June 11, 2020

Representation | Legislation | Advocacy

Quarterly Membership Luncheon Goes Virtual!

On Monday, June 15th at 12:00pm, the Grand Junction Chamber’s Quarterly meeting will have a very different look from any quarterly meeting in the Chamber’s 100 plus years of existence, as it will be held online via the Zoom platform.

The Chamber is excited to welcome Ashlee Rich Stephenson, Vice President and National Political Director, Political Affairs and Federation Relations, U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the keynote speaker for this event. She will be providing an update on what is happening in Congress and preview the 2020 election. Attendees will be able to submit questions via Zoom and have them answered live.

The Chamber would like to thank our sponsors; Eide Bailly, LLP (Title Sponsor), Asset Engineering Limited (Corporate Sponsor), and our Featured Sponsors; Capital Business Systems, Accurate Insulation, Barnes Electric and Nightingales Home Care.

This Quarterly Membership Meeting is complimentary for Chamber members.

Click here to register.

State Lawmakers Introduced Bill to Eliminate Tax Breaks

On Monday evening, Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill that would do away with a number of tax breaks in the CARES Act and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. HB20-1420 “Adjust Tax Expenditures For State Education Fund”, will also eliminate tax exemptions for energy and manufacturing companies, and cap net operating loss deductions for businesses. This bill is intended to help the state budget and prevent further cuts to education, but in doing so, passes the buck to the business community that is still dealing with the economic destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chamber is strongly opposed to this legislation.

For more information, click here.

Chamber Join Business Group Press Conference on Harmful Legislation

25 Chamber and Association Leaders conducted a zoom press conference on June 10th to point out that the Colorado Legislature is playing with fire in adding more burdens on a business community statewide that is already reeling economically. Specifically addressed were impacts of several pieces of legislation the GJ Chamber has already opposed including HB 1420 which was introduced earlier this week. Participants urged the legislators to stick to the budget, School Finance and COVID bills needed for the immediate future which leadership had indicated would be the only bills brought up this session.

To listen to a recording of the press conference, click here.

To view a fact sheet from The Common Sense Institute on the impact of this harmful legislation, click here.

Governmental Affairs Update

On Tuesday, June 9th, the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee received legislative updates from Senator Ray Scott, Senator Don Coram, Representative Janice Rich and Representative Matt Soper. The committee also took action on the following bills and draft legislation.

Chamber Supports:

HB20-1326 “Create Occupational Credential Portability Program”

Rationale: Permitting this transfer of credentials would allow skilled workers to enter Colorado’s workforce more quickly. By shortening the timeline for these workers to be credentialed, the state will foster economic development, attract skilled workers and strengthen our economy.

HB20-1413 “Small Business Recovery Loan Program Premium Tax Credit”

Rationale: This bill establishes a small business recovery loan fund that consists of $250 million of state and private dollars for first loss capital on loans to small businesses over the next two fiscal years. This establishment of this fund will help stimulate loans to Colorado small businesses and support the state’s economic recovery and resiliency.

SB20-213 “Alcohol Beverage Retail Takeout And Delivery”

Rationale: This bill will allow restaurants and bars in Colorado to continue to offer alcohol for takeout and delivery. This adds a desperately needed source of revenue for the restaurant industry, as they enter the COVID-19 recovery period.

Chamber Opposes:

SB20-204 “Additional Resources To Protect Air Quality”

Rationale: This bill creates an air quality enterprise, that will administer fees related to air pollutants and air quality control. The chamber opposes any legislation that increases fees on any industry during this current legislative session.

SB20-207 “Concerning Unemployment Insurance”

Rationale: By changing the definition of independent contractor, this bill would create conflicting definitions in various parts of statute, causing confusion for employers and independent contractors alike.

SB20-215 “Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise”

Rationale: Reestablishing the expiring Federal Health Insurance Tax at the state level to fund the state reinsurance program, establishing two new subsidy programs, creating a new enterprise with bonding authority all at the expense of those who purchase coverage in the fully insured market simply goes too far in this challenging economic time.

HB20-1414 “Price Gouge Amid Disaster Deceptive Trade Practice”

Rationale: Without providing a definition for price gouging, this bill will allow state district attorneys and the Attorney General togo after businesses.

HB20-1420 “Adjust Tax Expenditures For State Education Fund”

Rationale: If passed, this bill will eliminate several tax cuts in the CARES Act, and the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, that provide significant tax relief to small and medium sized businesses across the state.

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