Senate Bill 21, the "family leave" bill, passed through the Colorado Senate today on a party-line vote. There are arguments to be made on both sides where this bill is concerned, and while we think it's a relatively harmless bill that does more good for families than damage to businesses, we still think the Republicans could be setting themselves up for some damaging advertisements and direct mail in 2006.
You can even make an argument that helping families helps business in the long run, and while there certainly may be an argument against the bill, Republicans have taken to silly soundbytes rather than factual argumentation.
It's going to be easy for Democrats to say in 2006 that Republicans favor business over family. That's a tough position to be in when you're trying to retake control of the legislature.
This may produce negative ads against Republicans, but it will hurt the Dems more. The D's ran entirely on balancing the budget and job creation in '04. As they continue to get businesses to buy in to their TABOR fix, employers are getting backhanded at the capitol. Who is going to measure the success of this regulation on business? With no business support for their ballot initiative, the D's will again have to call on the Fab Four.
Looking to 2006, employers will remember that the R's stood their ground amid potential election backlash to allow the employers to make their own decisions as they govern their own business. The R's recognize that employers know that happy workers equal productive employees. They don't need a college professor with a felxibile schedule to tell them that.
Posted by: Vic | February 15, 2005 at 09:04 AM
Politics is soundbytes, and more people have families than own businesses. I see what you're saying, but which is stronger and hits a nerve with more people:
Republicans choose business over families.
Democrats choose families over business.
Posted by: Alva Adams | February 15, 2005 at 10:06 AM
Nobody cares about this issue, and no, this will not end up on mail pieces. This isn't a driving issue, and R's won't suffer from it.
Posted by: Colorado Hack | February 15, 2005 at 12:15 PM
Wow. Colorado Pols just loves to pimp this particular meme. I guess it's an itch that needs constant scratching.
"I see what you're saying, but which is stronger and hits a nerve with more people"
We certainly know your bias.. er.. how it hits your nerve.
Posted by: Jason | February 15, 2005 at 12:20 PM
Hi all!
Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!
G'night
Posted by: rofovnifo | July 04, 2007 at 04:41 PM