Colorado's Bioscience Industry Leaders and Legislators Focus on 2010 Initiatives At the Annual CBSA 'Bioscience Day at the Capitol'
The second annual "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," being held Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 - 10 a. m., will allow bioscience industry leaders and state legislators to discuss the industry and thoughts on the year ahead. The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) will also present its legislative initiatives for 2010 to the group.
Denver, CO (PRWEB) January 25, 2010
The second annual "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," on Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 to 10 a. m., will allow bioscience industry leaders and state legislators to discuss the industry and thoughts on the year ahead. The announcement is made by Leah Kientz, Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) Director of Public Policy and Programs, who says "This event brings the industry together to discuss ideas to help Colorado bioscience companies grow and prosper, while also providing a forum for legislators to discuss their views on the industry and the legislative session ahead."
The day begins with the CBSA describing Senate Bill 90, which involves creation of the Colorado Capital Investment Bulletin Board sponsored by Senator Mike Johnston (D-Denver) and Representative Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley). SB 90 will provide bioscience and clean technology start-up companies the opportunity to post investment information on a virtual bulletin board through the State of Colorado website. The effort will help investors to locate and view all possible investment opportunities within the two industries in one location.
"With the growing number of start-up companies spinning out of Colorado's research institutions, the Capital Investment Bulletin Board will allow Colorado to showcase the vast amount of technology and innovation being conducted here. The website will also drive more investors to opportunities in Colorado, thereby assisting participating companies to grow their businesses and remain in the state," Kientz explains.
The CBSA "Bioscience Day at the Capitol" will also welcome back Patrick Kelly, Vice President for State Government Relations and Alliance Development for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) who will present "Federal Issues Impacting the Biosciences." He will discuss the current healthcare debates in Washington and also the various policy items each state is facing.
This year's legislative initiatives and policy priorities for the CBSA include:
Tax Policy - Track the tax incentives and credits that are most important to the bioscience industry, and take action to protect those assets.
Higher Education - Continue to support efforts to properly fund higher education in Colorado.
Health Care Reform - Respond to various proposals to reform Colorado's health care system.
Prescription Drugs - Advocate for rules and regulations that protect patient access to needed therapies, diagnostics and devices including biologics.
Bioscience Companies - Respond to proposals that would impact pertinent information including prescription and research data. Ensure that companies in the state are implementing ethical marketing practices, training and the distribution of samples.
Economic Development - Respond to proposals that would impact Colorado's image as a business-friendly state.
Erin Silver, MPH, principal at Denver's Boyle, Silver & Weist Policy Strategists, Inc. has served as the CBSA's contract lobbyist since 2005. Through Erin's commitment and leadership, the CBSA has successfully passed each legislative initiative put forth to the state's General Assembly during this period. Silver received the CBSA Chairman's Award at the annual CBSA Awards Dinner held at the 2009 BioWest Conference & Expo. For more information, visit http://rbwpolicy. com (http://rbwpolicy. com).
Join the CBSA on January 27th at 7:30 a. m. in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the State Capitol to learn more about these initiatives and how you can become involved. To register for "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," please visit https://events. cobioscience. com/index. cfm? action=event&eventid=260 (https://events. cobioscience. com/index. cfm? action=event&eventid=260).
About the Colorado Bioscience Association
The CBSA is a not-for-profit corporation providing services and support for Colorado's growing biosciences industry. With more than 400 members, CBSA actively works to promote the growth of the industry by working for a better business environment, grow the state's biotech workforce, fight for policies that support a strong bioscience industry in the state and speak with a single voice on behalf of the industry. For more information, visit http://www. cobioscience. com (http://www. cobioscience. com).
Contacts:
Leah Kientz, Director of Public Policy and Programs, Colorado BioScience Association - http://www. cobioscience. com (http://www. cobioscience. com) - 303-592-4088
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely PR - http://www. absolutelypr. com (http://www. absolutelypr. com) - 303-984-9801
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