Approach to Retain Tax Revenue Has Broader Implications; Attorney General Amps Up Transportation Funding Debate

Tax Haven Measure Opposed by Business Community

The House is considering a measure to change tax policy in such a manner that economic development and business advocates argue will have a chilling effect on retaining and attracting new corporate headquarters to Colorado.

House Bill 16-1275 would place a measure on the November 2016 ballot to allow voters to decide whether to require corporations to pay taxes on income from affiliated corporations incorporated in “tax haven jurisdictions”, unless the affiliated business is operating for “legitimate business purposes.”

The proposal was introduced by Democrat Representatives Brittany Pettersen and Mike Foote. They argue the measure is necessary to “close a tax loophole that allows many of the biggest companies doing business in Colorado to pay no state income taxes.” The proposal is projected to generate an estimated $75M in additional revenue, which would be dedicated to K-12 public school funding.

The broad proposal is drawing equally broad opposition from the Colorado business community, including the NCLA. Opponents argue the measure will make Colorado less competitive, less appealing for relocation and expansion, and creates a risk of double taxation for Colorado companies.

HB 1275 would grant the Department of Revenue (DOR) broad authority and discretion to develop a list of “tax haven countries”, or a blacklist of countries. Blacklisting has been abandoned by all but two states in order to maintain strong trade relations with other countries. DOR would have additional discretion to define “legitimate business purpose.” A company would be required to prove to the “satisfaction of DOR” that they are engaged in a legitimate business.

The bill has been considered in the House and awaits its third reading where it is expected to pass on a party-line vote. With the split majority between the House and Senate, the bill is on a path for defeat in the first Senate committee. Despite the known outcome, the business community has been vocal in their opposition to demonstrate the implications of public policy upon economic development decisions.

Attorney General Opinion Amps Up Transportation Funding Debate

Last week, Attorney General Cynthia Coffman entered into the budget fray by opining that a shift in budget policy to allow the existing hospital provider fee to be statutorily converted to a government enterprise is defensible as constitutional. The opinion provided new energy around the debate that has important implications for the transportation funding and finance that the NCLA is leading.

The opinion provides a path by which the legislature could move the fee to a enterprise which, in turn, would provide more flexibility in the state budget. The flexibility would prompt the flow of some short-term funds for transportation, argue proponents, including the Governor and Democrats. Republican opponents of the move are concerned about the legal implications but are also of the opinion that the suggested move runs contrary to the will of the TABOR amendment unless the voters approve such a change.

NCLA is working with leaders in both houses and the Governor’s office to build a compromise which achieves each parties’ mutual objective of funding and financing transportation in Colorado.

Workforce Development Package to Engage Business

Last week, leaders of the Colorado General Assembly set aside partisan differences and rolled out a 10-bill package to tackle lingering unemployment and address lack of available workforce in certain sectors to assure the state’s economic resurgence remains strong.

The package is focused upon getting Colorado’s businesses more involved in the process of producing Coloradans with the skills and training to step into the thousands of good-paying, skilled positions that are available in Colorado but go unfilled, or are filled by out-of-staters.

“A thriving economy is not a Democratic priority or a Republican priority, it’s a Colorado priority,” House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran (D-Denver) said at a press conference announcing the package. Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel (R-Douglas County), House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso (R-Loveland) and Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman (D-Denver) joined Duran for the announcement.

“Our businesses can partner with our schools,” Rep. Duran said. “Let’s encourage Colorado’s companies to take a larger role in the development of the next generation of Colorado workers.”

In addition to providing tools to encourage companies to participate in the development of the workforce, other bills in the package would bolster the computer science and digital literacy curriculum in Colorado K-12 schools and reward school districts for producing high school graduates with workplace-ready skills and training.

Below is a list of the bills included in the package.  The NCLA board will be considering its positions on the workforce package at their board meeting this week.

Industry infrastructure grant program HB16-1288 (Kraft-Tharp/Tate): Works toward a system in which businesses are engaged in the education system as centers of learning and drivers of career-focused education content. Creates a matching grant program within the Colorado Workforce Development Council to assist industry associations to define industry competencies and collaborate to facilitate training and education in the classroom and the workplace.

