Colorado Concern Update, Events & News Clips March 25, 2013

March 25, 2013

The Week in Review

Tamra Ward

Seventy-six days down, 44 remaining in the 69th Session of the Colorado General Assembly. Gun control measures, in-state tuition for undocumented students, and civil unions for gay couples have been the focal point of discussion and debate for our elected officials the first half of the legislative session. These measures have been - or are in line to be - signed by Governor Hickenlooper. And while it is impossible to know for certain, as late bills are no longer the exception but rather the norm, conventional wisdom is that the last broad-based issue that will bring the type of passionate debate we have seen at the Capitol this year is a proposed repeal of the state's death penalty. Anticipate more late nights and protests from those on both sides as lawmakers consider this deeply divisive issue.

That said, there are other impactful measures that must be introduced and debated in the next seven weeks. The Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force completed its work, providing the General Assembly with 58 recommendations related to how to regulate, tax and enforce this new world of legal adult use marijuana. Those proposals must be crafted into statute, introduced, debated and voted on prior to the end of this session to ensure a regulatory system is in place when the Department of Revenue begins to process applications for businesses on Oct. 1. The legislature also must refer to the voters a measure to tax marijuana to ensure the state's General Fund is not on the hook to finance this new industry indefinitely.

The state budget, known as the "Long Bill," is expected in the coming days. With the March revenue forecast $256 million higher than prior projections, the battle over how funds are allocated going forward should be less acrimonious than it has been in recent history. However, regardless of how smooth the process is, a thoughtful and thorough review of the budget by both chambers of the General Assembly usually takes 10 days to two weeks.

Last week I mentioned SB13-213, a rewrite of the School Finance Act (Johnston-Hamner). That legislation had its first hearing last week. Questions remain around the funding source that would be considered by voters should the bill pass the legislature and be signed by the Governor. We will continue to be vocal in our opposition to moving Colorado to a graduated income tax system.

What else is on the horizon that is impactful or concerning to the business community? A package of legislation focused on changes in how the oil and gas industry is regulated and what is under the state's control versus local government is expected. An increase in the renewable energy portfolio standards for energy companies also is rumored; this would likely lead to higher costs for consumers. In a previous column, I also mentioned that our friends in organized labor had several bills in process. So far a procurement proposal that sets standards for companies doing work on public projects is being debated. A measure focused on providing unemployment benefits to workers locked out during a strike, as well as proposed changes to the state's worker's compensation system, still are possible.

Quite simply work - on your behalf - is far from over. Should you have questions or concerns regarding any of the measures above, or other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at tamra@coloradoconcern.com.

Warmly,

Tamra

Colorado Concern Legislative Tracking

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Click here to download the Colorado Concern At a Glance Status Sheet for quick tracking of Colorado Concern's bills of interest.

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Colorado Concern News Clips

Budgets/Sequestration

Could we be on cusp of elusive "grand bargain"?

Denver Post: March 18

U.S. Senate Oks leaving $85 billion in place to avoid shutdown

Denver Post: March 21

Economy/Economic Development

Colorado state revenue picture brightens; roads, construction could benefit

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Stock sales fill Colorado tax coffers

Denver Post: March 19

Denver a top city for young entrepreneurs

Denver Business Journal: March 21

Education

Hansen rips "political posturing" in ending bid for DPS board seat

Denver Post: March 18

Returns on a college investment

Denver Post: March 18

Landri Taylor avoids labels, offers simple agenda for DPS board

Denver Post: March 19

DPS drama ends with solid choice

Denver Post: March 19

Colorado legislators review revisions to school funding

Boulder Daily Camera: March 20

Are four-year degrees at community colleges necessary?

