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The Business Times Contributors THE BUSINESS TIMES OctOber 14-27, 2021JANUARY 15-28, 2015 Opinion Opinion Business BriefsA new year affords Business Peoplea new opportunity to meet local needs Almanac
A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed ambition to do things better.
In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if nobody actually wants what you’re selling.
Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.
The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to growth and other problems they encounter.
The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club.
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It’s a new year. Please help us to do so. F ✦ THE BUSINESSTIMES 609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501
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It’s that time of year when resolutions and prognostications abound. My favorite saying applied to New Year’s resolutions is in saying they’re basically a bunch of promises to break the first week of January. And while I won’t predict a whole lot, I can pretty much accurately nail a few things that without question will make the news. You will see these are pretty, well, predictable: ■ Prediction one: There will be some sort of weather event, natural disaster or heinous occurrence where someone will be interviewed and say the following: “I’ve never seen anything like that in my lifetime.” It’s as if this person is a required attendee at every news reporting event. While I understand most people’s perspective can indeed be limited by, or contained within, their own personal experiences, it is too much to ask to consult some historical perspective before saying such a thing? Yes, this response can apply to some events. But when it comes to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty sure this is simply history repeating itself. Same as it has for millions and millions of years. More important, the planet made it! What didn’t were certain species. How’s that for perspective? ■ Prediction two: When it comes to a crime or something that occurs between humans, the other required attendee at all news reporting events is the person who says this: “They we’re just the nicest people, and in no way did I see something like this coming.” Exactly. No one does most of the time when it comes to neighbors and acquaintances. People should be surprised at what goes on from time to time in their neighborhoods, towns and with people they know because people are good. And for the times that they shouldn’t be shocked — like with politicians, repeat offenders and terrorists — where’s the interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise me in the least.” ■ Prediction three: Something good will happen economically, and the government will take credit for it. The most recent example is gas prices, where people ask me why I won’t credit the president for low gas prices. My answer is simple: Government never makes the price of something go down and simply takes credit for good news. Gas pricing is subject to many global factors. Now there are government answers to addressing some of them to keep prices stable for Americans, but our government has none of them in place. The only things it has in place in the
Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats long run always hurt consumers. Another fact is that unemployment reaches a certain level based on the economy. And while the government might brag the number is low, it’s more than likely the government did something to cause that number being low — and not in a good way. Conversely, when business picks up, it’s because the people who need to buy widgets who were not buying widgets because the economy was contracting due to natural (or unnatural, government caused) reasons, decided we better buy some widgets. The government had nothing to do with this. ■ Prediction four: In keeping with things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to make the claim the economy is getting better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now Craig Hall you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t know the man, but what I know of him and his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus and his abandoning the free market to save the free market. And I don’t know him either. What the government does, and the only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. Unless it does nothing or put criminals in jail instead of partnering with them, nothing the government does will help. Always look at it this way, whatever the government says it is doing, whatever the name of the law it is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy it is presenting to the people, expect the polar opposite to occur. I guess what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s time to get out of our own perspective. There’s plenty of history books and historical research out there to begin to understand that all of this has happened before. And it will again, whether the topic is people or government. The best recommendation is to find some books or try that whole Google thing. There’s a lot of information on the Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t even a good one until the government got involved. There’s also plenty of research on the medieval warm period when the planet was much warmer than today with a whole lot less people (and warmer well before man was here at all). And yep, people have been killing other surprised people since history was first written. Maybe some research will help stop all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be saying we’ve never seen anything like it in our lives. And not in a good way. Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 Copyright © 2021 — All rights reserved. F or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦
Snazzy headline, no? Well, it is to me. It’s a combination of two taglines my dad used when running for the board of education in my hometown of Monroe, Mich., about 50 years ago. One tagline didn’t work. The other did. But I’m not sure which was which.
I’m going to use this column to tell every voter in Mesa County to heed these words. All while taking my cue from the Mesa Valley Education Association (MVEA) in not endorsing, yet endorsing, candidates. I’ve been here 21 years. When it comes to the board of education and the performance of Mesa County School District 51, test scores and improving our schools, we seem to be stuck in a rut with the folks the MVEA actually endorses (while trying to convince you it endorses no one). And if you’re honest, its winning candidates are actually making things worse by the year.
