issues

The Bell Action Network serves as the 501©(4) advocacy arm of the Bell Policy Center, taking its research, publications and outreach capacities into the realm of lobbying, organizing, coalition and ballot politics.

Legislation and lobbying: We are actively involved at the State Capitol, lobbying during the legislative session and providing background information for interim committees and individual legislators during the “off season”. This can take the form of formal testimony in front of legislative committees as well as the provision of “Opportunity Notes”. Modeled on the Legislative Council’s fiscal notes, these one-pagers provide information based on the Bell Policy Center’s research, describing how specific legislation promotes or diminishes opportunity in Colorado. During the 2007 legislative session, for instance, we have to date provided testimony on ____ bills and published Opportunity Notes on _____ of them. [Heather please fill in these blanks]

Coalitions: Influencing an up-or-down vote on a legislative measure or amendment is only one part of the legislative agenda. Coalition work among organizations representing diverse affected constituencies is often the most meaningful involvement a research organization can have. It provides us an opportunity to share information on issues on which we have a research background to allies, and move a potential bill or amendment to have a more substantive impact. The Bell Action Network participates in coalitions, some informal and some structured, around fiscal reform, immigration, the 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 the promotion or opposition of specific ballot measures, referred or citizen-initiated. In the last election cycle, for instance, 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, education and initiative reform. 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 to ultimately pass the measure in November 2005.

The bigger picture: making a difference: In considering the role of a think tank in the civic dialogue of Colorado politics, it is important to remember that the political environment here truly requires a broader definition than is traditional. In other states, a think tank might address itself only to policy elites such as legislators, academics and other public policy professionals to have an effect on 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, requires that those who would participate in the development of public policy reach out more broadly and deeply, to voters, to citizen activists, and through media and other channels that have the potential to have an impact on those audiences.

Thus, the Bell Action Network works with activists as well as other decision makers on a variety of different issues related to opportunity and to our agenda of fiscal reform that supports the state’s ability to provide services and programs that enhance that opportunity. Working with citizens’ groups, with issue coalitions, and with grassroots activists to promote our agenda of expanding opportunity, the Bell Action Network leverages the research of the Bell Policy Center to have an impact on Colorado. Get involved!