Hick’s labor pick earns criticism from Senate leader

Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper continues to name people to his cabinet – but at least one appointment has garnered criticism.

Earlier today, Hickenlooper named Ellen Golombek to the head post at the Department of Labor and Employment.

She is the state Director for America Votes. She has 20 years experience working on labor issues and worked for 14 years with the Service Employees International Union and the Colorado AFL-CIO, where she became the first woman president in 2001.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp criticized her labor-union experience.

He said the appointment was a contradiction of the bipartisan atmosphere promised by Hickenlooper.

“His selection of a noted progressive activist and union boss in Ms. Golombek will certainly raise plenty of eyebrows in Colorado’s business community. And for good reason,” Kopp said.

He noted Golombek will have to go through the Senate conformation process.

“Will she promote policies that make it more costly or less costly for businesses to operate in Colorado? Will she be on the side of the bureaucracy or the taxpayer?” he asked.

Hickenlooper also announced the appointment of Reeves Brown to head the Department of Local Affairs. Brown is currently head of Club 20, a nonprofit political advocacy organization that represents interests in western Colorado. He is based in Grand Junction.

The new governor also named the directors of the department of military and veteran’s affairs, the energy office and the department of health care policy and financing. To read more about those appointments, click here.

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