Representative Randy Fischer

Blog

  • CSU Founder's Day

    Posted Feb 15 at 11 AM


    Celebrating the Colorado State University System
    By State Representative Randy Fischer

    February 11, 2010

    On February 11, the legislature took time to welcome and honor the Colorado State University System on the occasion of its Founders Day, the 140th anniversary of CSU’s beginnings. As a Fort Collins legislator, I was pleased to sponsor a resolution and day-long celebration honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions of Colorado State University. Through this celebration, the legislature renewed its praise and continued support for this storied and vital institution whose campuses lie within my legislative district, House District 53.

    As one of Colorado’s two major research universities, CSU is a source of academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and economic strength for the entire state. CSU – Fort Collins is Colorado’s “Land-Grant” university whose mission encompasses three key elements of teaching, research, and extension. The nation’s system of land-grant universities was envisioned by Justin Smith Morrill who dreamed of a network of colleges throughout our country where the sons and daughters of farmers, factory workers and emancipated slaves would be afforded the benefits of an advanced education which were previously reserved for the landed gentry.

    By signing the Morrill Act into law in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln recognized that a national system of agricultural and mechanical colleges would be critical for healing a broken nation and for leading America into the future. And so it was that Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College came to be founded in 1870, a full 6 years prior to statehood. In many ways, CSU is truly Colorado’s “flag-ship” university.

    During the 140 years since its founding, CSU has evolved into one of the nation’s premier research universities while remaining true to its land-grant roots. Today the system has expanded to include CSU - Fort Collins, CSU - Pueblo, and CSU - Global Campus. CSU consistently ranks among the top public universities in terms of educational quality and affordability with world-leading programs in fields as varied as veterinary and diagnostic medicine, performing arts, natural resources, agricultural science, engineering and hydrology, clean energy, liberal arts and history, social work, business and real estate, and many others.

    CSU’s campuses and their faculties, students, and alumni comprise a powerful economic force that generates an estimated $4.1 billion in statewide economic activity representing 3.1 % of Colorado’s total household income. True to its land-grant mission, CSU excels in the area of workforce education. The university brings in annual research funding exceeding $328 million and has created start-up businesses employing more than 2,500 Coloradans. CSU’s extension mission thrives around the state through a network of agricultural experiment stations, extension offices, and 4-H programs that puts research to work for our citizens and disseminates valuable information which improves people’s lives.


    With its longstanding tradition of serving Colorado, I am privileged as a state legislator to represent and honor CSU on the 140th anniversary of its founding. On Founders Day, I was delighted to welcome Chancellor Joe Blake, President Tony Frank, President Joseph Garcia, and members of the Board of Governors to the House chambers. With our hearts uplifted by CSU’s A Capella choir, the legislature paused to celebrate the immeasurable wealth that this tremendous institution has bestowed upon Colorado. Happy Birthday CSU!

  • Posted Jan 21 at 12 PM

    STATE CAPITOL UPDATE – January 18, 2010
    By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

    This week we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am reminded of the many gifts he gave us, especially his great "moral compass" that, if we choose to use it, can guide us on our journeys. Dr. King's compass is a magnet that points us toward the North Star of hope. He said, "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

    Recent Appointments

    I am pleased and honored to have been appointed as Chairman of the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee. This committee is tremendously important, as we hear the agriculture, water, oil and gas, mining, wildlife, state parks, and other related bills. This committee also has oversight of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources.

    I was also invited to join and I accepted an appointment to the Board of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education.

    Community Issue Forum – Senate Bill 10-001
    Share Your Views on Proposed PERA Reforms

    Legislation to strengthen financially the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) was introduced in the opening days of the 2010 session. The PERA bill is Senate Bill-001. SB-001 is based on recommendations submitted to the legislature by the PERA Board of Trustees to shore up the future retirement security of thousands of current and retired public employees. However, there are many questions and concerns about the proposed measure.

    Because of the importance of this issue to teachers, local government employees and state workers, Representative John Kefalas (HD-52), Senator Bob Bacon (SD-14), and I will host a Community Issue Forum on Saturday, January 23rd, 10 AM – 11:30 AM at the Fort Collins Coloradoan Community Room, 1300 Riverside Avenue, Fort Collins. The forum will consist of a panel presentation and discussion on the status of SB-001, alternative ideas for addressing PERA's fiscal sustainability, and information on other states' legislative responses to state pension fund shortfalls. Bring your questions and ideas for the panel!