This is where I’m not endorsing to keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them with our schools. It’s my hope you can figure out by my not endorsing anyone in particular, those who aren’t being endorsed should have you voting opposite.
I realize this column might upset some folks I know who work in our schools. I never take my writing lightly, especially when it could hurt the feelings of people I know. But I’m not writing to hurt feelings. Hurt feelings are a result of someone’s reactions to what I write. If those feelings occur and you’re not asking me about what I’m writing or why I’m writing, I’m guessing it’s one of two things. You don’t understand my premise (or yours) or there’s guilt there somewhere. There’s nothing I can do about that.
My premise is simple. There are always people in any vocation who just don’t do a good job. And if you think your vocation is immune, I have a vaccine for you. In D51, the people not getting the job done are at the top. And that’s the board and upper administration. And unless we replace folks at the board level, the next group at the top of our administration will be as bad, or worse, than what we have now. So make your vote count, it’s time for a change.
In the spirit of the MVEA, here are my non-endorsements (and I get to do them while saving a bunch of money while claiming I’m not donating to their campaigns or laundering monies via the state version of my association — although for full disclosure, I did give $100 to other folks I’m not necessarily endorsing here, even though I kinda am) via highlighting candidates the MVEA is “helping” because it hasn’t
Maybe I’m a Pollyanna, but news mostly good learned the meaning of the word Make your vote count, it’s time for a change
I admit I tend to view the proverbial glass as half full rather than half empty. endorsement. Apparently, the members Presented with a pile of horse manure, I’m the guy looking for the pony. I guess of the MVEA are victims of their own I’d rather just count my blessings — cognizant circumstances could be worse and educational shortcomings. Then again, our grateful they’re not. superintendent jokes about a teacher who It’s an approach that applies to outlooks of all sorts, in asked her what the word vag-ue meant particular economic ones. It’s convenient because indicators in her presentation, because that teacher rarely all point in the same direction at the same time. didn’t understand it was the word vague. Consquently, I can’t disagree with the assessment offered I bet that teacher still has a job. Sadly, so at the Western Colorado Economic Summit the news for Mesa does our superintendent. County is generally more good than bad. For that matter, the So here’s who I can’t endorse. I can’t business journal you’re reading at this very moment reports endorse someone who marches with Black news good and bad. I hope, of course, you’ll read all about it. Lives Matter and denies it; associates with But for the sake of brevity, here are some highlights: radical groups and promotes them on social n A combnation of higher prices and large commercial media; and who lectured the current board Phil Castle transactions have pushed the dollar volume of real estate sales to record heights. n Tax collections, a measure of sales activity, continue Craig Hall on all of the race issues the current board has refused to address — and then wipes (like, with a cloth? for Hillary lovers) his to increase in Mesa County. Through the first three quarters of 2021, county sales social media history clean to hide all of and use tax collections were up 21.5 percent over the same span in 2020. Keep in these actions up to the day he announced mind year-to-date collections have increased in each of the last five years. his candidacy. I can’t endorse someone n Still, Colorado business leaders are less upbeat heading into the end of who believes schools should be used to the year according to the latest results of a quarterly survey. The Leeds Business educate kids on health care and politics; Confidence Index dropped 11.2 points for the fourth quarter, but at 56.1 still elements of critical race theory (CRT) while reflected more positive than negative responses. using the lying excuse D51 is not teaching n The Small Business Optimism Index based on monthly surveys of the CRT college course in schools (to get members of the National Federation of Independent Business retreated a point to around accusations) even though he knows 99.1 in September. absolutely elements are being taught and
In addition to real estate sales, tax collections and survey results, still forced on our kids; and thinks these are things other indicators constitute encouraging news. Chief among the opening of new needed to be added to the curriculum D51 is businesses and the expansion of operations. already woefully behind on versus the pitiful
I’m not so hopelessly naive to believe eveything’s hunky-dory or we’re all state averages. And I simply can’t endorse going to sing “Kumbaya” as we skip hand-in-hand to the bank to make another any candidate who attaches herself to the hefty deposit. aforementioned candidates because she feels
