Legislative Affairs
The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce is the principle advocate of the local business community and its mission is to provide leadership in the collaboration and execution of economic development initiatives that support the civic and social well-being of Rifle, Colorado and Garfield County.
Six Issues that Frame Our Legislative Agenda:
• Cost of Doing Business
• Economic Development
• Energy
• Healthcare
• Public Education
• Workforce Development
Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce Positions on 2010 Legislation Issues
The 2010 Colorado Legislative Issues Overview
COST OF DOING BUSINESS
The Rifle Chamber of Commerce recognizes the effects of business costs and tax burdens on businesses as well as the region’s challenges in job creation. To encourage economic growth and investment, the Chamber supports fiscal tax policies and business cost reforms designed to increase competitiveness and create jobs.
- Promote tax policies that balance the need to provide for essential services and the need to
minimize the relative tax burden on business - Support improvements to the state’s workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance that
lower costs to keep Colorado competitive.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic development initiatives are an essential component of a healthy business environment. The Rifle Chamber of Commerce supports legislative policies and actions that provide businesses of all sizes the tools and talent they need to increase their competitiveness and stimulate growth while continuing to attract new industries to our region.
Points of Focus
- Support the City of Rifle’s Comprehensive Plan
- Support efforts that retain and/or grow local businesses
- Support the development of entrepreneurship through legislation, promotion of entrepreneurial
training and by reducing regulatory burdens - Continue collaborative efforts between the Chamber, REDC, CMC, the Roaring Fork Business
Resource Center and other agencies to provide incentives, programs, and resources to business
ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
The Rifle Chamber supports responsible energy development in the region. The Rifle Chamber recognizes that energy development is a strong economic driver in the regional economy and, therefore, the Chamber supports the responsible development of Colorado’s energy resources, including natural gas and renewable energy.
HEALTHCARE
To maintain a healthy and productive workforce and, to preserve the quality of life in all communities in Garfield County, it is imperative to address well-being and human service needs throughout the region. The Rifle Chamber of Commerce separates healthcare into two major areas; (1) the ability to foster initiatives that support healthier communities and (2) access and cost containment.
- Support healthier community programming
- Support measures to address the issues affecting primary care.
- Support legislation and programs that assist businesses, particularly small businesses, facilitate the healthcare needs of their employees and provide quality affordable healthcare and insurance
benefits
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Public education is essential to business. An educated citizenry is critical to a competent workforce. The Chamber supports programs, policies, and legislation that encourage world class public education systems and enables and fosters collaboration between the education and business communities. The Chamber also supports efforts to provide adequate funding for education by developing more equitable sources of revenue at the local, state, and national levels.
Points of Focus
- Support programs that build upon the quality of education throughout the community
- Support more stable, equitable, and adequate funding and revenue systems to support public
education - Support collaborative efforts between the district Colorado Mountain College
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
A well-educated, well-trained, and readily available workforce is vital to the region’s business community. The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce encourages legislation that will support and create Garfield County workforce programs, as well as initiatives that address the mismatch in labor supply and demand. The Chamber supports a more explicit emphasis on worker training, workforce skill development, and workforce housing.
- Support structured internship programs that provide meaningful job opportunities for the region’s
high school and college students - Support talent retention and attraction efforts
- Support the efforts of Colorado Mountain College in helping youth succeed, connecting people
to jobs, and connecting residents to training - Support efforts that will lead to development and creation of workforce housing units throughout
the county
Contact your Legislators
TAKE ACTION!
The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce maintains partnerships with several organizations to help keep you informed of the issues. Every day bills are being introduced and laws are being made that WILL affect your business. The Rifle Chamber has provided you with these helpful links so you can stay informed! You can get email alerts on the issues you care about and take legislative action on your business’ behalf!
See the latest agenda and packet for Rifle City Council
Contact:
Mayor Keith Lambert
Mayor Pro-Tem: Jay Miller
Alan Lambert
Jonathan Rice
Jen Sanborn
Jeanette Thompson
Randy Winkler
See the Latest Agenda for the Board of County Commissioners
Contact your Commissioners
Mike Samson
John Martin
Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry
Your business voice can be heard on the issues you, your business and your employees care about. Click here to register for the Colorado Prosperity Project and the Colorado Grassroots Advocacy Group. Both are FREE! You CAN make a difference and protect and enhance Colorado’s economic climate!
Contact Your State Legislators:
Senator: Jean White
Representative: Randy Baumgartner
Representative:Roger Wilson
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Interested in FEDERAL ISSUES that affect your business?
Your business voice can be heard on national issues that are important to you. Contact your legislators…take action! This is a free service!
http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/
Contact your U.S. Senators:
Senator Michael Bennet: 202-224-5853 Local: 970-241-6631
Senator Mark Udall: 202-224-5941 Local: 970-245-9553
Representative Scott Tipton 202-225-4761 Local: 970-245-7107
Club 20
The voice of the Western Slope looks at all issues affecting the twenty counties on the Western Slope including include Agriculture, Business Affairs, Energy, Health Care, Higher Education, Natural Resources, Public Lands, Telecommunications, Tourism, Transportation and Water.
Club 20’s Policy Statements
Find out more about Club 20’s lobbying efforts.
Additional Links you Will Find Helpful:
How a Bill becomes a Law
How to Testify Before a Legislative Committee
Glossary of Terms
Want to get even more involved? Join the Chamber’s Government Affairs Action team! Contact President/CEO Annick Pruett to join the team. annick@riflechamber.com