State Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp announces the senate Republicans’ economic agenda for Colorado. Senate Republicans get it. Colorado needs to restructure its laws and regulations to make them easier and less costly for the state to administer and enforce. That would make it easier and less costly for employers to comply with state laws and regulations. If Republicans can get the new governor to go along with agenda, Colorado will be one of the most competitive states in the country when it comes to economic development, creating new jobs and defending existing jobs in the state.

The announcement follows:

Agenda for Economic Recovery:

Repeal anti-business tax increases of 2010
Over $100 million in new business taxes enacted by Ritter and the Democrats have put a damper on job creation in Colorado in the middle of the Obama recession. We believe increasing the tax burden on business is the wrong approach to balancing the state budget. Savings can be found through eliminating nonessential programs and streamlining state government.

Foster business growth by eliminating onerous taxes
• Repeal business personal property tax
The personal property tax is proven job killer. It is universally hated by businesses large and small. Alternatives can be found to replace this outdated tax system for modern revenues for local governments.

Streamline burdensome regulations
• Promote leaner, more clear and predictable rules for businesses
Burdensome regulations can be simplified and reduced, especially for small businesses of less than 100 employees.

• Push for 15% reductions on fees and compliance costs
We need a thorough independent review of all user fees while implementing across-the-board reductions in licensing fees.

Promote energy development and responsible drilling
• Review Colorado Oil & Gas Rules
Costly new regulations imposed by Governor Ritter have our energy industries on life support in Colorado. All regulations should be subject to a serious cost-benefit analysis with the economics losses in jobs and tax revenues given more adequate weight.

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Colorado Senate Republicans unveil agenda for economic recovery.