THE POWER OF PUBLIC POLICY 2014-2015 Annual Report The Bell Policy Center
FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, Coloradans come from many places, cultures and backgrounds. Some of us live in small towns, some in the middle of the city and some in rural areas. But we all share a love for this state and its people — and for opportunity. We want every kid to have the best possible start in life. We want young people to get a great education. We want to support hardworking adults as they build and nurture their families. We want our elders to live with dignity, health and security. We want generations of Coloradans to have access to opportunity
— the chance to make better lives for themselves and their families.
More often than not, public policy helps make the difference. Early education programs so that young children develop their potential. Funding for high-quality schools and for family supports to ensure children are ready to learn. Access to higher education that families can afford. Workforce partnerships that connect companies and workers. Protections so that families don’t fall prey to high-cost loans and employees don’t face discrimination at work. Support for local services so that elders can remain in their homes as long as possible.
Every day, the Bell Policy Center uses the power of public policy to build a better Colorado — a true state of opportunity for all. We identify issues, develop sound and
research-based solutions, build and mobilize coalitions to advocate for these solutions and see them through implementation. On the following pages, you’ll see just a few examples of our work this year — work we are proud to say has made a positive difference in the lives of many Coloradans. Of course, none of this work would be possible without our many allies and supporters. Thank you for being a part of the Bell’s success. Warm regards,
Wade Buchanan President
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Cover photo: Gore Range Sunflowers, courtesy John Fielder Cycle of Opportunity graphic created by Jim Mascolo
The Bell Policy Center’s
CYCLE OF OPPORTUNITY
The Bell Policy Center was founded in 2000 to address the urgent need for a progressive, research-focused approach to public policy change in Colorado. We use the power of public policy to help Coloradans enter and stay in a lifelong Cycle of Opportunity. We bring policy solutions from the idea stage through implementation, using expert research and analysis, coalition-building, strategic communication and advocacy.
A healthy birth. A healthy pregnancy leading to a healthy birth is the first gateway to a life of opportunity. A baby who is born healthy is likely to enjoy more opportunities in life than one not born healthy. A financially secure and healthy retirement. A secure
A safe and stimulating early childhood. A child who is nurtured
and healthy retirement should be the reward for a life of hard work and contribution to family and community.
Earning a decent living and building wealth.
Individuals and families who earn enough to be self-sufficient and to build assets are more likely to enjoy financial stability through retirement and be able to pass on opportunities to future generations.
emotionally and stimulated intellectually during the first years of life is much more likely to develop the self-confidence and cognitive abilities that will lead to greater opportunities throughout life.
CYCLE OF OPPORTUNITY
A healthy adult life. Those who
enjoy sound physical and mental health or are able to get adequate treatment when they need it are likely to be more productive, advance faster in their careers, earn higher incomes and enjoy a better quality of life throughout their adult years.
Building a solid base for literacy. A child who masters
literacy skills in elementary school will enjoy many more opportunities in life than a child who does not master these skills.
Establishing a healthy lifestyle in childhood and adolescence. Kids who develop healthy habits early are more likely to enjoy good health throughout their adult lives and into their senior years.
Leaving high school with a diploma and the skills to succeed. Graduating Access to education and training for adults. Those
who have access to affordable colleges or training programs can obtain the knowledge and skills to become more productive members of the workforce with financially successful careers.
from high school marks the beginning of one’s passage to adulthood. A high school diploma represents the successful acquisition of the knowledge and skills needed to function in the working world or to pursue further education and training.
