Click here to watch Gov. Ritter’s video and Internet message recapping 2009 state legislative session highlights.
Job Creation, Business Development and Economic Recovery
In 2008, business leaders called Governor Ritter’s economic development package the most robust in two decades. The 2009 agenda was even more significant, further strengthening the Governor’s focus on job creation, business development and economic recovery.
* HB09-1001 (Rice/Heath) – Provides tax incentives to businesses that create 20 or more jobs, giving Colorado not just a new tool in the toolbox to compete against other states for new jobs and new companies, but an entirely new tool box.
* SB09-67 (Heath/Gagliardi & Marostica) -Provides small businesses with what they need the most during this economic downturn: direct access to capital.
* SB09-171 (Schwartz/Todd) – Strengthens the relationship between businesses, industry and community colleges by improving job training and re-training programs.
* HB09-1276 (Ferrandino/M. Carroll) -Gives responsible homeowners and their lenders 90 days to avoid foreclosure by working with certified mortgage counselors to regain solid financial footing.
Click here for more on economic development.
Health Care
After working closely with the Colorado Hospital Association for nearly a year, Governor Ritter signed the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act into law on April 21 — the most significant health reform in Colorado in 40 years:
* HB09-1293 (Boyd & Keller/Ferrandino & Riesberg) – Known as the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act, provides coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Coloradans and makes healthcare more affordable by reducing uncompensated care and cost-shifting, two of the leading contributors to skyrocketing healthcare costs. The bill had more than 40 co-sponsors and will cost taxpayers or businesses not one penny more.
Click here for more on health care.
(more…)
