Representative Randy Fischer
Colorado House District 53
Randy In The News
Blight Reform: Part of Colorado’s Budget Solution
By State Representative Randy Fischer
February 14, 2010
Colorado’s highways and byways pass through some of the world’s most productive farmland. How could anyone confuse this verdant green farm land with the menacing slums, abandoned or derelict buildings, and crime ridden streets that are characteristic of urban blight? I can’t and I don’t think most Coloradoans can either. We need to recognize in statute what is common sense: farm land is not urban blight.
I am pleased to run House Bill 1107 as one part of a package of solutions addressing Colorado’s fiscal crisis. HB 1107 places reasonable limits on the inclusion of agricultural land into urban renewal areas (URAs). This bill will save Colorado millions of dollars and provide more transparency, accountability, and equity among the entities that levy local property taxes.
The definition of “urban blight” contained in Colorado URA laws has major problems. It turns out that municipalities have complete and total authority to designate almost any piece of property, including productive agricultural land, as “urban blight”. This “blight” designation is required to establish a URA and to reap the lucrative subsidy known as tax increment financing or TIF.
TIF essentially uses other people’s tax dollars to subsidize new development. Under our URA statutes, a city may declare an area as urban blight and then include the properties in that area in an URA. The increase in property tax dollars that accrue as a result of the increase in the land’s value during its conversion from “blight” to new commercial, retail, or residential development is called the increment. The tax increment goes to the developer as a direct subsidy, hence the term tax increment financing or TIF. Under TIF, tax dollars that were approved by the voters to fund our schools, county government, fire departments, and first-responder agencies are diverted to private development interests with no transparency or accountability.
Agricultural land is an attractive
Frequently, TIF schemes involve the development of new retail space to raid the sales tax revenue of their neighboring cities. This practice encourages sprawl development and has adverse impacts on existing retail businesses. This practice also has a hidden impact on Colorado’s general fund budget because the local school taxes lost through TIF must be backfilled by
Since the initial discovery that cities could actually get away with a blight designation on farmland, the practice is now seen as an entitlement and is out of control. House Bill 1107 is designed to put the brakes on the exponential growth in
With the passage of HB-1107, Colorado will take a common-sense step toward fiscal stability and greater equity for counties, school districts, and other vital service providers that have experienced the worst effects of TIF abuse. If we succeed in adopting this blight reform legislation, we will help prevent a fiscal train-wreck that looms in Colorado’s future.
Randy Fischer, State Representative
Fort Collins House District 53
303-866-2917
randyfischer@frii.com
Focusing on Things that Matter
By State Representative Randy Fischer
January 22, 2010
This month, I began my 4th year of serving the people of west Fort Collins as their state representative. Serving the community in which I was born and raised convinces me more than ever that Fort Collins is the best place in the world to live, work, raise a family and retire.
Fort Collins is recognized statewide as a place of innovation, progress, opportunity, artistic expression, and educational excellence. We are known as a community that nurtures its children, cares for its people, and protects its natural heritage.
I am painfully aware that 2009 has been a difficult year for households in my district. I have heard from families whose incomes have plummeted due to layoffs, furlough days, or reduced hours. Far too many Coloradans struggle to prevent foreclosure, refinance their mortgages, put food on the table, and fuel their vehicles. Daily I am reminded of the thousands of families trying to figure out how they will make ends meet. These families keep me focused on the things that really matter – creating jobs, steering us toward recovery, and supporting small business.
Colorado state government is no different than any family faced with a sudden loss of income. In 2009, the legislature made the tough choices necessary to balance a recession-era budget. My colleagues and I in
Despite these deep cuts in spending, the legislature continues to focus on the things that matter to Coloradans. We continue to focus on job creation as well as on maintaining investments in education, healthcare, public safety, job training, and other vital community services.
In terms of job creation and economic growth, we advanced Colorado's globally recognized New Energy Economy, creating an economic environment that produced new jobs and making renewable energy and energy efficiency more affordable for all Coloradans. We initiated the most aggressive economic-development legislation in decades, rewarding companies that create jobs, providing businesses with access to credit, and strengthening job-training programs at community colleges. We supported businesses by cutting the Business Personal Property Tax for more than 30,000 small companies in recognition that small businesses drive our economy and are key to a sustained recovery.
While too many of us are hurting from the ravages of the recession, Colorado is buffering itself against the worst effects of the economic catastrophe.
