Doris Beaver’s
EYE ON THE LEGISLATURE . . . 
January 16, 2012 
 
   Colorado's 86th General Assembly opened last week with Governor Hickenlooper's second state of the state address following on Thursday. "Governor Hick" as he's fondly referred to by some Coloradans did not disappoint supporters in his second State of the State Address. Today's edition is based on the prepared text furnished by the Governor's office. Due to a family emergency, this writer was unable to attend the speech in person.  
   Hickenlooper did not disappoint his supporters during this second State of the State. During opening remarks, the Governor related the story of how the Stetson hat was a result of a problem in need of a solution. Stetson came to Colorado as one of the many who fled the East seeking to be cured of tuberculosis in the early 1860's, only to be unable to resist the lure of Colorado's gold fields. 
   Stetson's father taught his young son hatting, a quite unique skill at the time, and the brutal weather of the mining camps provided the impetus to Stetson to set about making a felt hat for protection against the drenching rains and cold winds that were commonplace in the mountains. The story goes that a fellow miner bought that first felt hat right off Stetson's head and the Stetson Hat Company was born, selling 2 million hats a year by 1906. Hickenlooper identified Stetson as one of Colorado's early entrepreneurs. Those early Stetson's were valued as being so rugged, cowboys were known to sleep on them, and it was not just old movies that dreamed up the idea of the 10 gallon hat -- the hat was waterproof and actually held water. Remember those old movies of the cowboy holding a hat full of water up to his trusted steed? 
    Hickenlooper acknowledged the difficulties of an election year, and that typically, cynics and partisan fights "drown out any hope for success," then reminded legislators the cynics could be proven wrong by those who came to the legislature to solve problems. As examples of what could be accomplished by working together, Hickenlooper pointed out that a budget was passed last year with 80 votes, working together helped secure the "state's financial health by creating a 4 percent reserve," and by passing a "health exchange bill that is now a model for other states."
   Colorado's budget crisis is by no means over, and is perhaps even more critical than last year. Hickenlooper reminded Coloradans that taking inflation into account, "the state's general fund revenue is $1 billion less than it was five years ago when the state had fewer people and was economically stronger," while demand for government services has surged. The economic downtown has also resulted in more children being enrolled in public schools by a significant number and more people enrolled in Medicaid -- all these factors Hickenlooper points out are why he wants to "focus property tax relief on the seniors most in need, until we can restore the full senior homestead exemption." 
   Hickenlooper stated that Colorado has proven it "can do more with less and live within our means like all working families in Colorado, even as the pressures on the state budget continue," and addressed the school funding case recently ruled on by a district court judge that most readers will recognize as the Lobato case. The ruling stated that "the state is deficient in meeting school funding requirements under the state Constitution," promising an appeal of that ruling and "resolution of the constitutional issues raised in the case." 
   Hickenlooper was obviously proud in identifying two large corporate headquarters that moved to Colorado during his first year in the Governor's office, which for too long has been losing large corporate headequarters to other states -- that trend is now changing. After reminding Coloradans that "large corporations, just like small businesses, want to be in places that are pro-business." Those two corporations were identified as DaVita and Arrow Electronics, both Fortune 500 companies, with Arrow being the largest corporate headquaters to move to Colorado in the state's history. Arrow will reportedly create not only thousands of jobs, but will bring with it a number of associated businesses. The Governor pointed out that Arrow's coming to Colorado also means a number of electronic buisnesses already in Colorado will "gain advantage by being close to one of the largest electronics suppliers in the world. 
   Level 3 Communications, already a Colorado company, gained Fortune 500 status by merging with  Global Crossing. Consolidation of operations from across the country will means more jobs in Colorado. 
   Next week, Hickenlooper's ideas on expanding Colorado's entrepreneurs and what it means to Colorado's future and economic stability. 
The reader’s comments or questions are always welcome.  E-mail me at doris@dorisbeaver.com.
Doris Beaver