Thursday, January 29, 2009

COMPREHENSIVE JOBS PACKAGE RECOMMENDED

(DENVER) On the Capitol steps this afternoon, backed by business leaders and workers, the legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth recommended a comprehensive package of job-creation bills. When enacted, these proposals will create tens of thousands of jobs.

The proposed legislation will focus on five key areas:


1. Transportation: Create Thousands of Jobs Repairing Our Crumbling Roads and Bridges;


2. New Businesses: Offer Tax Incentives to Companies that Move to Colorado and Create Jobs;


3. Credit: Increase the Availability of Loans to Small Business to Help Create Jobs;


4. New Energy Economy: Expand New Energy and Clean Technology Jobs, and;


5. Rural Job Creation: Create Rural Medical Jobs and Promote Job Training.


The announcement was led by Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass Village), Chair of the Select Committee, who said, "While Colorado has fared better than most other states, we know we are not immune. Just this week we heard the latest job numbers. Even though Colorado's unemployment rate is still lower than the national average, it does not make up for the fact that almost 47,000 Coloradans have lost their jobs in the past year. The Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth started looking at how to address these challenges and we are proud of these nine bills. Let's get more Coloradans to work."

Rep. Joe Rice
(D-Littleton), Co-Chair of the Committee said, “We all feel these tough times, whether we are here working to balance the budget in the Capitol, or tightening our belts at home with our families, or facing budget cuts at work. We brought together the best ideas from many different leaders, from all different sectors and perspectives, and put the very best of those ideas into legislation that will get Colorado working again. We are here today to proudly announce that we have begun to meet our goal: with this job creation package, we begin to put Colorado back to work, and to put our economy back on the right track.”


Representative Don Marostica
(R-Lovelend) said of his bill (SB 67) expanding access to credit, “This will help Colorado’s small businesses at a time when they need to borrow money most.”


Other speakers at the mid-day event at the Capitol included Tom Clarke, Executive Vice President, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation/Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; Tony Gagliardi, Colorado Director, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); Blake Jones of the solar energy association CoSIEA; and Don Childears, President and CEO, Colorado Bankers Association.


The Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth includes Senator Gail Schwartz, Chair, (D-Snowmass), Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton), Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver), Rep. Judy Solano (D-Adams), Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), Rep. Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo), Senator Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield), Rep. Larry Liston (R-El Paso), Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Parker), and Rep. David Balmer (R-Centennial).


Business Advisors to the Select Committee include: Gail Lindley, Denver Bookbinding Co, Inc.; Neil Hall, Building Construction Trades Council; Craig Cox, Interwest Energy Alliance; Jim Hertel , Colorado Managed Care Newsletter; Mark Mehalko, AECOM; Felix Lopez, Trinidad State Junior College; Chuck Ward, Qwest Communications; Patricia Barela-Rivera, Consultant; Rob Perlman, Steamboat Ski Resort; and Michael DeBerry, Chevron.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

COMPREHENSIVE JOBS PACKAGE ANNOUNCED


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
For more information:
Abigail Vacanti (303) 866-4882
Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez
(303)866-5288
Katie Reinisch (303) 866-2774

COMPREHENSIVE JOBS PACKAGE ANNOUNCED
Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth
Endorses 8 job creation bills

DENVER— On Thursday, the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth will release a comprehensive package of eight job-creation bills endorsed by the committee.

These bills will create thousands of jobs in transportation and in rural communities, work with banks to help small businesses create jobs, help companies create new jobs for Colorado workers, and develop Colorado's energy economy.

WHAT: Press Conference to announce 8 bills endorsed by the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth followed by Q and A.
WHEN: 1pm, Thursday, January 29th, 2009
WHERE: West Steps of the Capitol
WHO: Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass Village), Chair Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth
Rep. Joe Rice (D- Littleton) Co-Chair Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth
Tom Clarke, Executive Vice President, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation/ Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Tony Gagliardi, Colorado Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Don Childears, president and CEO of the Colorado Bankers Association

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
CONTACT
Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez (303)866-5288
Abigail Vacanti (303) 866-4882

SEN. GAIL SCHWARTZ WINS LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

DENVER— Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass Village)was awarded the Legislator of the Year Award by the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD). "It is important to remember we are only borrowing this land and must work to ensure our beautiful state and nation is preserved for future generations,” said Sen. Schwartz. “The Conservation Districts across Colorado understand this and are working every day as examples of collaboration and education to ensure our state stays magnificent. It gives me great joy to work alongside so many dedicated individuals in the fight to care for and protect our natural resources and state's genuine beauty"

Sen. Schwartz was awarded officially at the CACD Conservationist of the Year award at the banquet on Wednesday January 21, 2009. She is also sponsoring several major bills this session aimed at enhancing the “new energy economy,” while at the same time protecting Colorado’s important natural resources.

"The Colorado Association on Conservation Districts is pleased to recognize Senator Schwartz as the Association’s Conservation Legislator of the Year,” said Eric Jessen, director of CACD. “Senator Schwartz has been a powerful advocate for many issues supporting rural Colorado’s economy, including strong support for agriculture and the conservation community. She was instrumental in legislation ensuring the Tax exempt status for Colorado's 76 Conservation Districts"

The mission of Colorado’s 77 Conservation Districts is to provide leadership for the conservation of natural resources to ensure health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the state through a responsible conservation ethic. CACD works to educate, promote, help obtain funds, and provide information on issues and programs aimed at enhancing and protecting our natural resources. It works with private farm, ranch landowners and other suburban developments to assist in wise and proper management of natural resources.

To learn more about CACD visit: http://www.cacd.us/

Friday, January 23, 2009

SEN. SCHWARTZ ATTENDS INAUGURATION


JANUARY 20, 2009...HISTORY WAS MADE!


(Gail & Alan Schwartz)

Tuesday January 20, Senator Gail Schwartz attended the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, President Barack Obama, in Washington, D.C.

“It was an honor to be a part of this historic inauguration. As I stood in the crowd of millions of people and listened to the words of President Obama, I truly felt inspired to be a part of this new hope. I am very enthusiastic about working with the new administration to bring jobs to Colorado and particularly to District 5.”


It was wonderful to be surrounded by a crowd so unified and energized by the new President. We have all worked tirelessly to help get him elected, traveling to Washington to share in the day and personally be a part of history was remarkable. Everyone in attendance seemed committed to doing their part to help ensure President Obama’s success going forward.


The inauguration was a very inclusive occasion — the culmination of a nationwide team effort -- with a real feeling that we have helped change of the tide of our nation, and own a tiny piece of it. I look forward to working with the new administration to chart a better course for Colorado and our nation.

(Sen. Schwartz & Senate Pres. Groff)















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