Governor calls for increased infrastructure and education spending in 2017 State of the State addre

Governor John Hickenlooper delivered his second-to-last State of the State address on Thursday morning. The governor began his address with a slight at President-elect Donald Trump, stating, “I couldn’t sleep last night, so I thought about delivering this speech in a tweet-storm,” referring to the President-elect’s late night tweet rantings.

The governor called last year’s election “one of the most toxic political campaigns on record,” and pointed to the Republican Party gaining majority control in the Senate, House and Executive Office of the United States. The governor mentioned this to describe what he called a “new relationship” he expects to see between states and the federal government. The Republican Party has routinely expressed interest in relieving more federal powers to the states. Due to this, the governor called on the legislature to take more responsibility where federal programs may be cutback or relinquished, saying, “we need to chart our own course.”

Citing one of the lowest unemployment rates in Colorado’s history, the governor testified to the strength of the Colorado economy. He cited the state having the best workforces, at the top for innovation and best for job creation. Additionally, the governor pointed to Colorado’s nation-leading tourism industries like outdoor recreation. However, the governor also noted some challenges preventing our economy from climbing higher. The governor pointed to weak infrastructure, a growing cost of living, and a slow recovery, stating, “The future is too far out of reach for too many.”

The governor expressed an interest in modifying the Hospital Provider Fee to control costs in Colorado’s health care spending. The revenues from the Hospital Provider Fee are mostly spent on those who cannot afford health care throughout the state. Attempts to modify the fee were hotly contested in last year’s legislative session and will likely be debated at length this session as well.

The governor noted a roughly $9 billion needed to get Colorado’s infrastructure up to acceptable conditions and that meeting this shortfall will be a priority for his administration. The governor hopes that fixing Colorado’s infrastructure will bring growth not just to urban but rural areas as well. The governor also demanded

high-speed internet throughout all rural communities in Colorado. Broadband internet is currently accessible to 70% of the state and the governor would like to see that percentage increase to 85% by the end of 2018 and 100% by 2020.

Noting further decreases in education funding, the governor asked leaders of both legislative chambers to come up with a bipartisan approach to funding education programs that will not necessarily require a new tax increase. Tax increases must be approved by popular vote. In 2013, the governor lead an effort to create Amendment 66, which would have increased state income taxes to meet shortfalls in education spending. The amendment was ultimately defeated at the ballot box.

Calling small Colorado towns the as a “crucial piece of the fabric of our economy,” the governor mentioned his cabinet’s focus on fulfilling the potential of Colorado’s small towns economies. The governor expects expanded outdoor recreation and tourism to expand the economies of Colorado’s small towns. This summer the governor will be creating a statewide interactive trail map, taking in over 20,000 trails throughout the state. As more and more political capital begins to transition to urban areas, it is difficult to determine if the needs of rural Coloradans will be met.

The governor also expressed a disinterest in tariffs and trade wars, taking another slight at the President-elect who has proposed placing tariffs on imported products from countries that outsource US labor, which many believe may lead to a trade war.

The governor noted a large expansion of Colorado’s energy production in natural gas, solar and wind energy and significant reduction in cost. The governor noted that cleaner air can be achieved without additional costs to consumers.

The governor called for tax revenues to go towards helping those who deal with addiction, the homeless, and veterans. He wants to see these funds go towards job training programs that can help those unemployed get the right training for a job they need. The state collects roughly $70 million a month in marijuana taxes.

Citing unaffordable rent and home prices in Colorado, the governor expressed an interest in implementing a construction defects bill that was defeated in the legislative session of 2016. He hopes this bill will be able to bring down costs for renters and homeowners.

Noting the increase in those having health insurance, the governor was met with applause from his Democratic Party colleagues in the chamber. While many have gained insurance, costs have gone up substantially for many Coloradans, especially in rural areas. However, the governor expressed an interest in finding the underlying causes of increases to health care costs throughout the state. Pointing to the interest of Republicans in congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the governor said he would create a health care plan if the Affordable Care Act is repealed in Washington without a replacement.

The governor ended his speech by calling on all legislators to work together and do what it is in the interests of all Coloradans and not political parties and interest groups. Due to increasing interest group and political party spending in campaigns last year, this goal may be more difficult to achieve than said.