    WHAT:
    Community Issue Forum: PERA and Senate Bill10-001.
    Panel Discussion and Question and Answer Opportunity

    WHEN:
    Saturday, January 23, 2010
    10:00 AM- 11:30 AM

    WHERE:
    Fort Collins Coloradoan
    Community Room
    1300 Riverside Avenue
    Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
    (Wheel-chair accessible)

    Who:
    Gary Hoy, President, Colo. School and Public Employees Retirement Association
    Scott Wasserman, Director, Colorado Wins Coalition
    Myron Hulen, Retired CSU Professor and current PERA member and retiree
    Ron Snell, State Services Director, National Conference of State Legislatures
    Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)
    Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)
    Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins SD-14)

    Multiple Ways to Contact or Follow Me during the 2010 Legislative Session

    I am readily accessible and open to discussing legislative issues with you. Here are the multiples ways to contact me or follow issues of importance to you:

    1. Sign up for my Capitol Update newsletters, which you're reading now;
    2. Check out my website, www.RandyFischer.org;
    3. Follow me on my Facebook fan page for up-to-the-minute news;
    4. Attend monthly town-hall meetings held the 2nd Saturday of each month;
    5. Participate in community issue forums on the 4th Saturday of each month;
    6. Write, call or e-mail me (refer to numbers and addresses below);
    7. Visit the Capitol in Denver - call ahead to get my schedule;
    8. Listen to floor sessions and committees on-line at http://www.leg.state.co.us and click on the link for "Audio Broadcasts" at the very top of the page.
    9. Watch the House proceedings on the Colorado Channel on your TV at Comcast Channel 165 or on your computer at www.coloradochannel.net.

    If you prefer not to receive my e-mail updates, please send me an e-mail to the address below stating "please unsubscribe me" in the subject line.

    Best Wishes,
    Randy Fischer, State Representative
    House District 53

  • Posted Jan 21 at 12 PM

    STATE CAPITOL UPDATE - January 4, 2010
    By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

    The start of the new legislative session is upon us. Wednesday, January 13, 2010, begins my fourth full year as state representative for House District 53! Thank you and the citizens of Fort Collins for the privilege of serving this wonderful community.

    All indicators point toward an economy that will continue to challenge Colorado citizens and our state budget in 2010. I enter the new legislative session knowing that times are tough and families are struggling. That's why I'm standing up for you and for families like yours all across Colorado. I am focused on the things that will help steer us toward a responsible economic recovery and that will help protect existing jobs and create new ones!

    Town Hall Meeting

    Share Your Ideas and Input for the 2010 Legislative Session

    With the start of the 2010 legislative session just around the corner, I want to hear from community members, like you! Please join Representative John Kefalas, Senator Bob Bacon and me for an opportunity to provide your input as we refine our legislative agendas and priorities. Bring your questions and ideas!

    WHAT:

    Town-Hall Meeting for the 2010 Legislative Kick-off

    WHEN:
    Saturday, January 9, 2010
    10:00 AM- 11:30 AM

    WHERE:
    Harmony Branch Library

    Community Room
    4616 South Shields Street
    Fort Collins, Colorado 80526

    (Wheel-chair accessible)

    Who:

    Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)

    Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)

    Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins SD-14)

    Opening of the 2010Legislative Session

    Please consider experiencing the opening ceremonies in the Colorado House of Representatives this year. Opening day at the legislature is January 13, 2010, at 10:00 AM with speeches by the Speaker of the House, Terrance Carroll and others. Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., will deliver his State of the State address on Thursday, January 14 at 11:00 AM.

    You may attend these ceremonies or any other events at the State Capitol in person at 200 E. Colfax Ave, Denver. Please feel free to contact me at 303-866-2917 if you are planning to be at the Capitol anytime. I would love to meet with you briefly and help make your visit as enjoyable and informative as possible.

    Can't or don't want to drive to Denver? You can listen to legislative sessions and committee hearings on-line. Please visit the state legislative website at http://www.leg.state.co.us and click on the link for "Audio Broadcasts" at the very top of the page. In addition, you can now watch the House proceedings on the Colorado Channel on your TV at Comcast Channel 165 or on your computer at www.coloradochannel.net. A tremendous variety of information about pending legislation, member biographies, photos, district maps, and other items is available at the www.leg.state.co.us website.

  • Posted Jan 21 at 11 AM

    Dear Neighbor,

    Be a Backseat Budgeter

    Think you could do a better job of balancing Colorado's budget? Here's your chance to become a Backseat Budgeter! Fort Collins House Rep. John Kefalas and I will be joined by House Rep. Mark Ferrandino, a member of the state's powerful Joint Budget Committee, for a community forum on Colorado's 2010/2011 State budget. The forum will be held on Thursday evening, December 10, from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Harmony Library Community room. Participants will be invited to create their own budget balancing options using an interactive tool developed at Colorado State University called the Backseat Budgeter. This web-based application will be up and running to allow participants to add or drop programs, raise revenues, or rearrange spending priorities to balance the 2010/2011 budget.


