Senate President Brandon Shaffer addresses the Senate on the last day of the Second Regular Session of 68th General Assembly
DENVER ─ Yesterday, marked the last day of the 2012 legislative session of Colorado’s 68th General Assembly. During the session, Democrats and Republicans worked together to foster job creation, stimulate economic growth, pass a balanced bipartisan budget, and help families across the state. At the beginning of the session, the Senate Majority introduced an aggressive jobs package focused on getting Coloradans back to work and to help those in need. A significant number of these bills passed through the legislature and have been signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper.
“We were sent here by our constituents to work together and find innovative and comprehensive solutions to the problems Coloradans are facing every day. Coloradans asked us to stimulate job creation, support our business owners, incentivize new investment in the state, and ensure that families in our state have every opportunity for success. While our work is never done, I think this session we can say we delivered on many of these promises and we can go back to our districts confident that we made a positive difference.”
DENVER─ As they continue to deliver on their promise to put forth the Colorado Works Jobs Package, Senate Democrats have introduced the Invest in Colorado Act sponsored by Senator Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins)and Senator Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield).
Senate Bill 182 will help establish Benefit Corporations in Colorado. Benefit Corporations are companies whose purpose is to create a broader public benefit rather than being solely profit driven. As a Benefit Corporation a company’s specific social mission is written into their articles of incorporation so that shareholders can hold executives and officers accountable and ensure money is being reinvested back into social projects rather than just becoming profit. Articles of incorporation are the primary rules governing the management of a corporation.
This legislation will help bring in new businesses wanting to become Benefit Corporations, attract venture capital firms looking to invest in socially focused companies, and generate new jobs for Colorado. Seven other states have enacted statutes recognizing Benefit Corporations, and Benefit Corporations are supported by entrepreneurs, investors, business organizations, and legal experts.
Senator Bacon offered the following comment on Senate Bill 182 today:
“Benefit corporations are a wonderful addition to their communities because they use the power of business to address social problems. If companies can focus on being financially successful, creating jobs, and improving their surrounding neighborhoods at the same time it’s a win for everyone.”
Click the video above to watch President Brandon Shaffer testify for the Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Act
DENVER ─ Three more bills from the Colorado Senate Democrats’ jobs agenda took a step forward today. Senate Bill 5, the Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Program, Senate Bill 144, the Office of Key Industries, and Senate Bill 139, The Colorado Job Support Act all passed on second reading today.
At the beginning of the 2012 legislative session, the Senate Democrats introduced the “Colorado Works Jobs Package” to create jobs and strengthen the economy. Although some of the Senate’s job initiatives have died in the House, the majority of the bills are still advancing through the legislature, and several have made their way to the Governor’s desk to become law.
“We have been working diligently in the Senate to pass these bills so that they can start benefiting citizens across the state. These bills are the product of innovative problem solving and will work to create new jobs, promote the state’s key industries, incentivize our workers and products, and ensure that every Coloradan has the opportunity to succeed. I’m proud of the progress we have made so far, and I look forward to seeing more of these bills signed into law.”
DENVER – Today, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder) and Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Parker) to strengthen and grow Colorado’s key industries as part of the state's larger economic development plan. Senate Bill 144 allows the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to develop a strategy to support job creation and growth in Colorado’s key industries. Senate Bill 144 builds upon Governor John Hickenlooper’s Colorado Blueprint, a bottom up approach to economic development designed to make Colorado more economically competitive.
Senator Heath offered the following comment on Senate Bill 144 today:
“This bill is an important part of a larger statewide economic strategy to help Colorado’s key industries expand. This was a great opportunity for us to work with our colleagues across the aisle to pass legislation that will stimulate our economy, support our driving industries, and create new jobs.”
DENVER —Today, the Senate passed Senate Bill 5, The Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Act by Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton). This legislation establishes the Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Program in an effort to continue to support local businesses and the employment opportunities they provide. The Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Program will be established by the Governor's Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and will expand upon Governor John Hickenlooper’s “Colorado Blueprint,” a bottom-up approach to economic expansion.
The Office of Economic Development and International Trade will be responsible for engaging and supporting existing businesses in Colorado, gathering relevant information about their current needs and challenges, and facilitating the relationship between businesses and government resources.
Senator Newell offered the following comment on the Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Act today:
“It is imperative that we continue looking for ways to attract new economic development, but we need to continue supporting our existing businesses. Eighty percent of new job growth comes from the expansion of businesses already in operation, and this bipartisan legislation will help Colorado retain local businesses and help them grow.”
ColoradoSenate.org is a service of the Senate Majority Communications Office. Brandon Shaffer, Colorado Senate President State Capitol Building Room 249, 200 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80203 (t) 303.866.3342 (f) 303.866.5319
DENVER─ As they continue to deliver on their promise to put forth the Colorado Works Jobs Package, Senate Democrats have introduced the 
DENVER – Today, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by 
DENVER —Today, the Senate passed