Success from the session: Performance budgeting, automatic 401(k) advance

It appears that Colorado is moving toward SMARTer budgeting.

Yesterday, Rich Jones, director of policy and research at the Bell, testified in favor of HB 1119, the "State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act."

The SMART legislation would apply performance-based measures to budget decisions for every state department. It would be a useful tool for lawmakers -- but it also would make budgeting more responsive and accountable to state residents.

In stating the Bell's position on the bill, Jones said, "We ... believe in fact-based decision making and that policymakers are most effective when they have a solid understanding of how programs operate, what they are accomplishing and how they compare with one another."

As for the bill's broader implications, Jones said, "Providing understandable, reliable and easily accessible information to the public so they can draw their own conclusions about government operations is critical to ensuring public involvement and support for state government."

The bill garnered bipartisan support, passing unanimously from the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee to the Appropriations Committee.

To read Jones' full testimony, click here.

Another bill for which the Bell provided research and testimony is headed for Gov. Bill Ritter's desk for signature.

SB 35 will increase participation in retirement plans by allowing employers to offer automatic enrollment to employees.

In testifying for that bill, Jones said, "Research has demonstrated that automatic enrollment in defined contribution plans such as 401(k) plans has resulted in a greater percentage of workers participating in these plans. In particular, automatic enrollment has significantly increased participation among lower-income and younger workers, who historically participate in these plans at much lower rates than other employees."

The bill passed 61-1 on the third reading in the House.

To read Jones' full testimony, click here.