Ritter’s week in review: jobs, energy, budget
By Paula Noonan 
| August 28, 2009 | 11:01 AM
Jobs and new energy captured Gov. Bill Ritter’s attention this week as he released a report from his Jobs Cabinet and co-hosted a regional energy and climate forum in Fort Collins.
Slipped in between these events was the governor’s riposte to Republican challenger Josh Penry, who objects to closing a nursing facility for the developmentally disabled in Grand Junction.
Ritter has said that closing the facility will save $1.3 million this fiscal year. But 57 jobs also will be lost. The governor’s fact sheet states that the closing will save $6.5 million a year and doesn’t mention job losses.
Residents of the facility will be placed in other beds at the Grand Junction Regional Center if they become available, and they may be sent to skilled nursing centers in Pueblo and Wheat Ridge.
Jobs
Ritter’s solution to jobs in the 21st century is defined in his Jobs Cabinet report, produced by business and education leaders. The panel primarily argues for more collaboration among the various entities focused on job creation — work force centers, community colleges and the Colorado Office of Economic Development.
The panel barely touches on drop-out problems in Colorado’s public school system, even though the big job growth will be with “middle skill workers” who have a high school degree and at least two years of higher education. The report doesn’t discuss the money investment necessary to meet its goals.
Energy
The regional energy conference in Fort Collins gave Ritter another chance to promote his “new energy economy.”
“Colorado isn’t just a Mile High state — we’re miles ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to creating a new energy economy,” Ritter said. He cited the state’s doubling of its Renewable Portfolio Standard up to 20 percent of energy production by 2020.
Penry, on the other hand, has called for more energy exploration permits to boost the economy.
Penry, a state senator, said he believes that Colorado has pinched oil and gas drillers with its stricter rules on exploration. He wants to extend the life of Applications for Permit to Drill from one year to two, with an option to extend to a third year. Penry said this strategy will increase jobs and stabilize the energy markets.
Paula Noonan is with Colorado Capitol Watch
bill ritter, colorado, energy, jobs, josh penry, state budget
