Elected officials can claim to have a wide reach, well beyond their circle of real influence. That is partly for good reason. Events that occur within a small community often can be linked to larger issues which involve a greater population or geographical area, and then with another step or two, spread a good deal further.
But those linkages do not always mean there is merit in the initiative.
Members of Colorado’s Legislature have recognized a shortcoming in the corporate world, and think they can assist in its correction. Many corporate governing boards include too few females, and the Legislature is proposing House Joint Resolution 1017, urging the corporate world to do better. Add a better balance between genders on boards to improve governance, and to reflect the composition of the country.
This is not a mandate from the Legislature, only a recommendation.
While the Legislature’s attention is shining a light on a significant issue in the upper levels of the business world, the topic is well beyond a state legislature’s reach. The move to a stronger gender balance has been driven by new generations of chief executive officers, leadership consultants and, to some extent, shareholders. State legislatures do not have a role to play in this issue. Let it go.
HHH
Giving Colorado Highway 3 a name, that of Capt. Jeff Kuss, is a fine idea which was approved unanimously this week by the Legislature. Kuss, a Durango High School and Fort Lewis College graduate, was a Blue Angels pilot when he lost his life last June. Kuss was popular in the community and had always wanted to be an aviator.
House Joint Resolution 1015 was sponsored by Rep. Barbara McLachlan (D-Durango) in the House and was heartily sponsored by Sen. Don Coram (R-Montrose) in the Senate. In fact, all members of the House and Senate added their names as co-sponsors.
State Highway 3 runs between the Durango city limits south above the Animas River to the intersection with U.S. 550–160 at the high bridge.
We look forward to seeing the signs go up.
