2007.02.28: February 28, 2007: Headlines: COS - El Salvador: Politics: State Government: Fort Collins Weekly: John Kefalas writes: A Report from the Colorado Capitol
Peace Corps Online:
Directory:
El Salvador:
Special Report: El Salvador RPCV and Political Activist John Kefalas:
2007.02.28: February 28, 2007: Headlines: COS - El Salvador: Politics: State Government: Fort Collins Weekly: John Kefalas writes: A Report from the Colorado Capitol
John Kefalas writes: A Report from the Colorado Capitol
To close, here’s a slice of reality on the personal side so you can better understand how this job works. During the week I’m in Denver, and my days are typically spent deciphering legislation and listening to a wide variety of opinions on all manner of issues. Meanwhile, I’m working to get my own bills passed. I generally rise at 5:30 a.m. and lay my weary head to rest at 11:30 p.m., and if you ask my wife she will tell you that I’m not a morning person. El Salvador RPCV John Kefalas is a state representative in Colorado.
John Kefalas writes: A Report from the Colorado Capitol
A Report from the Capitol
By John Kefalas
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the halfway mark of the 2007 legislative session. The good news is that we are making progress in the areas of healthcare, renewable energy and education while building the “new energy” economy and strengthening our social safety net.
On healthcare, the legislature recently passed SB-097 that allocates tobacco settlement dollars to help pay for vital healthcare programs such as indigent care, children’s basic health, treatment of drug and alcohol abuse and mental health services. The bill also directs 49 percent of the funding to the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center to help ensure the education of our future doctors.
I voted for the bill without amendments because a strong case was made for restoring cuts to the Health Sciences Center and adding funds to the prioritized healthcare programs. However, during the Health and Human Services Committee Hearing, there was compelling testimony in favor of re-directing funds to address the needs of people with developmental disabilities and to provide medical coverage for people on the Aid to Needy and Disabled (AND) Program. I commit to finding the means to fund these services.
On renewable energy, the legislature recently passed HB-1281 that raises Colorado’s renewable energy standard to 20 percent by 2020. This means that 20 percent of our electricity will come from clean and renewable energy sources like solar and wind within the next 13 years, bringing new jobs and investment to Colorado. I am a co-sponsor of this bill.
As your public servant, I am working hard to stay connected with the community. We’ve had three Saturday morning “community conversations” in various locations throughout the district and at each of these gatherings constituents have asked engaging questions and presented innovative ideas. I’ve intentionally held these gatherings at local venues like the Ever Open Café, Bean Cycle Coffee Shop and the Bear Rock Café. Please consider supporting these businesses and buying local whenever possible.
Over 50 people attended our educational forum, “Vanishing Mobile Home Parks—What Can We Do?” The participants included mobile home park residents and owners who were very interested in this issue because of the Dry Creek mobile home park closing. Six panelists provided excellent information and perspectives, and the dialogue resulted in potential solutions to the problems. As a result, we are convening a task force to further develop these ideas with 20 people interested in being involved. Democracy in action is a beautiful thing.
Our next town hall meeting is Saturday, March 3, 1-2:30 p.m. in Room 228 of the CSU Lory Student Center. All Larimer County legislators have been invited, and I expect there will be Democratic and Republican lawmakers present to answer your questions and discuss legislation. Everyone is welcome at the table of ideas and dialogue.
To close, here’s a slice of reality on the personal side so you can better understand how this job works. During the week I’m in Denver, and my days are typically spent deciphering legislation and listening to a wide variety of opinions on all manner of issues. Meanwhile, I’m working to get my own bills passed. I generally rise at 5:30 a.m. and lay my weary head to rest at 11:30 p.m., and if you ask my wife she will tell you that I’m not a morning person.
Occasionally there is variation on this theme, and recently two eighth graders shadowed me to learn more about the legislative process. Bethany (Colorado Springs) and Emily (Granby) were part of a student group participating in the Legislative Day of the Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented. It was a pleasure to host these delightful teens and suggest to them that we need more women legislators. Be well and stay in touch.
John Kefalas is the state representative for Fort Collins’ District 52.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: February, 2007; RPCV John Kefalas (El Salvador); Peace Corps El Salvador; Directory of El Salvador RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for El Salvador RPCVs; Politics; State Government; Colorado
When this story was posted in March 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Chris Dodd's Vision for the Peace Corps Senator Chris Dodd (RPCV Dominican Republic) spoke at the ceremony for this year's Shriver Award and elaborated on issues he raised at Ron Tschetter's hearings. Dodd plans to introduce legislation that may include: setting aside a portion of Peace Corps' budget as seed money for demonstration projects and third goal activities (after adjusting the annual budget upward to accommodate the added expense), more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, removing medical, healthcare and tax impediments that discourage older volunteers, providing more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, a more comprehensive health safety net for recently-returned volunteers, and authorizing volunteers to accept, under certain circumstances, private donations to support their development projects. He plans to circulate draft legislation for review to members of the Peace Corps community and welcomes RPCV comments. |
| He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor. |
| Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process. |
| The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace. |
| PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come. |
| History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help. |
Read the stories and leave your comments.
Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.
Story Source: Fort Collins Weekly
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - El Salvador; Politics; State Government
PCOL36528
81