Jerry Sonnenberg
Encyclopedia
During the 2007 legislative session, Sonnenberg sat on the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Transportation and Energy Committee. During his first term, Sonnenberg was also appointed to the state's Correctional Industries Advisory Committee.
Sonnenberg's top-priority legislation during the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly
was a bill restricting the ability of Colorado governments to obtain water rights through eminent domain
. The bill was denounced as unconstitutional by the Colorado League of Municipalities, and only narrowly passed the state house. Senate sponsor Brandon Shaffer
modified the Senate version of the bill, which passed by a wide margin, to call only for a study on the issue; Sonnenberg publicly called Shaffer a "turncoat" for amending the Senate bill and then refusing to call for a conference committee
to reconcile the two versions of the legislation. Sonnenberg intends to introduce the legislation again during the 2008 session. Sonnenberg also sponsored legislation to allow state inspectors to inspect livestock records in order to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, and to increase funding for rural district attorneys.
After the 2007 legislative session, Sonnenberg was recognized by the Colorado Union of Taxpayers as one of its "Outstanding Legislators of 2007" for his support of lower taxes and private property rights Sonnenberg also sits on two interim committees — on transportation and on allocation of severance tax
and federal mineral lease revenues.
For the 2008 session, Sonnenberg sponsored legislation to limit the power of the Colorado Department of Wildlife to purchase land, by requiring that any purchase be matched by a sale of other assets of equal value. The bill was opposed by the Department of Wildlife, and failed to pass a House committee. Sonnenberg did credit the measure, however, with leading to the DOW's formation of a landowners’ advisory group and a meeting with the DOW and landowners in northeastern Colorado.
Sonnenberg also introduced legislation to allow special districts in Colorado to retain tax revenue that otherwise would have been diverted because of tax increment financing
; the bill also died in committee. Other bills, to create a sales tax holiday for school supplies
and to enhance funding for special districts that provide emergency services, also died in committee.
Sonnenberg also introduced a bill, authored by students from Sterling High School, to except school fundraisers from sales tax
. The bill was killed in committee, but later revived by House Democrats after pressure from Sonnenberg. A similar but narrower measure was introduced by Rep. Joe Rice
, and the two legislators agreed to work to reconcile the two bills. Ultimately, Sonnenberg's measure was passed by the legislature, with Sterling High School students testifying in support of it, and was signed into by Gov. Ritter.
During debate on the state budget, Sonnenberg offered an unsuccessful amendment, mirroring one of his defeated 2007 bills, to increase funding for rural district attorney
s offices; he also unsuccessfully attempted to eliminate 21 jobs within the Oil and Gas Commission created to monitor compliance with new environmental rules, arguing that the positions should have been attached to the original 2007 legislation that enacted the new rules.
During the session, Sonnenberg sponsored 11 bills, of which seven passed. Following the session, he expressed concern over the legislature's failure to provide addition transportation funding and announced his intention to introduce legislation providing additional funding for road repair and water storage in the 2009 legislative session.
In July 2008, Sonnenberg hired Jonnie Walker, a "lifelong friend" who had
worked for him occasionally over the past 35 years, and was facing accusations of engaging in sexually explicit Internet chat with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, to work on his farm during the summer harvest season. Because of Walker's restraining order, a judge had to grant special permission to work on the farm, where Sonnenberg's two teenage sons also worked. Walker had previously contributed to Sonnenberg's legislative campaigns, and Sonnenberg's decision to hire him was questioned by his opponent Conn.
Facing only a write-in opponent, Sonnenberg received 98.6% of the votes cast to win a second term.
Sonnenberg sponsored legislation to allow betting on "historic" horse races at three locations statewide; his bill was killed in favor of an alternative proposal to expand simulcast
betting. Sonnenberg also introduced a bill to allow heavier trucks on Colorado roadways, arguing it would increase transportation efficiency for farmers. Sonnenberg was also a vocal opponent of new rules on oil and gas drilling passed by the legislature.
Following the legislative session, the Colorado Union of Taxpayers named Sonnenberg a "Taxpayer Guardian;" his 90 percent rating on their legislative scorecard identified him as one of the most fiscally conservative legislators in the state.
Sonnenberg's top-priority legislation during the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly
The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature of the State of Colorado.-Constitutional definition:The Colorado Constitution establishes a system of government based on the separation of powers doctrine with power divided among three "departments": executive, legislative and judicial...
was a bill restricting the ability of Colorado governments to obtain water rights through eminent domain
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
. The bill was denounced as unconstitutional by the Colorado League of Municipalities, and only narrowly passed the state house. Senate sponsor Brandon Shaffer
Brandon Shaffer
Brandon Shaffer is the current President of the Colorado State Senate representing Senate District 17, which encompasses the cities of Longmont, Lafeyette, Erie, and Louisville. Shaffer, a lifelong Democrat, was first elected as a State Senator in November 2004, and was reelected in 2008...
modified the Senate version of the bill, which passed by a wide margin, to call only for a study on the issue; Sonnenberg publicly called Shaffer a "turncoat" for amending the Senate bill and then refusing to call for a conference committee
Conference committee
A conference committee is a joint committee of a bicameral legislature, which is appointed by, and consists of, members of both chambers to resolve disagreements on a particular bill...
to reconcile the two versions of the legislation. Sonnenberg intends to introduce the legislation again during the 2008 session. Sonnenberg also sponsored legislation to allow state inspectors to inspect livestock records in order to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, and to increase funding for rural district attorneys.
