House GOP Announces 2012 Jobs Agenda

DENVER—Speaker of the House Frank McNulty rolled-out the House GOP’s 2012 Jobs Agenda today.

The measures announced are focused on clearing unnecessary and burdensome regulations the government has placed on job creators.

“When House Republican leadership embarked on our Building a Better Colorado tour, the one thing we heard from every corner of the state, and every business sector was that government needs to get out of the way, so they can succeed,” said McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.  “We heard the needs of Colorado’s job creators, and worked with them to develop legislation that will spur our economy and create jobs.”

Please see below for the House Republican’s rollout.

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 Colorado House Rebublicans’ 2012 Jobs Bills

CLEAR Act – “Creating Level Expectations for Application Review” (Sonnenberg)

This bill will reform the process individuals and small businesses go through when filing a permit application. Currently, rules that govern a permit application process can change at any time, creating confusion and unnecessary burdens on our state’s job creators. This bill will give our state’s employers solid ground to stand on by ensuring that the rules in place at the beginning of an application process remain in place for the duration of its review.

“Businesses shouldn’t have to spend additional time and resources to re-file an application because a rule changed during their first application’s review. That’s a hassle no one should have to deal with, especially during a recession. Rep. Sonnenberg’s bill will remove this burden on business and make the state application process more honest and direct.”

-Chris Kraft, Chairman of Colorado Dairy Farmers

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Require Regulatory Analysis of Proposed Rules Prior to Rulemaking Hearing (Szabo/Grantham)

The General Assembly shouldn’t act as a rubberstamp for more red tape, especially when it damages our state’s economic recovery. This bill strengthens the evaluation process for new rules by requiring agencies to issue a regulatory analysis of proposed changes prior to a rulemaking hearing. With better analysis, lawmakers and the citizens they represent can explore the full impact of proposed rule changes on jobs and the economy.

 “Year after year we see agency rules adopted that often increase costs on Colorado businesses.  This can ultimately result in reductions in salary, benefits and overall workforce.  State agencies must be vigilant in determining how a rule has an economic impact on Colorado companies prior to a rulemaking hearing.  State Representative Libby Szabo’s bill will ensure that this important step is accomplished.”

 - Loren Furman, Sr. Vice President of State & Federal Relations, Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry

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Establish Transparency in the Rule Making Process through Stakeholder Involvement and the Publication of Regulatory Agendas (Acree)

 Under this bill, departments will be required to identify and work with interested parties when crafting proposed rule changes. The bill also ensures transparency and oversight by requiring agencies to publish their regulatory agendas for the year and to report to legislative oversight committees for questioning. Last year, licensed child care providers were shocked when 98 pages of rules and regulations were released. The rules had little to do with the health and safety of children, but more on what pictures to hang on the wall, and the number of dolls in each room.  If approved, families would have lost affordable child care and child care centers would have had to close. The inundation of agency rules and regulations on our job creators needs to be reformed to account for real world effect.

 “We welcome any bill that will increase transparency in the rule making process.”

-Kathryn Hammerbeck, Executive Director of Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado

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Promoting Colorado-Specific Solutions (Stephens/Cadman)

Coloradans deserve Colorado-specific solutions that address the unique needs of our state—not untailored, one-size-fits-all approaches handed down from Washington, DC. Through transparency and accountability, this bill ensures that departments are pursuing Colorado-specific solutions by requiring them to annually report on opportunities for the state to opt out of federal regulations in favor of state solutions.

“Colorado is a unique state with unique needs.  Majority Leader Stephens’s bill ensures that Colorado takes every opportunity available to craft its own solutions, instead of being tied to federal regulations.”

 -Tony Gagliardi, Colorado State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business

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SUCCESS Act – “Stopping Unnecessary Costs and Creating Economic Sustainability for Small Business” (Coram/Giron & S. King)

House Republicans want to clear the way for job creation and economic development. State agencies should strive to work with—not against—job creators in our state.  This bill emphasizes compliance over punishment by giving businesses 20 days to cure certain infractions before a department or agency can impose a fine.  The bill also provides predictability by establishing a statute of limitations to the way fines are enforced.

 “Penalizing job creators for minor infractions doesn’t encourage economic growth and shouldn’t be relied on as a revenue stream for government agencies. Rep. Coram’s bill helps return government to its proper role in facilitating job creation and accelerating Colorado’s economic recovery.”

-Richard Ledezma, Operations Manager of Jalisco International, Inc.

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Colorado Timber Act (Bradford/S. King)

 This bill will turn the devastation of Colorado forests by the beetle-kill epidemic into a plus for job creation, economic growth and forest protection.  The bill will expand the use of beetle-kill timber as a safe and affordable raw material in construction, affordable housing projects, and other industries across Colorado.

 “This is a self help type of measure.  We’re selling beetle-kill timber to states like Texas and New Mexico, where they’re using it for framing material, yet the state of Colorado is importing most of its lumber.  With 4 million acres of dead trees between Colorado and Southern Wyoming, it would only make sense to use these trees here at home.  With this bill, we will open up the timber market in Colorado, reduce the amount beetle-kill timber and help preserve over 200 jobs in the state.”

-Pat Donovan, Intermountain Resources Sawmill

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Government Efficiency Act (Baumgardner)

This bill aims to put tax dollars to more efficient and effective use by taking funds away from bureaucrats and directing them to the uses for which they were intended.  This bill will limit the amount of money departments can charge for administering projects.

“This act is the perfect solution for spurring the economy and creating jobs in Colorado.  Instead of feeding the government bureaucracy, this bill ensures more funding will go to providing services and fixing our infrastructure.”

-Rep. Randy Baumgardner, R-Cowdrey

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Responsible Budgeting Act (Beezley, DelGrosso/Brophy)

Like all Coloradans, Government should have to live within its means. This bill encourages responsible spending practices by limiting growth in General Fund appropriations to 6 percent of the prior year’s appropriations. Fifty percent of the funds above that limit will be allocated to a state reserve fund that can only be accessed by a two-thirds majority vote of the House and Senate. The remaining 50 percent will be split equally between transportation and capital construction.

“Fiscal responsibility and sound management are key to Colorado’s economic future.  This bill ensures that we will keep spending under control, set the right priorities and set aside a savings account to protect us from future downturns.” 

-Rep. Don Beezley, R-Broomfield

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Federal Funds Transparency Act (Gerou /Lambert)

House Republicans want to hold government accountable and increase the level of transparency between state and citizen. This bill will require all departments to report any federal funds, and the strings attached to those funds, that they receive to the General Assembly so lawmakers can ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t spent irresponsibly.

“State departments and agencies receive millions of dollars in federal funds every year, yet they are not required to report these funds to the General Assembly.  By requiring government agencies and departments to report federal funds and the strings attached, lawmakers can ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.”

 -Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen