Denver Mayoral Candidate James Mejia comments on Bell Policy update of Opportunity Lost

(Press release issued by Denver mayoral candidate James Mejia.)

Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Denver Mayoral Candidate James Mejia comments on Bell Policy update of Opportunity Lost

James Mejia, candidate for Mayor of Denver, commented today on the Bell Policy Center report Opportunity Lost . "Colorado's working families continue to struggle. This is unacceptable," Mejia said.

The report, released on December 27, updates the 2004 Opportunity Lost study on Colorado's low income working families. It indicates that low-income families are working harder than ever, yet are still struggling to get by;

• Since 2004, the number of working families living in poverty has increased by 51%.
• More than 25% of families do not earn enough money to cover basic needs.
• In almost half of these families, a parent does not have a high school diploma or GED.
• Low-wage jobs have very little long-term security or potential for advancement.

Based on its findings, the Bell Policy Center makes several recommendations including the need for education from early childhood through adulthood, the integration of the education system with workforce development and the state providing more assistance to families in need.

"Although this report looks at all of Colorado's working poor, the city of Denver as the economic heart of the state must do its part to reverse these trends. This is why we need a Mayor who has both experience in education, preparing our children for the jobs of tomorrow and experience working with the private sector to create those jobs," Mejia said. "I believe strongly in keeping Denver dollars in Denver to reward and retain businesses that locate in the city. We owe it to Denver's working families to put initiatives in place to increase education and job opportunities."

Mejia has said that job creation and retention and education are key Denver's recovery and long-term growth. During a talk with small businesses on December 14, Mejia discussed the importance of an economic policy committed to supporting and promoting local business while at the same time attracting large business opportunities to Denver.

"James looks at this report through the eyes of someone with first-hand experience managing major city departments for two Denver Mayors and the largest capitol construction projects in recent years, which he brought in on-time and on-budget," said Mejia campaign manager Berrick Abramson. "From enacting sound but aggressive economic policy to ensuring every child has the opportunity to go to pre-school, James is the only candidate with the experience needed to tackle these issues on his first day in office."