House Democrats in the News
Democrats in the House are working hard on your behalf. Take a look at some of the news they're making around town and around the state.
Rep. Dan Gibbs Honors Environmental Leaders
From the Summit Daily News
FRISCO — Summit County leaders in environmental stewardship in were honored for their work with Green Scene Awards at the Annual Earth Day Action Fair.
”The nominees were amazing this year,” Karn Stiegelmeier, chair of the Blue River Group, Sierra Club, said in a press release. “We are fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals committed to greener practices in Summit County.”
State Representative, Dan Gibbs presented the awards to the winners who were nominated by the community at the Sunday fair in Frisco.
Rep. Sara Gagliardi Fights for Equal Pay for Women
The state labor director, [Don Mares,] is convening a commission to examine the wage gap between men and women.
Nationally, women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn, and minority women earn even less, according to recent figures. The average in Colorado varies, but one study shows it is only a penny off the national average, said Linda Meric of 9to5, the National Association of Working Women.
Mares’ announcement was made Tuesday, the same day lawmakers supported a resolution recognizing Equal Pay Day. Many women lawmakers wore red Tuesday as a sign that “women are still in the red.”
“It’s vital that the Colorado General Assembly continues to bring attention to the inequities faced by women and people of color in this state,” said Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, who sponsored the resolution in the House. “Although the glass ceiling continues to be a reality for women in this country, we must continue to fight every day for equality.”
Rep. Joe Rice Honors our Fallen Soldiers
From The Denver Channel
It’s been nearly 17 years since the Colorado Veterans Monument was erected outside the state Capitol, and it is now beginning to show its age.
State Representative Joe Rice served two tours of duty as an army reservist in Iraq. “I think it’s somewhat the responsibility of the younger veterans and their families to maintain the legacy of those who came before us,” he said.
So, he is sponsoring a resolution (HJR07-1034) to urge private and public contributions be made to the Colorado Veterans’ Monument Preservation Trust Fund in the Department of Personnel.
“I think a lot of people, organizations, foundations, would make contributions to maintain the monument if they knew it was needed,” he said. “The monument was built with a great number of private sector contributions, and that’s why we’re asking for help from many of the same groups and individuals that cared enough 17 years ago to build this, if they care enough to help us maintain it.”
Donations may be sent to: Colorado Veterans’ Monument Preservation Trust Fund, C/O The Department of Personnel, 633 17th St. Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80202.
Rep. John Kefalas Works for Working Poor
From The Denver Post
For six years Colorado has not issued an earned income tax credit, or EITC, to those who meet the federal threshold for the credit.
The state ties its EITC to a TABOR revenue surplus, so when times are tough for the state, working families also feel the squeeze. Now that the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights is on hold and Referendum C is in play, tax credits are not being given because doing so would reduce the revenue base on which future budgets will be derived.
Last week any chance of Colorado catching up to other states was dashed when Rep. John Kefalas, a Fort Collins Democrat, was told to keep his proposal for a 5 percent tax rebate for the working poor at home.
“The issue of a state earned income tax credit is good public policy. Colorado needs to bring it back,” Kefalas said. “We see growing income inequality, and this is one way of addressing that.”
“These are families living on the edge,” Kefalas said. “This money could make the difference, fix the car, pay a utility bill.”
Rep. Dianne Primavera Supports Breast Cancer Treatment Funding
From 9News
Rep. Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) has beaten four separate kinds of cancer, and she now wants to help other Colorado women using “tax time.”
In 2005, Colorado taxpayers donated nearly $1.8 million to nonprofit funds listed on tax forms. They currently help with issues like pet overpopulation, domestic abuse and the Special Olympics.
Primavera wants to add the Colorado Breast and Women’s Reproductive Cancers Fund to the list.
“To fight cancer, not only is it a personal battle, but it needs to be a political battle and an educational battle and we need to battle it on every front that we can. Since I’ve battled it personally, now’s “the time to battle it politically,” she said.
Representative Green is a medical social worker and a grandmother of 9. Her top legislative priority is accessible, affordable health care. She lives in Golden.
Representative Kefalas was elected to the House in 2006 after a 30-year career in the local, national and international peace and justice movements. He lives in Larimer and is the father of an Iraq war veteran. 
Born and raised in Fort Collins, Representative Fischer is an engineer whose priorities include ethical government and fiscal responsibility. He sits on the House Education Committee.