Labor Justice

Expanding the Family Affordability Tax Credit

Build upon recent legislation like the Family Affordability Tax Credit (HB24-1311) and the Earned Income Tax Credit by making them permanently funded features of the tax code and adjusting income thresholds periodically to ensure they significantly cut the state's child poverty rate in half, as projected.

Brie will work to modify caps/age requirements to make this program more universal and reach more families in need, as well as ensure these expansions are fully refundable so that they can also receive the full benefit cash-back.

Domestic Wages

Continue and potentially expand the state income tax credit for care workers (HB24-1312) to help stabilize the workforce that provides essential care to children and the elderly, ensuring these workers can support their own families.

Promote "Two-Generation" Approaches

Codify a two-generation approach in human services code, requiring programs (like Colorado Works/TANF) to assess and provide opportunities for children and their caregivers simultaneously, addressing needs for education, economic stability, and social support for the whole family. 

Corporate Profits & Fair Wages

The distance our dollars go just isn't the same. Average grocery prices are up nearly 20% on average (if you have one near you in the first place!), and nearly 1-in-5 renters spend 100% of their income on rent. Meanwhile, those who spend about 30% of their income towards rent are considered burdened, although in Denver, only two years ago, nearly 60% of disabled renter households spend more than a third of their income on rent.

We need to get to work for the working class.

Workplace Democracy

Increase outreach to business owners across the state, especially those nearing retirement, by highlighting employee ownership as a viable and beneficial succession plan.

Repeal the Colorado Labor Peace Act, unleashing the power of worker solidarity in the face of this fascist administration — we need the biggest secondary strike we can muster: a general strike. And Congress needs to pass the PRO Act for all workers!

Student Rights

More apprenticeship programs and union onboarding in schools!

Solidarity with all encampments and student protests. Never let the spirit of debate die just because the right wants a revolutionary civil war. Freedom of speech is the first amendment, and it is only empowered through our organizing, assembly under the First Amendment as well, so we must defend it. 

Department of Labor & Employment

The CDLE, which oversees the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) orders, must be sufficiently funded and empowered to enforce existing labor laws. Robust enforcement prevents wage theft, ensures proper overtime pay, and upholds fair workplace practices.

Department of Law

As of 2022, this department has a worker and employee protection enforcement unit specifically to investigate and enforce wage theft claims and other violations. Strengthening this unit is crucial for penalizing employers who violate labor laws.

New Small Business Grants & Tax Credits

Expand grant programs and tax credits to reduce the financial barriers for small business owners considering employee ownership.

Brienna will work collaboratively to critically examine the tax code to eliminate provisions benefiting corporations at the expense of working Coloradans, small business owners, and artisans.

Workforce Housing

We will partner with companies to create more community and municipal social housing options for their workers. Brienna Parsons will press the state to sue corporations with unhoused workers. We will make that a regular fine that helps fund housing.

Unemployed / Unhoused 

The 15/15L Route will be free. Brienna Parsons will work to make every route free by the end of her first term. She will also get buses with toilets for those long rides!

Thank you to our RTD representation for their assistance towards these goals!

Transportation

Brienna Parsons will build on the legendary successes of Faith Winter, including expanding her transportation bill (SB21-260), which raised billions of dollars for transportation projects and improved the state's roadways and transit options through new fees on fuel, retail deliveries, and electric vehicles. Imagine what we could do with fairer taxation measures.