2006 Vetoed Legislation
The following House and Senate bills relating to education were vetoed by Governor Owens

House Bill 1005, sponsored by Representative Pommer and Senator Bacon, allowing school districts to go to voters for an increase in local revenues to fund full-day kindergarten was the first to be vetoed by Governor Owens. In the Governor’s veto message he urged school districts to explore other options for funding full-day kindergarten before “increasing the tax burden on hardworking Coloradans. If current revenue streams are inadequate to expand kindergarten programs, perhaps the eligible school districts should reprioritize their expenditures and reduce spending on other programs or services that are of lower priority.”

House Bill 1023, sponsored by Representative King and Senator Windels, that would have made several modifications to the educator licensure law. Governor Owens indicated the changes were useful, however, the bill was amended to restore a requirement that non-traditional principal candidates must earn a Masters Degree before gaining eligibility for professional licensure. “It is regrettable that amendments were added that compromised the integrity of the proposal,” said Governor Owens. In the Governor’s veto message he indicated the Master requirement would serve to deter otherwise qualified individuals from becoming principals and place an additional burden on rural districts in recruiting qualified personnel to the districts. The Governor felt this “one-size-fits-all approach” would present a barrier to non-traditional candidates from the military or the private sector with leadership and management skills to administer a school at a time when school districts statewide are approaching substantial principal shortages.

House Bill 1056, sponsored by Representative Madden and former Senator Hanna, was vetoed by Governor Owens stating “I cannot support legislation that micromanages school districts and their policies. “I trust that school boards will continue to provide increased healthy options to students”. HB 1056 would have made it mandatory for school districts to increase healthy nutrition alternatives in vending machines. Information from school districts indicate that approximately 12% have already addressed healthy alternatives in vending machines in existing policy.
Senate Bill 046, sponsored by Representative Merrifield and Senator Tupa, would have created the P-16 Council for examination of an integrated system of education from pre-kindergarten through higher education. Specifies membership and identities duties of the P-16 Council, including issues to be studied.

Senate Bill 065, sponsored by Representative McKinley and Senator Windels, would have established the advisory committee for public school capital construction within the Colorado Department of Education. Required the advisory committee to propose rules to the State Board of Education concerning uniform statewide minimum facility standards required to qualify for state funding assistance for school districts in providing adequate facilities.

Senate Bill 069, sponsored by Representative Merrifield and Senator Windels, would have made several changes to the state-generated school accountability report in the areas of ratings, comparisons, safety and school environment, safety and discipline, student attendance, school calendar, student/teacher ratio, salaries, student performance and taxpayer’s report.

House Bill 1314, sponsored by Representative Cerbo and Senator Tochtrop, would have prohibited an employer from requiring employees to attend or participate in any communication with the employer, the purpose of which is to express the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters.

House Bill 1363, sponsored by Representative Benefield and Senator Schaffer, would have created the Colorado Student Delinquency Prevention Program within the Tony Grampsas youth services program, to provide funding for before-and-after school programs for youth enrolled in grades 6 through 8. Programs that qualify for grants are those to develop skills in sports and fitness, character and leadership or arts and culture. The program would have been funded through gifts, grants, and moneys collected from juvenile crime prevention surcharge.