Computer science and digital literacy  HB 16-1291 (Lontine & Duran/Hill & Johnston): Directs the Department of Education to update content standards to include tech skills and creates a voluntary resource bank for schools and districts that want to start or expand computer science programs for students. Also creates a grant program for public school teachers in Colorado to pursue additional education that will enable them to teach computer science courses. Colorado public schools have standards in 10 content areas, but the current system lacks guidance for technology and computer science.

Incentives for student success HB16-1289  (Esgar & Duran/Crowder & Garcia): Creates a pilot program wherein school districts receive a $1,000 bonus for each high school student who (1) earns an industry certification tied to an in-demand job, (2) finishes a rigorous workplace training program tied to key industry needs, or (3) successfully completes a Computer Science AP course.  After Florida adopted a similar incentive program, the number of students earning industry certifications each year rose from 800 to 45,000 in just five years, with some of the biggest gains for underserved groups like rural students, minorities and students living in poverty.

Apprenticeship study HB16-1287 (Rosenthal & Wilson/Cooke & Kefalas): Directs the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to study ways to increase the use of apprenticeship programs by Colorado businesses and to make a report and recommendations based on the study.

Extension of ReHire Colorado HB16-1290 (Esgar & Kraft-Tharp/Hill & Heath): Extends the ReHire Colorado program, which provides job training to help Coloradans find gainful employment and transition off of government assistance. The program helps the economic recovery reach the Coloradans who need it most, focusing on helping veterans, seniors and non-custodial parents secure long-term employment.

Tax credit for apprenticeships HB 16-1301(Garnett/Scheffel): Provides an income tax credit to qualified Colorado businesses that integrate quality apprenticeships into their workplaces. Companies must offer high-paying, in-demand jobs as identified by the state Workforce Development Council.

Colorado Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act  HB 16-1302  (Duran & DelGrosso/Newell): Aligns state statute with the federal “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.”

Aligning student academic plans with career pathways SB16-079 (Martinez Humenik & Todd/Young): Directs the Department of Education to collaborate with the community college system to more effectively align postsecondary and workforce readiness initiatives, so that students graduate with the tools they need to be successful in their future career and academic goals. This bill has passed the Senate and was introduced in the House this week.

Clarifying license pathways for mental health professionals HB 16-1103 (Kraft-Tharp & Landgraf/ Martinez Humenik & Todd): Clarifies and streamlines the pathway to licensure in the mental health professions. The bill has passed its first House committee and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.

Qualifications for licensed electricians HB16-1073 (Duran & DelGrosso/Scheffel & Guzman): Modifies the license renewal process for electricians by requiring continuing education rather than an assessment. The 24 hours of training will better equip electricians with the skills they need to be successful in their profession.

Ballot for 2016 Shaping Up to Be Crowded

Colorado voters in November 2016 may be forced to read a ballot pamphlet as long and dense as a political science textbook.  While most attention is being payed towards the dramatic 2016 Presidential campaign, 2016 is also shaping up to be a very dramatic and crowded year for statewide ballot questions which tackle a host of issues affecting our economy and political process.

Several factors come into play when a group of citizens decide to pursue a ballot initiative.  It could be that in order to affect the change they seek, the constitution requires them to pursue a vote of the people for permission.  In the case of 2016, however, citizens who have either been rejected through the legislative process or are opting to bypass the legislative process altogether knowing they will not receive a favorable outcome will also pepper the crowded ballot with ballot questions.

A complete list of 2016 ballot initiatives won’t take shape until later this year, but the short list is already a mile long. It includes proposals to fund and finance transportation (including north I-25), boost Colorado’s minimum wage, effectively prohibit oil drilling, provide a single payer health system, allow unaffiliated voters the option to vote in primaries, and, ironically, make proposing ballot initiatives more difficult.

Below, a brief summary of ballot issues positioning themselves today for debate in November 2016.

Oil and Gas

A series of petitions were filed for statewide ballot measures that would allow communities to ban drilling and fracking within their boundaries, or effectively prohibit new drilling by greatly expanding setbacks between development and homes or other buildings. Frustrated with state-level efforts to regulate the industry, activists are taking to the ballot to find relief and control an industry struggling to prosper with declining oil prices.

