An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Representative James Coleman (House District 7) is very proud that the education bill he is sponsoring has support across both aisles in the Colorado legislature. House Bill 17-1211 calls for a pilot program to provide educators with professional development in culturally responsive methods of discipline. In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Coleman says he was ‘appalled’ to learn over 7000 young children in preschool through third grade were suspended from Colorado schools last year. He adds most of those suspensions were disproportionately experienced by children of color.
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Colorado’s Communities Support Bill To Decrease School Suspensions
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The House Education Committee will hear testimony today on a bill to reduce the number of school suspensions and expulsions of young children in Colorado’s public schools. Data presented by the Colorado Children’s Campaign has shown children in minority populations and children with disabilities face disproportionate disciplinary actions, specifically suspensions and expulsions.
The sponsor of House Bill 17-1210, State Representative Susan Lontine, says the ultimate goal of the bill is to close the achievement gap of children in minority populations and explains the bill’s broad community support.
In interviews with Catherine Strode State Representative Lontine explains how the bill can impact educational disparities in Colorado; and the Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives for the Colorado Children’s Campaign, Bill Jaeger, explains the suspension data.
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Republicans’ Bill Would Put TABOR Change On Ballot
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Two Republican legislators are proposing a change in the TABOR formula that would allow the state to retain more taxpayer dollars. State Representative Dan Thurlow (R-55) and State Senator Larry Crowder (R-35) are co-sponsoring House Bill 17-1187, which defines a change in how the excess state revenues cap is factored. If the bill passes, it will go before the voters for approval in November. In an interview with Catherine Strode, State Representative Dan Thurlow says if the bill passes, and voters approve the measure, it would alleviate state budget crises.
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Bill Reaffirms Colorado As Trailblazer In Restorative Justice
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Representative Pete Lee cites Colorado as the nation’s leader in restorative justice. During his tenure in the legislature, Representative Lee has introduced four bills championing the practice in Colorado’s criminal justice system. His most recent bill (HB17-1039) passed through the House this week. The bill expands communication issues in the practice of restorative justice. It was originally designed to provide more confidentiality to the process. However, that portion of the bill was struck. In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Lee says although the bill does expand restorative justice in two areas, it doesn’t go far enough.
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Transportation Demo Bill Promotes Future Accessibility
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Cars that drive themselves. Autonomous cars that appear on your front doorstep when ordered on a cell phone. Autonomous vehicles equipped for all kinds of riders, including those with companion dogs or those in wheelchairs. That is the vision for transportation in the state being promoted by State Senator Kent Lambert. A bill he is sponsoring (SB17-011) will bring together technical experts and transportation providers to discuss ways to create an accessible and economically feasible statewide transportation system.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Lambert says such means of transportation can change the economy and can give people with disabilities more employment opportunities.
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Can ADA ‘Drive by Lawsuits’ Hit Colorado?
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Over 40,000 warnings for noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been filed against Arizona businesses in the past two years. All of the warnings were filed by one attorney claiming to represent the state’s community of individuals with disabilities. The Executive Director of The Arc of Arizona, Jon Meyers, says the lawsuits are only benefitting the attorney who is filing them. They are also causing ill will toward the disability community statewide.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, he warns why other states, including Colorado, should be vigilant of this “drive by lawsuit” trend.
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Colorado Recognized As Leader In Early Childhood Supports
Director of Early Childhood Mental Health
Colorado Department of Human Services
Colorado Office of Early Childhood
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Jordana Ash is the first individual to hold the state’s new position of Director of Early Childhood Mental Health. She has developed the Strategic Plan to promote early childhood mental health across Colorado. Mary Anne Snyder is the Director of the State’s Office of Early Childhood, another relatively new state position. They sat down for an interview with Catherine Strode to discuss how their positions represent Colorado’s movement as a national leader in early childhood support systems.
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Fiscal Institute Forecasts $440 Million Budget Shortfall
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The Director of the Colorado Fiscal Institute, Carol Hedges, says despite Colorado’s strong economic activity, the state is facing a budget shortfall in the millions this coming fiscal year. A recognized expert on the TABOR amendment, she says $257 million of that shortfall is slated for taxpayer rebates. In an interview with Catherine Strode, she proposes a bill being introduced this legislative session as a long term solution to the state’s budget challenges.
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State’s ‘Two Generation’ Approach Supports Early Childhood Mental Health
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Lisa Jansen Thompson is a leader in the field of early childhood mental health in Colorado. She has worked on building and enhancing systems for young children over the past 20 years. Currently, she is overseeing the local implementation of Project LAUNCH, a federally funded project focused on children’s overall health and mental health.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Lisa says the state has made great strides in its efforts to build supportive early childhood systems and in adopting a “two-generation” approach to strengthen the social networks of families and impact early childhood mental health.
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Reelected Representative Resumes Fight for The Working Poor
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Representative Tony Exum will be returning to the Capitol for the 2017 session to represent House District 17, after defeating his Republican opponent in the recent election. He had previously served in the Colorado House from 2013 to 2015.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Exum says he looks forward to being a ‘voice’ for his district this session, and, a ‘voice’ for the working poor.
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