    Participants will have opportunities for input, questions and answers, and community dialogue with me and state House reps, including a member of the legislature's budget committee. Experience firsthand the challenge of trying to provide critical state services with insufficient revenues while constrained by Colorado's unique constitutional limitations, such as the Douglas Bruce amendment, Amendment 23 and others.

    This event is free and open to the public. The Harmony Library Community Room is wheelchair accessible.

    What: Community Forum

    Topic: Backseat Budgeter: Driving the State's 2010/2011 Budget

    When: Thursday, December 10th, 2009, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

    Where: Harmony Library Community Room, 4616 South Shields Street, Fort Collins, CO 80526

    Who: State Representative Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins)
    State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins)
    State Representative Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver)

    I hope you will consider attending this community forum. As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments, suggestions, or questions.

    Best Wishes,

    Randy Fischer, State Representative

    House District 53

  • Posted Mar 13 at 12 PM

    STATE CAPITOL UPDATE - March 10, 2009
    By Representative Randy Fischer, House District 53

    Dear Neighbor,

    It's hard to believe, but this past Sunday, we passed the half-way mark in the 2009 legislative session. We've been working as a legislative body for just over 60 days out of the maximum allowed 120-day session. The half-way point affords me with an opportunity to check in with you on issues of interest or concern. I hope you will plan to meet with me this coming weekend at my regularly scheduled monthly townhall meeting. Please read on for more detail.

    Townhall Meeting, Saturday, March 14
    Share Your Ideas and Input

    I want to hear from community members, like you! Please join Representative John Kefalas, Senator Bob Bacon, and me for an opportunity to provide your input as we embark on the second half of the legislative session. Please attend! Bring your questions and ideas!

    WHAT:
    Monthly Townhall Meeting


    WHEN:
    Saturday, March14, 2009
    10:30 AM- 12:00 PM

    WHERE:
    Downtown Main Library
    Community Room
    201 Peterson St.
    Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
    (Wheel-chair accessible)

    Update on Senate Bill 09-228
    Colorado's 6 % limit on the annual growth of general fund appropriations, also known as Arveschoug-Bird, is a statutory formula that dictates how the legislature can appropriate general fund dollars. General fund revenues collected above the 6 % growth limit are still spent by the state, but they are automatically appropriated to non-general fund programs. Currently, revenues that top the 6 % limit are used almost exclusively to fund transportation and capital construction needs. However, in down revenue years that funding is not there. SB 228 would eliminate this arbitrary limit and gives the legislature the ability to set the state's spending priorities. This bill would provide the flexibility to meet changing economic times and ensures greater accountability in the state budget.

    If SB-228 is not passed and the 6% provision stays in place, it will prolong for several years the fiscal difficulties Colorado is currently experiencing. Federal recovery dollars will not help the state avoid future budget cuts but will only postpone them and will extend the effects of the recession in Colorado. If unchanged, the continuation of the 6% limit will mean that when the economy recovers, and other states are climbing out of the recession and restoring funding for schools, health care, job training, local economic development, higher education, or other key needs, Colorado will be stuck in a recessionary rut. The 6% limit will force the state to permanently ratchet down investment in vital services. In addition, the 6% limit will continue to prevent the creation of a rainy-day fund to help avoid future budget cuts the next time times get tough.

    Granparents Raising Grandchildren

    All parents face stress in raising children on a routine basis. Often, however, grandparents face the additional stress of being "repeat parents". Research shows that networks of support are crucial for grandparents raising grandchildren. It can often seem to grandparent caregivers that they are alone in a huge endeavor.

    CSU Extension has established a website designed especially for grandparents and kinship caregivers. This Online Support website includes a blog, a listing of support groups in Colorado, frequently asked questions, publications, and links to other resource guides. The purpose of this resource is to increase grandparents' knowledge about the issues affecting them, while empowering and uniting grandparents who may feel isolated, invisible, or overwhelmed. Please visit this site and feel free to share this resource with others.


    Contact Me
    As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas about Colorado state government. If you prefer not to receive my e-mail updates, please send me an e-mail to the address below stating "please unsubscribe me" in the subject line.


    Best Wishes,

    Randy Fischer, State Representative


    House District 53
    3007 Moore Lane
    Fort Collins, Colorado 80526-2103
    970-215-7898 (Cell)
    303-866-2917 (Office)
    E-mail: RandyFischer@frii.com
    www.RandyFischer.org



Paid for Randy Fischer for Colorado House