Minimum Wage

On the heels of the defeat of a legislative proposal to allow local governments to raise the minimum wage, proponents filed a statewide ballot initiative to raise the state minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2020 from the current $8.31.  The increase would phase in over three years and would include inflationary adjustments after 2020.  The business community defeated the legislative measure and will oppose a statewide initiative.

Single Payer Health Care

Already qualified for the 2016 ballot is a measure to convert Colorado’s health care system to a “Single Payer” system.  Dubbed ColoradoCare, the measure calls for 10% payroll tax plus 10% non-payroll tax to raise the $25 billion necessary to cover the costs of the proposed single payer system.

Statewide TABOR “DeBruce”

Frustrated by a lack of flexibility in the state constitution TABOR’s amendment for Colorado to keep revenues generated by the growth in the economy, a ballot initiative is anticipated to be filed within the next couple of weeks which proposes a statewide “debrucing” approach which would grant constitutional permission to keep such revenues.  We anticipate the retained revenues would be dedicated to transportation as well as the K-12 and higher education systems.

Unaffiliated Voters in Primary

With an increasing number of voters opting to register as unaffiliated, some believe all voters should have a voice in each phase of the electoral process, including the political party primaries.  Under a measure submitted in the last few weeks, any unaffiliated voter would be eligible to vote for any candidate on the day of a primary election for president or any other partisan election.   The only restriction would be the voter could only vote on within the Republican or Democrat primary, not both.

Transportation

With transportation funding and finance the major issue in the 2016 legislative session, complimentary efforts are underway to secure new funding to shore up Colorado’s failing transportation system.  Under the leadership of the NCLA, the legislature is positioning to introduce a legislatively referred measure to seek voter approval to issue bonds to accelerate 60+ transportation projects throughout the state, including major expansions of North I-25, I-70 West and South I-25.

Additionally, the road building industry is preparing to submit ballot initiative to ask voters to increase the statewide sales tax by ¾% to raise funds necessary to sustain our transportation system over the long term.

Ballot Reform

In a year where we may see a record number of ballot questions, ironically, we will likely see a measure to counteract the rush to the ballot to make constitutional changes.  The same group pushing for the DeBrucing measure is promoting a measure to reform the ballot initiative process.  Crafted to dissuade constitutional amendments, the measure proposes to increase amount of the vote required to pass a constitutional amendment to a 55% majority.  It goes further to assure signatures collected to secure position on the ballot are collected from throughout the state by requiring at least 2% of signatures come from each State Senate District.

Equal Pay and Family Leave Proposals Debated in the House

Under the leadership of Speaker Dickie Lee Hullinghorst, equal pay and family leave will receive considerable attention by House Democrats as a legislative priority for 2016.   They have introduced a package of bills this year designed to close the gap between how much women and minorities make compared to men and provide leave opportunities for employees.

All of the bills are expected to pass the House because Democrats have a majority there, their face a more difficult challenge in the Senate where Republicans who hold control of the Senate oppose the proposals.  Democrats are expected to make equal pay, family leave and reproductive rights issues central to their election-year campaigns.

The NCLA Board of Directors discussed the legislative package at length at their most recent board meeting and opted to oppose the entire package.   The NCLA believes employers consider a variety of factors when deciding pay for their employers and government mandates on private sector pay will only serve to undermine growth and economic opportunities for employees and employers alike.

Last year, Colorado’s Equal Pay Commission was not renewed after it was argued that the commission had produced little or no substantive work in its previous eight years.  A bill has been introduced to re-establish the commission in 2016.

A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics last year indicated Colorado women make 77.9 percent of what men receive in weekly wages, below the 82.1 percent national gender gap average, proponents argue.

The first bill introduced in the 2016 legislative session, House Bill 16-1001, addressed holding state contractors to an equal pay standard.  It was co-sponsored by the entire House Democrat caucus.  The measure is modeled after a California law that went into affect on January 1.  The bill provides some exceptions, such as seniority, merit and how much work one employee does compared to another.

Another measure would allow employees in all private companies to freely discuss their pay with anyone without retribution from employers, while the final bill would bar employers from asking about pay history in hiring workers.

“When women are earning equal pay for equal work, our entire economy will grow and families will become more secure and have greater opportunities,” Rep. Jesse Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge told The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. “Equal pay for equal work means breaking down barriers to economic opportunity and financial security. That’s how we grow the middle class.”

