Rotary Club of Conifer
Meeting
January 15, 2019
Program: Greg Romberg, Lobbyist
What a lobbyist does and the focus in the current Legislature in Colorado
Greg started in the Department of Regulatory Reform—both for the state and then the City of Denver. He moved into lobbying and has worked at all levels of government.
A lobbyist works as a translator, helping people understand what is happening. Term limits in Colorado made the role of staff and lobbyists important in being the historical reporters and teaching new legislators how government works.
Greg gave an update on the state of the Colorado legislature, reviewing the composition of the two houses and the ramifications in terms of how legislating is being managed.
As a first focus, our new Governor is proposing full day kindergarten for the whole State. The issue, of course, is how to pay for this project. There is more money available this year than has been since TABOR was passed, but there are many competing interests.
The Colorado Governor does not have the power that many other Governors in the country have. In Colorado, the Governor proposes the budget but the legislature/joint budget committee does what it wishes.
Guests: Lenore McCall
Announcements/Business:
- January 26, RI President will be at the Marriott South: Dinner and polio fund-raiser
- Presidents of Area 8 met last night. Ice-melt tickets are available from Janine. The tickets are $3. This is a major fund-raiser for Mt. Foothills.
- January is Rotary Vocational Service month. The focus is on ethical behavior in our various vocations and following the 4-way Test.
- The Club is returning to the morning meetings the first, second, third and fourth Tuesdays. We will not meet the 5thTuesday and will have a social event.
- Trivia Night is February 9. The Club has one table filled. We can have a second table. Notify Yvonne is you want to join.
- Next week, we will be planning the St. Pat’s fund-raiser. If you have auction items, bring them.
- February 23, Evergreen has its Mardi Gras party. John Wingate will bring more information next week.
- Mark Rehm received his Paul Harris Fellow, plus 4! Thanks and congratulations!