
- $164 million in transportation revenues by cutting registration, license and title fees to $10 per vehicle
- $100 million in sales taxes from exempting $10,000 in vehicle value from sales taxes
- $22 million by eliminating sales taxes on rental vehicles
- $4.5 million in telecommunications fees by prohibiting all fees, except those to fund 911 services. Another $72 million that is used to subsidize telecommunications services in rural areas would be cut, but these funds go to a private escrow account and not the state.
Total equals $1.7 billion (current value)
When fully implemented, the provisions of Proposition 101 would cut local government revenue by at least:
- $500 million in specific ownership taxes by cutting them to $2 per new vehicle and $1 per used vehicle
- $100 million in sales taxes from exempting $10,000 in vehicle value from sales taxes (based on an average 3 percent sales tax rate for local governments)
- $22 million by eliminating sales taxes on rental vehicles (based on an average 3 percent sales tax rate for local governments)
Total equals $622 million (current value)
Totals do not include the loss of state and local sales taxes on leased vehicles because we were not able to gather the necessary data on vehicle leases to calculate this amount.
Our calculations for the amount of sales taxes reduced by the $10,000 exemption on the value of a vehicle are based on sales of new and used vehicles at Colorado franchised new vehicle dealers only. They do not include sales by independent auto dealers and private individuals.
Andrew Romanoff to Attend Mesa County Democrats’ Holiday Party
The Mesa County Democratic Party will hold its annual holiday potluck on Monday, December 14, and special guest Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff will be attending. The Democrats will provide turkey and drinks; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. The party starts at 5:30, and takes place at 431 Kennedy Avenue, near Grand Junction High School.
There will also be a non-perishable food drive in co-ordination
with the governor's drive at the pot luck. Please bring in what you can.
