January 7, 2016 VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 49 | 75¢
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Dore ready to tackle legislative session State representative explores some of the major issues of 2016 By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media In part one of a two-part interview with state Rep. Tim Dore, he reflected on the 2015 legislative session. In part two, he outlines his expectations and priorities for the 2016 session, which begins Jan. 13, and explains some of the political dynamics of the Legislature in an election year. “It’s a political year, so you always have to put on those goggles when you look at a legislative session,” said Dore, R-Elizabeth. “There’s going to be a lot of taking chances to get those gotcha moments for those who are in a vulnerable seat, so you’ll see some gun legislation, and the death penalty has been talked about from both sides.” Since the 2016 Legislature has the same composition as
2015 — with Republicans in control of the Senate and Democrats the House — Dore does not expect much of the politically moDore tivated legislation to get very far. He believes the overarching issue facing lawmakers will be the hospital provider fee as it pertains to TABOR. “The legislative body has to decide what to do with the hospital provider fee,” said Dore, who represents House District 64. “Do we consider it a tax and push it to the people for them to decide, maybe as part of a larger package that could include infrastructure questions... and provide an increased opportunity for dialogue around how we handle some of the infrastructure concerns that we are going to face here in Colorado, especially
in the years to come.” Established in 2009 by the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act, the hospital provider fee assesses hospitals up to $76.10 per patient for each day of managed care. According the Colorado Hospital Association, “The resulting
‘It’s a political year, so you always have to put on those goggles when you look at a legislative session.’ State Rep. Timothy Dore
Dore continues on Page 7
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Mentoring program aims to get dads involved
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Watch D.O.G.S. to kick off at Running Creek Elementary By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media The Elizabeth School District is hosting Dads and Kids Pizza Night to introduce a new program at Running Creek Elementary School called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) at 6 p.m. Jan. 12.
“It’s a father involvement educational initiative through the National Center for Fathering,” said Kelly Tarr, school counselor for Running Creek Elementary. “There used to be a really great mentoring program in Elbert County, which is no longer around, and I have a lot of boys who could use a positive male role model in their lives whether their father isn’t available, or they’ve never known their father.” The program invites dads to work at the school for one day each year as crossing guards, car/bus rider facilitators, hallway
monitors, library assistants, lunchroom helpers, classroom and homework tutors, or playground/gymnasium coaches. “We have a lot of mom volunteers, but we really want to have some dad volunteers and have a positive male role model in our schools rather than always calling dads when their kids are in trouble,” Tarr said. Tarr explained that having the men in the school demonstrates the importance of education to the students as well as providing a
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Watch continues on Page 7