Colorado Concern Legislative Update 
 February 27, 2012
The Week in Review

 

Tamra Ward

Democracy is alive and well at all levels of government. You need only turn on the television, pick up a newspaper or turn on the radio or your computer to be updated on the Republican presidential primary; the latest poll numbers for President Obama; analysis of the Congressional stalemate over the "issue de jour," or the status of legislation at the Colorado General Assembly.  

 

It is our system of electing and governing. And as messy and painful to watch as it can be at times, it remains a shining beacon across the world, one that citizens in countries across the globe are fighting against ruling regimes to embrace.

 

And yet, more and more frequently we find ourselves lamenting the fact that partisan behavior appears to be playing a bigger role in our political landscape than it has in the recent past. The following is an excerpt from a newsletter published by Boyle, Silver & Weist Policy Strategists, Inc., that highlights some of the reasons.

 

"In recent years, partisanship has become a much more important factor influencing legislation than historically was the case.  Partisanship, loyalty to party above all, has always played a role in the legislative process, but now it is the most important factor in many legislative debates.  Other traditional political coalition building influences, based on geography - rural vs. urban - or personal beliefs have diminished in significance compared to loyalty to party.  The number and range of issues that demand a caucus position which all of the members of a party are expected to observe has grown.  The election campaigns are not biennial events but a continuing influence on voting patterns.  Almost every aspect of the legislative process is affected by considerations of the effect on the party and the next election.   

 

There are several reasons for this lamentable trend.  Term limits have reduced the number of long serving legislators whose personal popularity renders them impervious to attack and free to vote as they wish, indifferent to the demands of the party.  Campaign finance reform has centralized control over campaign contributions and spending, making both candidates and incumbents more beholden to party leaders.  Other reforms have eliminated the ability of legislators to socialize and build personal relationships with members of the other party which encourages bipartisanship.  If the only time you encounter the opposition is in the well during a legislative debate, it is easier to demonize them, much harder to build friendships, understanding and, ultimately, coalitions that transcend party."   

 

With that as the backdrop, it seems unlikely that the growing trend of caucus positions and partisan behavior will go by the wayside anytime soon. And so, we must meet them where they are. Colorado Concern's focus must be on ensuring candidates for public office, and current elected officials, understand and embrace issues that are critical to the business community. That work is underway each day at the Capitol, and beyond as we prepare for the 2012 election cycle.

 

This week's legislative status sheet is available here.

 

If you have questions, concerns or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me at 303.860-1201, or tamra@coloradoconcern.com.

 

 

 

Warm Regards,

Tamra

Tamra J. Ward

President and CEO

Colorado Concern

Colorado Concern Legislative Tracking

Click here to find out what legislation Colorado Concern is tracking.  The report includes links to bill text, sponsors, Colorado Concern's positions, bill status, and additional notes.
 
Click here to download the Colorado Concern At a Glance Status Sheet for quick tracking of Colorado Concern's bills of interest.
Members in the News
 
 
Denver Post: February 24
Weekly News Clips 

 

Budgets

Colorado legislators balk at spending millions more on troubled computerized benefits system

Denver Post: February 23

 

Budget compromise may spell layoffs for hundreds of Colorado state workers

Denver Post: February 24

 

Economic Development

VC investments in Colorado life science industry up in 2011.

Denver Business Journal: February 21

 

SBDC funding bill gets first approval

Denver Business Journal: February 23

 

Bill to cap Colorado's enterprise-zone tax credits dies in GOP-controlled House

Denver Post: February 23

 

Democratic jobs bill passes House committee

Colorado Independent: February 23

 

Carroll: Bill would imperil bonanza for Colorado

Denver Post: February 23

 

Worker-training bill advances in House

Denver Business Journal: February 24

 

Business personal-property tax relief gets closer

Denver Business Journal: February 24

 

The strange case of busienss-backed enterprise zone reform

Denver Business Journal: February 24

 

Education

Editorial: Shine a light on university pay

Denver Post: February 21

 

