Date: 03/23/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1300

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1300 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:05 PM -- HB15-1300

 The committee took a brief recess.


02:08 PM

The committee returned to order. Representatives Moreno and Melton, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 15-1300. The bill permits a unit of local government to enact laws establishing a minimum wage within its jurisdiction.

02:12 PM -- Patrick Boyle, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Boyle expressed opposition to minimum wage laws in general because they could lead to workers losing their jobs. He discussed the effects of minimum wage laws on small businesses. He responded to questions from the committee.


02:22 PM

Representatives Moreno and Melton also responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Boyle continued to assert his position that the minimum wage is bad for business. Committee discussion ensued.

02:29 PM -- Peter Severson, representing Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Colorado and Voices for Justice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Severson spoke about poverty, unjust compensation, and a living wage. He discussed dignity and local control for local communities. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:33 PM -- John Putnam, representing the Episcopal Jubilee Ministries and Voices for Justice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Putnam distributed a newspaper (Attachment A) containing an article about activism and engagement. He also discussed dignity and a living wage in local communities. He responded to questions from the committee.

Attachment A can be viewed at Legislative Council.

02:40 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Gagliardi reiterated the testimony of Mr. Boyle. He indicated that very few Colorado workers would be affected by the bill because they already make more than the minimum wage. He responded to questions from the committee.


02:49 PM

Discussion continued with Mr. Gagliardi about the negative effects of the minimum wage on small businesses.

02:54 PM -- Aubrey Hasvold, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hasvold spoke about local control, variable costs of living, and turnover among minimum wage employees. She read information about the effects of minimum wage increases in San Francisco and Santa Fe. She responded to questions from the committee.

02:59 PM -- Sonia Riggs, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association and the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Riggs reiterated the testimony of Mr. Boyle and Mr. Gagliardi. She spoke about level playing fields and consistency. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:09 PM -- George Awuor, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Awuor stated that minimum-wage increases stimulate the economy by increasing consumer spending, without adding to state and federal budget deficits. He indicated that spending by Americans drives 70 percent of the U.S. economy, and increasing demand is key for jump-starting production and rehiring. Finally, he commented that a raise in the minimum wage puts money into the pockets of low-income consumers, who immediately spend it at local businesses. Mr. Awuor responded to questions from the committee.

03:14 PM -- Mark Moses, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI) and the Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Moses addressed questions about the elasticity of prices in the restaurant industry. He spoke about the effect of the minimum wage on restaurant profits across the country. He characterized the effect of the bill on his restaurants as devastating. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:28 PM -- Marrisa Guerrero, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Guerrero spoke about wages in the health care industry and her family's economic situation.

03:31 PM -- Loren Furman, representing CACI, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Furman expressed her opinion that the bill will cause logistical difficulties for businesses, employees, and the state.

03:35 PM -- Azelin Beltran, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Beltran spoke about her experience as an individual who makes minimum wage.

03:37 PM -- Mary Lou Chapman, representing the Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Chapman spoke about the administrative burden caused by multiple taxing districts and minimum wages across the state.

03:39 PM -- Dianne Thiel, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Thiel expressed her opinion that the bill is about justice and democracy. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:43 PM -- Dr. Mary Ann Wilmer, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Wilmer spoke about support for local control of the minimum wage in Boulder County. She addressed questions from the members of the committee.

03:50 PM -- Harry Hempy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hempy distributed a written statement (Attachment B) and read his prepared remarks.

15HouseState0323AttachB.pdf15HouseState0323AttachB.pdf

03:54 PM -- Fred Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Smith discussed the cost of living in Boulder County.

03:57 PM -- Chris Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Smith spoke about the spirit of democracy and local control.


03:59 PM

Representatives Melton and Moreno wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.


04:02 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


04:06 PM

The committee returned to order.
BILL:HB15-1300
TIME: 04:12:55 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1300 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Tyler
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS