In his first policy address to the General Assembly, Gov. Bill Ritter focused his agenda on renewable energy, economic development, education, health programs and transportation.
They all need attention, to be sure, but Colorado’s fiscal realities will temper some of the enthusiasm. Ritter might be the first to point that out, if legislative leaders of both parties hadn’t already beat him to the punch. Still, as House GOP leader Mike May noted, Ritter has been in office for just three days and deserves some latitude.
We think Ritter has chosen wisely in identifying a “new energy economy” as his first priority. He’s offering a bold plan that has the potential to tap Colorado’s considerable base of renewable resources – wind farms, solar parks, biofuel operations – to create jobs in stagnating regions of the state and add new tech jobs that will kindle green growth in an economy now dependent on high-tech operations and not-so-green fossil-fuel resources.
Ritter wants to establish Colorado as a national leader in renewable energy, and why not? The U.S. Department of Energy’s main laboratory for alternative energy sources is located in Golden.
Ritter will launch his initiative with an executive order adopting the Western Governors’ Association’s resolution that calls for a 20 percent improvement in the efficiency of electricity use statewide by 2020. He also set a requirement that will convert the state vehicle fleet to hybrid or flex-fuels as they are replaced and will require state buildings to become more energy-efficient.
Much of what the new governor proposed was refreshing and will need the cooperation of statehouse lawmakers. He opened the door to giving Republicans a strong voice at the table by promising to “always listen,” to seek bipartisan cooperation and to represent all corners of the state. He vowed to have a litmus test for every bill that arrives at his desk – that it help create a better future for Colorado’s children – regardless of which side of the aisle it originated on.
He also set specific goals for making progress on some of the state’s most intractable problems, pledging to provide all Coloradans with access to basic health insurance by 2010, immunizing 80 percent of Colorado children by 2008 and cutting the high school dropout rate by half over the next decade. Legislation already in the works would help accomplish these goals. Some of the benchmarks will be criticized for being too far in the future, but we’d rather Ritter be realistic. Governors are elected for four years, not four months.
To launch a new health care plan, Ritter is moving by executive order to enroll Colorado into a multi-state prescription drug purchasing pool that will enable Medicaid recipients to buy medicines at lower prices. Sen. GOP Leader Andy McElhany said he opposes “politicians and bureaucrats choosing prescription drugs for our most vulnerable citizens,” but something must be done to make medications more affordable.
Progress in other areas – where funding is tight – will be harder to come by. Ritter puts transportation among his top priorities, but new funding sources aren’t obvious. That’s just one of many examples.
