Session off to fast start for Lakewood-area legislators
LAKEWOOD – State legislators from the Lakewood area wasted no time in getting back to work, proposing a number of bills to address issues ranging from the size of state government to clarifying when the late-fee meter starts running on property tax bills.
State Sen. Mike Kopp, who represents south Lakewood as part of his south Jeffco Senate District 22, will introduce his “Blueprint for a leaner Government” in the Senate.
“It seeks to streamline and eliminate wasteful bureaucracies so that government costs taxpayers less money in these recessionary times,” according to Kopp.
The measure would create two bipartisan study groups. One would examine “all bureaucratic state functions” to determine which are necessary and which duties could be either eliminated or farmed out to the private sector. A second group that would include business owners would examine regulatory duties of state agencies, compiling a list of regulations that are “outmoded, wasteful and top-heavy,” according to Kopp.
Freshman State Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood/Golden, introduced bill that provides “a little breathing room” for people who opt to pay their property tax by mail.
Tyler’s HB 1046, which earlier this week cleared its first vote on the House floor with no debate, would require county treasurers to record as “on time” any un-postmarked payments received within five days of the due date.
“This bill will make life easier for those who pay their property taxes on time,” Tyler said. “It’s just another example of how House Democrats are continuously looking out for the citizens of Colorado.”
Bills introduced by Lakewood state legislators:
Tyler – HB 1001, HB 1050, HB 1077
State Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Dist. 23) – HB 1040, HB 1164
State Rep. Jim Kerr (R-Dist.28) – HB 1011, HB 1085, HB 1118, HB 1150, HB 1153
State Rep. Ken Summers (R-Dist 22) – HB 1091, HB 1157
State Sen. Betty Boyd (D-Dist. 21) – SB 006, SB 010, SB 020, SB 056, SB 068, SB 097.
