Date: 09/04/2013
Final
Update from Working Groups and Discussion
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POVERTY REDUCTION TASK FORCE
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01:36 PM -- Update from Working Groups and Discussion
Senator Kefalas called the meeting back to order. He explained the process and next steps for the working groups to propose legislation, and stated that the task force can suggest administrative or rule changes in addition to legislative changes. He went over the agenda and asked the working groups to provide an update on their progress.
01:39 PM
Senator Hudak provided an update on the Early Childhood Development and Education working group. She said that the group is focusing on two key areas. The first is to make changes to the state Child Care Tax Credit to streamline it to the federal tax credit. She explained that currently, if a person's income is too low to pay federal taxes, he or she will not qualify for the state tax credit. She explained that the working group is planning to propose legislation to separate the federal and state tax credits so that not qualifying for the federal tax credit does not preclude someone from qualifying for the state credit. The legislation will also increase the amount of the tax credit. Senator Hudak told the task force that the working group is also focusing on changes to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). She explained that a number of people who would benefit from CCAP are not being reached, and that the program is under-funded due to program cuts. Senator Hudak said that the working group is focusing on legislation to ensure that all families with young children who are at 130 percent of poverty are able to be served by county CCAP programs.
01:46 PM
Senator Kefalas stated that he would like the state to be more active in allocating county CCAP dollars. Representative Saine provided an update on the Housing Continuum working group. She explained that the group is focusing on issues pertaining to manufactured homes, and that many people who own manufactured homes experience problems financing and refinancing their homes. She said that it is difficult for some people to sell their manufactured home, and that the group is working to identify possible solutions. Senator Ulibarri talked about the National Housing Fund. He explained that $17 million was temporarily invested in the fund, and stated that due to the recession funding to affordable home ownership programs was cut. He stated that Colorado is one of three states that does not have a long-term housing investment program. Senator Ulibarri talked about the tour the task force took of Warren Village, and commended its program model. He explained that Colorado is in a unique position because of restrictions placed by the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR), and because of this there are only a few housing investment fund models that would be aligned with TABOR restrictions. Representative Fields expressed her support for housing investment fund legislation because it would benefit people in her district. Senator Kefalas stated that he would also support a housing investment fund. He suggested making changes to the laws dealing with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), as well as releasing Deeds of Trust in order to lower restrictions on local community reserve funds. Senator Kefalas talked about making changes to the Mobile Home Park Act to create opportunities for manufactured home owners to purchase the land on which their homes sit if the land owner chooses to sell it.
02:00 PM
Representative Fields updated the task force on the Workforce Readiness working group. She discussed a presentation the group heard from Barbara Kelley, Executive Director of Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), about the effects of regulations on small businesses. She stated that the group is interested in proposing legislation to reduce the "red tape" faced by small businesses, as well as legislation focused on funding adult education programs. She stated that Colorado is one of several states that does not provide adequate support for adult education. Senator Marble stated that it has been informative to hear from experts in the field, and talked about issues stemming from a lack of review by agencies on their overlapping, redundant, and conflicting rules. She said that this affects business owners and consumers because it leads to higher costs, and explained that the working group looked at states that have mandatory reviews of rules and regulations in hopes of adopting one of their models. Senator Marble said that the group discussed expanding technology and trade courses for middle school and high school students. Senator Ulibarri asked Senator Marble and Representative Fields to comment on ways the task force can reduce red tape for small businesses. Representative Fields responded that the group discussed reducing the number of applications that businesses must submit by replacing them with a universal application.
02:14 PM
Senator Balmer told the task force about the Career Ready Colorado Certificate which certifies a job seeker's skills and creates common, objective standards for employment readiness. He discussed issues with the current program, as well as the need to pass legislation to make the certificate easier to obtain. Representative Exum told the committee that there is a need for an alternative identification card for individuals who are unable to qualify for a state identification card for a variety of reasons. He explained that a person must show identification in order to receive certain benefits. There was no public testimony.
02:21 PM
Senator Kefalas asked if any of the working groups considered a recommendation to increase the Division of Housing budget line item from the current appropriation of $2.5 million. Senator Ulibarri responded that the Division of Housing has a limited role in housing investment which is why the idea of a housing investment fund was discussed as an alternative. The committee took a brief recess.