| If you'd like to
track the Senate's action on the floor, so you know what time they adjourn
and a more exact time the Committee will start, you can listen in at
www.state.co.us,
click on legislature, then on audio coverage for the Senate floor. Or,
reply to this email, and 9to5 can call you when it looks like Senators are
heading to Committee.
To identify your State Senator, please visit
http://www.votesmart.org/. Please take a few minutes, place a few
calls, and if a Senator lets you know what their position is.
LEGISLATION
REJECTED BY CWA
BILLS
ENDORSED BY CWA
SB 122, the
Wage Transparency Act-
Read the Bill Here
The Wage Transparency Act protects employees who share
salary information with their co-workers. The lack of information, or
transparency, about wages and salaries is a key obstacle to proving and
correcting pay discrimination.
PASSED!
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House
Bill 1310- Regulate payday loan companies.
Individuals and families often use these companies
when they are struggling to make ends meet so that they can pay rent or
bills. However, because of the incredibly high interest rates that payday
loan companies charge, this often creates an unending cycle of debt that
can ultimately lead these individuals and families into homelessness.
CWA supports any measure that would regulate the annual
interest rates and other fees that payday loan companies can charge. It
is our belief that state regulation of these companies will lower the risk
to low income individuals and families of becoming trapped in the cycle of
poverty.
Reducing the exorbitant fees charged on payday loans will
put $75 million back into the pockets of hard working Coloradans.
(Center for Responsible Lending)
In 2007 the U.S.
Department of Defense capped payday loans made to members of the
military and their dependents at 36%APR.
Six publicly traded
payday lenders controlling 40% of all pay day locations
in Colorado saw their profits
increase by an average of 324% between 2002-2006.
As amended, HB 08-1310
reforms payday loans by:
If you support HB 1310, please call your Senator now and
ask them to vote YES on HB 1310.
For more info please email me
alyssa.lasseter@unitedwaydenver.org . If your organization would
like to sign on as an organizational supporter, please let me know and I
will have you added to the list. If you have any questions, please
feel free to call or email.
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House Bill 1362-Restore
Colorado's state earned income tax credit
The
bill to restore Colorado's state earned income tax credit, was killed in
the House Finance Committee Wednesday night at about 8:45 p.m. HB 1362 was
supported by 9to5 and almost 50 other member organizations of the EITC
Coalition. Those who voted for HB 1362 generally agreed that the money is
there in TANF (with over $150 million -more than a full year's worth - in
current TANF Reserves) and Unemployment Insurance to be able to pay for
EITC without posing a risk to any other safety net programs. Those who
voted against the bill generally expressed that they opposed one or both
of the funding sources we had identified. Thanks to CWA Board AJ Clemmons
member for testifying before the state legislature.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION:
Lilly Ledbetter
Fair Pay Act- The Supreme Court's ruling in
Ledbetter v. Goodyear was nothing less than an assault on the rights of
working women. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act fully restores the right
to challenge pay discrimination for all workers - and restores protections
against gender discrimination in the workplace. The House passed this bill
earlier this year, and it's now time for the Senate to do the same.
Legislation Rejected
by CWA
Ballot Watch 2008: Anti-Women's Health Amendment |
