Beth McCann

Small Business Town Hall Meeting

Thank you to all who braved the snow to attend my small business town hall meeting last Thursday. It was a great success despite the weather! Senator Romer stopped by and spoke briefly about the issues we are tackling in the current legislative session. Our panel of small business experts also shared helpful information for existing small business owners and for people looking to start new businesses. There are a variety of programs available for small business owners including free business counseling and workshops through the Colorado Office of Economic Development. Another noteworthy program is the Colorado Credit Reserve Program, which is administered by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. This program provides incentives for banks to provide loans to small business owners. Overall, the speakers were very optimistic about growth opportunities for small businesses in Colorado. Please contact these offices for more information:

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
Denver office
1981 Blake Street
Denver, Colorado 80202-1272
303.297.chfa (2432)
800.877.chfa (2432)
303.297.7305 TDD

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
1625 Broadway, Suite 2700
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 892-3840 Main Phone
(303) 892-3848 Fax
World Trade Center Building, corner of 16th Street Mall and Broadway

Colorado Small Business Finance Corporation
Sean Avery
Loan Officer
303-893-8989
800-843-8852
Email: sean@cedco.org

Denver Office of Economic Development
201 W. Colfax Ave., 2nd Floor
Dept. 1005
Denver, CO 80202
ph: 720-913-1999
fx: 720-913-1802
oed@DenverGov.org


Legislative Updates

Overall, we have dealt with several bills that balance our budget and address the challenging financial situation of the state. Several of these eliminate various tax credits and exemptions. Several others reduce the budgets of state agencies. These have been very painful, but necessary. The other very painful bill that has been passed is the bill to address the shortfall in PERA (Public Employees Retirement Account). This bill increases employer and employee contributions and reduces the retirees’ cost of living adjustment. The medical marijuana bills are still being considered, and I will update you later on their status. We also passed a significant energy conservation bill, which will require reductions in the use of carbon-based fuel to 30% by 2020. We are also reducing the possible late fees for vehicle registration. We will be addressing questions regarding teacher evaluations and changes in penalties for drug violations in the near future.

Here are some updates on the bills that I am sponsoring:

HB 1008 – No Gender Discrimination on Individual Health Insurance Rates

This bill passed in the House on its third reading on February 18, 2010. It is currently assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 1021 – Required Coverage for Reproductive Services for Health Insurance Policies

This bill requires that all health insurance policies offered in the individual insurance market include coverage for maternity care and contraceptive services. This bill passed in the House on its third reading on February 23, 2010. It has not been assigned to a Senate Committee as of yet.

HB 1031 – Medicaid Dental Services Contract Administration

The House Health and Human Services Committee moved to postpone this bill indefinitely on February 11, 2010. The problem with this was that it required some expenditure by the Department of Health and Human Services. Given our budget situation, no bills requiring any significant expenditure are going to be passed.

HB 1065 – A Prohibition Against Counting Any Time a Juvenile Spends on Escape Status Toward Completion of the Juvenile’s Commitment

This bill passed in the House on its third reading on February 8, 2010. It moved to the Senate and it passed on its second reading on February 24, 2010.

HB 1108 - Nonprofit Youth Sports Coaches Are Considered Independent Contractors

This bill passed in the House on its third reading on February 18, 2010. It is currently assigned to the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee.

HB 1109 – Worker’s Compensation for Jail Inmates Who Are Working for a Certified Enhancement Certification Program

This bill was passed on its third reading in the House on February 26, 2010.

HB 1214 – Adopt a Shelter Pet License Plate

This bill was passed unamended by the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee on February 23, 2010 and will be heard next in the House and Transportation Committee.

HB 1272 – Contribution Limits for School District & RTD Director Candidates

This bill will limit contributions by individuals and PACs to $2,500 for School Board and RTD races. The limit for small donor committees will be $10,000. This bill was introduced in the House on February 5, 2010. It is set for State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee hearing on March 4, 2010.

HB 1338 – Eligibility for Probation of a Person Who Has Two or More Felony Convictions

This bill was introduced in the House on February 10, 2010 and will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2010.

SB 109 – Regulation of the Physician-Patient Relationship for Medical Marijuana Patients

Senator Romer introduced this bill in the Senate on January 20, 2010. It passed in the Senate on its third reading on February 1, 2010. It passed on its second reading in the House on February 26, 2010.

SB 130 – Allocation of Powers Within the Department of Corrections

Senator Kester introduced this bill in the Senate on February 1, 2010. It passed in the Senate on its third reading on February 16, 2010. It was introduced and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee on February 17, 2010.

SB 145 – Study the Feasibility of Entering Into a Public-Private Partnership to Develop, Construct, and Operate a Rail Fixed Guideway System

This bill will allow a study of the feasibility of a streetcar operation on Colfax Avenue from Auraria campus to the Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora. Senator Romer introduced this bill in the Senate on February 4, 2010. It is assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee.

Helpful Resources

Colorado Foreclosure Hotline
1-877-601-HOPE

To learn about tax credits for working families and to find free help filing your taxes:
Dial 2-1-1 or go to www.piton.org/eitc

Please do not hesitate to call our office at (303) 866-2959 or email me at beth@bethmccann.org with any questions or concerns.




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