Latest news with #Polis
The Hill
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
GOP lawmaker links Colorado ‘sanctuary state' policy to Boulder attack
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) on Monday linked what he called 'sanctuary state' policy in his state to the recent attack in Boulder. During an interview on NewsNation's 'The Hill,' a clip was shown from a Monday press conference on the attack in which Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said that the suspect 'was not on our radar in Boulder.' 'We don't — we had no prior contacts with him here,' he added. 'I don't and can't speak to his criminal history, I'm not sure if the special agent in charge has anything to add, but this was not someone we were aware of prior.' 'How?' NewsNation's Blake Burman questioned Evans 'Yeah. And here's why I'm frustrated, because one of the major points of the 9/11 Commission, which says, 'How do we prevent major terrorist attacks from happening in the United States again?' says that federal, state and local law enforcement have to be able to work together and share information,' Evans told Burman on 'The Hill.' 'Unfortunately, Colorado is a sanctuary state where our governor, just within the last month, signed into a law another bill that fines state and local law enforcement $50,000 if they share information with immigration and customs,' he added. 'We know this guy overstayed two visas. We know this guy is illegally present in the United States, and that makes him off limits for any information sharing between state and local law enforcement with their federal authorities. In 2019, according to Courthouse News Service, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a law practically barring arrests by local law enforcement for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Polis also recently signed a bill barring people's personal information from being given to federal immigration authorities by local governments, according to The Washington Post. Mohamed Soliman, who is alleged to be behind the recent Boulder attack, was said on Sunday by the White House to be an 'illegal alien' who overstayed his visa. 'A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien,' Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, said previously on the social platform X. 'He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,' he continued. The Hill has reached out to Polis's office for comment.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DHS sanctuary list could impact Colorado's federal funding
(COLORADO) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a list of states, cities, and counties that allegedly obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws, and many places in Colorado made the list. The list comes a month after President Trump signed an executive order that would crack down on sanctuary jurisdictions and enforce federal law. The executive order directed both the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to 'pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures to bring non-compliant jurisdictions into compliance.' Per the executive order, those states that do not comply with federal law could lose funding. According to the sanctuary jurisdiction list, Colorado 'self-identifies as a State Sanctuary Jurisdiction.' In multiple previous statements, Colorado Governor Jared Polis reiterated that Colorado was, in fact, not a sanctuary state. FOX21 News obtained the following statement from Governor Polis on Friday afternoon, May 30: 'Colorado is not a sanctuary state, despite this completely incorrect designation by DHS. I am pleased that, given the lack of specificity provided for how this designation was made, that Aurora, El Paso County, and Weld County have already been removed, and I hope that others – including the state – are soon too. Colorado prioritizes public safety, and local and state law enforcement work closely with federal law enforcement to apprehend criminals, whether they are from this country or not. We cannot comment further as DHS did not provide information as to how the incorrect determination of states, counties, and cities were made but we hope it continues to be fixed.' 'You won't recognize Colorado': State vs. federal law dilemma could impact funding The classification also comes days after Governor Polis signed SB25-276, which would limit law enforcement's ability to detain immigrants and make other changes to Colorado law, such as prohibiting a military force from another state from entering Colorado without the governor's permission, unless acting on federal orders as part of the U.S. armed forces. In a previous press conference, Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams said that the order could put Colorado in danger of losing $18.4 billion in federal funding. Teller County is not listed on the DHS list. Some Southern Colorado counties that were listed as sanctuary counties included Baca, Chaffee, Custer, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Pueblo, and more. Other places listed under Colorado included cities like Boulder, Denver, Lafayette, Lakewood, Longmont, among others. See the full list here. 'DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,' according to the website. El Paso County appeared on the list early Friday morning; however, it has since been removed. 