The Week in Review
Happy New Year to you! As we enter 2014 it is my sincere hope that each of you has a happy, healthy and prosperous year in your future. January also means it is time for our state's elected leaders to gather, and on Wednesday morning the gavel will drop on the Second Regular Session of the 69th Colorado General Assembly. For the next 120 days, Colorado Concern's primary focus will be on working with legislators and the Governor's Office to protect, where necessary, and enhance, where possible, Colorado's business climate. Thanks to all of you who completed Colorado Concern's annual public policy survey. Your responses are critical in assisting us as we define our agenda for the coming session and beyond. Below are highlights from your responses: - Fifty-eight percent believe Colorado's economic situation will be better a year from now. Thirty percent believe it will remain about the same.
- Forty-six percent state that operating their business in Colorado is about the same as it is in other states. Twenty-two percent say it's easier, and 16 percent note it is harder here than in other locations.
- Seventy percent of survey respondents did not support Amendment 66, which would have moved Colorado's personal income tax structure from a flat tax to a graduated system.
- The top five issues members would like our elected leaders to address this legislative session include:
- o Recruiting and retaining companies/job growth strategies - 70 percent
- o Furthering K-12 reform - 57 percent
- o Supporting energy availability and production - 38 percent
- o Supporting transportation funding - 36 percent
- o Supporting early childhood education funding - 28 percent
- Policy issues facing the state that are of interest to Colorado Concern members include:
- o Understanding PERA - the state's pension system - its operations, solvency and impacts (if any) on taxpayers
- o Ensuring the K-12 education reforms passed in the last five years remain the law of the land for Colorado
- o Ensuring more integrity in the state's ballot initiative system
- Ninety percent of Colorado Concern members provide health insurance benefits to their employees, but 80 percent do not believe federal reform will reduce the cost of care for them, or those they cover.
- Frustration with partisan behavior is at an all-time high, both in Washington and here at home. More than half of Colorado Concern's members are interested in learning about modifying our current political primary candidate election process, either allowing unaffiliated voters to directly participate in primary elections, or removing the use of the party caucus system.
- Eighty percent of survey respondents have a clear understanding of hydraulic fracturing and how it is utilized by the energy industry. A similar number - 82 percent - opposes efforts by local government to add additional levels of regulation on the industry.
Most, if not all of these issues, will be under discussion and debate at the Capitol this session, and we will be there on your behalf. Each Monday you will receive a Legislative Update covering key issues and our engagement. A bill matrix also will be provided, allowing you to track measures in real time. If you have questions, concerns or a specific bill of interest, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you soon. Warmly,
Tamra
|
Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events.
Click here for more information or to register to attend events.
January 27: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch with Guest Speaker Colorado Senate President Morgan Carroll Co-hosted by Pat Hamill and Sylvia Young
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400. This lunch is currently full. Please email Paige to be added to the waiting list at [email protected].
|