Press Release - Dec 13, 2007
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, DEC. 13, 2007
CONTACT
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER OFFICE STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO LAWSUIT
Gov. Bill Ritter's Office issued the following statement today in response to a lawsuit filed against the 2007 School Finance Act (SB07-199):
"Every day, Gov. Ritter and the legislators who supported the 2007 School Finance Act are fighting on behalf of Colorado's children, on behalf of Colorado's local schools and on behalf of Colorado's future.
"The lawsuit instigated by Jon Caldara is politically motivated and threatens to hold our children and our local schools hostage. We are confident the lawsuit will fail and we can return our focus where it belongs - on our children.
"SB 199 has great support around Colorado, from business organizations to community colleges to local school districts. What's more, voters in 175 of 178 school districts have already voted to invest local revenue in their local schools. The question has been asked and answered by 98 percent of the voters in Colorado. SB 199 simply gave voice to the voters.
"The Office of Legislative Legal Services, in 2004 and again in 2007, along with Gov. Ritter's chief legal counsel, have issued opinions that put SB199 on solid legal footing. We look forward to vigorously defending the children of Colorado against this lawsuit."
Statements of support
"Gov. Ritter is right. I believe that stabilizing the mill levy provides critical revenues to ensure essential educational services like full-day kindergarten and preschool."
Dan Ritchie, former chancellor of the University of Denver
"I consistently hear about the importance of early childhood education and full-day kindergarten from my community and their strong support for these kinds of programs. I believe that the families of Jefferson County will be very disappointed if the Governor's plan to expand these programs was threatened by this lawsuit."
Dr. Cynthia Stevenson, Superintendent, Jeffco Schools and co-chair of the Denver Area School Superintendents¿ Council
"We are fully supportive of the Governor¿s position. In November 2006, the Aurora Public Schools pledged to provide full-day kindergarten to all students in the district by 2010. We are currently serving 45 percent of such need in the district and could use the help proposed by Gov. Ritter."
John Barry, Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools
"Full-day kindergarten and pre-school programs are wise investments for our kids that will not happen or be expanded in most school districts without the state support that the Governor and the legislature provided last session."
Dr. Millie Hamner, Superintendent of the Summit School District
List of supporters
Newspaper Editorials
Denver Post
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Pueblo Chieftain
Greeley Tribune
Durango Herald
Boulder Daily Camera
Higher Education
Colorado State University
Colorado Community College System
Fort Lewis College
Mesa State College
Metropolitan State College of Denver
University of Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
University of Colorado Student Union
Colorado State Student Association
Daniel Ritchie
Business Community
Colorado Forum
Colorado Succeeds
Economic Development Council of Colorado
Human Services
Colorado Association of Homes & Services for the Aging
Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
Homecare Association of Colorado
Mental Health America of Colorado
Colorado Counties Incorporated
Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans
Medical Community
Children's Hospital
Colorado Academy of Family Physicians
Colorado Association for Family and Childr's Agencies
Colorado Association of Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers
Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Colorado Immunization Coalition
Colorado Hospital Association
Colorado Medical Society
Colorado Public Health Association
Denver Health
Education Associations
Alliance for Quality Teaching
Coalition for a Thorough & Uniform Colorado Public Education System
Colorado Association of School Boards
Colorado Association of School Executives
Colorado Boards of Cooperative Educational Services
Colorado Education Association
Colorado PTAs
Colorado School Counselor Association
El Paso Education Alliance
Great Education Colorado
School Districts
Academy 20
Colorado Springs School District 11
Canon City
Cherry Creek Public Schools
Fountain-Fort Carson
Greeley-Evans School District 6
Littleton Public Schools
Mesa Valley School District 51
Poudre School District
Pueblo School District 60
Thompson School District R2-J
Widefield School District
Windsor School District
Miscellaneous
Bell Policy Institute
Colorado Children's Campaign
Pitkin County Board of Commissioners