Chris Romer

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Chris Romer
Chris Romer
Member of the Colorado State Senate
from the 32nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 10, 2007
Preceded by Donna R. Johnson
Political party Democratic
Spouse Laurie

Chris Romer is a legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado. Elected to the Colorado State Senate as a Democrat in 2006, Romer represents Senate District 32, which encompasses southern Denver.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Born in Denver, the son of future Colorado governor Roy Romer,[2] Romer graduated from Denver's East High School[3] and then attended Stanford University, earning a bachelor's degree in economics.[2]

For most of his career, Romer has worked as a public finance banker with JPMorgan Chase,[4], working on public projects including the Denver International Airport, Children's Hospital, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, National Jewish Medical & Research Center and FasTracks.[3]

At the age of 28, Romer founded the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation,[4] a non-profit providing mentoring and scholarships to at-risk children; he has also served as its president.[3] He has chaired the Colorado Children's Campaign and served on the boards of the Denver School of Science and Technology, the Metropolitan State College of Denver Foundation, and Open World Learning, as well as Denver's New America Schools,[4] where he spent two years as a volunteer superintendent.[3] He was also a founder and president of Great Education Colorado;[4] in 2006, the group proposed an increase in severance taxes provide funding for public schools, but the measure was never place on the statewide ballot.[5]

Romer was also a leader behind Colorado's Amendment 23, a ballot measure approved by voters in 2000 which guarantees state funding levels for Colorado public schools,[3] and a member of the Colorado Supreme Court Nominating Commission.[4]

[edit] Legislative career

[edit] 2006 election

Romer faced two other candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for the state senate — community activist Jennifer Mello and Rep. Fran Coleman. Romer emphasized his financial and budgetary expertise in the contest,[6] ultimately prevailing over both opponents in the historically Democratic district.[7] In the general election, Romer won election to represent the 32nd Senate District, defeating Republican Dave Lewis with 70 percent of the popular vote.[1]

In December 2006, outgoing Rep. Dan Grossman resigned from the legislature slightly before the end of his term because of newly-enacted ethics laws. Instead of appointing Romer to the remainder of Grossman's term, Gov. Bill Owens appointed Donna R. Johnson, Grossman's long-time legislative aide, to the remaining month of the Senate term. Romer supported her brief appointment as a state senator and was sworn in himself on January 10, 2007.[8][9]

[edit] 2007 legislative session

Bills Introduced in 2007 by Sen. Romer
(for which Sen. Romer is the primary originating sponsor)
BILL TITLE OUTCOME
SB07-030    Concerning the establishment of a program to reimburse group life insurance premiums paid by members of the Colorado National Guard. Postponed indefinitely in Senate committee
SB07-073 Concerning the requirement of English language competency for high school graduation. Passed Senate; postponed indefinitely in House committee
SB07-082 Concerning the continuation of funding for the Habitat Partnership Program in the Division of Wildlife. Signed by Gov. Ritter
SB07-119 Concerning the continuation of the Colorado Division of Racing Events, and, in connection therewith, continuing the Colorado Racing Commission. Signed by Gov. Ritter
SB07-148 Concerning expanding simultaneous enrollment in secondary and postsecondary institutions. Signed by Gov. Ritter
SB07-183 Concerning continuation of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs. Signed by Gov. Ritter
SB07-232 Concerning repayment of education loans for health professionals who agree to work in medically underserved areas of the state, and making an appropriation in connection therewith. Signed by Gov. Ritter

In the 2007 session of the General Assembly, Romer served on the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and was vice-chairman of the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.[10] During the session, Romer was also named the chair of a select Senate committee on renewable energy.[11]

During the 2007 legislative session, Romer introduced a proposal to sell operations of the Colorado Lottery to a private firm in order to raise funds for public schools.[12] The proposal would have been referred to Colorado voters in a statewide ballot measure, and would have used the proceeds from the sale to endow a trust fund to support college scholarships, public schools, state parks, and veteran's services.[13] After facing criticism on legal grounds, and from Governor Bill Ritter, who had offered a competing proposal for school funding, Romer pulled the measure from consideration.[14][15]

Romer also introduced a measure to require that Colorado high school students demonstrate English competency as a requirement for graduation. Garnering support largely from Republicans, the measure passed the state senate,[16] but was voted down in a house committee due to concern over mandating requirements upon local school districts.[17] Romer also joined Republicans in supporting a measure to enact statewide science and math standards,[18] and introduced a measure that created a pilot dual enrollment program for Colorado students.[19]

Although Romer made a number of proposals to amend the state budget, only one — a requirement that private prison operators provide information on cost breakdowns — was adopted.[20]

Following the regular session, Romer served on the legislature's interim committee on allocation of severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues.[21]

[edit] 2008 legislative session

In the 2008 session of the General Assembly, Romer serves on the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and is vice-chair of both the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.[22]

During the 2008 session, Romer floated a proposal to charge a toll Interstate 70 users travelling to mountain ski resorts during weekend rush hours as a way of reducing congestion; the proposal garnered a strong negative reaction and competing suggestions from members of the public. In response to the feedback, Romer proposed a mechanism for citizen participation in a collaborative online bill-drafting process, declaring "I want to have the first Wikipedia bill, where the citizens write the bill."[23] Romer proceeded to create a website using Google Groups to solicit public comment and proposals; he later introduced a bill based in part of suggestions received online. The proposal would charge tolls to low-occupancy vehicles during peak hours, and create reversible HOV lanes.[24] The bill was denounced by legislators representing the I-70 mountain corridor, and was defeated in a house committee.[25] Romer then offered his support to a competing proposal to charge $5 tolls along I-70,[26] which ultimately died for lack of support.[27] Romer is considering reintroducing the proposal in the 2009 legislative session.[28]