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2015 POLICY PRIORITIES Develop Strategic Plan for Aging Create Retirement Security for the Next Generation Expand Postsecondary Opportunities
Increase Family Economic Security Increase Family Economic Security
Confront Colorado’s Budget Challenges Confront Colorado’s Budget Challenges
VICTORY: LEADING ON AGING
Our top legislative priority in 2015, the Strategic Planning Group on Aging (House Bill 15-1033) became law, and Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed Bell President Wade Buchanan to the planning group. The Bell was one of the first to draw attention to the upcoming impact of Colorado's aging population, and we're proud of the successful advocacy around this bill. In just 15 years, nearly one in four adults in Colorado will be older than 60. This growth will put financial stress on many people, especially on families, and will place unparalleled demands on public-sector programs and budgets, including housing, transportation, Medicaid and other support services. Colorado is poised to be the first state with a comprehensive long-term strategy for addressing these challenges.
VETO: STANDING UP FOR COLORADANS
The Bell led 15 organizations in urging Gov. John Hickenlooper to veto a last-minute bill that would have increased loan costs for low- and moderate-income Coloradans. The governor used the Bell’s data in his ultimate decision to veto Allowable Finance Charge for Certain Consumer Credit Transactions (House Bill 15-1390), which would have cost Coloradans more than $25 million in additional interest charges. Our work built on the Bell’s past leadership in reforming payday lending, which has saved Coloradans more than $40 million in fees each year. 4 Bell Policy Center 2014-15 Annual Report
UP NEXT: MAKING FAMILIES STRONGER
Two-generation approaches — serving the needs of children and their parents together — have shown great promise in addressing poverty. We are conducting a comprehensive environmental scan of twogeneration policies and programs in Colorado that link education opportunities for adults to quality early childhood education for their children. We’ll be sharing the results and advocating for specific policy and program changes that can improve these links. Stay tuned!
WE LIKE THESE NUMBERS
300,000:
Number of low- and moderate-income working families in Colorado who will be helped by a state Earned Income Tax Credit. Because Colorado’s economy is projected to generate enough revenue, the EITC will be funded this year. Once it is triggered as a TABOR rebate, the state EITC becomes a permanent tax credit set at 10 percent of the federal EITC and available every year. The EITC was one of our top priorities in 2015.
The Bell is the Colorado lead on a nationwide project with the nonprofit Public Works to develop a new national dialogue about government. The project aims to tell the story about how and why we as Americans work together through government to solve problems and build our future. By the beginning of 2016, we will create Colorado-specific tools that will help us drive a new narrative about government’s role in our lives.
675:
Number of tweets we shared about our legislative priorities during the 2015 session. Twitter helped us provide real-time information to legislators, journalists and supporters and helped brand the Bell as a leader on our priority issues.
More than 20: Number of coalitions,
task forces and working groups in which the Bell actively participates. Collaboration is central to our work and essential to successful policies, including the Strategic Planning Group on Aging.
36: Number of bills we worked on in the 2015 legislative session. We had success on 21 bills — a good statistic in a divided Legislature. We testified before House and Senate committees 44 times in support of or opposition to 24 of the bills. At times, these committee hearings stretched on for hours — seven hours was the longest we sat through!
SUCCESS: EDUCATION & WORKFORCE The Bell helped advance five education and workforce bills in the 2015 session. The bills were part of a bipartisan workforce-development package. These bills are good for students, employers and the state.
We also advocated for and monitored the Joint Budget Committee’s use of last year’s performance-based model to fund postsecondary education and fought efforts to weaken the model.
CRAFTING A NEW NARRATIVE
Changing the narrative is critical to our ongoing efforts around fiscal issues. We work to ensure that Colorado’s fiscal policies are reformed so that the state has sufficient revenues to adequately fund state services and the problems imposed by TABOR are fixed. The Bell is currently part of two working groups that are strategizing on next steps for fiscal reform.
TOP PRIORITY AHEAD: RETIREMENT SECURITY
A Senate committee killed our other top priority this session, the Colorado Retirement Security Task Force (House Bill 15-1235), on a party-line vote. Not making retirement security a priority for Colorado is a mistake with serious consequences. Many Coloradans don't have access to workplace retirement savings plans, which we know are the best way for workers to save. Our leadership, research and advocacy around this issue will continue until policymakers take action to help our workers retire securely. We’ll be back in the 2016 session with a bill that addresses this issue.
