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, May 28, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
Boulder Daily Camera: Boulder looks to end cost-of-living raises for 80 percent of workforce
The city of Boulder is changing its philosophy about how it compensates workers, moving away from a model where everyone gets a raise each year to one where it takes exceptional work to be rewarded.
Denver Business Journal: Ritter signs bill on enterprise-zone tax-credit limits
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday signed a law that limits the amount of enterprise zone tax credits that businesses can claim over the next three years.
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Pilot program puts advertising on city streets
The city has launched a pilot parking-stripe-advertising program on downtown streets and on select city parking lots.
HEALTH POLICY
Face the State commentary: Ballot initiative promoters can lose even when they win
When you must take your initiative to court, you can win the battle on the merits but still lose the war if the decision comes down too late for you to make the ballot.
GENERAL
Durango Herald: Economist urges careful regulation
A housing-industry economist cautioned policymakers Thursday against the unintended consequences of regulation.
ECONOMY
Grand Junction Sentinel: After decline, sales tax report shows slight glimmer of hope
Grand Valley shoppers showed signs of shedding their reluctance to buy toward the end of the first quarter of this year, but their purchases remained well below what they spent in the first three months of 2009.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
New council will examine Coloradans' access to healthy food
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, May 27, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: New food council gets a seat at Colorado table
The 13-member Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, which is expected to begin meeting late this year, will set statewide goals for healthy-food access, as well as the development of a robust, resilient food system.
GENERAL
Colorado Springs Gazette: A.G. may seek court action against Douglas Bruce
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said his office probably would go to district court to seek a remedy against Douglas Bruce for failing to respond to a judge’s order compelling his testimony in a campaign-finance complaint.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Fired up over fee hike
After the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund ran out of money at the beginning of the year, the Colorado Department of Labor borrowed more than $250 million from the federal government. In turn, the state has to raise the unemployment insurance fees on a majority of Colorado businesses to help pay the loan, and its interest, back. The premium rates will go up for Colorado businesses depending in part on their size and the number of employees they have laid off.
Face the State: Two more school districts buy, literally, into lawsuit - despite budget woes of their own
There's a reason it's called the Colorado Association of School Boards; in recent months, the lobby has been proving just how much sway it has over the state's 178 school districts.
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Glenwood Springs City Council adopts local preference ordinance
The Glenwood Springs City Council approved an updated local preference ordinance at last week's meeting, intended to give locally funded projects to local contractors.
Summit Daily News: Gloomy projections have Breckenridge considering lodging tax increases
Council considering raise to accommodations tax to help support marketing, provided local lodging businesses show support.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Springs Independent: Suthers' ruling could make a Memorial sale less likely
If people think the city could sell Memorial Health System to a big corporation and pave streets, they're wrong.
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: Memorial consultant to be paid $285,000
Denver Business Journal: Ritter signs several health measures, including contraception-coverage rule
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed eight health care bills into law Wednesday, including controversial measures requiring all small-group and individual health insurance policies to include contraception and pregnancy coverage and setting up a reward system for Coloradans who report Medicaid fraud.
ECONOMY
Fort Collins Coloradoan: County foreclosure rates improve
Foreclosures in Larimer County, along with the state, improved in April, indicating a recent uptick in the economy.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: New food council gets a seat at Colorado table
The 13-member Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, which is expected to begin meeting late this year, will set statewide goals for healthy-food access, as well as the development of a robust, resilient food system.
GENERAL
Colorado Springs Gazette: A.G. may seek court action against Douglas Bruce
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said his office probably would go to district court to seek a remedy against Douglas Bruce for failing to respond to a judge’s order compelling his testimony in a campaign-finance complaint.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Fired up over fee hike
After the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund ran out of money at the beginning of the year, the Colorado Department of Labor borrowed more than $250 million from the federal government. In turn, the state has to raise the unemployment insurance fees on a majority of Colorado businesses to help pay the loan, and its interest, back. The premium rates will go up for Colorado businesses depending in part on their size and the number of employees they have laid off.
Face the State: Two more school districts buy, literally, into lawsuit - despite budget woes of their own
There's a reason it's called the Colorado Association of School Boards; in recent months, the lobby has been proving just how much sway it has over the state's 178 school districts.
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Glenwood Springs City Council adopts local preference ordinance
The Glenwood Springs City Council approved an updated local preference ordinance at last week's meeting, intended to give locally funded projects to local contractors.
