Over a long period of time, our country has allowed our physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, infrastructure, etc) and our human infrastructure to wane as we neglected to invest in our country and ourselves. Under Democratic leadership, however, we're making Building Back Better and Building Back Stronger a top priority!
Sign up for our next edition of Colorado Conversations when we will discuss with community members, experts, and elected officials what we need to do to build back better, how TABOR has held our state back from building back stronger, and how you can help be part of the infrastructure solution!
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WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
President Joe Biden was in Colorado recently to not only talk about why we need to combat climate change, but to talk about how we can do it by rebuilding our infrastructure and create jobs! Biden's bipartisan infrastructure bill, which is currently going through negotiations in Congress, would:
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Based on formula funding alone, Colorado could expect to receive $3.7 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years when passed. (KKTV, 8.4.21)
- Additionally, under the bill, thanks to Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado would receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state. This would also include providing access to the 85,000+ Coloradans currently lacking access. (KKTV, 8.4.21)
We'll be talking about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at the town hall, so be sure to sign up and join in on the discussion! In the meantime, if you want to learn more, click here to read information from the White House!
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Can't make it on Thursday, October 7? Check out the schedule of our upcoming Colorado Conversations virtual town halls and mark ones you're interested in on your calendar!
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Mitch's Debt Ceiling Madness
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As you're likely aware, Republicans in the U.S. Senate are holding the federal government hostage by refusing to vote to raise the debt ceiling, nor are they even allowing Democrats to hold a debate on a bill to fund the federal government on the Senate floor.
Let's Recap (NPR article that covers this):
- On Monday, September 27, Senate Republicans blocked debate on legislation that would have simultaneously funded the government and suspended the nation's borrowing limit.
- The bill, which needed 60 votes to proceed, failed 48-50, as Republicans followed through on a threat to block the spending measure over objections to an unrelated spending package currently being negotiated by Democrats.
- McConnell has ignored Democrats' argument that Republicans helped drive up current debt levels when they authorized tax cuts under former President Donald Trump and by supporting bipartisan COVID-19 relief spending.
- Congress needs to raise the debt cap in order for the federal government to keep making payments on debt that has resulted from earlier spending, or risk a federal default.
- “Tonight every Senate Republican voted to shut down the government and shred the full faith and credit of the United States — for politics,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “Instead of working in a bipartisan manner, (McConnell) is demolishing another norm and putting our nation’s economy at risk.”
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If Republicans' refusal to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling prevails, causing the U.S. Government to default, what happens? (From CBS)
- When the suspension expired, the Treasury Department began using so-called "extraordinary measures" to keep paying its bills. Such measures include suspending the sales of some Treasury securities and redeeming or suspending investments or reinvestments in some funds.
- When extraordinary measures are exhausted, the Treasury spends its cash on hand. When that runs out — which experts estimate could happen in October — the U.S. government would not be able to meet its debt obligations and would go into default. This has never happened in U.S. history.
- If the U.S. government cannot pay its bills, millions of Americans would be affected.
- Social Security payments would not go out;
- U.S. troops and federal civilian employees would not be paid.
- Veterans could see compensation or pension payments lapse.
- Millions of Americans on food assistance would see benefits stop.
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Public Service Announcement!
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:
You should get a booster dose of Pfizer if:
- You are 65 years old or older, and received the Pfizer vaccine for your first two doses.
- You live in a long-term care facility and received the Pfizer vaccine for your first two doses.
- You are 50 to 64 years old, at high risk of severe COVID-19, and received the Pfizer vaccine for your first two doses.
You may get an booster dose of Pfizer if:
- You are 18 to 49 years old, at high risk of severe COVID-19, and received the Pfizer vaccine for your first two doses.
- You are 18 to 64 years old, at high risk because of where you live or work, and received the Pfizer vaccine for your first two doses
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The Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission released their final map (above) that they will submit to the Colorado Supreme Court. While we are thankful to the commission and staff for their hard work on this process, we remain concerned over a couple of items, as we expressed in our statement:
"We are thankful to the commission for its hard work on this map, but remain concerned that competitiveness came almost exclusively at the expense of Democrats. If the Supreme Court approves this plan, we are confident in our candidates and our ability to organize to ensure that Colorado will continue to move forward under Democratic leadership."
The process is not over!
- There is still a meeting set for tomorrow and Friday for the legislative maps! Click here to find the link to listen in.
- You can still submit public comment for both the Congressional and Legislative maps! Click here to submit!
Thank you for your continued engagement in the redistricting process!
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The American Rescue Plan
How is it helping folks?
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How Colorado will boost child care with latest round of federal COVID aid
Chalkbeat Colorado
The latest round of federal COVID relief money will begin making its way to Colorado’s 4,700 licensed child care providers this fall, with a sizable chunk earmarked to reduce parent tuition costs.
The funding for early childhood — nearly $500 million from the federal COVID aid package known as the American Rescue Plan — represents a massive one-time infusion into a low-wage, high-turnover industry that’s increasingly recognized as essential for working parents, employers, and the economy.
...
