Blake: Dem legislator raising cash for 'pro-business' colleagues

Published August 12, 2006 at midnight

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The odds are against Republicans recapturing control of the legislature and they may lose the governor's office too. Their only solace could be that the Democrats won't all be in organized labor's pocket.

Rep. Cheri Jahn, speaker pro tem of the Colorado House, has formed an independent fund-raising group to raise money for "pro-business" Democrats running for the General Asssembly.

"Many legislators on my side of the aisle have been consumed with the belief that business people will never support a Democrat," she wrote in a letter to lobbyists. "To that I say hogwash."

Smart business people do not care what side of the aisle people are on, she continued. They simply want lawmakers to understand business issues and take the time to be educated on them.

Jahn, from Wheat Ridge, must be right. A top business lobbyist is urging colleagues to consider giving to Coloradans for Economic Opportunity, as Jahn calls her independent "527" group.

"I'm hopeful you won't view this is a partisan push," wrote lobbyist Donnah Moody. "It's an effort to offset the influence of organized labor in this election and an attempt to shape the legislature in a more business-friendly way. Regardless of which party is in control, we cannot succeed with a pro-business agenda without some votes from Democrats."

Steve Adams, head of the Colorado AFL-CIO, seemed amused by Jahn's push. "It's a pipe dream to think she's going to raise a bunch of money," he said. "But if she does I'll be one of her biggest fans." Democrats need business support to stay in power, he said.

The AFL-CIO will be backing pro-labor candidates - and not just Democrats - with the usual small-donor committees. It is expected to support them later through outside 527s as well. Named after a a chapter in the tax code, 527s can accept unlimited amounts of money.

If some Democrats get business support, so will a few Republicans receive labor money. Ken Chlouber of Leadville, a former legislator who is trying to get back into the House, will get "a significant amount," promised Adams.

Jahn, who's owned a house-cleaning company for 29 years, parted company with labor on the so-called "Fair Share" bill last year. The measure, which failed, would have required Colorado's larger companies to spend a certain minimum amount on employee health care.

"I believe in the ability of business owners to do contract negotiations," she said. Mandates like health care contributions shouldn't be in statute.

Jahn said she supports an increase in the state's minimum wage but is adamantly opposed to the labor-backed initiative that would raise it from $5.15 to $6.85 - and subsequently peg annual increases to inflation.

Why? Because it's a constitutional amendment. "I would never start my people at $6.85," said Jahn. "That's too low. But it should be done through the legislative process. Putting it in the Constitution? I cannot support that."

Jahn said she and labor have disagreed on other issues too. "But I have to stand up for all working families," she said, "not just ones that belong to unions."

Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, said he "wholeheartedly" endorses Jahn's fund-raising effort. "The economy is Job One," he said, noting that he was "camped out" at the chambers of commerce last year promoting Referendums C and D.

Jahn declined to say how much her group, whose agent is Jim Gibson of the Colorado Democratic Leadership Council, hopes to raise and no financial report has yet shown up.

Jahn is running unopposed for her fourth and last term in the House. Republicans will watch her fund-raising efforts with interest, no doubt hoping that she will succeed in weakening labor's influence at the statehouse.

One caustic Capitol observer said this of Jahn: "What's the difference between a business-friendly Democrat and a business-friendly Republican? The Republican knows when he's screwing labor."

Larson splits his ticket: Outgoing Rep. Mark Larson, R-Cortez, frequently failed to vote with his fellow Republicans in the House and now is even endorsing several Democrats in the fall elections.

He's backing Bill Ritter for governor over Bob Beauprez, Ken Gordon for secretary of state over Mike Coffman and neighbor Jim Isgar of Hesperus for re-election to the Senate over Republican Ron Tate of Bayfield.

But he hasn't jumped ship completely. He's also endorsing various Republicans, such as Attorney General John Suthers, Scott Tipton in the 3rd Congressional District, Mark Hillman for state treasurer and Ellen Roberts to succeed him in House District 59.

His support of Isgar is so strong he's even helping the senator with his constituent work while he serves on several committees during the interim.

"I never care about party issues," Larson said Friday. "I care about individuals and who the best person for the job is."

Republicans forgive their members many things but rarely tolerate their endorsing Democrats. Larson's own GOP county chairman has even suggested he quit the party and join the Democrats, according to the Cortez Journal.

A "ludicrous" idea, said Larson. "They want you to have a frontal lobotomy before you join the party and I refuse to do that," he said. "I've been a Republican since 1964, registered since 1968, and I haven't changed from the philosophy of the party I joined. It's a shame neocons have transformed this party into that mindset.

"I'm still a Republican and I'm still proud of my party."

blakep@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5119.

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