It's tough to turn page to get failing schools turned around

Denver Post: February 21

 

23,000 parents partake n streamlined Denver school-choice program

Denver Post: February 23

 

Denver County in 'high risk' category in early childhood development

Examiner.com: February 23

 

More Colorado students attending online schools

9NEWS: February 24

 

A day of much talk, little action

Education News Colorado: February 24

 

Elections/Politics

Mike McLachlan announces candidacy in HB 59

The Colorado Statesman: February 20

 

Gessler has active legislative agenda

The Colorado Statesman: February 20

 

Weissmann announces GOP candidacy in CD 2

The Colorado Statesman: February 20

 

Colorado House Speaker McNulty defends hike in per diem

Denver Post: February 21

 

Lawmakers rethinking per-diem raise

Pueblo Chieftain: February 21

 

Colorado Supreme Court backs unlimited spending by 527s that avoid "magic words"

Denver Post: February 22

 

President Obama taps environmentalist as Colorado campaign director

Denver Post: February 21

 

Lying to voters latest in Colo. elections debate

Northern Colorado 5: February 22

 

Police: Rep. Laura Bradford failed roadside sobriety tests

9NEWS.com: February 22

 

Terrible timing (RE per diem increase)

Pueblo Chieftain: February 22

 

Ben DeGrow: Let's pay teachers to be effective, too

Summit Daily News: February 23

 

Editorial: A reasonable price for a citizens' legislature

Denver Post: February 23

 

Secretary of State Scott Gessler rewrites Colorado campaign finance rules

Denver Post: February 23

 

Governor agrees with per-diem raise

Pueblo Chieftain: February 24

 

Lawmakers should stop treating employers like adversaries

Denver Business Journal: February 24

 

Energy

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/151975

Aspen Daily News: February 23

 

General Business

Colorado lawmaker proposes BPA ban

Fox 31 KDVR: February 21

 

Oil/gas oversight may move beyond Capitol

Denver Business Journal: February 23

 

Colorado banks face TARP paybacks

Denver Business Journal: February 24

 

Health Care

Dialysis giant DaVita plans to expand patient oversight and push into primary care, worrying advocates

Denver Post: February 21

 

Why Obamacare works: Four reasons

Denver Post: February 20

 

Why Obamacare is good for America

Denver Post: February 20

 

Colorado gets $18M grant for health insurance exchange

Denver Business Journal: February 23

 

PERA retirees fear House bill will expel them from coverage

Denver Post: February 23

 

Jon Caldera, upset about PERA bill's fate, suggests reading "Profiles in Courage"

Denver Post: February 24

 

Colorado lawmaker kills own health care bill for retired public employees as PERA issues pile up at the Capitol

Denver Post: February 24

 

Senate panel advances bill on hospital care for uninsured

Denver Business Journal: February 24

 

Labor/State Personnel

States push to shake up personnel practices

Sacramento Bee: February 20

 

Lawmakers consider ballot initiative to change state personnel rules

Denver Post: February 25

 

Pinnacol

Guest Commentary: Further study of Pinnacol restructuring is the best option

Denver Post: February 24

 

Taxes

Editorial: Lower tax rates, greater revenue

Denver Post: February 23

 

Seniors wait for tax relief while Colorado lawmakers mull budget

Fort Collins Colorado: February 25

 

Water/Land Use

Colorado River advocates rally in Denver

Summit County Citizens Voice: February 22

 

Plan for light-rail to Denver's northwest suburbs might be replaced by bus service

Denver Post: February 23

 

Udall wants feedback on creating Colorado wilderness areas

Denver Post:February 26

In This Issue
The Week in Review - Legislative Update from President and CEO Tamra Ward

Colorado Concern Legislative Tracking

Members in the News

Weekly News Clips

John Hickenlooper 
Don't forget to register for Colorado Concern's March 15 Annual Luncheon with special guest Governor John Hickenlooper.  Click here for more information and to register.