On the contary, the COVID-19 pandemic and its reperccusions pose slighted and who’s already been part of the challenges not seen in decades, if ever. I’m even more horrified by the bad direction we’re on as a district. divisiveness that seems to have spread like a contagion through this country. Finally, I’ll never endorse any It’s almost become fashionable, as if spite were the new black candidate the MVEA and state teacher’s
I remain optistic, though, based most of all on the capacity of the human union endorse and fund. I must ask: Why spirit to do well and to do good. If I’ve learned anything over more than 20 years is the MVEA still backing candidates who as editor of a business journal, it’s that entrepreneurs are an especially adaptive continue to underpay, provide dangerous and resilient lot. Over the long run, they’re going to succeed. and inhospitable working conditions
There are lots of reasons to view the glass has half empty or perhaps even and push class sizes that don’t allow for less. I choose to view the glass as half full. effective education? It’s almost like the MVEA doesn’t have the best interests of Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or its paying members (and our children) at phil@thebusinesstimes.com. the forefront. Allow me to help: It doesn’t. A final note on being “for the children.” Every candidate runs on this. It’s just that some want to help kids and others want to mold kids. I can’t support the molders (use any definition you want here). The only candidates I want to become board members are those driven to give my children the best opportunity and environment to learn, And you can’t do that by simply building monstrosities to get your name on a plaque. It comes from getting back to conservative basics in education. Conservative basics are what Andrea Haitz, Will Jones and Angela Lema want FOR our kids. So make your vote count, it’s time for a change. Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.
Coloradans will soon receive a welcome surprise in the mail — a check from their state government. The controller’s office announced enough income tax revenue was generated to issue every Colorado household a modest but meaningful $70 refund.
The idea of reducing the burden on taxpayers seems almost unheard of these days, especially as debate in Washington rages over the Biden administration’s tax-and-spend agenda. But in the Centennial State, policymakers know taxes don’t grow our economy, they slow it down. Gov. Jared Polis understands this truth. Last month he proposed eliminating Colorado’s income tax. “In effect, when you tax something, you penalize it,” he said. While the governor’s proposal might be a tough sell, let’s not forget that just last year Colorado voters approved a proposition to Matt Soper reduce the state income tax from 4.63 percent to 4.55 percent, and residents are working to introduce a similar ballot measure this year to further reduce the rate.
This kind of forward-thinking tax policy flies in the face of negotiations in Washington, where President Biden and some members of Congress have proposed raising the U.S. corporate tax rate.
While increasing rates on “big companies” might make for a compelling sound bite, it doesn’t make for good policy — especially as businesses and workers struggle to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and face renewed threats from the Delta variant. As Gov. Polis noted, raising rates will penalize our job creators and laborers, which will result in fewer jobs, lower wages and less productivity.
Research demonstrates corporate taxes overwhelmingly get passed on to workers. According to a Congressional Budget Office analyst noted, worlers shoulder more than 70 percent of the long-run burden of a corporate tax. This occurs through wage reductions, fewer job opportunities and less investment in training and equipment.
The White House promised a corporate tax increase would affect neither most middle-class families nor 97 percent of small businesses. Yet, an analysis by the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation found that fully 98 percent of Americans who earn less than $500,000 would be affected, including 1.4 million small and family owned businesses set up a C corporations.
Raymond Keating, chief economist of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, cautioned against raising rates as businesses continue to struggle to turn the page on COVID-19.
“Tax increases are always negative, but tax increases when you are trying to recover from a pandemic are really ill-advised,” Keating wrote.
There are ways to ensure major corporations — which employ tax avoidance measures when rates are too high — pay their fair share. That requires keeping rates low, closing loopholes and simplifying the tax code, which would also generate significant revenue. Unilaterally raising tax rates won’t solve the problem. It will make it worse, and put honest, hard-working businesses further behind their larger counterparts.
Nearly four years ago, Congress voted to reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate, which was then the highest in the industrialized world. That realignment put U.S. companies on more equal footing with competitors around the globe and unlocked significant growth throughout Colorado and the United States.
