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RIce named chair of biz committee
By Holly Cook
Democratic House leaders recently unveiled committee assignments for Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton).
Rice was appointed chairman of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, and member of the newly developed Job Creation and Economic Growth committee.
“These committee assignments draw on the diversity and tap the talent of every member in our caucus,” said House Speaker-designee Terrance Carroll in regard to the newly elected House.
“We have lawyers and cowboys in our caucus, and we have members that hail from every part of the state. This is just one way we hope to expand the circle of opportunity for all Coloradans.”
While Rice may not be considered a cowboy or a lawyer, the re-elected representative, who formerly vice-chaired the committee, has been considered by some, a “moderate, pro-business Democrat.”
During the 2008 Legislative session, Rice cosponsored House Bill 1225, which will spare more than 30,000 small businesses from paying the business personal property tax.
He also sponsored a bill that exempts Parents Teachers Organizations and Parents Teachers Associations from paying sales taxes on fundraisers like bake sales and silent auctions.
"This is such a little thing, but it can make such a huge difference," Rice state in a press release.
"By reducing red tape and cutting the administrative burden on parent fundraisers, we’ll free them up to do what they do best: bring in the dough. And, hopefully, we’ll put a little more money back in our schools."
Rice’s appointment as chair is expected to calm some business observers who fear that Carroll — who has a liberal voting record on regulation, labor law and medical malpractice laws — might take a harder line with employers in the next legislative session, according to the Denver Business Journal.
In addition to his role as chairman of the business affairs committee, Rice also will serve as a member of the recently formed Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth.
The committee was formed this month as a result of a slowing economy. Senate President Peter Groff and Carroll stated in a press release that they are preparing for a predicted slowing of the state’s economy by establishing the results-oriented committee.
The committee is expected to be a focal point of the upcoming legislative session.
“The group will work to accelerate infrastructure projects, create new jobs in the new energy economy, and boost our small and rural businesses,” Rice said.
The Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth is tasked with crafting innovative legislative solutions to:
Strengthen Colorado’s small businesses and non-profits
Improve Colorado’s infrastructure
Expand Colorado’s “New Energy Economy”
Stimulate job growth in Colorado’s rural communities
The committee is asked to make its first recommendations in January.
Rice was appointed chairman of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, and member of the newly developed Job Creation and Economic Growth committee.
“These committee assignments draw on the diversity and tap the talent of every member in our caucus,” said House Speaker-designee Terrance Carroll in regard to the newly elected House.
“We have lawyers and cowboys in our caucus, and we have members that hail from every part of the state. This is just one way we hope to expand the circle of opportunity for all Coloradans.”
While Rice may not be considered a cowboy or a lawyer, the re-elected representative, who formerly vice-chaired the committee, has been considered by some, a “moderate, pro-business Democrat.”
During the 2008 Legislative session, Rice cosponsored House Bill 1225, which will spare more than 30,000 small businesses from paying the business personal property tax.
He also sponsored a bill that exempts Parents Teachers Organizations and Parents Teachers Associations from paying sales taxes on fundraisers like bake sales and silent auctions.
"This is such a little thing, but it can make such a huge difference," Rice state in a press release.
"By reducing red tape and cutting the administrative burden on parent fundraisers, we’ll free them up to do what they do best: bring in the dough. And, hopefully, we’ll put a little more money back in our schools."
Rice’s appointment as chair is expected to calm some business observers who fear that Carroll — who has a liberal voting record on regulation, labor law and medical malpractice laws — might take a harder line with employers in the next legislative session, according to the Denver Business Journal.
In addition to his role as chairman of the business affairs committee, Rice also will serve as a member of the recently formed Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth.
The committee was formed this month as a result of a slowing economy. Senate President Peter Groff and Carroll stated in a press release that they are preparing for a predicted slowing of the state’s economy by establishing the results-oriented committee.
The committee is expected to be a focal point of the upcoming legislative session.
“The group will work to accelerate infrastructure projects, create new jobs in the new energy economy, and boost our small and rural businesses,” Rice said.
The Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth is tasked with crafting innovative legislative solutions to:
Strengthen Colorado’s small businesses and non-profits
Improve Colorado’s infrastructure
Expand Colorado’s “New Energy Economy”
Stimulate job growth in Colorado’s rural communities
The committee is asked to make its first recommendations in January.
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