Denver Post: March 20

Panel stumbles on finance reform plan

Education News Colorado: March 21

A better way to fund student success

Denver Post: March 21

EdNews Colorado: Senate sides with community college bachelor's degrees

Denver Business Journal: March 21

$2 million donation to help undocumented DPS students pay for college

Denver Post: March 21

Elections/Politics

Budget panel blocks Gessler's business-intelligence push

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Colorado Senate President John Morse: issue of guns was "forced upon us"

Denver Post: March 21

Energy

Xcel speeds up wind-proposal process

Denver Post: March 18

Colorado legislators propose tighter oil and gas regulation

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Colorado town takes different path on oil and gas boom

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Colorado docs chafe at secrecy oath needed for access to chemical list

Denver Post: March 20

Jeff Ackermann appointed director of Colorado Energy Office

Denver Post: March 20

Natural gas vehicles gain traction with fleets; less so with consumers

Denver Post: March 20

Prospect Energy reaches deal on Fort Collins fracking ban

Denver Business Journal: March 21

Study: Colorado's Thompson Divide is a regional economic engine

Denver Post: March 21

PUC rejects Xcel bid to collect $16.6 million in SmartGridCity costs

Denver Post: March 22

Hike in fines for Colorado oil and gas violations passes committees

Denver Post: March 22

New local government oil and gas fees proposed

Denver Business Journal: March 22

Noble Energy to build Colorado's first LNG plant

Denver Business Journal: March 22

General Business

Denver ranks high as affordable, fast-sale housing market

Denver Business Journal: March 18

Group forms to oppose Colorado marijuana stores

Denver Post: March 18

Gov. Hickenlooper: Grass - not new gun laws - worries business leaders

Denver Post: March 18

Still waiting for answers on pot

Denver Post: March 18

PCL Construction named general contractor for Cherry Creek project

Denver Post: March 18

Craft brews continue sales climb in Colorado, nationwide

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Carroll: Five tips for tweaking the pot regs

Denver Post: March 20

Benefit-corporation bill passes Colorado House on party-line vote

Denver Business Journal: March 20

Denver launches homeowner assistance program

Denver Business Journal: March 20

Foreclosure fillings down to lowest point in seven years

Denver Business Journal: March 20

3 new gun bills on the books in Colorado despite its Wild West image

Denver Post: March 21

CEOs muse on nature of innovation at ACG summit

Denver Business Journal: March 21

Denver Art Museum attracts N.Y. Times attention

Denver Business Journal: March 21

Colorado lawmakers question proposed marijuana business rules

Denver Post: March 22

Colorado civil unions bill signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper at History Colorado Center

Denver Post: March 22

Colorado civil unions could boost wedding, financial planning business

Denver Post: March 22

Carroll: The weird politics of "benefit corporations"

Denver Post: March 22

Health Care

Colorado mental health programs see chance for improvement

Denver Post: March 18

Report Card: Colorado adult health improves, kids' decline

Denver Business Journal: March 22

Colorado hospitals concerned as bill for cap-raise moves forward

Denver Business Journal: March 22

Immigration

GOP roadmap calls for immigration reform

Denver Post: March 18

Redundant law on immigration checks

Denver Post: March 18

Colorado House Committee votes to repeal immigration reporting law

Denver Post: March 19

Colorado's congressional GOP fractured on immigration

Denver Post: March 20

Temporary protected immigrants have no path to citizenship

Denver Post: March 22

Labor/Employment

Colorado unemployment down to 7.3 percent in January

Denver Post: March 18

Expanding Colorado lawsuit against employers will send jobs elsewhere

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Colorado anti-discrimination bills project workers' rights, strengthen economy

Denver Business Journal: March 19

Business interests prevail on leave, wage-theft bills

Denver Business Journal: March 20

Taxes

Enact a federal online sales tax

Denver Post: March 22

Transportation

Front Range Airport tower facing closure due to sequestration

Denver Post: March 18

Air traffic tower closures will strip safety net

Denver Post: March 18

A preview of RTD's new FasTracks rail line

Denver Business Journal: March 21

Use road taxes for our roads

Denver Post: March 22

Water

Snow brings no relief, 89% of Colorado still drought stricken

Denver Post: March 19

With Senate passage Wednesday, Colorado on the path to get watershed protection money

Denver Post: March 21

In This Issue

The Week in Review

Legislative Tracking

Upcoming Events

News Clips