Legislative Breakfast on Women's Issues 2007
Seven OWL members attended the Women's Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, February 8th, including: Kate Bastien, Jo Bausch-Hammergran, Julie Holland, Judy Holloway, Beth Lee, Jo Roll and Susan Stern. As usual the women attending came away with inspiration for the coming year. The energy in the room gave real meaning to "Women Power".

We heard from Represenatives Morgan Carroll, Anne McGihon, and Ellen Roberts as well as Senators Betty Boyd and Nancy Spence. Representative Carroll made the comment that women are at the grass roots of politics and we should strive to be at the grass tops. She said that Colorado is one of only a few states that allows public testimony on bills before they are voted on and we should use this opportunity to be heard. All of the speakers stressed the importance of being involved in the community, using town hall meetings and party meetings to understand the issues facing the legislators. All of them got their start in politics through community activism.

Newly elected State Treasurer Cary Kennedy spoke of the fiscal issues facing Colorado. In 2004-2005, Cary was the policy director for House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, and assisted in developing Referendum C, the budget compromise for the state of Colorado. She said that the passage of Referendum C by the voters has allowed many programs to be reinstated and others able to continue. Even though young (39 years old) Cary has many years of experience in Colorado governmental agencies.

Pictured (left to right): Julie Holland, Jo Bausch-Hammergran, Beth Lee, Kate Bastien, Judy Holloway (in front)

OWL Instrumental in Passing SB79
The Denver Chapter was instrumental in introducing and passing SB79 in the 1998 legislative session, offering Medicaid spousal protection for couples who choose to use Home and Community Services rather than nursing home care. Prior to the passage of this bill, a couple was required to spend down resources to $3,000 in order to qualify and receive Medicaid home care or assisted living.

Senate Bill 98-079 Parity for Long-Term Care Services in Medicaid Signing, May 1998. Pictured (left to right): Susan Stern (OWL), Eleanor Bent (OWL), Ann Olson (Total Long Term Care), Elizabeth Tulloch (Elder Law Attorney), Jo Bausch-Hammergran (OWL), Linda Mitchell (Alzheimer's Association). Senator Pat Pascoe (Bill Sponsor) and Governor Roy Romer, signing bill into law.