Another budget bomb is ticking in Colorado, a Colorado Springs Gazette commentary reports

Good morning. Here's a look at news reports from around the state on issues of interest to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy for Monday, July 19, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Trio of ballot measures a threat to Colorado's future
Three of those ballot questions — Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 — pose dire consequences for Colorado's future. These initiatives threaten to devastate our economy, kill jobs and drive businesses out of our state just at a time when we can least afford it. Any early signs of recovery would be erased, and our competitive edge would be lost.
Also: Fort Collins Coloradoan commentary: Ballot item would disrupt tax structure

Denver Post commentary: Tuition flexibility will benefit Colorado higher ed
Colorado higher education got a tool recently that will help it help itself. More than a year and a half in the making, the higher education flexibility bill (Senate Bill 3) received bipartisan support in the legislature and from the governor, as well as unanimous endorsement from college and university leaders.

Colorado Springs Gazette commentary: A budget bomb is on its way
For any school, fire district or county highly dependent upon property tax, a budgetary time bomb is set to go off inside of two years.

Denver Daily News: Vote on anti-tax measures
The Denver City Council tonight will vote on a proclamation opposing three anti-tax ballot proposals that opponents say will cripple government’s ability to provide vital public services.

Colorado News Agency: State Republicans hope to thwart amendment to federal bill
Republican lawmakers sent a strongly worded letter last week to Washington in an effort to thwart a proposal tacked on to an appropriations bill in Congress requiring state and local governments to participate in collective bargaining with labor groups representing police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders.  The letter claimed the proposal would stifle economic recovery in Colorado.


HEALTH CARE POLICY
The Denver Post: State review of Anthem health-insurance rate hikes drags on
A state review of insurance premium increases by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that was to end this month is now expected to drag on for several more weeks, officials say.