Denver Business Journal - by Bob Mook Denver Business Journal

Echoing the themes laid out by the Senate and House leaders on Wednesday, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday laid out his priorities for 2008 in a state-of-the-state address that was packed with big ideas but thin on funding specifics.

During his 53-minute speech, Ritter discussed the familiar themes of education reform, economic development and health care.

Regarding education, Ritter said he supported recommendations from the P-20 Education Coordinating Council to offer full-day kindergarten to 22,000 more children and increasing funding for the state’s colleges and universities. He also outlined a proposal that aims to align content standards for K-12 with college admission standards.

In economic development, the governor touted increasing the business personal property tax exemption threshold from $2,500 to $7,000, a move he said will reduce the tax burden for more than 30,000 Colorado small businesses.

Ritter also said he would support a $3.5 million annual fund supporting life and bio-sciences businesses. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment for the renewable energy such as wind farms, alternative fuels and solar energy, which he has dubbed "the new energy economy."

"Last year, I said that the new energy economy will become Colorado’s calling card for the 21st century, and it has," Ritter said. Citing deals such as Vestas Wind Systems’ $60 million wind turbine manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ritter said the new energy economy promises "to bring jobs to every corner of Colorado."

To stimulate growth in the state’s new energy economy, Ritter said he supports plans to create a Colorado Carbon Fund, which will provide financial incentives for businesses and individuals to install solar energy panels on their rooftops or to insulate structures.

In health care, Ritter stopped short of promising sweeping, comprehensive reform for the next session, but said he remains committed to his goal of giving all Coloradans access to quality, affordable health coverage. [Read the rest of this article]