“House Democrats live in a world devoid of reality,” countered Kelly Maher, executive director of the right-leaning Compass Colorado in discussing the measures with The Sentinel. “Employers consider a variety of factors when they are deciding pay, including education, experience and quality of work. Taking those factors out of the equation will stifle growth and progress in every sector and industry across the state.”

 

NCLA Board to Meet with Northern Colorado Legislators and Engages in First Bills on Legislative Docket

The NCLA Board of Directors will make its way to the State Capitol to meet with members of the northern Colorado Legislative delegation this week about NCLA’s legislative agenda for 2016.  The conversation will focus upon our regional priorities of funding of the north I-25 corridor, water, energy, and workforce.

The Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance Board of Directors took their first positions on newly introduced legislation affecting the northern Colorado business community.  Transportation, water, and labor issues were among the first of over 100 bills the NCLA Board of Directors will consider during the course of the 120-day legislative session.

As it is structured, the 23-member NCLA Board of Directors is granted full public policy making authority by its four member organizations boards of Directors, including the Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley Chambers of Commerce with Upstate Colorado Economic Development.  The granted authority makes the NCLA very nimble and responsive to the fast moving pace of the legislature.   Positions taken by the Board are actively communicated to the northern Colorado legislative delegation and legislative leaders.

The first of several anticipated employer-employee related legislative proposals, the NCLA Board opted to continue its opposition to legislation which directs employers to provide parental leave to employees to attend to children’s activities.  House Bill 16-1002, proposes to continue the program established in 2009 but also extends benefits to parents of preschool children and as well as expands the scope of activities in which a parent may seek leave.  The NCLA continues its opposition to parental leave mandates believing employee benefits should be the purview of employers.

Fort Collins Representative Jeni Arndt has introduced House Bill 16-1004 which establishes measurable goals and deadlines for the implementation of the Colorado Climate Action Plan.  The plan, released in September 2015, includes policy recommendations the state can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   In light of the issuance by the EPA of the federal Clean Power Plan also in September, the NCLA chose to oppose HB 16-1004 as their may be conflict between the two plans upon full development of the state’s plan to comply with the federal Clean Power Plan.

Finally, the NCLA board also chose to oppose House Bill 16-1005 which allows for the personal collection of precipitation from a residential rooftop under certain conditions.  Colorado’s strict and efficient water law of prior appropriation dictates that all water is claimed under Colorado’s water law.  In the interest of protecting water rights for our communities and the agriculture industry, NCLA opposes HB 16-1005.

 

2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNDERWAY

The first day of the 2016 Colorado Legislative Session is officially underway.  NCLA is leading the discussion on transportation funding and actively engaged on their priority legislative agenda which encompass critical issues affecting the northern Colorado business community including water, workforce and energy.

The first week of the legislative session is traditionally reserved for the pomp and circumstance of the opening of the people’s work.  Legislative leaders in both houses take to the dais to deliver remarks on the issue priorities of their party caucus’ and the Governor delivers his annual State of the State address.

The split majorities between the House and the Senate assure differences in priorities but remarks by the Governor and the leaders both sounded a call for bi-partisan collaboration to find solutions to the state’s biggest issues.

Speaker of the House, Dickie Lee Hullinghorst  (D-Boulder) provided a traditional approach in her opening day remarks laying out a long list of priorities she and her Democrat caucus will pursue and hope to achieve.  From the extension of parental leave to detailed specifics on the Clean Climate Plan, there will be numerous issues affecting labor, environment, workforce and business in which NCLA will be engaged on the House side.

House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso (R-Loveland) led off his remarks with a very strong call for transportation funding and finance.  He committed his effort to the $3.5B bonding proposal in which he and the NCLA are working together, Fix Colorado Roads Act.  DelGrosso challenged the House members to consider that there are dollars to be found for transportation within the $3 billion of general fund revenue growth experienced since 2009.  He capped off his remarks with a deep “line in the sand” opposing any effort  to undermine the Constitution and TABOR.