'We are grateful for the amended designation. The record now reflects the truth: Congressman Crank, Congresswoman Boebert, Sheriff Roybal, and the El Paso County Commissioners are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of the citizens who work, live, worship, and raise their families in the Pikes Peak region. We are working to reverse Colorado's sanctuary laws, and we are fully collaborating with ICE Officials, as state statute allows. Together, we have provided testimony, called attention to the rising crime rate, and fortified El Paso County as an anti-sanctuary. Let us be clear, we will not pander to Denver politicians, whose political agenda has made Colorado less safe for everyone.' Jeff Crank, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, Sheriff Joe Roybal, and El Paso County Commissioners Carrie Geitner, Holly Williams, Bill Wysong, Cory Applegate, and Cami Bremer. Pueblo County Commissioners also spoke on the matter: 'Douglas, Garfield and other counties have passed resolutions to be a Non Sanctuary County,' said Commissioner Paula McPheeters. 'Federal law supersedes state law. Governor Polis has repeatedly claimed we are not a sanctuary state. However, we have Denver as an example of what a sanctuary city looks like. My responsibility is to the legal citizens of Pueblo County. We cannot afford to be Denver. We must support our citizens first. We cannot afford to lose current or future federal support. I am not willing to lose millions of dollars Pueblo County needs.' 'Pueblo County is not, and has never been, a sanctuary jurisdiction under the definition outlined in the recent Executive Order. We do not, and will not, protect dangerous individuals from facing legal consequences, and we stand firmly with our law enforcement agencies in keeping our community safe.' 'At the same time, we must reject the false choice between public safety and supporting our immigrant community. Immigrants in Pueblo are our neighbors, our coworkers, and a vital part of our local economy. They play a large part in our proud history and I will continue to stand with immigrants for equal treatment under the law,' said Commissioner Miles Lucero. Commissioner Zach Swearingen declined to comment. According to information listed on the DHS website, the list can be reviewed and changed at any time, and it will be updated regularly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
3 days ago
- Business
Colorado's governor vetoes landmark ban on rent-setting algorithms
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis has vetoed a bill that would have made Colorado the first state to ban landlords from using rent-setting algorithms, which many advocates have blamed for driving up housing costs across the country. RealPage is the target of a federal lawsuit filed last year that accuses the real estate software company of facilitating an illegal scheme to help landlords coordinate to hike rental prices. Eight other states, including Colorado, have joined the Department of Justice's lawsuit, though RealPage has vehemently denied any claims of collusion and has fought to have the lawsuit dismissed. Critics say RealPage software combines confidential information from each real estate management company in ways that enable landlords to align prices and avoid competition that would otherwise push down rents. RealPage's clients include huge landlords who collectively oversee millions of units across the U.S. The Colorado bill, which recently passed the Democratic-led Legislature along party lines, would have prevented the use of such algorithms. In a veto letter Thursday, Polis said he understands the intent of the bill but that any collusion among landlords would already violate existing law. 'Reducing market friction through legitimate means that do not entail collusion is good for both renters and landlords,' Polis wrote. 'We should not inadvertently take a tool off the table that could identify vacancies and provide consumers with meaningful data to help efficiently manage residential real estate to ensure people can access housing.' In a statement, RealPage applauded Polis' veto, calling it an example of 'courageous leadership.' 'This is the right outcome for all of us who desire a healthy housing ecosystem that benefits Colorado renters and housing providers alike,' said Jennifer Bowcock, a spokesperson for the Texas-based firm. But Polis' decision outraged local housing advocates and the American Economic Liberties Project, a consumer rights advocacy group that has helped lead the fight against RealPage and other companies that use rent-setting algorithms. 'This veto sends the devastating message that corporate landlords can keep using secret price-fixing algorithms to take extra rent from people who have the least,' said Sam Gilman, co-founder and president of the Community Economic Defense Project, a Colorado-based nonprofit. RealPage software provides daily recommendations to help landlords and their employees price their available apartments. The landlords do not have to follow the suggestions, but critics argue that because the software has access to a vast trove of confidential data, it helps RealPage's clients charge the highest possible rent. Although Colorado was the first state to pass a bill targeting rental algorithms, at least six cities have passed similar ordinances over the past year. They include Philadelphia; Minneapolis; San Francisco; Berkeley, California; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Providence, Rhode Island. RealPage has decried those measures and sued over Berkeley's ordinance, saying it violates the company's free speech rights and is the result of an 'intentional campaign of misinformation and often-repeated false claims' about its products. RealPage argues that the real driver of high rents is a lack of housing supply. It also says that its pricing recommendations often encourage landlords to drop rents since landlords are incentivized to maximize revenue and maintain high occupancy. A clause recently added to Republicans' signature ' big, beautiful ' tax bill would ban states and localities from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade. On Tuesday, five Democratic senators sent a letter to RealPage asking if the company was involved in getting that clause inserted.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rent-setting software ban supporters blast Polis veto
