Colorado state Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, is fighting the 2007 executive order that allows state employees to organize. We talked to him last month about the hurdles he anticipates trying to get his legislation through the process. As Mitchell explained, his bill was sent to the Senate State Affairs committee, or “killer’s row” as he put it. Now that we have a date that the hearing is set, Monday Feb. 7, we have a few days to create an outcry. The members of the State Affairs Committee are listed below:
Chair Rollie Heath (D-Boulder): rollie.heath.senate@state.co.us
Vice Chair Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins): bob.bacon.senate@state.co.us
Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood): betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us
Senator Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs): bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us
Senator Kevin Grantham (R-Cañon City): kevin.grantham.senate@state.co.us
Please take a few minutes to contact each and let them know how you feel about Mitchell’s bill. The Senate State Affairs Committee hearing will be just the first step in a long process for this legislation, but when citizens write to their representatives, it makes a difference. Throughout my years at the Capitol, the only bills that have defied expectation are the ones that the people decide are important enough to voice their opinions on. Whether that’s by testifying, or writing their representatives, the voice of the people is a powerful force. Here’s a sample of what I wrote to each member:
Dear Sen. _______________,
The Executive Order signed by former Gov. Ritter in 2007 that allowing state-employee partnerships created a dynamic where the best interests of state workers may be contrary to the best interest of the taxpayers.
You have an opportunity to help correct this situation, as the State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee on which you serve will be considering a bill that rescinds that order – SB 11-038 – on Monday Feb. 7. I urge you to carefully consider this bill and give it your approval in committee so that the full state Senate may debate. The public that pays the bills deserves no less.
Sincerely,
Kelly Maher
[Updated 2/4/11]