No plan at work Don’t participate in plan Participate in work plan Bell Policy Center 2014-15 Annual Report 5
THE BELL POLICY CENTER 2014 DONORS Thank you! This list represents donors to the Bell Policy Center from January 1 through December 31, 2014. If we have made an error, please contact our development office at (303) 297-0456, x219 or pecaut@bellpolicy.org.
Shannon Bird Wally Brauer Michael Brewer Rutt Bridges Sue Brown Janet Buchanan Ross Buchanan and Lynn Holland Wade Buchanan Foundations and Will Burt Organizations Bonnie W. Camp AARP Colorado Les Canges Aspen Ascend Fund Gerald Caplan Bohemian Foundation Tanya Caughey Barbara Charnes Brett Family Foundation Paulette Church Center for Responsible Lending Carl Clark, MD Chambers Family Fund Richard Collins Colorado College Tom and Noel Congdon The Colorado Health Foundation Anne C. Courtright The Colorado Trust James Dale Gill Foundation Sue Damour Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation Carolyn Daniels of Colorado Peter Dawson Piton Foundation Deane Family Fund Rose Community Foundation Jean and Frank Dubofsky The Women's Foundation of Tracy and Mike Ehlers Mariana Enriquez Colorado Working Poor Families Project, which Brenda Erickson is supported by the Annie E. Casey, Phil and Janice Farley Cheryl Fellows Ford, Joyce and Kresge Neil Fishman and foundations Thomas Bohlinger Andy and Audrey Franklin Individuals and Lynn Gilbert Family Foundations Ellen Gille Paul Aaker Peggy Gonder Jean Aaro Andrea J. Grant Jandel T. Allen-Davis, MD Rhondda Grant Aloha Foundation Janet Grimmett Mike Altenberg Jessica Gronich John Anderson Richard and Arlyss Grosz Anonymous Mark Grueskin Lauren Arnold Kathleen Hallgren Jonathan Asher Charles and Linda E. Hamlin Sally and Ed Augden Bill Hanna George Awuor Felicity Hannay and Bamboo Fund James Wood Randolph Barnhart Kaaren Hardy Jennifer Bater Catharine Harris Jan Baulsir Anna Jo Haynes Kathleen Beatty Josie and Rollie Heath David Becher Suzanne Helburn Holly Bennett Pamela and Richard Travis Berry Hennessey Lisa Betchey Sigrid Higdon 6 Bell Policy Center 2014-15 Annual Report
2014 Challenge
In August 2014, two of the Bell’s founding donors offered to match all gifts from individual donors through the end of the year. Our suppor ters responded by contributing more than $55,000 to suppor t our work. Many thanks to all who par ticipated in the challenge and to our generous founders. Abigail Hinga Jean Hodges Stephen Holloway Homan Family Fund Andrew Hornbrook Rich Jones Alice and Terry Kelly Gail Klapper Sue Ellen Klein Donna Kornfeld Toni Larson Mollie Cross Leone Joel S. Leventhal Claire J. Levy Jane Lewenthal and Tomo Tsukayama Sarah Lipscomb Leslie Lomas Margaret Anne Long Janet and David MacKenzie Lauren Martens Scott Martinez Mary Alice McComb Heather McGregor Patrick Mieritz Susan Mitchell Bill Mohrman Scott Moore Liane Morrison Roweena Naidoo Chris P. Nielsen Kelly Nordini Julie C. Pecaut Dee Perry Ray Peterson Bob Poelstra Patsy Pollock Marsha E. Porter-Norton Rudy & Alice Ramsey Foundation Rick Reiter Robert and Myra Rich Daniel Ritchie Chaer Robert Garth Rogers Larry Roos David Ruchman and Michel Dahlin
Elaine Rumler Angelika and Wayne Schroeder James and Sheila Schultz Serendipity Fund Mark and Nancy Shapiro Way Shen and Christopher George Peter Shultz David Skaggs Alana Smart and Zeik Saidman Charles Smith TK Smith Wally Stealey Julie Strawn and Andy Hartman Michelle Sturm Alison Suzukamo Timothy Sweeney Penfield W. Tate III John and Carson Taylor Paul B. Thayer Kathleen Tolman Luis Toro Dr. Richard Voorhees and Alice Bedard-Voorhees John Walsh Joe Watt Brent Weakley Cindy Willard Marla Williams Ken Wilson and Nancy Commins Stefanie Winfield Ruth and Kenneth Wright Robert Zachman Laurie Hirschfeld Zeller Joe Zimlich
