Three state legislators from western Colorado each received a score of at least 85 percent on an assessment of their votes on key measures as compiled by a small business advocacy organization.

The National Federation of Independent Business released its voting record for the latest legislative session based on votes on 14 measures ranging from workforce development to employer mandates.

“Though the General Assembly advanced a handful of reforms that support the small business economy, far too many bills that increase the cost of doing business were sent to Gov. (Jared) Polis’ desk and signed into law,” said Tony Gagliardi, state director of the NFIB in Colorado.

“At a time when Coloradans can least afford higher prices, next session the General Assembly ought to reverse course and ease the regulatory burden so that Main Street can continue to create jobs, raise wages and invest in our communities,” Gagliardi added.

State Sen. Janice Rich, a Republican from Grand Junction who represents the Seventh District, voted in agreement with NFIB positions on the 14 measures
85 percent of the time. State Rep. Rick Taggart, a Republican from Grand Junction who represents the 55th District, also scored 85 percent on the record. Matt Soper, a Republican from Delta who represents the 54th District, scored 92 percent on the record. He didn’t vote on one of the measures, but voted in alignment with NFIB positions on the other 13 measures.

Ten members of the Colorado Senate and 17 members of the Colorado House received scores above 80 percent. Only one legislator — State Rep. Mike Lynch, a Republican from Wellington and a member of the NFIB, received a perfect score of 100 percent.

The NFIB voting record for the latest session was based on votes on 14 measures considered in both the Senate and House. The NFIB supported a no vote on 10 of the measures and a yes vote on the remaining four. Gov. Polis signed 11 of the measures into law and vetoed two of them.

The NFIB opposed measures that:

Require employers to notify employees of the availability of federal and state earned income tax credits.

Enables people with disabilities to file complaints for alleged public accommodation discrimination directly with district courts without first exhausting all remedies.

Requires paid family and medical leave benefits be based on the average earnings of all jobs an employee holds.

Prohibits employers from requesting information on employment applications about prospective employees’ ages and dates of attendance of educational institutions.

Requires employers to follow guidelines for each job or promotion opportunity to ensure pay equity.

Amends state anti-discrimination laws to establish harrassment as a discriminatory or unfair practice.

Makes general contractors liable for unpaid wages if a subcontractor fails to pay workers.

Prohibits employers from disciplining employees for failing to attend employer-sponsored meetings to discuss labor organization, religious or political matters.

Grants the state attorney general oversight of agreements between employers and employees concerning reimbursement for educational or training should employees leave prior to a certain time.

Establishes an environmental justice task force within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to study the effects of air pollution.

The NFIB supported measures that:

Requires electronic equipment manufacturers to provide third-party shops with resources to repair equipment. Manufacturers must provide parts, software and tools at a cost no higher than they charge authorized repair centers.

Transfers $3.6 million from the general fund for a program to address workforce shortages.

Establishes that vendors using data from geographic information systems to calculate sales and use taxes are relieved from liability if the data is erroneous.