Romer also plans on sponsoring legislation to educate consumers on scams, [29] to create statewide high school graduation standards,[30] to allow homeowners to collect rainwater for irrigation,[31] and to eliminate CSAP testing for high school students.[32][33] Romer was also the senate sponsor of a proposal to increase severance taxes to provide additional funding for higher education.[34]

[edit] 2008 elections

In the contested 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, Romer supported Barack Obama, whereas his father, Roy Romer, supported Hillary Clinton.[35]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b State Senate District 32 (html). COMaps. Retrieved on 2008-01-30.
  2. ^ a b Senator Chris Romer (html). Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  3. ^ a b c d e About Chris. Chris Romer - Colorado Senate District 32. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e Chris Romer - Colorado - State House District 32 candidate (html). RockyMountainNews.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  5. ^ Prieto, Bianca. "Oil, gas tax aimed at fixing schools", Rocky Mountain News, 17 February 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  6. ^ Frates, Chris. "Vote 2006", Denver Post, 30 July 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  7. ^ Couch, Mark. "Romer wards off two-rival challenge", Denver Post, 9 August 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  8. ^ Washington, April M.. "Aide replacing senator", Rocky Mountain News, 29 December 2006. Retrieved on 2008-04-06. 
  9. ^ Senate Journal - January 10, 2007 (pdf). Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  10. ^ Senate Committees of Reference. Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  11. ^ Staff Reports. "Under the dome, 1/9", Denver Post, 18 January 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  12. ^ Couch, Mark. "Lotto holds schools' ticket?", Denver Post, 18 April 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  13. ^ Couch, Mark. "'Lump sum' from privatized lottery eyed", Denver Post, 17 April 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  14. ^ Couch, Mark. "Accusations over lottery plan", Denver Post, 20 April 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  15. ^ Brown, Jennifer. "Senate: Grads need English", Denver Post, 20 March 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  16. ^ Brown, Jennifer. "English effort is written off", Denver Post, 13 April 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  17. ^ Brown, Jennifer; Karen Rouse. "More math, science up schools' $$$", Denver Post, 7 March 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  18. ^ Staff Reports. "Under the dome, 3/15", Denver Post, 15 March 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  19. ^ Couch, Mark. "State workers, prisons come out ahead in budget", Denver Post, 18 April 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  20. ^ [http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2007/comsched/07AllocSeverTax.htm Allocation of Severance Tax and Federal Mineral Lease Revenues]. Colorado Legislative Council. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  21. ^ Senate Committees of Reference. Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  22. ^ Barge, Chris. "I-70 fee idea angers skiers", Rocky Mountain News, 29 January 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-08. 
  23. ^ Ingold, John. "Draft bill on I-70 toll broadsided", Denver Post, 13 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-28. 
  24. ^ Barge, Chris. "Romer's I-70 toll bill shot down, alternative passes; take our poll", Rocky Mountain News, 27 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-28. 
  25. ^ Barge, Chris. "Romer's I-70 toll bill shot down, alternative passes; take our poll", Rocky Mountain News, 28 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-28. 
  26. ^ Gathright, Alan. "Sponsor kills own plan for highway toll", Rocky Mountain News, 24 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-25. 
  27. ^ Williams, David O.. "I-70 toll derailed as mountain train gets a boost", RealVail.com, 25 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-26. 
  28. ^ Migoya, David. "Agency seeks funds to keep consumers aware", Denver Post, 13 December 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  29. ^ Brown, Jennifer; John Ingold. "Ritter: Shift students' course", Denver Post, 17 January 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  30. ^ Slevin, Colleen. "Senators want to let residents collect rainwater", Denver Post, 7 February 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  31. ^ Davidson, Michael. "Bill may end CSAP in high schools", Colorado Springs Gazette, 18 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. 
  32. ^ Hanel, Joe. "Bill dumps CSAPs", Durango Herald, 18 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. 
  33. ^ Chakrabarty, Gargi; Todd Hartman. "Proposal aims to raise taxes on oil, gas industry", Rocky Mountain News, 21 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-28. 
  34. ^ Hubbard, Burt. "State's top Dems split in allegiance", Rocky Mountain News, 12 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-12. 

[edit] External links

Current members of the Colorado State Senate

1st: Greg Brophy (R)
2nd: Kenneth Kester (R)
3rd: Abel Tapia (D)
4th: Tom Wiens (R)
5th: Gail Schwartz (D)
6th: James Isgar (D)
7th: Josh Penry (R)
8th: Jack Taylor (R)
9th: David Schultheis (R)

10th: Bill Cadman (R)
11th: John Morse (D)
12th: Andy McElhany (R)
13th: Scott Renfroe (R)
14th: Bob Bacon (D)
15th: Steve Johnson (R)
16th: Dan Gibbs (D)
17th: Brandon Shaffer (D)
18th: Ron Tupa (D)

19th: Sue Windels (D)
20th: Maryanne Keller (D)
21st: Betty Boyd (D)
22nd: Mike Kopp (R)
23rd: Shawn Mitchell (R)
24th: Lois Tochtrop (D)
25th: Stephanie Takis (D)
26th: Steve Ward (R)
27th: Nancy Spence (R)

28th: Suzanne Williams (D)
29th: Bob Hagedorn (D)
30th: Ted Harvey (R)
31st: Jennifer Veiga (D)
32nd: Chris Romer (D)
33rd: Peter Groff (D)
34th: Paula Sandoval (D)
35th: Ken Gordon (D)
Democrat (20 seats) | Republican (15 seats)