Republican State of the State

House Assistant Republican Leader David Balmer joins with Senate Assistant Republican Leader Greg Brophy to deliver the Republican State of the State.

Gardner Slams Dems for Rosy Unemployment Figures

State Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, today reacted swiftly to a news report showing two Colorado towns in energy producing regions as having the highest percentages of job losses in the country for the 3rd quarter of 2009.

The report, on MSN.com, states that Greeley, Colorado has the 9th highest job-loss rate and Grand Junction the highest rate out of the largest 281 metro cities across America. Greeley had a 2.4 % drop and Grand Junction had a 5.2 % drop in the employment rate over the third quarter of 2009.

“Governor Ritter and Majority Democrats continue to paint a rosy picture of Colorado’s unemployment rate,” Gardner said. “However, Grand Junction and Greeley have experienced some of the worst job-loss rates in the nation.”

Gardner pointed to the governor’s often-criticized oil and gas rules as being a contributor to the rise in the unemployment rate. Citing the new rules, Gardner says that many companies are choosing not to expand operations or to do business in certain areas of Colorado.

“The truth is that many companies are holding back on hiring and expansion and looking instead at more predictable and friendly regulatory environments,” Gardner said. “Democrats who deny that these rules are having an effect just need to look at the numbers in these counties.” Gardner noted that the indirect jobs associated with energy development have suffered as well.

Gardner and other Republicans warned Democrat leaders about the consequences of the rules during lengthy debate in the state House of Representatives. At the time, Gardner and industry leaders warned that overly restrictive environmental regulations and a lengthy and unpredictable permitting process would stifle industry growth. Despite those warnings, the governor moved forward and approved the rules.

“While many cities and towns across America struggle to lessen the effects of the recession, some on Colorado’s Eastern Plains and Western Slope have not been so lucky,” Gardner said. “It is shameful that these rules stay in place as Coloradans continue to lose good jobs.”

May: New Appointment Will Hurt Agriculture and Jobs

House Republican Leader Mike May, R-Parker, today reacted sharply to the news that House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, appointed Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, to serve as the chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

“Rep. Fischer’s record of hostility toward agriculture and the energy industry does not bode well for Colorado’s economy and job market this year,” May said. “Important policy decisions that will impact farmers, ranchers, miners, and oil and gas workers are now in the hands of a legislator who has actively opposed each of these industries.”

Fischer’s House Bill 1230, from 2008, would have required strict emissions requirements to be placed on all diesel powered equipment. Dubbed the “Tractor Tax,” it would have required farmers to retrofit equipment with costly upgrades.

“Fischer’s tractor tax enraged the agriculture community and even threatened to put some farmers out of business,” May said. “Fortunately, this hostile proposal was defeated, but with Fischer being elevated to this new position, these types of proposals may be back.”

May also points to public statements Fischer made opposing future water storage projects in Colorado. Quoted in a December 2009 Greeley Tribune article, Fischer said that “Colorado does not need any additional water storage.”

“Without adequate water to irrigate, many of Colorado’s farms would simply dry up,” May said. “These are only a few examples demonstrating that Fischer clearly does not understand the issues important to agriculture.”

Fischer also played an important role in the approval of new oil and gas rules that have been criticized as “job-costers,” and has run legislation in the past to curb mining operations in his region.