2010 Legislative Priorities
About CoPIRG
Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) is an advocate for the public interest.. CoPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive government.
Increased Government Transparency
An open and transparent government is critical for a strong democracy and to maximize the effectiveness of government.
- * Supports HB-1350 (Pace) to require any company receiving any economic incentives from the state to report on the impact of the economic incentives. If they fail to achieve objectives, the state can recapture the money.
Reduce Traffic Congestion
For too long, we've thrown money at new highways rather than making smart investments in public transportation. Investing in public transit and public transit infrastructure will create more jobs and long-term economic benefits than money spent building new roads. Public transportation improvements will also reduce our dependence on oil, relieve traffic congestion and cut global warming.
- * Supports HB-1143 (McNulty/Johnston) to allow commercial use at RTD facilities.
Rein In Abusive Financial Practices
The banking industry’s failure to serve all consumers fairly has created a void that has fed the growth of the so-called predatory lending (or fringe banking) industry, CoPIRG:
- * Supports HB- (Ferrandino/Romer) to cap interest rates on payday loans at 36%
- * Supports SB -155 (Tochtrop/Benefield) to eliminate hidden fees on gift cards and allow customers to redeem leftover gift cards for cash.
Health Care
Health care costs continue to increase each year while groups are receiving less coverage. CoPIRG:
- * Supports HB-1332 (Miklosi/Romer) to standardize medical billing codes, reducing errors and administrative costs
- * Supports HB1330 (Kefalas/Kagan/Morse) to create an all-payer database that collects information about costs and frequency of types of care.
- * Supports SB-126 (M.Carroll/Tyler) to require pharmaceutical companies and medical device providers to disclose any transfers of value to doctors.
- * Supports HB-1242 (Apuan/Tochtrop) to create a standard health insurance application form.
- * Supports SB-076 (M. Carroll/Tyler) to make financial rewards for claims adjusters based on number of denials an unreasonable practice.
- * Supports HB-1234 (Primavera) to encourage insurance companies to use medical professionals if they overturn a doctor’s decision that care is medically necessary.
- * Supports HB-1004 (Massey/Foster) to create a standard lay-out for health information on forms.
Increase Civic Participation
CoPIRG supports and protects an active, inclusive, vibrant democracy that guarantees every citizen’s right to participate in democracy. CoPIRG:
- * Supports HB-1098 (Levy) to create standards for rural electric association elections that ensure an open and transparent process free from undue influence.
- * Oppose SCR-3 (Tapia/White) to add undue burdens to the initiative process.
Money and Politics
In the Citizens United case, the Supreme Court decision will allow a deluge of corporate money to flow into election financing. CoPIRG:
- * Supports SB 203 – (M. Carroll/Weissmann) to increase disclosure of corporate donations in elections.
Public Health and Toxics
Coloradans deserve safe and clean communities. That's why CoPIRG is working to reduce the toxic content of industrial waste, ensure our products and food are safe, make sure polluters pay for the cleanup of their toxic dumps, and make powerful interests tell the truth about what they're putting into our air and water. CoPIRG:
- * Supports HB 1348 – (McFadyen/Kester and Bacon) to increase oversight over radioactive mining and make sure uranium mills clean up their mess before they are allowed to mill more.
