The volume was turned up at the State Capitol, March 13.
NFIB notched another hugely successful Small Business Day at the Capitol, its annual event aimed at blunting the force of big money and reminding legislators who employs more Coloradans and generates almost every new job in the state.
The highlight of the day, however, was not a scripted one, but a spontaneous outburst. Hearing of NFIB’s event in the Old Supreme Court chambers, some state representatives invited members over to the House gallery to hear a debate over the minimum-wage rate.
To help make his point against raising the rate, Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg pointed to NFIB members and said no one knew better the negative effects it would cause than the small-business owners here with us today, prompting a ringing applause for NFIB members in the gallery.
This cheer drew a sharp rebuke from House Speaker Mark Farrandino, who pounded his gavel and said such conduct was not allowed. After threatening to empty the gallery, he settled instead for dispatching a couple of state troopers to keep order.
The rest of the day’s events were not as rollicking as that moment in the House, but they were as informative as promised. NFIB members were given special briefings State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso and Senate Minority Whip Kevin Grantham.
At lunch, NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner gave members an overview of Congressional legislation beneficial and harmful to small business, and the gazed into his crystal ball at the General Election ahead. NFIB/Colorado Leadership Council Chairman Mark Hamouz briefed members on various NFIB programs, and State Director Tony Gagliardi continued his legislative briefing from the morning session.
This year’s Small Business Day was exceptional for the opportunity NFIB members were presented to make a little more noise than usual. If you missed this year’s event, please make every effort to join us for next year’s Small Business Day at the Capitol. The more members who attend, the better we are heard, and the greater the small-business message is remembered.
