Josh Penry

Infobox State Senator


imagesize = 150px
name=Josh Penry


state_senate=Colorado
state=Colorado
district=7th
term=2007 –
preceded=
succeeded=
date of birth=
place of birth=Denver, Colorado
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=Jamie Penry
profession=
religion=
party=Republican|

Josh Penry is a lifelong Colorado resident who currently represents Mesa County in the Colorado State Senate. Penry, a Western slope native, first won election to the statehouse in 2004, earning nearly 70% of the vote.

Prior to being elected to the General assembly, Penry served as Chief of Staff to an influential Congressional subcommittee where he drafted a number of legislative proposals that were signed into law by the president - including one of the most significant bipartisan environmental consercation laws approved by Congress in three decades.

Senator Penry continued his record of accomplishment and reaching across party lines in the Colorado Stathouse, sponsoring numerous bills that were ultimately signed into law, including a landmark bill to protect Colorado's water resources that the Denver Post dubbed, "the most significant such bill in 50 years."

In 2008, Penry as named the legislator of the year by the Jewish Community Relations of Colorado, along with Representatives Frank McNulty and Cory Gardner, for leading an effort to persuade the Public Employees Retirement Association (Colorado's largest public pension) to divest investments in Iranian-tied foreign corporations. Penry was also named legislator of the year by the University of Colorado Alumni Association and Colorado's Commnity College system for helping secure $200 million to build new math, science and academic buildings on the State's college and university campuses. Penry also co-authored a landmark law that would invest hundreds of millions of dollars of energy royalties into Colorado's colleges and universities, and he helped broker sweeping bipartisan edication reform that, among other things, would raise graduation standards in Colorado.

Penry is a graduate of Mesa State College, where he earned Summa Cum Laude honors and quarterbacked the Mavericks football team for four years. He was recognized by a national coaches association in 1998 when he was named National Scholat Athlete of the Year in recognition of his outstanding achievements both on the football field and in the classroom, joining the previous year's winner Peyton Manning.

In his free time Josh enjoys spending time with his family, reading and following Mesa State College athletics. He is an assistant coach for his son's youth football team, the Jayhawks. Josh is married to Jamie Penry, who was also a former standout sudent-athlete at Mesa State College. Josh and Jamie are the proud parents of their 6 year old son Chase and 2 year old daughter Emme.

Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act: Sponsored by Senator Penry, this pioneering water legislation has been described as the most important water legislation in 50 years. Penry’s bill signed into law last year puts Colorado on track to meet its growing water needs by facilitating water compacts that result in new reservoirs and new statewide water efficiencies.

Getting tough on sexual predators: In coordination with the Attorney General, Senator Penry is pushing legislation that would close gaping loopholes that currently allow certain sexually violent predators to live next door or down the street without our knowledge. Penry’s efforts to get tough on sexual predators have been praised by State and local law enforcement, victims groups and major media throughout Colorado.

Reforming government spending: Josh Penry has been the leader in the push to force government to save money during good economic times, rather than spend it all. Senator Penry also championed reform to Amendment 23 and other laws that require government spending to dramatically increase, regardless of how well government is performing. Penry also co-sponsored and negotiated a bill that would have prevented government from raiding trust funds.

Protecting energy impact dollars: Senator Penry won statewide recognition for leading the charge against several proposals that would hijack energy severance tax dollars that are intended to help the West Slope mitigate the large impacts of a fast growing energy sector.

Cracking Down on Methamphetamine: Senator Penry has been at the forefront of several efforts addressing the Meth crisis, including bills that would limit access to Meth precursor drugs, increase criminal penalties on Meth producers, and pressure the federal government to get tough on Mexican Methamphetamine trafficking.

Refilling Lake Powell: Senator Penry authored a resolution pressuring the federal government to reduce water releases from Lake Powell to California and Arizona.

Restoring Multiple Use: Senator Penry authored first of its kind legislation in the nation that would allow Colorado to restore a multiple use balance to forest lands locked up by the 2001 Clinton Roadless Rule.

A preference for Colorado farmers and ranchers: Senator Penry carried a measure that would require Colorado’s schools and prisons and other agencies to give preference to Colorado grown products when purchasing food products. After years of attempts by others, Penry’s ag preference law creates the first bona fide preference for Colorado’s agricultural industry.

Fighting frivolous lawsuits:Senator Penry is carrying a widely supported measure to give doctors, nurses and other medical professionals immunity from frivolous lawsuits when volunteering their medical services. Penry also championed legislation that would require litigants to submit a sworn statement from a recognized expert as part of bringing malpractice litigation in order to screen out frivolous lawsuits before they tie up the courts.

Protecting private property: Josh Penry is a prime co-sponsor of a bill that would nullify a recent United States Supreme Court decision as it impacts Colorado, ensuring that in Colorado government will not condemn private property for the private economic gain of another.

Cutting taxes: Josh Penry is advocating legislation that would expand the Senior Homestead Exemption to cover all seniors who have lived in Colorado for 10 years, phasing out the business personal property tax, and reducing the tax burden on working families.

ources

*http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_4408432,00.html
*http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2005/12/the_futures_mar_4.html
*http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5375109,00.html
*http://www.mesastate.edu/info/marketing/fromtheclassroom.htm

External links

* [http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/senate/members/sen07.htm Colorado State Senator Joshua Penry] official government website
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=29968 Project Vote Smart - Senator Joshua A. 'Josh' Penry (CO)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Josh Penry
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20066&c=418296 2006] Senate campaign contributions
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20046&c=411206 2004] House campaign contributions