Pueblo health official ponders 'worst-case' budget for next year

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 Thursday, July 29, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: The Coffee Party's first six months
The Coffee Party movement began in February with a "rant" on Facebook by its founder Annabel Park. Since then it has grown into a phenomenon with over 250,000 followers and it looks as if it is here to stay. It may have started as a reaction to the Tea Party, but it is turning into something more thoughtful and powerful - a movement for good government.


FISCAL POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo health officials get ‘worst-case’ budget
A lot could change over the next five months, and the $6.3 million budget did not include any new grant money, which goes a long way to funding programs, many of them mandated by state law.

Fort Collins Coloradoan: Business group grills council on tax proposal
Instead of trying to influence a decision that had already been made, members of the North Fort Collins Business Association on Wednesday peppered city staff and council members with questions about the proposed 0.85 percent sales tax increase slated to go to voters in November.


ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Colorado News Agency: Food program targets Colorado’s neediest urban, rural kids
The meals program is administered by the Colorado Department of Education and promoted by the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, launched in November of 2009 by Ritter and O’Brien. The meals are hosted by nonprofit groups including local schools, food banks, and faith-based organizations, with the funding coming from the federal government in the form of reimbursements for the meals provided.

Fort Collins Coloradoan editorial: Colorado must prove that kids really do count
Colorado can do better than this. A national report known as Kids Count has ranked Colorado 20th in the nation in overall child well-being. While the state improved two slots since the last report was released in 2009, the ranking demonstrates that Colorado has a long way to go when it comes to prioritizing the welfare of its children.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel: Study: State’s child poverty rate rising