Summit Daily News: Gloomy projections have Breckenridge considering lodging tax increases
Council considering raise to accommodations tax to help support marketing, provided local lodging businesses show support.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Springs Independent: Suthers' ruling could make a Memorial sale less likely
If people think the city could sell Memorial Health System to a big corporation and pave streets, they're wrong.
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: Memorial consultant to be paid $285,000
Denver Business Journal: Ritter signs several health measures, including contraception-coverage rule
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed eight health care bills into law Wednesday, including controversial measures requiring all small-group and individual health insurance policies to include contraception and pregnancy coverage and setting up a reward system for Coloradans who report Medicaid fraud.
ECONOMY
Fort Collins Coloradoan: County foreclosure rates improve
Foreclosures in Larimer County, along with the state, improved in April, indicating a recent uptick in the economy.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Ritter signs a slew of bills into law
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 Wednesday, May 26, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Measure forces ballot initiative disclosures
Sponsors of a bill signed into law Tuesday say the new restrictions on ballot initiative backers could prevent future tangles like those surrounding a series of anti-tax measures before voters this November.
Also: Denver Business Journal: Ritter signs bills on various business issues
Colorado Springs Gazette: Hearing lifts veil on campaign for disputed measures
The head of a professional petition-circulation company in California saw a “cherry opportunity to make a stupid amount of money” by gathering signatures to get three controversial measures on the November ballot in Colorado.
Denver Daily News: Ritter signs bills into law
Measures address DUIs, the State Capitol gold dome, and more.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Building more jail space is fiscally insane
The Denver Post said it is a "wise" decision to further expand Denver's jails. The Sheriff's Department is proposing a 10 percent expansion beyond the 40 percent expansion that already took place with the construction of the Justice Center downtown. The result would be nearly 700 empty beds, 250 more than we have today. What part of 700 empty beds is "wise," especially when many of the other 2,000 beds are filled with repeat offenders?
The Denver Post: Does Congress have any juice left to create jobs?
With the national unemployment rate stuck just under 10 percent, and Colorado’s rate drifting up to 8 percent, labor groups want another round of stimulus spending to create jobs.
Boulder Daily Camera: Erie's elected leaders may ask voters for salary
The town's trustees are considering asking voters in November to allow them to collect a salary for their service.
Grand Junction Sentinel: District 51 employees losing 2 days pay in budget cut plan
All School District 51 employees will lose two days in their 2010-11 contracts in an effort to help balance next year’s budget.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: An economics exam for School District 51
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado News Agency: ‘Pay equity’ panel draws Dems’ cheers, GOP’s jeers
Buried in an avalanche of bill signings today–17 total–the governor OK’d an unheralded measure that creates an 11-member “pay equity” commission within the Department of Labor and Employment.
Durango Herald: Ritter signs payday loans bill
Short-term, high-interest payday loans will begin to disappear from Colorado in August, thanks to a bill Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law Tuesday.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Springs Independent: Suthers: Memorial is a nonprofit
The news came in an unexpected, two-part serving Tuesday afternoon as Colorado Attorney General John Suthers personally delivered his opinion on how a possible sale of the city-owned Memorial Health System and how it might be affected by 12-year-old state legislation.
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: AG: Sale of Memorial to a for-profit won’t make city richer
Associated Press via Greeley Tribune: Ritter to sign new Colorado laws on health care
Bills being signed into law Wednesday include a requirement that children be placed in booster seats while riding in cars. Others track down Medicaid fraud and require that insurance companies cover reproductive services.
ECONOMY
Durango Herald: County sales-tax income drops
These days, not so down is the new up.
Aurora Sentinel: Big drop seen in local April foreclosures
The number of foreclosure filings in Adams and Arapahoe Counties in April 2010 have decreased from the same month in 2008 and 2009, according to statistics released by the state’s housing department Tuesday.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Durango Herald editorial: Financial oversight
Auto dealers look to have escaped being included in the certain-to-be-approved federal financial oversight legislation that is being reconciled by Senate and House committees. To escape different financing limitations and new transparency requirements that will be applied to bank lending, mortgage companies and credit card companies, auto dealers and their national association traveled to Washington with a strong lobbying offensive. It succeeded.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Measure forces ballot initiative disclosures
Sponsors of a bill signed into law Tuesday say the new restrictions on ballot initiative backers could prevent future tangles like those surrounding a series of anti-tax measures before voters this November.
