H_ED_2018A 03/12/2018 01:31:26 PM Committee Summary

Mia Denis-Judson and Brooke Wager from Silver Creek High School gave a presentation on college tuition costs. The presentation was part of their capstone project. The presenters answered questions from the committee.

Representatives Pettersen and Wilson presented and summarized Senate Bill 18-099 concerning aligning early childhood quality improvement programs. The sponsors answered questions from the committee.

Stacey Kennedy, Director of Childcare Quality Initiatives in the Colorado Department of Human Services, spoke in favor of the bill. She provided an overview of early childhood quality initiatives in Colorado. Ms. Kennedy answered questions from the committee.

Nicole Riehl, representing Denver's Early Childhood Council, spoke in favor of the bill. She provided an overview of the importance of early childhood services. Ms. Riehl answered questions from the committee.

Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in favor of the bill. She answered questions from the committee.

Ms. Kennedy was called back to the table to answer questions.

Former Senator Hudak continued to answer questions from the committee.

Elizabeth Cheever, representing the Colorado Fiscal Institute, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed her concerns with the bill. Ms. Cheever answered questions from the committee.

Brendon Reese, representing the Department of Revenue, was neutral on the bill. He discussed the bill's fiscal note. Mr. Reese answered questions from the committee.

Geoff Leopold, representing the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the bill.  He discussed current college savings plans.  Mr. Leopold answered questions from the committee.

Shawna Simcik, representing Innovate Coach Consult, spoke in favor of the bill.  She discussed her experience as a small business owner.  Ms. Simcik answered questions from the committee.

Dorothy Ostrogorski, representing Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the bill.  She discussed the benefit of 529 contributions.

Carl Larson, representing the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, spoke in favor of the bill.

Phil Ross, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill.

The sponsors provided closing comments of the bill. The members provided closing comments.

Representative Becker J. presented and summarized House Bill 18-1222 concerning a systematic review of education programs.  He answered questions from the committee.

Representative Becker J. continued to answer questions.

Committee discussion ensued.

Steve Durham, representing the State Board of Education, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jane Goff, representing the State Board of Education, testified in opposition to the bill.

The previous two witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Prateek Dutta, representing Education Reform Now, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dan Schaller, representing the Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Schaller answered questions from the committee. He distributed a handout to the committee [Attachment A].

Michelle Murphy, representing the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Bret Miles, representing the Northeast BOCES and the Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Lisa Escarcega, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill.

The previous three witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Amie Baca-Oehlert, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in favor of the bill. She answered questions from the committee.

Cathy Kipp, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in favor of the bill.

Kelly Perez, representing the Littleton Public School Board, testified in favor of the bill.

Carrie Warren-Gully, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in favor of the bill.

The previous three witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Committee discussion ensued.

The witnesses continued to answer questions from the committee.

Dianne Ray, the Colorado State Auditor, testified for questions only.

Mary Kay Hogan, representing Aurora Public Schools, testified in favor of the bill. She answered questions from the committee members.

Committee discussion ensued.

Representative Becker J. distributed and discussed amendment L.001 [Attachment B], amendment L.002 [Attachment C], and amendment L.003 [Attachment D].

Committee discussion ensued.

Representative Becker J. provided closing comments. The committee members provided closing comments.