Renewable Energy Job Opportunities in Colorado

This comes from State Representative Joe Miklosi of Denver:

Have you ever thought about working in the renewable energy industry?

If you answered yes, then this event is for you.

You are invited to a free Renewable Energy Job Event on February 25 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. A panel of renewable energy job experts will be available to answer your questions and to offer practical advice about earning a job in the new energy economy. During the past three years, over 15,000 jobs have been created in the renewable energy industry in Colorado. Find out more information about how you or someone you know can earn a good paying green job. Free refreshments will be served.
Event Details

Thursday, February 25th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Hebrew Educational Alliance
3600 South Ivanhoe Street
Denver, Colorado 80237

Directions: From I-25, take Hampden west approximately a half a mile. Turn left or south on South Ivanhoe Street. Free parking available in the parking lot.

$116,565

Earlier this week, I passed a bill out of committee that will make it easier for Coloradoans to update their contact information on the Department of Motor Vehicles web site and on the Department of Revenue web site. As a result, the state government will save around $116,000 from postage. This bill will never receive any headlines but it is the type of legislation that I am proud to sponsor because it saves taxpayer's money. Every year, I work on legislation that streamlines government and makes it easier for Coloradoans to conduct their business online with the state government.
PERA

There has been a bipartisan effort to repair PERA so the 440,000 PERA retirees and members can count on a safe, reliable retirement account. As you know, we are confronting one of the worst one year losses – approximately $12 billion dollars in 2008 – which reduced PERA’s resources from $41 billion dollars to $29 billion dollars. If you start this discussion with the premise that we cannot invest our way out of this horrific financial year, sacrifices have to be made to restore financial solvency to PERA.

That’s why my colleagues and I directed PERA’s Board of Trustees to provide us with legislative recommendations to ensure the health and longevity of the fund. We have received those recommendations and are working with a coalition of groups representing past, present and future PERA employees to develop strong legislation that protects the fund while also ensuring all PERA beneficiaries get a fair deal.

If we allow PERA to follow its current course, the fund is not sustainable. That’s not acceptable to me and that’s not acceptable for the people of Colorado. I am committed to making sure PERA remains healthy for the long run so current, past and future public employees can continue to count on it when they retire. I invite your thoughts, ideas and comments and am happy to keep you updated as this important conversation continues to progress because we are all invested in PERA’s ongoing success.

Cancer Consumer Protection Bill

Last week, I proudly supported a bill which requires insurance companies to cover the estimated $3,000 per month costs for certain cancer patients who can only take cancer treatment orally and not intravenously. We heard horror stories about patients who have thin veins and are not being able to receive cancer treatment with an IV but they could not afford the oral cancer pills at $3,000 per month. The insurance companies were paying for the IV treatment, but not the oral care. This bill will change that so consumers can have more options.

Helpful Resources:

IRS: Free Tax Preparation for qualified taxpayers:

www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html

Qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit? If you earn less than $49,000 annually and you have children at home, you may qualify for the EITC tax credit. This credit will allow you to deduct more on your taxes. Check out www.piton.org/eitc or call 211 for more information.

Jobs: Young Adults

Arapahoe, Douglas, Denver Counties Host Youth Job Fair

Anyone age 14-21 already on the lookout for a summer job in Arapahoe, Douglas and Denver Counties will find their best opportunity at a regional job fair from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Colorado Convention Center (700 14th St.).

For more information contact the Denver Workforce Development’s Youth Services at (720) 865-5700 or Arapahoe/Douglas Youth in the Works! at (303) 636-1260.

As always, feel free to call me on my cell anytime at 720-628-8530 or email me at Joe@JoeMiklosi.com with any questions.

Together - we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Joe Miklosi
Your State Representative, District 9, southeast Denver
720-628-8530

I have seen some signs of economic turnaround in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, which was hard hit by the Bush Recession. It's been slow, but there has been some turnaround. Hopefully this event represents the first wave of new jobs hitting Denver and is further sign of recovery.