Economic Opportunity

March 1, 2010

The Honorable Clair Levy
Chair, House Judiciary Committee
State Capitol
Denver, Colorado 80203

Dear Representative Levy:

I am writing to express the support of the Bell Policy Center for H.B. 10-1269, "Concerning the creation of remedies available in employment discrimination cases." This legislation will expand remedies available under Colorado's anti-discrimination laws and protect more Coloradans from discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Title: Concerning the establishment of the Colorado "work-share program"
to allow payment of unemployment compensation benefits
to eligible employees who have received a reduction in work hours

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Allowing employers to provide work-share opportunities will keep more Colorado workers employed during periods of economic downturn.

Summary of Legislation

It appears that Colorado is moving toward SMARTer budgeting.

Yesterday, Rich Jones, director of policy and research at the Bell, testified in favor of HB 1119, the "State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act."

The SMART legislation would apply performance-based measures to budget decisions for every state department. It would be a useful tool for lawmakers -- but it also would make budgeting more responsive and accountable to state residents.

Jon Nicholas
Estes Park Trail
Guest column
Feb. 5, 2010

Given the continuing budget crisis in Colorado, Democrats would like business to share in some of the pain. Governor Ritter's current budget strategy, however, might explain why he will not stand for re-election.

The General Assembly has gotten off to a fast start, and Bell Policy Center staffers have testified on bills we believe will improve access to insurance, increase educational opportunities and add some balance as the state wrestles with its budget shortfall.

Yesterday, policy fellow Debra Judy submitted an Opportunity Note in favor of House Bill 1008, which would prohibit consideration of gender in setting insurance premium rates.

Allowing Automatic Enrollment in Employee Retirement Plans
House Business Affairs and Labor Committee

February 2, 2010

Rich Jones
Director of Policy and Research
The Bell Policy Center

Summary

Concerning direction to CollegeInvest to promote
the use of college savings plans for adults to save
in pursuit of their own post-secondary educational opportunities

House Bill 10-1040
Testimony to the House Education Committee
Frank Waterous, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst
The Bell Policy Center
February 1, 2010

Jan. 20, 2010

Allowing Automatic Enrollment in Employee Retirement Plans

Rich Jones
Director of Policy and Research
The Bell Policy Center

Summary

Jan. 20, 2010

Restoring the State Earned Income Tax Credit
as the First TABOR Refund Mechanism

Rich Jones
Director of Policy and Research
The Bell Policy Center

Summary

By Todd Engdahl
Education News Colorado

Teacher quality will be the top education policy issue of the 2010 legislative session, but looming cuts in state K-12 support and proposed changes in teacher and public employee pensions will cast long shadows over the deliberations.
Colorado Senate chamber