On the Senate side, Senate President Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs) was reflective as he enters his last legislative session and last year in office.  Cadman served 8 years in the House of Representatives and will complete his 8 years in the Senate, the last two as President of the Senate, at the end of 2016.  In his remarks, Cadman took an unexpected and non-traditional approach to his opening remarks, one which typically would outline his priorities for 2016.  Cadman took to the dais reflect upon the manner in which bi-partisan collaboration can result in good work for the people of Colorado.  He looked to just last year, the most partisan session in recent memory, as an example of bi-partisan accomplishment despite the rancor. Much was accomplished, he said on issues of importance to Colorado. He framed his remarks under the cloak of each Senator’s responsibility under the oath of office and commitment to uphold the US and Colorado Constitutions.  He did not make a direct statement about budget fix suggested by the Governor and of significant debate, the hospital provider fee, nor did he speak to any other priorities, but his message was understood.

In her first opening day remarks as Senate Minority Leader, Senator Lucia Guzman (D-Denver) took the opportunity to discuss the philosophies of the Democrat party and how serving in the Minority, while not possessing the majority of votes, they have an important voice in the process to influence change.  Her comments were thoughtful, and invited a collaborative spirit in the Senate.

 

Senate Minority Leader Guzmán’s remarks

Senate President Cadman’s remarks

House Speaker Hullinghorst’s remarks

House Minority Leader DelGrosso’s remarks

Governor John Hickenlooper State of the State remarks

 

Follow Action at the State House through NCLA’s Legislative Tracking Report

The first day of the 2016 legislative session is behind us and the first of the anticipated 650+ bills have been introduced.   Here is a link to our NCLA Legislative Tracking Report.  The report is a “live” document that is updated as legislative activity is happening at the statehouse. As the session unfolds, the report will be updated with new bills that the NCLA Board of Directors will consider their possible engagement.  In addition, to updated status of the pending bills, there is a wealth of information provided within the tracking report itself with links to bill summaries, complete bill language, amendments, fiscal notes, voting records, and related news articles.  I invite you become familiar with this useful resource.

 

 

 

 

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NCLA to Lead Legislative Effort to Fund I-25 North Expansion April 6, 2015

The NCLA, working with the legislative delegation from Northern Colorado, will introduce legislation next week which proposes to accelerate the funding and completion of the I-25 North Corridor and 30 other economically significant transportation projects across the state.

Since last year, the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance and the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance, an organization formed by the (NCLA), has been organizing and pursuing opportunities to fully fund the expansion of I-25 North from Fort Collins to Longmont. The NCLA and the Alliance have worked closely with, and are joined in the legislative effort by, members of the I-25 North Coalition made up of the region’s elected officials.

House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso (R-Loveland) will lead the effort in the House of TRANS II, a proposal that renews the successful TRANS Bonding Program of 1999 that built T-Rex and 27 other significant transportation projects throughout Colorado. Under TRANS II, Colorado can generate approximately $3.5 Billion in funding by bonding a portion of federal gas taxes to accelerate defined, and much needed, transportation projects throughout Colorado. In addition to important projects in every region of the state, signature projects for TRANS II would be congestion mitigation of the I-70 Mountain Corridor and the North I-25 Corridor.

The measure will require voter approval this November. The measure passed by 62% in 1999.

Without a significant funding plan, I-25 North expansion is not expected to be completed until 2070. Today the project is nearly $1 billion to fund. Over time, project costs will continue to escalate making funding it nearly unattainable in the future.

Pursuing a bonding plan to fund the North I-25 Corridor and other projects of economic significance throughout Colorado is the most cost effective and prudent use of existing, yet diminishing, transportation revenues. The $3.5 billion plan is accomplished without raising taxes and secures a large pool of funds at the lowest possible borrowing rate. When contrasted against funding projects on a “pay as you go” basis, the costs of construction inflation which exceed state borrowing rates, it is easy to conclude that bonding is the cheapest, and most efficient, way to fund transportation needs in Colorado.

The TRANS II legislation will be introduced the week of April 13th. Leader DelGrosso will lead the effort along with Senate Transportation Committee chair Randy Baumgardner (R-Winter Park) who will serve as the lead Senate sponsor. Northern Colorado legislators on both sides of the aisle will unify together to lead and fund transportation in Colorado by joining DelGrosso and Baumgardner as co-sponsors.

