Press Release- April 27, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MEMO
Gov. Bill Ritter today issued the following statement in response to Attorney General John Suthers' memo regarding the school finance stabilization plan:
"Stabilizing Colorado's school funding formula, and thereby protecting the rest of the state¿s General Fund, is the right thing to do for Colorado's future. It is sound public policy and it stands on solid Constitutional ground.
"The nonpartisan Office of Legislative Legal Services has reviewed this issue twice, in 2004 and again in 2007. My legal office as well as numerous TABOR and education-funding experts also have scrutinized this plan over the past two months. They all have come to the exact opposite conclusion that the attorney general has reached.
"This debate has been going on for weeks. A bipartisan group of Coloradans from every corner of this state has expressed its support and enthusiasm. The attorney general's argument, issued in an unsolicited and 12th-hour opinion, is flawed, and his timing is suspect.
"In 175 of 178 school districts across Colorado, voters have already voted to 'de-Bruce.' This proposal simply clears the way for implementing the will of the people as expressed through local elections.
"We look forward to moving ahead.¿Colorado developed the Safe2Tell Prevention Initiative in 2003 upon the recommendation of the Columbine Commission.
- The Safe2Tell hotline provides a way for students, parents and others to communicate specific concerns to prevent a violent act before it occurs. According to a Secret Service report, in 75 percent of school violence, someone other than the attacker knew an attack was being planned but did not report or act on that information.
- Hotline number is 1-877-542-SAFE. The line is staffed 24/7 by specialists at the State Patrol who disperse calls to appropriate agencies, including the Colorado Information Analysis Center. Website www.safe2tell.org also provides additional information.
- Hotline has received more than 1,500 calls from people in 89 cities and 42 counties.
- Of those calls, 392 triggered an investigation that resulted in a positive outcome where something was prevented. Those numbers include the prevention of 40 suicides, the seizure of 54 weapons, and the prevention of 18 planned school attacks. Twenty-seven of the calls involved illegal drugs and alcohol use, 49 calls involved child-abuse situations, and 40 percent of callers were adults.
- SB 197 (Sen. Morse, Rep. Frangas) would add a statutory component of anonymity for callers and confidentiality of Safe2Tell records to protect callers from retribution.
- Program was initially aimed at elementary and middle schoolers and is now being expanded to high schools. Discussions are also underway about adding college campuses. Sixteen other states have inquired about Colorado's Safe2Tell program.
- Program exists as a nonprofit funded by a 2003 grant for $375K from the Colorado Trust for three-year start-up costs. Colorado Trust provided a second $375,000 grant in 2006.
- Partner agencies: Colorado Attorney General's Office, Dept. of Public Safety, State Patrol, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at CU-Boulder, School District Self Insurance Pool, Dept. of Corrections and Colo. District Attorneys Council.
- Safe2Tell also provides training to school staff, parents, and law enforcement focusing on education, prevention, awareness, accountability and follow-up.