Colorado governor aligns with Big Tech
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Gov. Jared Polis speaks during ETHDenver blockchain conference Feb. 18, 2022. Photo: Chet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Gov. Jared Polis rose to prominence and made his millions as a tech entrepreneur, so it's no surprise to lawmakers that he repeatedly sided with the industry this legislative session.
Why it matters: The governor used his veto pen and political influence to kill a series of bills that received wide support in the Legislature this year.
- The common denominator: They would have imposed new restrictions on tech companies, as the Chamber of Commerce noted.
Catch up quick: His veto pen struck Senate Bill 86 despite winning approval in the House and Senate by more than 2-to-1 margins. The legislation called for tougher regulations on social media companies to protect children.
- A veto warning led to the demise of a bipartisan Senate Bill 201 that would have required online platforms to verify ages before showing sexually explicit material.
- House Bill 1287 targeted social media platforms and prohibited algorithms designed to extend minor users' engagement.
- Polis expressed concern about Senate Bill 318, which would have imposed new guardrails on artificial intelligence, and it died just days after its introduction.
- His influence also led lawmakers to neuter a bill putting tighter regulations on ride-hailing services, like Uber and Lyft.
What he's saying: In conversations with lawmakers and his veto letter, Polis made clear he believed additional regulations would stifle innovation and "unduly [infringe] on the speech, privacy and liberty rights of all users."
Between the lines: Polis is a Democrat, but often takes a libertarian point of view in supporting market-based outcomes. This ideology helped drive his decisions on the tech bills, lawmakers say.
- "I think he wants Colorado to be a place where tech companies can thrive," said Kouri Marshall at Chamber for Progress, a technology interest group opposed to the new regulations. "We are looking for the executive of the state to stop these bills and allow us to go forward."
The other side: State Sen. Lindsey Daugherty (D-Arvada) sponsored two of the bills the governor opposed. She said lobbying efforts against the measure were overwhelming from the tech industry and Polis.
- "We fought as hard as we could," she lamented.
What we're watching: Technology advocates want Polis to use his veto powers again to reject House Bill 1122, which effectively bans autonomous trucks by requiring an operator to ride along. Polis' administration testified against the bill.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Gov. Jared Polis' administration testified against House Bill 1122 (not in favor).