Economic Justice and Civil Rights Platform

• Freedom from discrimination and access to opportunity are the values upon which the United States was created.
• Pay equity is expected for women, people of color, and all workers.
• Self-sufficiency standards for public services are needed to support families and children.
• Election reform is necessary to protect voting rights for all.

BACKGROUND

• In 2005, Latinos made up 19.5 percent of Colorado’s population.  This means nearly one in five residents of Colorado are Latino.
• Latinos are affected by a wage gap that enables white men to earn more than Latino men and Latina women.  In 2004, Latinos in the United States earned 63 cents for every dollar earned by white men, while Latinas earned only 56.9 cents for dollar earned by white men.
• Colorado Latinos are an important and growing voter block, yet our potential has not been fully realized.  In 2004, only 56.5 percent of eligible Latinos were registered to vote.  Those Latinos who registered and voted in the 2004 election represent 45.7 percent of eligible Latinos.

Coloradans weren't fooled by attacks on equal opportunity!

The deceptively named “Colorado Civil Rights Initiative”, backed by the American Civil Rights Institute, founded by Ward Connerly, a conservative California millionaire, was responsible for the collection of signatures for new Amendment 46. Amendment 46 would eliminate all equal opportunity programs, including affirmative action, in public employment, contracting, and education throughout the state.

Thanks to our supporters, Amendment 46 did NOT pass this past November.

Policy-Specific Recommendations

HB 1064 - ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POVERTY TASK FORCE

Sponsors Sen. Sandoval and Rep. Kefalas

HB 1064 creates the economic opportunity poverty reduction task force. Specifies the duties of the task force, including assessing current policies & practices in Colorado that promote economic opportunity and poverty reduction and developing and implementing a strategic, integrated and comprehensive plan to reduce the number of Coloradans living in poverty, especially families and children by 50% by 2019. 

Status Referred Unamended to Appropriations by State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee

Position Support

HB 1260 - Designated Beneficiary Agreement

Sponsors Rep. Ferrandino & Sen. Veiga

Hb 1260 provides a low-cost, convenient mechanism for Coloradans to choose the person to take care of them in medical emergencies and provide for them in the event of their death. HB 1260 is a new estate planning tool which will not cost anything to the state because the small administrative fee will cover the costs of the program.

Status

Position Support

SB 228 - FLEXIBILITY TO USE STATE REVENUES

Sponsors Sen. Morse & Reps. Marostica and Court

 Getting rid of the 6% would maximize federal stimulus dollars in Colorado and strengthen Colorado's long-term ability to invest in key priorities both in good and bad economic conditions. This legislation will not increase spending or taxes, but it will increase the accountability of legislators by allowing them the opportunity to fund priorities and not be constrained by formulas.

Status Under consideration by the House. Assigned to Transportation & Energy + Appropriations.

Position Support

HB 1115 - DEFINE ID FOR VOTING

Sponsors Rep. Summers & Sen. Renfroe

Requires the identification used for election-related purposed be a valid, government-issues form of identification with a photograph of the eligible elector.

Status Postponed Indefinitely by the State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee

Position Oppose

HB 1146 - PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP TO REGISTER TO VOTE

Sponsors Rep. McNulty & Sen. Scheffel

Requires a person who applies to register to vote to provide proof of citizenship.

Status Postponed Indefinitely by the State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee

Position Oppose