There is no place I would rather live than right here in Colorado. We are a state with a vision. We are a place where a person’s full potential may be realized. In these tough times when families are hurting, I am determined to stand up for people in my district and focus on the things that matter, helping people find jobs, building an economy that works for everyone, and helping to build a bridge of progress to Colorado’s future.
By State Representative Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins)
The new texting ban enacted by the Colorado Legislature takes effect on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009, along with a cell-phone ban for younger drivers. I am pleased to have worked alongside Representatives Claire Levy and John Kefalas, Senator Bob Bacon, and others to enact HB-1094 into Colorado law. This bill will save lives!
HB-1094 prohibits persons under 18 years of age from using a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle for either voice or text communication. The bill also prohibits persons who are 18 years of age and older from using a wireless device to send text messages, e-mails, or tweets while operating a motor vehicle. Exceptions include contacting a public safety entity during an emergency. Violations of this new law are Class A
Few bills passed by
• Research from the Cellular Telephone Industries Association indicate that Americans send over 110 billion text messages each month;
• The AAA reports that 21% of all drivers admit to text messaging while driving;
• The Pew Research Center finds that a quarter of all teenagers say they send text messages, e-mails, or tweets while driving;
• A 2002 study showed that talking or texting on a cell phone while driving was the cause of at least 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries annually;
• Motorists on cell phones or texting exhibit the reaction speed and coordination of drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding 0.08 – 2 drinks for most women, 4 drinks for most men!
• A Virginia Tech study of commercial truck drivers show they were 23 times more likely to crash while texting;
• Brain research shows that when drivers hold a cell phone, they “look” but they don’t actually “see.” They believe they are paying attention but are not.
The evidence is clear. More and more studies show that cell phone use while driving, especially by young people and especially texting, imperils the motoring public, bicyclists, and pedestrians. As compelling as the evidence is, however, there is a real human impact underlying the data that touches everyone:
• A lovely 9-year old Fort Collins girl was tragically killed by distracted driver using a cell phone;
• A Colorado high school senior texting at the wheel killed a 63-year old man;
• Five girls who just graduated from high school were killed in an accident attributed to texting while driving;
• A young mother lost her leg in Colorado Springs, impaled against her car by a driver on a cell phone.
The dizzying array of new technologies and wireless devices has become so pervasive in our culture that we erroneously believe we can’t go anywhere without being wirelessly connected to the world. When presented with the sobering evidence documenting the risks of texting while driving, my legislative colleagues and I took decisive action to address this growing roadway safety issue.
I hope all Colorado drivers will embrace the intent behind HB-1094. I am gratified that the texting ban for all drivers and the cell-phone ban for drivers under 18 take effect this week. HB-1094 will save lives if all drivers will put their cell phones down, keep their hands on the wheel, and focus their attention
On A Quest To Offer Hope
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By Randy Fischer
The Coloradoan
October 18, 2008
Serving as
As a member of the House Education Committee, I worked with my colleagues to lead our educational system in a new, positive direction that will narrow the achievement
As the representative for the main campus of Colorado State University and the Larimer campus of Front Range Community College, I worked with my colleagues to increase higher education funding by over $100 million since 2007 and substantially increased need-based financial aid to help make college more affordable. I feel privileged to have received the Friend of Higher Education Award in recognition of my work in this area.
I have supported legislative efforts to build a more equitable health-care system, one that lowers costs and expands access. I am especially pleased about the Legislature's efforts to ensure that Colorado children have access to quality care.
We have also helped make prescription drugs more affordable, increased transparency for health insurers and required for the first time that health insurance companies justify their rate increases. We have strengthened Colorado's public health system and started the process of reducing
I have been privileged to co-sponsor landmark legislation that is already energizing Colorado's economy and protecting our environment. Thousands of jobs are on the way because of our commitment to building the new energy economy through utility-scale solar, residential efficiency upgrades and our Bioscience Discovery Grants.
As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I passed legislation establishing some of the strongest reclamation standards in the nation for in-situ leach uranium mining. I sponsored a key element of the healthy rivers initiative and co-sponsored bills to protect human health and the environment from the impacts of oil and gas drilling.
I am running for re-election this year because I want to give back some of the hope and opportunity I was afforded growing up here in Fort Collins - great schools, affordable higher education, a healthy environment, and a chance for a secure and prosperous future.