During 2018 and 2019, national wages grew by 4.9 percent, the fastest two-year growth rate in two decades. In 2019, unemployment hit a 50-year low and median household income rose 6.8 percent year-over-year. Weekly wages in Colorado achieved the highest annual growth in the country in the third quarter of 2019 — by a “landslide,” as the Denver Business Journal reported it.
These gains demonstrate what Colorado policymakers know. A competitive tax code benefits our job creators, our workers, our communities and our economy. This shouldn’t be a party line issue. The bipartisan infrastructure package passed by the U.S. Senate last month showed Congress can invest in our country without raising taxes on businesses and workers.
Here in Colorado, Democrats and Republicans are working together to advance tax policy that will grow our economy, create jobs and expand our middle class. I urge leaders in Washington to do the same and oppose any legislation that would raise the U.S. corporate tax rate.
State Rep. Matt Soper, a Republican from Delta, represents parts of Mesa and Delta counties in the Colorado Legislature. F
Regional conference focuses on leadership and economics
Have you ever said to yourself, “Someone should do something about that?” What if that someone was you? Leading others by learning to lead from within is the theme of the Western Slope Economic Leadership Conference. The conference for high school juniors in the region is set for Nov. 2 at the Colorado Mesa University Meyer Ballroom in Grand Junction. The Freedom and Responsibility Education Enterprise (FREE) Foundation hosts the conference as part of its mission to help students and teachers learn about economics, entreprenership, financial literacy and free enterprise.
The conference will feature T.K. Coleman, cofounder and education director for Praxis. The apprenticeship program combines a traditional liberal arts education with academic mentoring, group discussions, practical skills training, professional development workshops and real world business exprience. Coleman also serves as director of entrepreneurial education at the Foundation for Economic Education and travels the nation teaching young people about entrepreneurism and free market economics.
A partnership between the FREE Foundation and Foundation for Economic Education makes the Western Slope Economic Leadership Conference possible. Donations from individuals to defray costs make it possible to offer the conference at no charge to students and their teachers.
The conference begins with a continental breakfast, followed by a nationally recognized keynote speaker, participation in hands-on teaching activities and competitive activities. After a noon buffet, afternoon sessions and a drawing for door prizes follows. Because of the small group discussions and hands-on activities, participation in the conference is limited to the first 150 Western Colorado juniors to register. Some of the smaller schools send their entire junior class. Ample economic and leadership teaching materials are provided at no charge at the conference, enough to teach
Phyllis a full semester of economics. Materials cover such concepts as choice, innovation, Hunsinger market competition, property rights, scarcity and supply and demand. Good leaders are needed throughout society — in businesses, churches and interest groups. And, yes, in all levels government. Moreover, understanding how economic principles apply to the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services is useful to every individual. The conference addresses both the need to help young people develop leadership skills and learn how economics affects their lives. If the statement “Someone should do something about that” resonates, the young people attending the conference well could decide that someone is them. Encourage a high school junior to attend.
Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The FREE Foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com. Reach Hunsinger at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. F Group grateful for help with vaccination clinics
To the editor:
The Western Colorado Trades and Labor Assembly is grateful to our community for their support during these unprecedented times. WCTLA wishes to thank the Colorado AFL-CIO and our affiliate unions who pulled together to make these events happen — AFT Local No. 1876-Colorado WINS, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-IBEW Local 111, Colorado Education Association-CEA. You have our gratitude for co-sponsoring our recent mobile vaccine clinics. This year, more than ever, we have seen the true power of solidarity.
Additionally, I would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing team at Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for their help. These events would not have been possible without you. Due to their assistance, we were able to provide free COVID-19 vaccines for the community. During the course of two community events, we provided 16 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 30 second doses and four booster shots. We also provided eight doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Colorado State Patrol and National Guard, who were on site to ensure everyone’s safety. A special note of appreciation to the local press and radio stations as well as the folks at Colorado Mesa University and Mesa County Health who helped us spread the word about our events. WCTLA would also like to thank Jay Greenberg for the generous use of his property as a staging location for these events. Finally, we would like to thank all members of the community who have been vaccinated in an effort to end this pandemic. Molly J. Anderson affiliate union and allies organizer Colorado AFL-CIO