American Rescue Plan money, combined with earlier rounds of state and federal aid, will fund efforts to beef up the early childhood workforce. These include a $50 million sustainability grant program offering licensed providers $2,100 to $31,500 for employee pay, benefits or training, or so providers can hire additional staff.
Click here to read more!
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Remember -- Colorado Republicans like Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn all voted 'No' to helping Colorado families.
Meanwhile, all of Colorado's Democratic members of the Congressional delegation voted 'Yes'!
But how else does the American Rescue Plan specifically help Coloradans, you ask? Click the link to find out!
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Democrats Running for Loveland City Council
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Councilman Rob Molloy, Ward 1 (Facebook)
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Loveland has a couple of excellent Democrats running for re-election, and we need to help them get re-elected! Mayor Jacki Marsh is a two-term mayor who is running for her third two-year term. Councilman Rob Molloy represents Ward 1, and he's running for what would be his first term, after he was appointed to serve out the remainder of his predecessor's term!
Visit their Facebook pages, and see how you can help get these folks elected!
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Democrats Running for the Roaring Fork School District Board of Education
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Kathryn Kuhlenberg (District E)
(Facebook)
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These two educators are the Democrats running for the Roaring Fork School District Board of Education, and they need your support!
Click here to read a write-up about the candidates running in this race, including Kenny and Kathryn, and check out their Facebook pages to see how you can support hem!
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EVERY ELECTION IS IMPORTANT! Share this graphic on your social media pages to encourage your friends and neighbors to get involved with your local 2021 races!
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Opportunities with Colorado Dems!
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TELL YOUR STORY WITH A SELFIE VIDEO!
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HOW HAVE DEMOCRATIC POLICIES HELPED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? We're collecting stories and we're asking you to tell us *YOUR* story by recording a video! Reach out to Karin at [email protected] if you have any questions. Otherwise, click the button below to fill out the form!
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The Colorado Democratic Party's Asian and Pacific Islander, Education, and Women's Initiatives are proud to host a round-table on cultural inclusion in education as an antidote to divisive right-wing rhetoric.
Our guests will be CU Regent Ilana Spiegel, CU Denver Black Student Services Director Omar Montgomery, Former State Rep. Bri Buentello, and teachers J.D. Magnat and Kate Miya. Join host, Dr. Tim Kubik, for a round table discussion you won't want to miss.
Click here to register!
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COVER STORY | By and for Colorado, Civilian Climate Corps enjoys federal support
Colorado Politics
Joe Neguse grew up a Colorado kid, like most Colorado kids, with Red Rocks Amphitheater in his cultural heritage.
A few weeks ago he was out at the Denver city park touring the Civilian Conservation Corps site, the temporary home to about 200 men ages 18 to 25 who built the amphitheater. The New Deal program encompassed 3 million men to help get the country back on its feet from the Great Depression, the defining crisis of its time.
Click here to read more.
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Colorado’s top 10 most dangerous election deniers
Colorado Newsline
Detractors of American voting, driven by a cult leader who as president was inimical to democracy and as ex-president is a sworn enemy of it, have gone on the attack in Colorado in the form of proposed voting restrictions, threats against the secretary of state and county election officials, an election-system security breach in the Western Slope’s biggest county, the refusal by leaders of the Republican party to acknowledge President Joe Biden won in November, and organized efforts to instill doubt about election integrity.
Click here to read more.
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Meet Denise, this week's Volunteer of the Week!
“Kennedy’s Thanks Go to Seven Year-Old.” This was the headline for an article in the February 2, 1961, Bergen Record newspaper. The article was about me and my letter to the Nation’s then-newly-elected President, John F. Kennedy. Though not yet old enough to vote, I guess I have been politically active since I was seven years-old!
The reality is that I was raised to be believe that we all have responsibilities to and for each other. We have responsibilities as family and community members, and as citizens. As a result, I have long been involved in “volunteering” in some capacity or another. My community service has ranged from direct service on the Cheyenne River Reservation to board membership for a dance company, from serving on my townhome community’s HOA board to supporting the Italian Film Festival–Boulder, from working as a volunteer supervisor and speaker’s bureau member for a homeless shelter to board membership for an organization dedicated to education and advocacy on behalf of the mentally ill. In 1999, I successfully “lobbied” a staff reporter with the New York Times to write about New York’s chronically mentally ill citizens, which was the feature story in the Sunday Magazine section on May 23, 1999.
Most recently, I have become more involved politically because I have the time and the passion. And, I personally believe my responsibilities as a U.S. citizen extend beyond voting and serving as a jury member when summoned. I value the freedoms that come as a result of my living in the U.S. and I do not take those freedoms for granted—and I want to do what I can to ensure those same freedoms are enjoyed by all the members of these United States.
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Want to volunteer and help elect Democrats across Colorado like Denise is doing? Click the button below to join our talent bank, and we'll get you plugged in!
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SHOUT OUT to Aron Diaz, one of our regional field organizers, and the Mesa County Dems for getting folks registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day!
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Contributions or gifts to the Democratic Party of Colorado are not tax deductible
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