While once local chambers of commerce were seen as a voice for free enterprise and small businesses, some Denver business owners are now alleging that they've become an arm for big government and tax increases.
I'm actually a little surprised it's taken this long for some on the right to begin pushing back against the DMCC. In succeeding years, 2004 and 2005, The Metro Chamber was at the forefront of the passage of the FasTracks RTD project and the Referendum C &D campaign.
In short the DMCC joined forces with a bi-partisan group of legislators and leaders (including Republican Governor Bill Owens) to promote an agenda of investment in Colorado. While zealots and ideologues on the right are only concerned with slashing Colorado's already very low tax rates and cutting our already lowly regarded public services the DMCC has applied the old business philosophy of focusing on return on investment.
The DMCC understands that for Colorado to continue to compete both nationally and internationally it takes an investment in our students, our people and our infrastructure. Spending some money now on improving our schools and social services is a wise and sound investment. We are investing in our own citizens and making Colorado more attractive to outsiders looking to relocate.
Letting Colorado's schools fail and our roads crumble will have a negative effect on future economic development. This is clear and understood by most Coloradans - as evidenced by the success of FasTracks and Ref C. Smart business owners understand this a well. The know that money spent wisely on key investments for the business will show economic return in the long run.
Note too that the DMCC began aligning itself with these causes in 2004, the same election that the rest of Colorado turned out the Republican majority. This is no coincidence. By 2004 it was clear that many of the entrenched Republican's in the legislature had no concern for addressing issues other than perceived hot button social issues. Colorado voters rightly turned them out. Many in the business community obviously came to the same conclusion as average Coloradans - the path we were on was fraught with peril economically and socially. A course correction was needed and the majority of Coloradans, including the DMCC, decided to embrace an agenda of wise investments and pragmatic leadership.
Since 2004 we have seen a Democratic legislature elected, Ken Salazar winning a U.S. Senate seat, Ed Perlmutter elected in CD-7, John Salazar elected in CD-3, Bill Ritter elected Governor, Cary Kennedy elected Treasurer. These all on top of the "big government" programs that Face The State is decrying. This is no coincidence. Coloradans are a pragmatic people, they are less concerned with ideology and partisanship than with finding sensible solutions to our problems. The DMCC's actions simply mirror the overall trends in the state.
Lest you think the DMCC has simply become a bastion of rampant leftism note that the DMCC, and in particular Chamber President Joe Blake, played a significant role in persuading the governor to veto the changes to the Labor Peace Act (HB 1072) early in his 1st year in office. Blake was instrumental in achieving that veto that business interests so desperately wanted. The DMCC has proven itself to be a rational player in state politics since 2004. That Face The State finds their actions so offensive demonstrates just how out of touch with mainstream Coloradans the state's GOP and activist base really are.
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