The voice of business must be heard at the State Capitol in 2010. \; Unprecedented reductions in Colorado&rsquo\;s state revenues present historic challenges to our state leaders\, and critical decisions about the state&rsquo\;s priorities present opportunities to re-assess the role of government\, develop innovative solutions to change business-as-usual as means to save critical dollars\, and to have the important debate about raising revenue or reducing spending.
Learn how you can help affect the change vital to business&rsquo\; success in Colorado by attending the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance&rsquo\;s 2010 Legislative Preview taking place on Thursday\, January 7 at event host and sponsor Embassy Suites\, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway in Loveland.
As in years past\, you will learn about the NCLA&rsquo\;s priority agenda for 2010. \; \; \; New this year will be panel discussions with lawmakers and other experts on the topics of fiscal policy and budget\, K-12 and higher education\, energy\, labor/workforce and health care. \; A line-up of speakers and an event agenda will be sent out in the next few weeks.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to dialogue with their lawmakers and the NCLA Board about specific concerns and find out how they can get involved in the legislative process throughout 2010. \;
The event runs from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.\, with the doors opening at 7:15. The cost to attend is $20 per chamber/NCEDC member and $25 per non-member and includes continental breakfast. \;
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Attendees to the revamped and expanded event will participate in interactive and engaging panels about critical state policy issues facing the northern Colorado business community. \;Three panels will be offered each featuring issue experts and Northern Colorado legislators. \; \; The panels will be moderated by a member of the NCLA Board of Directors. \;The lineup follows. \;(Those not yet confirmed are noted as &ldquo\;invited&rdquo\;.)
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7:45-8:55 \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Budget and Fiscal Policy &ndash\; Colorado&rsquo\;s Economic Landscape and State of the State&rsquo\;s Budget
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Moderator: Kermit Allard\, NCLA Board Member
Natalie Mullis &ndash\; Chief Economist\, Colorado Legislature
Ben Curtiss-Lusher &ndash\; Policy Advisor\, Governor Bill Ritter
Representative Glenn Vaad &ndash\; House District 48
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Representative Jim Reisberg &ndash\; House District 50
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Representative John Kefalas &ndash\; House District 52
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Representative Shawn Mitchell &ndash\; House District 23 (invited)
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Question and Answer Session
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9:00-10:10 \; \; \; \; \; Education &ndash\; The state of K-12 and Higher Education
Moderator: Doug Lidiak\, NCLA Board Member
Marsi Liddell &ndash\; President\, Aims Community College
Tony Frank &ndash\; President\, Colorado State University (invited)
Kay Norton &ndash\; President\, University of Northern Colorado
Ron Cabrera\, Thompson School District Superintendent (invited)
Senator Bob Bacon &ndash\; Senate District 14
Representative BJ Nikkel &ndash\; House District 49
Senator Scott Renfroe &ndash\; Senate District 13
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Question and Answer Session
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10:15-11:20 \; \; \; \; Energy &ndash\; The State of Colorado&rsquo\;s Energy Sector
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Moderator: \;Bill See\, NCLA Board Member
Jeff Lyng &ndash\; Renewable Energy Policy Manager\, Governor&rsquo\;s Energy Office
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Jim Sims &ndash\; Found and Senior Advisor\, NextGen Energy Council
Representative Cory Gardner &ndash\; House District 63 and 4th Congressional District Candidate
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; John Jacus &ndash\; Davis\, Graham and Stubbs
Representative Randy Fischer &ndash\; House District 53
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Senator Kevin Lundberg &ndash\; Senate District 15 (invited)
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Representative Brian DelGrosso &ndash\; House District 51 (invited)
\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Question and Answer Session
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11:30 \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Adjourn
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Congresswoman Besty Markey is also planning to attend a portion of the meeting and will update attendees on these issue areas at the federal level.
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The continental breakfast is taking place on Thursday\, January 7 at Embassy Suites\, event host and sponsor\, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway in Loveland from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.\, with the doors opening at 7:15. \;Cost to attend is $20 for chamber and NCEDC members and $25 for non-members.
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Click here to register online for the Legislative Preview. \;Call the Loveland Chamber with registration questions at 970-667-6311. \;Contact Paige Oswald with questions about the event or to learn about event sponsorship opportunities at poswald@capitol-solutions.com. \;
The NCLA is the joint public policy advocacy effort of the Fort Collins\, Greeley and Loveland Chambers of Commerce and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation. \;Sustaining investors of the NCLA include McWhinney\, McKee Medical Center\, Woodward Governor and Qwest.