Also: Denver Business Journal: Ritter signs bills on various business issues
Colorado Springs Gazette: Hearing lifts veil on campaign for disputed measures
The head of a professional petition-circulation company in California saw a “cherry opportunity to make a stupid amount of money” by gathering signatures to get three controversial measures on the November ballot in Colorado.
Denver Daily News: Ritter signs bills into law
Measures address DUIs, the State Capitol gold dome, and more.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Building more jail space is fiscally insane
The Denver Post said it is a "wise" decision to further expand Denver's jails. The Sheriff's Department is proposing a 10 percent expansion beyond the 40 percent expansion that already took place with the construction of the Justice Center downtown. The result would be nearly 700 empty beds, 250 more than we have today. What part of 700 empty beds is "wise," especially when many of the other 2,000 beds are filled with repeat offenders?
The Denver Post: Does Congress have any juice left to create jobs?
With the national unemployment rate stuck just under 10 percent, and Colorado’s rate drifting up to 8 percent, labor groups want another round of stimulus spending to create jobs.
Boulder Daily Camera: Erie's elected leaders may ask voters for salary
The town's trustees are considering asking voters in November to allow them to collect a salary for their service.
Grand Junction Sentinel: District 51 employees losing 2 days pay in budget cut plan
All School District 51 employees will lose two days in their 2010-11 contracts in an effort to help balance next year’s budget.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: An economics exam for School District 51
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado News Agency: ‘Pay equity’ panel draws Dems’ cheers, GOP’s jeers
Buried in an avalanche of bill signings today–17 total–the governor OK’d an unheralded measure that creates an 11-member “pay equity” commission within the Department of Labor and Employment.
Durango Herald: Ritter signs payday loans bill
Short-term, high-interest payday loans will begin to disappear from Colorado in August, thanks to a bill Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law Tuesday.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Springs Independent: Suthers: Memorial is a nonprofit
The news came in an unexpected, two-part serving Tuesday afternoon as Colorado Attorney General John Suthers personally delivered his opinion on how a possible sale of the city-owned Memorial Health System and how it might be affected by 12-year-old state legislation.
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: AG: Sale of Memorial to a for-profit won’t make city richer
Associated Press via Greeley Tribune: Ritter to sign new Colorado laws on health care
Bills being signed into law Wednesday include a requirement that children be placed in booster seats while riding in cars. Others track down Medicaid fraud and require that insurance companies cover reproductive services.
ECONOMY
Durango Herald: County sales-tax income drops
These days, not so down is the new up.
Aurora Sentinel: Big drop seen in local April foreclosures
The number of foreclosure filings in Adams and Arapahoe Counties in April 2010 have decreased from the same month in 2008 and 2009, according to statistics released by the state’s housing department Tuesday.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Durango Herald editorial: Financial oversight
Auto dealers look to have escaped being included in the certain-to-be-approved federal financial oversight legislation that is being reconciled by Senate and House committees. To escape different financing limitations and new transparency requirements that will be applied to bank lending, mortgage companies and credit card companies, auto dealers and their national association traveled to Washington with a strong lobbying offensive. It succeeded.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Local governments cutting deeper into public services
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 Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
Colorado Springs Gazette: Witness ties Douglas Bruce to three ballot measures
Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce was a guiding force behind a massive signature-gathering campaign that led to placement on the November ballot of three controversial measures, testimony in a campaign finance complaint hearing revealed Monday.
Also: Associated Press via KUSA: Tax petitioners: Not sure who's funding the effort
FISCAL POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain: D70 cuts more than $540,000
Pueblo County School District 70 central administration is sharing in the $5.8 million in budget cuts made by the district for the 2010-11 school year.
Longmont Times-Call editorial: County back on tax-increase bandwagon?
We’re not against the county helping out its most vulnerable residents. We’re aware that Boulder County has made cuts to some of those programs. But — we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — this is a bad time to be talking about more taxes.
Loveland Reporter-Herald: Financial analysis reveals bright spots amid problem areas
Loveland city councilors will walk to the precipice tonight for a look at how far city revenue might fall this year and next. It’s not a pretty view, but not all the news is bad.
Canon City Daily Record: County saves more than $18,000 by cutting back
The Fremont County officials have announced the resulting savings from closing the administration building one day a week and other cost-cutting efforts.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Pols commentary: Caldara's Anti-"Obamacare" Initiative Sputtering
Face the State's report neatly glosses over the fact that Jon Caldara's initiative is well short of the number of signatures needed to make the ballot.
