Pinnacol Assurance’s Ken Ross still doesn’t get it. The chief executive of the quasi-governmental entity that oversees the largest pool of workers’ compensation insurance in Colorado apparently still believes he’s being imposed upon by having to rethink his practice of treating salesmen and board members to lavish vacations on the company’s earnings.
Caught hosting a five-day, wine-and-golf getaway at Pebble Beach earlier this month, Ross and the three board members who joined the trip are facing calls for resignation from lawmakers. But Ross’ attempt to apologize rings empty and cynical. He says that although such outings are “standard in the insurance industry,” he’ll reevaluate how such trips will be conducted going forward. First, Pinnacol isn’t a fully private business; it enjoys lucrative tax exemptions. Second, while recognition events for top agents are proper, the core problem here is that Ross is getting to treat the board members who set his salary and benefits to these pleasure cruises.
But even on this second point, where is Ross’ recognition that there is a big gulf between acknowledging a job well done and a high-end junket at a five- star resort? When did a nice dinner and a plaque go out of style?
Boat first, pay later. Last week was a good one for tardy or forgetful Coloradans who like to boat. Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law a bill that reduces the late fee from from as much as $100 to $10 for those who don’t register their boat trailers on time. The new law also applies to other non-motorized vehicles under 2,000 pounds and takes effect July 1.
The higher fees were included in a 2009 law dubbed FASTER that increased overall vehicle-registration fees for three straight years to raise money for roads and bridges. We supported FASTER, knowing Colorado needs more than $1 billion in new money each year just to maintain and improve roads, but the high late fees didn’t get much attention and caused quite a stir last summer. Previously, the late fee was $10 and was imposed at the discretion of county clerks.
And a tip of our cap to … the Alliance for Choice in Education, or ACE, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. ACE has provided more than 6,000 privately funded scholarships, worth more than $12 million, to low-income kids. The program has changed thousands of lives.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
