Amendments 60 and 61, and Proposition 101 would be a disaster for the state, review finds

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 Friday, July 23, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Colo. firms spend millions fighting tax-cutting ballot measures
Colorado companies and business groups are spending about $2.6 million to fight three tax-cutting ballot measures that executives say could damage businesses and derail the state economy.

Pueblo Chieftain: Jobless needn't accept all offers to keep benefits
Jobless workers in Colorado are accepting positions that might not be ideal for their skill sets and professional histories, even though they needn't take those jobs to keep their unemployment benefits.

Denver Business Journal: Legislative Council: 3 anti-tax measures could cost state $2.1 billion
The state of Colorado would lose $2.1 billion in revenue and local government budgets would be thrown into chaos if all three anti-tax measures on the November election ballot become law.

Vail Daily News: County's fiscal crunch coming
The general fund revenue forecast indicates a 15 percent decline from the 2010 budget to those projected for 2012. In addition, projections indicate nearly flat revenue for the ensuing three to five years. That translates into a reduction of the county's general fund budget of $5 million, essentially bringing the county back to 2005 revenue levels.

Canon City Daily Record: Police Chief McNeill proposes fees for services
During the General Government meeting Wednesday, Cañon City Police Chief Duane McNeill discussed the possibility of a fee schedule for the general public. “There are services that are not normal services that are provided to the general public that are not covered by the Colorado Revised Statutes,” he said.


HEALTH CARE
The Denver Post: Colorado wants more rate info from Anthem
Unsatisfied with the information collected as part of a state review of whether a premium rate hike by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was justified, state insurance officials Thursday demanded more data from the company, effectively delaying the analysis even longer than previously expected.
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: Insurance division extends Anthem review


ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Economist: Springs' economic recovery is losing steam
Colorado Springs’ economic recovery is losing momentum as federal stimulus spending and tax credits run out and private job growth remains nearly nonexistent, an economist from the Southern Colorado Economic Forum said Thursday.


ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Fort Collins Coloradoan: Groups look for new approach to ending area homelessness
A new effort to end homelessness, Homeward 2020, is crafting a 10-year plan that would better connect both the chronic, visible homeless and the far larger invisible homeless population with existing services. There are about 140 different churches, nonprofits and government entities offering some sort of aid to the homeless in Fort Collins, according to advocates.

Grand Junction Sentinel: Panel on the homeless begins effort by exploring who they are trying to help
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/panel_on_the_homeless_begins_e
A Grand Junction City Council subcommittee formed to discuss local homeless issues had its first meeting last week. So far, the subcommittee’s only move has been to decide to have more meetings.

Longmont Times-Call editorial: Getting Ahead gives hand up, not a handout
The OUR Center sends clients to Getting Ahead’s series of classes on how to become more self-sufficient, then provides $25 in “farmer’s bucks” to spend at the Farmers Market. This effort falls squarely within the Outreach United Resource Center’s mission: “We help people in the St. Vrain region move toward self-sufficiency by unifying community resources.”

Loveland Reporter-Herald: Help for the homeless: New Loveland resource center to open in September
In September, the House of Neighborly Service will open 137 Homeless Connection, which will operate in the same city-leased building on South Lincoln Avenue used for the inclement day warming center. Yet instead of just providing shelter, the building will be transformed to house an in-depth program that offers homeless residents case management, support and the connections to resources they need to improve their lives.