Debbie Benefield
| Westminster/Arvada Lawmakers' Bills Signed Into Law |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2009
CONTACTS Holly Shrewsbury, 720.320.0097, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
GOV. RITTER SIGNS BILLS TO SAVE LIVES, CREATE JOBS
LOUISVILLE — Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed this Emergency Medical Services Week and signed into law bills that will improve public safety, save lives and help create new jobs all across Colorado.
“There is no more important public service than protecting people and saving lives,” Gov. Ritter said during a signing ceremony at a Louisville fire station. “To the thousands of emergency medical personnel, firefighters and law officers who work on the front lines every day, you have my deepest gratitude. The bills I am signing into law today will reduce emergency response times, create new jobs, and most importantly save lives.”
Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. John Morse and Rep. Cherilyn Peniston (D-Westminster), will increase grant funding for emergency services so that local and county agencies can maintain their equipment and keep their doors open. The additional funds could translate into more than 100 new jobs.
“SB02 upgrades our support for our Emergency Medical Trauma Services at a time when some are having to close their doors," said Rep. Peniston. "What could be more important than saving jobs and saving lives?"
House Bill 1100, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Benefield (D-Arvada) and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, creates a new specialty license plate to raise awareness and support for the “Alive at 25” program, which saves lives by teaching young people safe and responsible driving skills.
“Young drivers are involved in too many fatal crashes; more than 6,000 teens are killed every year in car accidents. It doesn't have to be this way,” Rep. Benefield said. “This legislation creates the new ‘Alive at 25’ license plate for those who support the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation. Alive at 25 is a highly interactive program that teaches young people 16 to 25 that the choices they make on the road have real-world impacts, and real-world consequences. The strategies and skills our kids learn from Alive at 25 will keep them and other Coloradans safe on the road, and ultimately, will help save lives."
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