Colorado SBDC, Minority Business Office and PTAC Partner to Help Colorado Businesses Prosper

Dear Economic Development Partners:

We are happy to announce that the Colorado Small Business Development Center (CSBDC), the Minority Business Office (MBO) and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) have entered into an agreement to work together in assisting companies and people seeking business and government procurement assistance. The following items were agreed upon:

The CSBDC will undertake the following services:
* Recognize PTAC as the partner on marketing materials and website
* Invite PTAC in SBDC trainings and conferences that have the need for procurement assistance
* Provide evaluations for CSBDC clients if applicable
* Have a PTAC partner (where possible) do a procurement workshop or series for CSBDC clients (partner TBD)
* Distribute a statewide press release announcing new partnership between PTAC and the CSBDC
* Participate and support PTAC small business PR efforts (where applicable)
* Refer SBDC clients to PTAC for government procurement counseling and assistance

PTAC will undertake the following services:
* Recognize SBDC and MBO as partners on marketing materials and website
* Invite SBDC and MBO to PTAC training events, panels, and other events to the maximum extent practical
* Have CSBDC and MBO provide a workshop for PTAC clients on their services
* Distribute a statewide press release announcing new partnership between CSBDC, PTAC and MBO
* Participate and support SBDC and MBO small business PR efforts (where applicable)
* Refer PTAC clients to SBDC and MBO for business-oriented counseling and training
* Refer PTAC clients to the MBO Directory
* Add MBO and CSBDC as co-sponsors (or appropriate SBDC network office) to PTAC panel series, outreach forums, and other similar events as applicable.
* Provide award results for clients referred to the PTAC by MBO and CSBDC.
* Participate in the CSBDC and MBO Statewide Advisory Boards.

MBO will provide the following services:
* Recognize PTAC as a partner on marketing materials and website
* Invite PTAC to conduct procurement trainings, panels, and other events to the maximum extent practical on
* Distribute a statewide press release announcing new partnership between CSBDC, PTAC and MBO
* Participate and support PTAC small business PR efforts
* Refer MBO clients to PTAC for government procurement and counseling assistance

Thank you,
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

State Leaders Must Act to Curb Federal Regulators (op-ed)

Roman Buhler is the Director of the Madison Coalition working to restore a balance of state and federal power. He was a Committee Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years and served as Newt Gingrich's first House Committee Counsel. Contact: 
202-255-5000; [email protected]; www.RegulationFreedom.Org

State Leaders Must Act to Curb Federal Regulators

The expanding power of federal regulators to dictate edicts from Washington would astonish the authors of our Constitution.

Regulators who re-interpret laws passed years ago in ways never intended by Congress threaten the checks on executive branch power that have served as the foundation for the rule of law.

If the Presidential appointees can transform the meaning of laws passed by Congress without the approval of Congress, the fundamental role of these elected representatives of the people is at risk.

No one is safe if the President and his or her appointees can unilaterally regulate any entrepreneur, investor, or an entire economic sector of existence.

The problem is even worse in a President's second term, when that President will never have to face the voters again.

It is time to restore limits on executive branch power by putting into the Constitution a basic principle:

"Regulations, like laws should have the consent of the governed."

Just as the idea "No Taxation Without Representation" rallied patriots who fought for American Independence, "No Regulation Without Representation" must be a rallying cry for those who believe that democracy, not bureaucracy is the essence of our American Republic.

Every Republican who cast a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives along with some courageous  Democrats supported the REINS Act in 2015 to require the Congress approve major new federal regulations.

But it is unlikely that the REINS act could get 60 Senate votes necessary to overcome a filibuster even if a pro-limited government President were elected in 2016.

And even if enacted, a law could be repealed or waived by a future Congress and President. That is why permanent Constitutional reform is needed.

But, while Washington may be gridlocked, federal regulators become less popular the further one travels from the beltway.

Majorities of state legislators in 2/3 of the states almost certainly agree that federal regulators should be held accountable to elected officials.

And just as pressure from state legislators helped force Congress to propose the original Bill of Rights, similar pressure could force Congress to curb the authority of federal regulators.

In fact, three times in American history, pressure from states has helped force Congress to propose Amendments states wanted, starting with the Bill of Rights and including both the 17th Amendment for direct election of U.S. Senators and the 22nd Amendment for presidential term limits.

That helps explain why 15 State legislative chambers have already passed Resolutions urging that Congress propose the "Regulation Freedom Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution to require that major new federal regulations be approved by Congress.

