The Bell Policy Center

Working Families Opportunity Act good for families, kids

On the first day of this year's legislative session, Senators John Morse and John Kefalas introduced the Working Families Opportunity Act as Senate Bill 1. That first-bill status reflects the importance that lawmakers place in helping low- and moderate-income families still struggling as we emerge from the Great Recession.

Bell supports extension of Colorado Work Share Program

Rich Jones, the Bell's director of policy and research, testified on Tuesday in favor of Senate Bill 13-157, which would extend indefinitely Colorado's Work Share Program.

Work share is a voluntary program that companies can use to weather short-term business declines. Under the program, employers can reduce the hours of a work force to avoid layoffs. Employees, in turn, can claim unemployment benefits for the reduction in work hours.