NCLA Board Heads to Denver to Talk Transportation with Northern Colorado Legislators

Relationships are the cornerstone of success in the legislative arena. NCLA has honored this reality since its inception in 1992 and continued to build and foster its relationships with members of the legislative delegation from northern Colorado over dinner last week.

Members of the Board of Directors of the NCLA were joined by leaders of NCLA’s member organizations, Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley Chambers of Commerce with Northern Colorado Economic Development and Upstate Colorado Economic Development, to host legislative leaders for dinner and conversation about issues of importance to the region.

NCLA was pleased to welcome House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso (R-Loveland), Joint Budget Committee member and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Representative Dave Young (D-Greeley), Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, Senator Vicki Marble (R-Windsor), Senator John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins), House Minority Whip Perry Buck (R-Windsor), Representative Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Representative Jeni Arndt (D-Fort Collins) to the event held at the Denver Art Museum restaurant, Palettes.

The NCLA took the opportunity to visit with the delegation about the importance of the north I-25 corridor. I-25 North serves as the major north-south spine for the multitude of significant east-west corridors that bind northern Colorado into a strong economic engine. David May, President of the Fort Collins Chamber and Barbara Koelzer, Past Chair of the NCLA argued that staying ahead of the congestion curve along this crucial corridor is imperative to maintaining northern Colorado’s economic strength.

A third lane from Highway 14 in Fort Collins to Highway 66 north of Longmont is one of the highest transportation funding priorities for the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance, an organization formed by the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance (NCLA), the region’s business coalition, to focus specific attention to getting that corridor funded. Under traditional funding scenarios, the $1.2 Billion project will be completed in 75 years. Given this timeline, the NCLA supports the pursuit of any and all funding options to expedite funding of this critical corridor.

Steve Tool, Chair of the NCLA Board, conveyed to the legislative delegation that success for the I-25 North corridor will come by working in a unified voice with the legislative delegation, the business community, and all of our elected officials from the region.

In their remarks, legislators agreed that working together, much could be accomplished.

Labor Issues Heating Up the Relative Calm for Business

2015 has seen a squaring off between business and labor on the full spectrum of philosophical approaches to workplace and employer relations. Numerous bills have been introduced in the 60-plus days of the 120-day session with several others anticipated in the coming weeks.

Both sides of the aisles have taken up various labors issues with neither side likely to see their respective approaches making their way to the Governor’s desk. However, the introduction of legislation has prompted a conversation about the myriad of issues facing employers in their workplace relations.

During the 2013 legislative session, Democrats, newly in charge of both legislative bodies and holding the Governor’s office, muscled through several labor-friendly proposals drawing the ire of the Colorado business community. Proposals expanded the scope of discrimination lawsuits, increased punitive damage awards, challenged a well-functioning worker’s compensation system, increased family and medical leave mandates, and enhanced collective bargaining.

This year, Republicans, now holding a slim-majority in the Senate, have taken aim at several of the measures passed in 2013 while Democrats are hoping to build upon the 2013 measures while also imposing new mandates upon employers.

Two Republican measures challenge the 2013 expansion of discrimination lawsuits and associated punitive lawsuits. On the House side, Loveland’s own Brian DelGrosso, the House Minority Leader, took aim with the introduction of House Bill 15-1172 to reverse the authority for punitive damage awards in discrimination lawsuits. The bill was met with defeat in the Democrat-controlled House. A Senate bill, Senate Bill 15-069, is still alive and awaiting Senate action. The measure fully repeals the 2013 expansion of discrimination lawsuits. The bill is certain to meet defeat on the House side, however.

House Democrats, for their part, have introduced a number of labor-friendly proposals addressing the minimum wage, additional expansion of the family and medical leave act, (HB 15-1258) a private employer-mandated retirement financing system (HB 15-1235), and enhanced unemployment insurance benefits (HB 15-1231). The introduction of the bills comes with the full knowledge and expectation by Democrat leaders that these measures will be defeated in the Republican-controlled Senate. The opportunity to have a debate on the topics was not to be missed, however.

NCLA has taken proactive positions on all of the measures. The NCLA Board supports HB 1172 and SB 69. The NCLA opposes HB 1258, HB 1235 and HB 1231.