THE BELL POLICY CENTER 2014 FINANCIAL INFORMATION Revenue and support Contributions Other income Net assets released from restrictions
Unrestricted
Temporarily restricted
Total
$788,912 1,851 422,680
$386,379 –– (422,680)
$1,175,291 1,851 ––
1,213,443
(36,301)
1,177,142
798,781 149,019 87,891
–– ––
798,781 149,019 87,891
1,035,691
––
1,035,691
177,752
(36,301)
141,451
3,574
319,309
322,883
181,326
283,008
464,334
Total revenue and support Expenses Program services Management and general Fundraising Total expenses Increase in net assets Net assets, beginning of year Net assets, end of year
––
Figures based on audited financial statements prepared by Johnson Kightlinger & Co. Full audited financials available upon request. The Bell Policy Center is a nonprofit organization under IRS section 501(c)3, EIN 84-1550841. Contributions to the Bell Policy Center are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
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2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kelly Nordini, Chair Senior Advisor Hilltop Public Solutions
Lauren Arnold, Treasurer Executive Director The Adoption Exchange Jandel Allen-Davis, MD Vice President, Government and External Relations Kaiser Permanente Kathleen Beatty Professor and Dean Emeritus University of Colorado at Denver, School of Public Affairs Michael Brewer Senior Philanthropic and Political Advisor P. Barclay Jones Director of Community Outreach and Services, Leadership Resident Academic Program at Williams Village University of Colorado Penfield Tate III Shareholder Greenberg Traurig LLP We gratefully acknowledge the work of our former board members from 2014-15: Scott Martinez City Attorney, City and County of Denver Linda Morton Former Mayor, City of Lakewood
BELL POLICY CENTER STAFF AND FELLOWS Wade Buchanan, President Regan Byrd, Development and Operations Coordinator Abigail Hinga, Director of Outreach Rich Jones, Director of Policy and Research Elizabeth Owens, Director of Communications Julie Pecaut, Director of Development and Operations Duy Pham, Public Interest Policy Fellow Bob Semro, Policy Analyst Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst
We also gratefully acknowledge the work of our former staff and fellows from 2014-15: George Awuor, Policy Analyst Chris Edmonds, Public Interest Policy Fellow Sarah Freeman, Public Interest Policy Fellow Kathleen Hallgren, Policy and Program Assistant Kristen Jefferson, Social Work Fellow, University of Denver Nikki Kleiman-Moran, Summer Intern Rachel Maremont, Summer Public Interest Policy Fellow Elaine Rumler, Director of Operations Alison Suzukamo, Public Interest Policy Fellow Vanessa Voller, Summer Public Interest Policy Fellow Joe Watt, Director of Communications 8 Bell Policy Center 2014-15 Annual Report
Our mission is to make Colorado a state of opportunity for all — a place where all people can build better lives for themselves and their families. The Bell Policy Center conducts research and analysis on public policy issues, develops policy recommendations and advocates for policies that promote opportunity for all Coloradans. The Bell is nonpartisan and nonprofit. The Bell Policy Center 1905 Sherman Street, Suite 900 Denver, CO 80203 (303) 297-0456 www.bellpolicy.org facebook.com/bellpolicy twitter.com/bellpolicy