Addressing the critical issues emerging in this time of economic uncertainty will require experience, character and judgment in our elected officials. That is why I am asking for your vote. I sincerely hope I have earned the privilege of serving you for another two years.
Randy Fischer, a Democrat from Fort Collins, is
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Fischer is the right choice for District 53
Fischer, a Democrat, has been productive during his first two years in office. He has led on a bill to further regulate in-situ uranium mining and open up the mining prospecting process to the public. Like so many others in the Legislature, Fischer is correct that
His advocacy for the Build Excellent Schools Today will help shore up school buildings, particularly in rural areas of Colorado. He even spearheaded an effort to allow teen drivers to display a decal to communicate with other drivers that a young person was at the wheel.
Fischer has been exceptional in holding town meetings in Fort Collins. Still, if elected, we'd like to see him expand his horizons beyond the environment and education to include easing regulations on small businesses and growing jobs beyond those found in the burgeoning renewable energy sector. Fort Collins is a diverse community, and its representation should be diverse, too.
Gallup, a Republican, should consider pursuing elected office again if she is not elected in this race. She is thoughtful and asks tough questions. As someone who has experienced her own health crisis in battling cancer, Gallup suggests breaking down the complicated issue of health care into three representative groups: individuals, government and business. The three groups would prioritize their needs and then focus on providing patient services.
Vote to re-elect Randy Fischer to House District 53.
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September 6, 2008
Senior J.R. Lopez came up with the initial idea and believes a decal could benefit both new and experienced drivers
"It's a lot of pressure. It's something new that you've never done in your life, and people expect you to be as good as a 40- year-old driver, but it doesn't work that way," Lopez said. "Other drivers are less than understanding when a 16-year-old makes a mistake."
Lopez says he's been honked at, tailgated and worse. "It's amazing what people will do on the roads, how impatient people are with young drivers," he said. Lopez hopes that seeing the decal would make other drivers a little more patient, understanding and cautious.
The bill proposes that the decals would be voluntary and would only cost a dollar or two, and include the words "young driver." Fischer plans to introduce a draft bill to the Transportation Committee later this month. If it's approved, it would be considered during the 2009 legislative session.
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Water Institute Gets New State Funding
CSU arm expanding research areas
May 29, 2008
State lawmakers have broadened the scope of a longtime water-research arm of CSU, providing it with an extra $500,000 and charging it with new responsibilities to investigate climate change and pine bark beetles. Gov. Bill Ritter last week signed the law directing additional state money to the Colorado Water Institute, which received a new name as part of a bill passed earlier this year.
"There are too many questions that need unbiased scientific research," said institute director Reagan Waskom. "They are saying we need you to do more. They said we're going to rename you and give you even more responsibility. And in recognition, here's additional money."
One of the institute's current projects is an analysis of why recent snowpack levels have not correlated to typical water runoff. For some reason, the projections used have been off recently, and the institute is trying to figure out why...
"CSU will (also) continue to fund us. This will be an increment we can put into research," Waskom said. "It's not theoretical. It's
The legislation signed by Ritter was sponsored by Rep. Randy Fischer and Sen. Brandon Shaffer.
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Uranium Measure Signed Into Law
Excerpted from the Coloradoan May 21, 2008
DENVER - Robin Davis was so overwhelmed at
Standing with friends and political allies, Davis explained how grateful she was that House Bill 1161, a law strengthening uranium mining restrictions in Colorado - and more specifically her backyard - was being signed into law.
"A year ago, we felt so helpless and discouraged, and we were scared," Davis said as she wiped tears away. "I just want to say thank you to all of our local legislators."
HB 1161, sponsored by Fort Collins Democratic Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer and Republican Sen.
The legislation is important to property owners such as Davis who live northeast of Fort Collins near the site of a proposed Powertech (USA) Mining Corp. uranium mine.
Any water testing now must be completed by a third-party contractor approved by
The proposed Powertech mine would employ in-situ leech mining, a process where water and chemicals are injected into the ground in order to bring uranium to the surface...
...Fischer, an engineer, said he spent many years working in mining reclamation and saw a need for the bill after Davis and others approached him and Kefalas last year.
“I have traveled all over the world cleaning up abandoned mine sites, and there is a huge legacy of abandoned sites that are leaking toxic waste and heavy metals into the groundwater,” Fischer said. “Having this bill signed today represents a unique opportunity … to make sure we protect groundwater and our environment before a new kind of mining
