Representative Pete Lee, of Colorado Springs, sponsored a bill in the House that I would have gladly sponsored in the Senate had I been elected. It died yesterday in a house committee.

The bill would have set up a funding authority charged with raising money to loan to small businesses in Colorado. The criteria for receiving funding included the creation of well paying jobs. It also required that funds be deposited in a Colorado, not Wall Street bank.

Unfortunately as I write this the actual committee votes have not been attached to the bill’s E-version. My guess is that it was killed in committee along partisan lines, with Republicans voting against a Democrat’s proposal. I also did not listen to the hearing, so I don’t know what the pro and con arguments were.

I do know it was a good idea. I do know that it would have been revenue neutral. I do know that it would have set aside some money for really small micro-loans to micro-businesses—the kind frequently operated by women working out of their homes, while trying to keep their family secure. Colorado supporting entrepreneurs is a great way to create jobs. Not that we need any, since unemployment in Mesa County just hit a new high of 11.1%.

Homework

Text of Bill

Fiscal Analysis HB 11-1266

Bills Killed on March 12