ECONOMY
Vail Daily: Vail sales tax collections up in March
The town collected more than $2.6 million in sales taxes in March, a 6.7 percent increase over last year's business. Like real estate sales, though, these increases, while welcome, are still baby steps up from a fairly deep hole. Sales tax collections throughout Eagle County in 2009 were off by 20 percent or more from 2008.
GENERAL
Colorado Springs Gazette: Witness ties Douglas Bruce to three ballot measures
Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce was a guiding force behind a massive signature-gathering campaign that led to placement on the November ballot of three controversial measures, testimony in a campaign finance complaint hearing revealed Monday.
Also: Associated Press via KUSA: Tax petitioners: Not sure who's funding the effort
FISCAL POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain: D70 cuts more than $540,000
Pueblo County School District 70 central administration is sharing in the $5.8 million in budget cuts made by the district for the 2010-11 school year.
Longmont Times-Call editorial: County back on tax-increase bandwagon?
We’re not against the county helping out its most vulnerable residents. We’re aware that Boulder County has made cuts to some of those programs. But — we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — this is a bad time to be talking about more taxes.
Loveland Reporter-Herald: Financial analysis reveals bright spots amid problem areas
Loveland city councilors will walk to the precipice tonight for a look at how far city revenue might fall this year and next. It’s not a pretty view, but not all the news is bad.
Canon City Daily Record: County saves more than $18,000 by cutting back
The Fremont County officials have announced the resulting savings from closing the administration building one day a week and other cost-cutting efforts.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Pols commentary: Caldara's Anti-"Obamacare" Initiative Sputtering
Face the State's report neatly glosses over the fact that Jon Caldara's initiative is well short of the number of signatures needed to make the ballot.
ECONOMY
Vail Daily: Vail sales tax collections up in March
The town collected more than $2.6 million in sales taxes in March, a 6.7 percent increase over last year's business. Like real estate sales, though, these increases, while welcome, are still baby steps up from a fairly deep hole. Sales tax collections throughout Eagle County in 2009 were off by 20 percent or more from 2008.
Monday, May 24, 2010
More Coloradans line up against the "Bad Three" ballot initiatives
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, May 24, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Denver homeless connect with medical care, legal advice at Coors Field
On Saturday, 1,000 volunteers helped those in need maneuver through the many booths that offered services from free legal advice, a job fair, vision and diabetes screenings to clothing, food, Colorado identification cards and resources for hundreds of state and local agencies.
Also: Denver Post commentary: Halfway home: Is Denver's 10-year homelessness program working?
Fort Collins Coloradoan commentary: Chamber helps pave 'pathways past poverty'
Here at the United Way of Larimer County, we have spent the past several years focused on issues related to the growing rate of poverty in our community. Through the Pathways Past Poverty initiative, we have looked at the contributing factors, pulled together hundreds of community volunteers and experts, and explored best practices from around the nation.
GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Colorado's ballot process alienates business community
Here is something that may not be apparent about Colorado's comparatively easy initiative petition process: It makes it harder to recruit businesses to come to the state. And it may even drive some away.
Colorado News Agency: Want to kill a bill without voting against it? Study it
High school civics teaches us there are two possible fates for a bill introduced in the legislature: pass or fail. In reality, there’s a third option–amending the bill into a study. And some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will tell you it can be a fate worse than death; it enacts empty verbiage in order to spare the egos of sponsors while giving cover to opponents who don’t want to go on record with a “no” vote. They all can embrace a study.
HEALTH CARE POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Uncomfortable health care decisions
But there is help. April 16th was National Healthcare Decisions Day, and there are many resources available to help all of us begin the conversation about end of life planning.
Colorado Springs Gazette: School health centers keep kids healthy, improve learning
Entrada Health Care Center at Carmel Middle School ... serves Harrision School District 2 students and their siblings from infancy to age 21 who don’t have access to affordable health care.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Political rivals in Colorado seek alliance against three ballot initiatives
Colorado's business and political leaders are searching for ways to mend fences and join forces after a divisive legislative session.
Grand Junction Sentinel: Opponent to ballot measures emerges
The issue committee that has fought several revenue-limiting ballot questions over the past decade and a half is gearing up for yet another battle.
Steamboat Today editorial: A close look at ‘anti-tax’ measures
The November election is almost six months away, but that hasn’t stopped local government officials from sparking discussions about three citizen-led ballot initiatives that we think would have a devastating effect on the ability of state and local government to provide core services for residents.