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference about a bipartisan property tax reduction bill on May 6, 2024, at the Colorado Capitol. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) Colorado Democratic lawmakers criticized Gov. Jared Polis after he vetoed a bill on Thursday afternoon that would have banned the use of computer algorithms to set rent in the state, calling the decision a failure of the state's values. 'Gov. Polis had the opportunity to save Coloradans money, but he instead aligned himself with tech companies that are engaged in practices so questionable that they're currently facing litigation from the federal government,' Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat and bill sponsor, said during a virtual press conference on Friday morning. House Bill 25-1004 was written as a consumer protection bill to ban software that uses private market data to suggest profit-maximizing rents to landlords. The Biden administration released a report last year that found software from companies like RealPage cost Denver renters an extra $136 per month, one of the highest monthly cost increases in the country, and is used in over 45% of multifamily rental units in the city. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser last year also targeted the practice when he joined an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage. In his veto letter, Polis wrote that he prefers to allow 'current state and federal investigations to run their course — including those Colorado is a party to.' He wrote that he agrees with the intent of the bill, and that collusion to artificially constrain rental supply is already illegal, but he worried about its effect on the state's housing market. 'We should not inadvertently take a tool off the table that could identify vacancies and provide consumers with meaningful data to help efficiently manage residential real estate to ensure people can access housing,' he wrote. 'If signed today, this bill may have unintended consequences of creating a hostile environment for providers of rental housing and could result in further diminished supply of rental housing based on inadequate data.' A RealPage spokesperson lauded Polis' veto. 'This is the right outcome for all of us who desire a healthy housing ecosystem that benefits Colorado renters and housing providers alike,' Jennifer Bowcock of RealPage said in a statement. The bill was sponsored by Gonzales, Sen. Nick Hinrichsen of Pueblo, Rep. Steven Woodrow of Denver and Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver, all Democrats. A similar bill died last year, but this year's version passed on party-line votes in both legislative chambers. 'During my time at the Legislature, we've been tasked by the governor to save people money,' Woodrow said. 'During special sessions, we've been called down to cut property taxes to save homeowners an average of $80. Why we couldn't find the means to save renters 200 times that with a stroke of a pen is simply beyond unfortunate. The governor has punted this to the courts.' Groups that supported the bill included the Community Economic Defense Project, The Bell Policy Center, the Colorado Fiscal Institute and United for a New Economy. Supporters hoped the Biden White House report and pending litigation would help usher it into law this year. 'Unfortunately, the veto sends this devastating message that corporate landlords can keep using secret price-fixing algorithms to take extra rent from the people who have the least,' CEDP co-founder Sam Gilman said. The veto is Polis' 11th this year. He has until June 6 to sign or veto bills passed during this year's legislative session, which concluded earlier this month. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dem Governor Vetoes Ban on Surprise Ambulance Bills in Shocking Move
Colorado's Democratic governor, Jared Polis, has vetoed a bill that would ban surprise billing by ambulance companies, over the unanimous objections of both chambers of the state legislature. Why would Polis veto a bill that's popular with everyone, even Colorado Republicans? The governor wrote in his veto statement that drafting errors in the bill made it 'unimplementable,' and estimated that it would make insurance premiums go up by as much as $0.73 to $2.15 per person. 'I am committed to working with proponents and sponsors to protect Coloradans from surprise bills, but I encourage all parties to work towards a more reasonable reimbursement rate that mitigates premium impacts and nets a better deal for Colorado families,' Polis wrote. In Colorado, if legislators in both chambers repass the bill with a two-thirds majority, they can override the governor's veto, especially considering that the bill passed with the support of every single legislator. But the legislature adjourned on May 7, meaning that the bill has to be passed again when the legislature reconvenes in January. For some reason, ending surprise ambulance billing nationally is not the slam-dunk issue it should be. Congress ended most surprise medical bills in 2020, but exempted ground ambulances from the bill. Was Polis's veto due to badly drafted language and a (seemingly modest) price hike in insurance premiums as he said, or was it for a different, more nefarious reason? We might not know unless and until the bill is reintroduced next year.