Similar Resolutions, or letters from state legislators urging Congress to propose the Amendment are planned in more than 25 states, including Virginia, in 2016.

The text of the Amendment is as follows:

"Whenever one quarter of the Members of the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate transmit to the President their written declaration of opposition to a proposed federal regulation, it shall require a majority vote of the House and Senate to adopt that regulation."

This Amendment would ensure that the most controversial and consequential regulations would be flagged for review by Congress and could not go into effect unless they were approved.

It has the support of more than 500 legislators, 3 Governors, the American Farm Bureau, the National Taxpayers Association, and a growing number of business and grassroots political groups around the nation.

From Colorado support for the Amendment includes former Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, business leader Terry Considine and conservative think tank leader John Andrews.

Given that both houses of 31 state legislatures are now controlled by Republicans, and control is split with one House controlled by Republicans and one House by Democrats in 7 more states, making federal regulators more accountable to elected officials could become a significant issue between now and November 2016.

State legislators, Members of Congress, and Presidential candidates will be asked:  Should federal regulators keep their power to dictate from Washington, or is it time to make them more accountable?

And as bipartisan support for the reining in federal regulators grows, in the form of Regulation Freedom Amendment Resolutions passed by state legislatures in some states,and letters signed by majorities of state legislators in other states, perhaps even federal regulators and those in the White House who appointed them will start paying attention.  Increased support for this effort could very possibly deter some future regulatory abuse.

Growing attention for this effort could also give voters the ability to distinguish which candidates for President want to keep or expand the regulatory power this Administration has abused, and which candidates want to restore Constitutional checks and balances intended by the authors of our Constitution.

The deadlock in Washington can be broken. Leadership from the states, from state legislators, and from Members of Congress who want to partner with state leaders can be a key part of making it happen.

But ultimately, it is business, community, and grassroots leaders who raise these issues with their elected officials who will make the difference.

COBRT and Partners Encourage Sen. Bennet to Co-Sponsor Draft Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

January 27, 2016

The Honorable Michael Bennet
United States Senator
261 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Bennet,

We are writing to encourage you to co-sponsor the draft Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015 (RIA) which has been developed by a bipartisan working group of Senators, led by Senators Lankford and Heitkamp, committed to improving how regulations are developed. The draft includes legislation that has been reported from the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on a broadly bipartisan basis.  

The Regulatory Improvement Act is designed to ensure that federal regulations meet their intended goals in the most efficient and effective way possible. The provisions in the bill are consistent with recommendations made by a number of independent groups. If enacted, the RIA will not change any underlying rulemaking authority, nor will it necessarily lead to different regulatory outcomes. It would, however, update the 70-year old process by which major rules are developed.

For example, title III of the draft legislation would ensure that major rules are accompanied by the issuing agency’s plan for assessing how effectively the rule is accomplishing its regulatory objectives. This title codifies a retrospective review initiative launched by the Obama Administration. 

Title IV would promote earlier public engagement by requiring agencies to publish advance notices of proposed rulemaking for major rules (those expected to cost more than $100 million annually). The sooner an agency gets good suggestions for how to accomplish its regulatory objectives, the less chance that it will waste time and resources on sub-optimal approaches. 

Title II would clarify Presidential authority to require independent regulatory agencies to prepare regulatory impact analyses (RIAs) when proposing a new major rule, similar to that required of agencies covered by Executive Order 12866, originally issued by President Clinton. While some independent regulatory agencies today prepare RIAs, some do not and among those that do, the quality varies greatly. In order to ensure these agencies’ continued independence from the Executive Branch, a new office would be established within the Congressional Budget Office to oversee these analyses and help ensure consistent quality. The new office could not reject rules or review them for more than 90 days. 

Title V would largely codify existing OMB guidance for issuing “major” or “significant” guidance and provide greater public notice of an agency’s current guidance. Title I would authorize a bipartisan expert commission to review regulations that are at least 10 years old and to make recommendations to the Congress regarding changes to regulations that are outdated or counterproductive. 
 
We support a smarter, more modern approach to regulation that meets regulatory goals while also promoting innovation, economic growth and job creation. We believe the draft legislation represents an important step toward meeting those goals.

I am grateful for your attention to this issue and look forward to working with you and your staff on legislation that would make the U.S. regulatory system more efficient and effective.

Sincerely,

Jeff Wasden
President, Colorado Business Roundtable
    
John A. Hayes
Chairman, President and CEO, Ball Corporation

Jacqueline Hinman
Chairman and CEO, CH2M

Kent Thiry
Chairman and CEO, DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.