After the 2007 legislative session, Sonnenberg was recognized by the Colorado Union of Taxpayers as one of its "Outstanding Legislators of 2007" for his support of lower taxes and private property rights Sonnenberg also sits on two interim committees — on transportation and on allocation of severance tax
Severance tax
Severance taxes are incurred when non-renewable natural resources are separated from a taxing jurisdiction. Industries that typically incur such taxes are oil and gas, coal, mining, and timber industries....
and federal mineral lease revenues.
2008 legislative session
In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Sonnenberg sits on the House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee.For the 2008 session, Sonnenberg sponsored legislation to limit the power of the Colorado Department of Wildlife to purchase land, by requiring that any purchase be matched by a sale of other assets of equal value. The bill was opposed by the Department of Wildlife, and failed to pass a House committee. Sonnenberg did credit the measure, however, with leading to the DOW's formation of a landowners’ advisory group and a meeting with the DOW and landowners in northeastern Colorado.
Sonnenberg also introduced legislation to allow special districts in Colorado to retain tax revenue that otherwise would have been diverted because of tax increment financing
Tax increment financing
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a public financing method which has been used as a subsidy for redevelopment and community improvement projects in many countries including the United States for more than 50 years...
; the bill also died in committee. Other bills, to create a sales tax holiday for school supplies
and to enhance funding for special districts that provide emergency services, also died in committee.
Sonnenberg also introduced a bill, authored by students from Sterling High School, to except school fundraisers from sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
. The bill was killed in committee, but later revived by House Democrats after pressure from Sonnenberg. A similar but narrower measure was introduced by Rep. Joe Rice
Joe Rice
Joe Rice is a former legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado, an Iraq War veteran, and a former mayor of Glendale, Colorado.Rice presently works for Lockheed Martin Space Systems and also is a member of the United States Army Reserve...
, and the two legislators agreed to work to reconcile the two bills. Ultimately, Sonnenberg's measure was passed by the legislature, with Sterling High School students testifying in support of it, and was signed into by Gov. Ritter.
During debate on the state budget, Sonnenberg offered an unsuccessful amendment, mirroring one of his defeated 2007 bills, to increase funding for rural district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
s offices; he also unsuccessfully attempted to eliminate 21 jobs within the Oil and Gas Commission created to monitor compliance with new environmental rules, arguing that the positions should have been attached to the original 2007 legislation that enacted the new rules.
During the session, Sonnenberg sponsored 11 bills, of which seven passed. Following the session, he expressed concern over the legislature's failure to provide addition transportation funding and announced his intention to introduce legislation providing additional funding for road repair and water storage in the 2009 legislative session.
2008 campaign
In February 2008, Sonnenberg announced his bid for re-election to a second two-year term in the state house. He faced only unaffiliated write-in candidate Dan Conn in the general election. Sonnenberg emphasized water, infrastructure, and rural development issues during his campaign. Sonnenberg's re-election bid was endorsed by the Denver Post, the Sterling Journal-Advocate, and the Windsor Beacon.In July 2008, Sonnenberg hired Jonnie Walker, a "lifelong friend" who had
worked for him occasionally over the past 35 years, and was facing accusations of engaging in sexually explicit Internet chat with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, to work on his farm during the summer harvest season. Because of Walker's restraining order, a judge had to grant special permission to work on the farm, where Sonnenberg's two teenage sons also worked. Walker had previously contributed to Sonnenberg's legislative campaigns, and Sonnenberg's decision to hire him was questioned by his opponent Conn.
Facing only a write-in opponent, Sonnenberg received 98.6% of the votes cast to win a second term.
2009 legislative session
For the 2009 legislative session, Sonnenberg was named to seats on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee. Sonnenberg plans on sponsoring legislation regarding urban renewal authorities, and legislation mandating reparations from the Colorado Division of Wildlife for game damage to agricultural land, a proposal which was weakened in House committee. Sonnenberg also proposed legislation to allocate a portion of sales tax revenue directly to transportation; his legislation was a major portion of Republicans' alternative proposals to a registration fee increase proposed by Democrats.Sonnenberg sponsored legislation to allow betting on "historic" horse races at three locations statewide; his bill was killed in favor of an alternative proposal to expand simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
betting. Sonnenberg also introduced a bill to allow heavier trucks on Colorado roadways, arguing it would increase transportation efficiency for farmers. Sonnenberg was also a vocal opponent of new rules on oil and gas drilling passed by the legislature.
Following the legislative session, the Colorado Union of Taxpayers named Sonnenberg a "Taxpayer Guardian;" his 90 percent rating on their legislative scorecard identified him as one of the most fiscally conservative legislators in the state.