The Bell Action Network serves as the 501 (c)(4) advocacy arm of the Bell Policy Center, taking the Bell’s research, publications and outreach capacities into the realm of lobbying, organizing, and coalition and ballot politics in Colorado.
Legislation and lobbying
The Bell Action Network is actively involved at the state Capitol, working for legislation and spending that promote opportunity for all in Colorado (and arguing against bills that counteract that goal).
During the legislative session, Bell experts frequently testify before legislative committees, offering insights and guidance based on extensive research. The Bell Policy Center also employs professional lobbyists to track action on legislation and lobby legislators on key bills.
Bell’s research staff may also prepare an Opportunity Note that gives a thumbs-up or thumbs-down assessment of how proposed legislation would affect Colorado as a state of opportunity. These two-page briefs give busy legislators a quick summary of the value or harm of a proposed bill. Bell published 16 Opportunity Notes in 2006 and 13 in 2007.
When the legislature is not in session, Bell experts provide background information for interim committees and legislators preparing for the following year.
Coalitions
Coalition work among organizations representing diverse constituencies is often the most meaningful involvement a research organization can have. It provides an opportunity to share our research on issues with allies, and influence a potential bill or amendment so it can have a more substantive impact.
The Bell Action Network participates in coalitions, some informal and some structured, related to fiscal reform, immigration, prevention of teen pregnancy, health care reform, economic independence for women and girls, and the needs and rights of low-income workers.
Ballot measures
Through the Bell Action Network, our staff takes part both in the formulation and support or opposition to selected ballot measures. In the 2006 election cycle, the Bell Action Network took a position on several ballot measures, and staff played a lead advocacy role in measures related to the minimum wage, K-12 education funding and initiative reform.
In 2005, Bell staff campaigned actively for Referendum C and D and played a major role in organizing the largest and most diverse coalition in Colorado history, helping win voter approval for Ref C.
The bigger picture: making a difference In considering the role of a think tank in the civic dialogue of politics, it is important to know the political environment in Colorado requires a broader definition than in other states. A traditional think tank might address itself only to those in the policy elite, such as legislators, academics and other public policy professionals, to affect legislation or public policy. But in Colorado, the high level of citizen initiative activity, combined with the requirement in the TABOR amendment that voters approve every tax increase, means every voter can potentially set policy. Colorado’s situation requires public policy thinkers to reach out more broadly and deeply to voters and citizen activists, and to use the media and other channels to impact those audiences. The Bell Action Network works with activists and other decision makers on issues related to opportunity and to our agenda of fiscal reform, which supports the state’s ability to provide services and programs that grow opportunity. The Bell Action Network leverages the research and brainpower of the Bell Policy Center by working with citizens’ groups, issue coalitions and grassroots activists to promote the agenda of expanding opportunity. |