Terry Knight
General Manager of Control Solutions, GE Measurement & Control

2 Million Coloradans Now Live in Communities That Have Prioritized Attainable Housing

2 MILLION COLORADANS NOW LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE PRIORITIZED ATTAINABLE HOUSING

The Colorado General Assembly last session failed to address the defect in state law that exposes homeowners and builders to a high risk of expensive, time-consuming litigation – despite broad bipartisan and coalition support. 

This defect means that Colorado’s housing market is not keeping pace with the demand for attainable homes among first-time homebuyers and others with a modest income. Rising housing costs and soaring rents threaten to price many Coloradans out of the market.

Yet condos, which have always provided a pathway to homeownership, now represent just 3.4 percent of new homes in the Denver metro housing market. And it’s a growing concern across Colorado – from Fort Collins to Durango. Several communities are leading the way by addressing their attainable housing issues by passing local laws to jump-start condo development.

Now nearly 2.5 million Coloradans live in communities that have begun the process to fix the defect in state law.

The list includes:

• Denver

• Colorado Springs

• Douglas County

• Aurora

• Parker

• Lone Tree

• Littleton

• Lakewood

• Wheat Ridge

• Arvada

• Commerce City

• Centennial

• Castle Rock

These communities have approved common-sense reforms that offer a balanced approach to create a fair legal resolution for construction issues, and most importantly, will not take away a homeowner’s or community’s rights to seek a resolution to a construction issue.

NOW IT’S TIME FOR THE COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ACT!

The Homeownership Opportunity Alliance is committed to addressing Colorado’s attainable housing challenge and is actively reviewing the reforms offered during the last legislative session.

Paid for by the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance
HOUSING4CO.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/HOUSING4CO | @HOUSING4CO

Getting to know DORA

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies administers smart, balanced regulation to support the state’s thriving business environment

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is committed to ensuring that businesses thrive, protecting the integrity of the marketplace, and promoting a fair and competitive business environment. DORA's divisions -- Banking, Civil Rights, Consumer Counsel, Financial Services, Insurance, Professions and Occupations, the Public Utilities Commission, Real Estate, and Securities -- reach every Colorado county, and each consistently strive to work with these communities to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and support economic development, as well as protect consumers throughout the state.

One example of DORA's efforts to achieve the mission described above is the more than $2 million in recent fee reductions that Colorado's professional licensees will see over the next two years thanks to a major fee reduction effort by DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. The Division licenses about 15 percent of the state's workforce — nearly 400,000 professionals such as doctors, nurses, osmetologists and electricians. By leveraging a shared service model and more fully integrating new technology, the Division was able to reduce licensing fees and thereby put money back in the pockets of the nearly one-in-seven Colorado workers licensed by the Division.

Another example of efforts to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens is the launch of eLicense for the state's licensed real estate industry professionals. Managed by DORA's Division of Real Estate, approximately 55,000 real estate industry licensees can now use eLicense to submit their applications online, update their accounts, renew or reinstate their license, and print their licenses on-demand rather than mail in paper submissions.

DORA also provides the business community a voice in the regulatory process through DORA’s Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform (OPRRR). OPRRR conducts sunrise reviews of proposals to create new professional and occupational regulatory programs and sunset reviews of existing government programs, as well as reviews proposals for new mandatory continuing education requirements. For example, OPRR ecently recommended sunsetting the surgical technicians' regulatory program and did not endorse the regulation of ta preparers in a sunrise review. The review process is a proactive vehicle for government reform, striking a balance in good public policy whil aintaining sensitivity to business needs. However, public input is critical to al f the reviews conducted, which is why DORA encourages you to provide comments on any sunrise, sunset or mandatory continuing education review.

When you sign up to receive Regulatory Notices, you are also provided with information on the proposed rules, its public hearing and an effortless way to request that the rulemaking agency complete a cost-benefit analysis of the new or amended rules.

Finally, DORA divisions have recently empaneled industry stakeholder groups to continue looking at ways to improve government processes, cut red tape, improve customer service and discuss reasonable and conscientious regulation. Interested in joining a stakeholder panel? Email [email protected] to inquire. Also, keep up with DORA by subscribing to its e-newsletter, The Quarterly, follow DORA on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Dora.Colorado.gov and on Twitter @DORAColorado. DORA wants to hear from you! 

Joe Neguse was appointed as DORA Executive Director in June 2015.