Colorado Capitol Report

In this Capitol Report:

• The State Chamber Fights Bill Increasing Health Insurance Premiums on Employers
• Reforms to Prohibit Gerrymandering
• Manufacturer’s Leadership Group Tours Golden Aluminum on April 12
• Time is Running Out to Secure Your Foursome
• Board Member Donn Schaible Passes
• Federal Council Request
• Legislative Agenda

The State Chamber Fights Bill Increasing Health Insurance Premiums on Employers

This week, HB 1392 (Creation of the Colorado Reinsurance Program) was heard in its first committee of reference, the House Committee on Health, Insurance and Environment, where it passed on a 9-3 vote.  The bill creates a state-run re-insurance program and allows the Commissioner of the Division of Insurance to assess a fee on state-regulated health insurance carriers of up to 2 percent of premiums to pay for those seeking insurance in the individual market.  The bill also allows the Commissioner to assess a fee of up to 8% for insurance companies that provide stop-loss insurance to self-insured employers.  See specific bill language regarding such assessments below:

10-16-1107. Special assessments against insurers – rules – definition. (1) (a) (I) FOR THE 2019 BENEFIT YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ASSESS SPECIAL FEES AGAINST INSURERS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE REINSURANCE PROGRAM. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CALCULATE THE FEES BASED ON THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO REDUCE CARRIERS’ CLAIMS COSTS BY THE AMOUNTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 10-16-1104 (2), BUT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SET THE FEES AT AN AMOUNT THAT DOES NOT EXCEED TWO PERCENT OF PREMIUMS COLLECTED BY INSURERS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (5)(a) OF THIS SECTION AND EIGHT PERCENT OF PREMIUMS COLLECTED BY INSURERS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (5)(b) OF THIS SECTION.

The State Chamber’s Loren Furman, testified against the bill arguing that the bill would increase health care costs for all employers who have shared concerns for many years as to the increased cost of insurance premiums for their employees.  She also argued that the bill would require employers across the state to subsidize individuals who may not even be employed with those companies.   The next committee stop for the bill is the House Finance Committee.

Please contact Loren Furman at [email protected] or at 303-866-9642 if you should have any questions regarding this legislation.

Reforms to Prohibit Gerrymandering

During the last two Governmental Affairs Council meetings our members discussed proposals to address the reform of the current redistricting and reapportionment process in Colorado.  This week, two Senate Concurrent Resolutions have been introduced for consideration by the General Assembly:    SCR18-004 & SCR18-005, and the CACI has taken a SUPPORT position on both resolutions.  These resolutions are sponsored by Senators Grantham and Fenberg and include the following provisions:

1.  A balanced and independent commissions with representation for major parties and unaffiliated voters

• Two 12-member independent commissions-one for redistricting and one for reapportionment-each include 4 Republicans, 4 Democrats, and 4 unaffiliated (UAF) members

• First 2 R, D and UAF members of each commission selected by lot from pools of 50 each selected unanimously by a panel of three retired judges, who cannot be from the same political party

• Second 6 members of each commission appointed by unanimous agreement of three retired judges from a pool of unaffiliated voters and, in the case of Republican and Democratic selections, pools established by party leadership in the legislature

2. Districts may not be drawn to

• Favor a candidate or party (e.g., political gerrymandering prohibition)

3. Map drawing and adoption

• Three maps drawn by nonpartisan Legislative Council and Legislative Legal Services
• Public may also submit comments and maps for consideration
• Super majority required to adopt map: 8 members, including two UAF commissioners

4. Supreme Court review

• A single map from presented for approval by the Supreme Court

Please contact Loren Furman at [email protected] if you have questions regarding the resolutions

Manufacturer’s Leadership Group Tours Golden Aluminum on April 12

The State Chamber members representing the manufacturing industry were invited to visit Golden Aluminum for lunch, an overview of the business and a tour by the aluminum mill’s president and CEO, Jeff Frim, and policy update by our director of Federal Policy, Leah Curtsinger.

Located in Fort Lupton, Golden Aluminum was founded in 1980 by the Coors Brewing Company—now MillerCoors—a member since 1944. The company’s visionary mission was the brainchild of Bill Coors Sr. who dreamed of developing a 100% recyclable aluminum can. The mill features the first of its kind continuous block caster that can turn recycled cans into new aluminum sheet, and in addition to food and beverage packaging, the supply chain has grown to include the automotive industry, consumer, home and commercial products with a growing international demand.

Among those who joined the tour were Tom MacNamara, president of Foam Fabricators, Inc. and chair of the Manufacturer’s Leadership Group; James Thompson from the office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet; Jeanie Davidovich from the office of U.S. Senator Cory Gardner; and Cody LeBlanc from the office of U.S. Representative Ken Buck.

Time is Running Out to Secure Your Foursome

 Annual Golf Tournament Presented by

Applied Control

AT

THE BROADMOOR GOLF CLUB

The Broadmoor Golf Club is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Host to numerous national tournaments, including the U.S. Women’s Open and PGA Cup Matches, and a proud host of the 2018 U.S. Senior Open.  Don’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime to experience why The Broadmoor remains one of the world’s most celebrated golf destinations. Click here to register online. For additional information, contact Senior Vice President, Events & Political Fundraising at [email protected] or
303-866-9629.

Board Member Donn Schaible Passes

The State Chamber has been informed by Wright & McGill Company of the passing of CACI Board Member Donn Schaible, who also chaired the CACI Federal Policy Council.

“Here at the CACI Office, we were saddened by the news.  Donn was an active and enthusiastic supporter of CACI at every turn,” said Dan Pilcher, CACI Executive Vice President, on behalf of the CACI staff, “We will miss him and his good nature, enthusiasm and sense of humor.”

Below is the message that CACI received from Wright & McGill Company.

IN MEMORY OF DONN SCHAIBLE

April 4, 2018

To All the Employees, Many Business Associates, and Friends of the Wright & McGill Co.:

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the recent and sudden passing of Donn Schaible, our former President and CEO.  Donn passed away quietly on Friday, March 30, 2018, in his lovely mountain- home town of Evergreen, Colorado.  He is survived by his wife, his son, his daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter.

Donn led the Wright & McGill Co. as President from April 6, 1998 to December 31, 2017.  Donn’s leadership, vision and commitment to all the employees allowed the company to experience strong growth and profitability over his near twenty-year tenure.  These qualities extended beyond our company and into our community and the manufacturing industry as Donn also served on a number of Boards including the Boards of CACI, CAMA, and was an active member of NAM.  Donn’s work ethic and commitment to the fishing industry was exemplary and impactful as he served also on the board of ASA.  Donn had recently stepped down from his position of President of Wright & McGill Co. turning the leadership position over to our current President, Michael Jackson, in January of this year.  Donn remained on staff operating as Advisor to the Executive Team.

The entire Wright and McGill Co. family is saddened by his passing and will remember him as the great leader that he was for each and every one of us and the organization collectively. His down to earth personality and friendly style will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Donn’s wife and family and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as well during this difficult time.

We also ask that you kindly respect the wishes of the family to honor their privacy.

With thoughts and prayers,

The Wright & McGill Co.

Federal Council Request

Has your company invested more in new equipment, employees or employee training as a result of recently-passed tax reform? Let us know!

Contact Leah Curtsinger,  Federal Policy Director at (303) 866-9641.

Legislative Agenda

Below is a list of bills and their status on which The State Chamber Policy Councils have taken positions. For more information on the bills, contact Loren Furman, Senior Vice President, State and Federal Relations, at 303.866.9642.