Final
SUMMARY for HJR05-1031

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved to postpone indefinitely HJR 05-1031. The m
Referred HJR 05-1031, unamended, to the Committee 		PASS
FAIL

02:02 PM -- SJM 05-006

Representative Madden introduced Senate Joint Memorial 05-006, memorializing Congress to oppose privatization of Social Security (SS). Rep. Weissmann indicated that he would allow House Joint Resolution 05-1031, regarding SS personal retirement accounts, to be heard at the same time since both measures addressed the same issue. SJM 05-006 states that privatization of SS will worsen the fund, while HJR 05-1031 states that it will help the fiscal status of SS. She reviewed Attachment A, Colorado: Social Security and Privatization.

02:09 PM

Representative Lundberg introduced House Joint Resolution 05-1031 and provided Attachment B, a newspaper article entitled Social Security reform offers assurance to all generations. He stated that he believes SS should be privatized.

02:20 PM

There were no committee questions for either Representative Lundberg or Representative Madden.

The following people testified:


02:20 PM -- A.W. Schnellbacher, representing the Colorado American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), spoke in support of the Senate Joint Memorial 05-006 and against House Joint Resolution 05-1031. He noted that the AARP opposed the privatization of SS because it will be weakened through privatization. He continued to provide what he believes are the benefits of SS in its current form, and a personal account of his experience with SS. He provided Attachment C, Social Security: Colorado Quick Facts. He responded to committee questions. He stated that AARP does a random sample of members and polls to determine where members stand on these issues.

02:43 PM

Mr. Schnellbacher responded to numerous committee questions from Representative Liston. Representative Liston stated that he believes that SS should allow younger employees to save a portion of their income in a degree of privatized SS accounts. Rep. Liston also noted that he is strongly in favor of making some modest, fair changes to SS for Americans. Mr. Schnellbacher responded to further questions.

02:54 PM -- Dennis Row or Roe, representing the Colorado Progressive Coalition, spoke in support of the Senate Joint Memorial 05-006 and against House Joint Resolution 05-1031. He recounted some of his medical costs due to an automobile accident and how SS has been a positive part of his life. He stated that he wants to save SS for his children and grandchildren.

03:05 PM -- Lionel Washington, representing the Colorado Progressive Coalition, spoke in support of Senate Joint Memorial 05-006. He pointed out various flaws that currently exist in paying into the current SS system. He responded to committee questions.

03:14 PM

Committee members discussed the tenor of the questions to the witnesses and the discussion of both measures.

03:16 PM -- Jim Zelenski, representing the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, spoke in support of Senate Joint Memorial 05-006. He discussed the "myths" of SS, including that his organization doesn't believe there is a SS crisis, or that it will run out of money. He provided background information on the issue of privatizing SS. Mr. Zelenski indicated that the problem with SS is the loaning of its funds to the federal government, which have reduced SS moneys. He responded to committee questions.


03:35 PM

Rep. Madden concluded her remarks on SJM 05-006, which was heard concurrently with HJR 05-1031.

03:45 PM

Rep. Lundberg concluded his remarks on HJR 05-1031.

BILL:HJR 05-1031
TIME: 03:46:16 PM
MOVED:Lundberg
MOTION:Referred HJR 05-1031, unamended, to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. Discussion continued on the members assessment of the measure. The motion lost on a 5 - 6 vote.
SECONDED:Liston
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Carroll T.
No
Coleman
No
Crane
Yes
Gallegos
No
Liston
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Todd
No
Ragsdale
No
Weissmann
No
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL




BILL:HJR 05-1031
TIME: 03:57:20 PM
MOVED:Carroll T.
MOTION:Moved to postpone indefinitely HJR 05-1031. The motion passed on a 6 - 5 vote.
SECONDED:Coleman
VOTE
Cadman
No
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
No
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
No
Lundberg
No
Schultheis
No
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS