Select Committee Committee on Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth (02/24/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Date:	02/24/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	12:27 PM to 12:53 PM	Balmer	E
		Heath	X
Place:	LSB A	Liston	E
		McFadyen	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Mitchell	E
	Senator Schwartz	Scheffel	X
		Solano	X
This Report was prepared by		Veiga	X
	Ron Kirk	Rice	E
		Schwartz	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Adoption of Final Report		Pass Without Objection by Those Members Present

12:27 PM -- Adoption of Final Report

Senator Schwartz, Chair, called the committee to order and welcomed members from the Business Advisory Group and others who were in attendance.

12:29 PM -- Mr. Tom Clark, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, distributed a memorandum on the committee's work (Attachment A) and discussed the bills that were referred by the committee. He began by saying that bills referred by the committee are a start to giving Colorado a competitive economic advantage over other states. For the first time, we are on an equal footing with neighboring and other mid-western states. The legislation endorsed by the committee will give Colorado a leg-up on other states in terms of attracting new businesses.

Mr. Clark closed by responding to the committee's discussion on the changing economy. The committee discussed the provisions of House Bill 09-1001. Mr. Clark noted that over the years, Colorado's job structure has become more diversified and is less prone to the declines in the business cycle. In addition, employees are more portable and have more education. Mr. Clark continued by saying that the qualities of Colorado's workforce are one of the factors that will bring Colorado out of the recession.

Mr. Clark continued by saying that the most important investment Colorado can make is in its infrastructure. He noted that leadership in the business community is also important to make Colorado a forerunner in business relocations.

The committee discussion continued. Senator Schwartz noted that the most important work related to the committee has been the focus on proposals that create jobs. A net gain in job growth is what Colorado needs to recover from the national recession.

12:41 PM -- Ms. Patricia Rivera, Business Advisory Group and small business owner, thanked the committee for its work and dedication to put Colorado back on the track to economic recovery. It is important that the voice of small business be heard as small businesses create jobs. Mr. Rivera closed by discussing a letter from the Business Advisory Group to the committee (Attachment B).

12:45 PM -- Mr. Matt Cheroutes, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, said that his office complements the work of the committee. He closed by noting that the committee's work will help Colorado's economy recover more quickly than other western states.

12:47 PM -- Mr. Todd Herreid, Legislative Council Staff, discussed the draft final report and said that the final report would be made available by the close of the week. Mr. Herreid discussed the information in the report and touched upon the economy. He noted that the report concludes with a description of the bills referred for consideration by the committee.

12:51 PM

Senator Schwartz, Chair, discussed the committee's adoption of the final report and the following motion was made.


BILL:	Adoption of Final Report
TIME:	12:51:38 PM
MOVED:	Heath
MOTION:	Moved to adopt the final report. The motion passed without object by those members present.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Balmer	Excused
	Heath
	Liston	Excused
	McFadyen
	Mitchell	Excused
	Scheffel
	Solano
	Veiga
	Rice	Excused
	Schwartz

Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 4 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

12:53 PM

Adjourn.