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Legislative work
The Campaign for Economic Justice at the Legislature
The Campaign for Economic Justice is actively organizing for the 2012 legislative session. With a Fair Tax remaining at the at the forefront of our concerns, our campaign will also work with legislators and coalition members to build strong protections for homeowners and reduce the state's reliance on "Big Banks" that have been largely responsible for current financial strungles many of our members are undergoing.
Foreclosure reform bill package:
2011 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2011 legislative session was nothing short of turbulent. From funding threats for school breakfasts for our most needy children, to the ultimate impasse over our redistricting maps; there were few dull moments under the dome this year. And even though the Colorado Progressive Coalition is today observing great accomplishments towards a more just society in 2011- we are in awe over the many challenges and continual efforts that we had to take toward protecting our communities from harm.
The payday lenders didn't waste time trying to roll back the consumer victory of 2010. The hard fought battle to end the predatory debt trap caused by the 500% balloon payment came under serious attack - not once but twice this year. The payday lending industry was able to convince all House Republicans and a handful of House Democrats that they really should be allowed to charge more interest - that their profits were just not enough, and that the hardworking people of Colorado struggling to make ends meet should pay more for their credit needs. The bill passed easily out of the House and made its way to the Senate. But the Colorado Progressive Coalition and the members of Coloradans for Payday Lending Reform stepped up our efforts and turned on the action! It was because of our members, our communities, and our shouting that the payday lending industry failed in the Senate. Our voices were louder than their special interest dollars and we illustrated the power of the people once again.
But payday lenders don't lie down so easily. They were able to slip an amendment on to one of the most important bills of the year with only twenty- four hours left in the legislative session. The House Republicans shamefully supported the payday lending industry putting the health, safety and economic security of all Coloradans at risk for a payday lending payback favor. Senate Bill 78 hung in the balance; 594 rules and regulations that govern and protect our communities would expire without concurrent action by both bodies of the legislature. Senate Democrats along with Senator Ellen Roberts stood up to special interests and upheld a level of sanctity within the legislative process. They voted to adhere to their version of SB 78 and send it back to Speaker McNulty for a final decision. Speaker McNulty was the first to blink in this game of roulette. In the final hours of the session - the House voted unanimously to pass the Senate version of SB 78, without the payday lending amendment, avoiding a $63,000 special session. Crisis averted; payday lending reform was protected in 2011.
In addition to our work in protecting payday lending reforms, the Campaign for Economic Justice also worked closely with Coalition partners to ensure that our state government is responsive to Colorado families, more transparent in its work, and more accountable to taxpayers. As part of the Save our State Coalition, the CEJ helped support the passage of SB11-184 which will require the Department of Revenue to complete a tax expenditure report annually in an effort to provide more accountability for the $2 billion in tax credits, deductions and exemptions within our State tax code