February 23, 2012 02:41 AM UTC

Max Tyler to Bolster "Small-Business" Argument as HB12-1129 Moves Forward

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• by: Colorado Pols

One of the more effective arguments candyman Rick Enstrom will invariably make against incumbent Rep. Max Tyler is Enstrom’s record as a job creator. It’s because Enstrom’s last name is on every box of a locally produced and popularly consumed candy that he can make the case he knows small business better than most – even if he’s not totally genuine when he makes that case.

Tyler’s a small business owner too, of course, and his sponsorship of HB12-1129 in the legislature this session only strengthens his credentials as an advocate.

From the House Dems’ Communications Shop:

(Denver) – A cornerstone of House Democrats’ 2012 jobs package advanced today when a bill to bolster funding for a successful small business program received bipartisan support in the Economic & Business Development Committee.

The panel voted 10-3 to advance Rep. Max Tyler’s HB12-1129 to the Appropriations Committee.

The bill seeks an extra $300,000 for the state’s network of Small Business Development Centers, which leverage local and federal matching funds to provide instruction and consulting to help turn entrepreneurs’ big ideas into businesses that are thriving – and hiring.    

Rep. Tyler (D-Lakewood) summarized why the SBDC program should be a high-priority investment for state economic development dollars.

“With a staff of four and a General Fund appropriation of less than $85,000, the centers served over 5,500 businesses, created 1,700 new jobs, over 3,600 jobs retained and assisted in more than $132 million in small business capital formation, and this was in 2011,” he told the committee.

The bill is supported by business community institutions like the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the state Economic Development Commission.

“We have a proven, successful program in Colorado that’s been working for over 20 years,” Rep. Tyler said.

With support from the Denver Chamber and its “bipartisan support” in committee, it’s reasonable to suspect that 1129 might just become law. It’s the kind of bill Republicans can get behind of – sure, it promotes an increase in government spending, but it’s spending targeted at small businesses in a program that’s already created jobs.

When Enstrom’s mailers hit touting his accomplishments as a small business owner, then, Tyler’s now got a trenchant counterpoint: he’s worked in the legislature to create jobs and promote small business. That, too, will look good on direct mail.