Denver Daily News: Hick would nix tax hikes?
If elected governor, Mayor John Hickenlooper would make it a priority to eliminate a series of controversial tax increases that were signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter “as soon as economically feasible,” his campaign said Friday.
Denver Business Journal: $17M stimulus grant to fund Colorado student-data program
Colorado is receiving $17.4 million in federal stimulus funds to help it create a statewide system to track student data from preschool through college and on to the workforce, Gov. Bill Ritter announced Friday.
Grand Junction Sentinel: Fewer dollars for District 51
School District 51 has identified $4.4 million in cuts for 2010–11 so far.
ECONOMY
Denver Business Journal: Colorado unemployment rises to 8%; 9,600 more residents working
Colorado's unemployment rate rose to 8 percent in April, even though 9,600 more Coloradans were working than the month before, the state Department of Labor and Employment reported Friday.
Craig Daily Press commentary: Rebuilding consumer confidence is key step
As the local and national economy continues its slow recovery, I am more convinced than ever that consumer confidence is one of, if not the only, indicator that can predict where things are going.
Longmont Times-Call: ‘A change’: City sales tax revenue up
The last time the city’s sales tax revenue went up was in August of 2008.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Denver homeless connect with medical care, legal advice at Coors Field
On Saturday, 1,000 volunteers helped those in need maneuver through the many booths that offered services from free legal advice, a job fair, vision and diabetes screenings to clothing, food, Colorado identification cards and resources for hundreds of state and local agencies.
Also: Denver Post commentary: Halfway home: Is Denver's 10-year homelessness program working?
Fort Collins Coloradoan commentary: Chamber helps pave 'pathways past poverty'
Here at the United Way of Larimer County, we have spent the past several years focused on issues related to the growing rate of poverty in our community. Through the Pathways Past Poverty initiative, we have looked at the contributing factors, pulled together hundreds of community volunteers and experts, and explored best practices from around the nation.
GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Colorado's ballot process alienates business community
Here is something that may not be apparent about Colorado's comparatively easy initiative petition process: It makes it harder to recruit businesses to come to the state. And it may even drive some away.
Colorado News Agency: Want to kill a bill without voting against it? Study it
High school civics teaches us there are two possible fates for a bill introduced in the legislature: pass or fail. In reality, there’s a third option–amending the bill into a study. And some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will tell you it can be a fate worse than death; it enacts empty verbiage in order to spare the egos of sponsors while giving cover to opponents who don’t want to go on record with a “no” vote. They all can embrace a study.
HEALTH CARE POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Uncomfortable health care decisions
But there is help. April 16th was National Healthcare Decisions Day, and there are many resources available to help all of us begin the conversation about end of life planning.
Colorado Springs Gazette: School health centers keep kids healthy, improve learning
Entrada Health Care Center at Carmel Middle School ... serves Harrision School District 2 students and their siblings from infancy to age 21 who don’t have access to affordable health care.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Political rivals in Colorado seek alliance against three ballot initiatives
Colorado's business and political leaders are searching for ways to mend fences and join forces after a divisive legislative session.
Grand Junction Sentinel: Opponent to ballot measures emerges
The issue committee that has fought several revenue-limiting ballot questions over the past decade and a half is gearing up for yet another battle.
Steamboat Today editorial: A close look at ‘anti-tax’ measures
The November election is almost six months away, but that hasn’t stopped local government officials from sparking discussions about three citizen-led ballot initiatives that we think would have a devastating effect on the ability of state and local government to provide core services for residents.
Denver Daily News: Hick would nix tax hikes?
If elected governor, Mayor John Hickenlooper would make it a priority to eliminate a series of controversial tax increases that were signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter “as soon as economically feasible,” his campaign said Friday.
Denver Business Journal: $17M stimulus grant to fund Colorado student-data program
Colorado is receiving $17.4 million in federal stimulus funds to help it create a statewide system to track student data from preschool through college and on to the workforce, Gov. Bill Ritter announced Friday.
Grand Junction Sentinel: Fewer dollars for District 51
School District 51 has identified $4.4 million in cuts for 2010–11 so far.
ECONOMY
Denver Business Journal: Colorado unemployment rises to 8%; 9,600 more residents working
Colorado's unemployment rate rose to 8 percent in April, even though 9,600 more Coloradans were working than the month before, the state Department of Labor and Employment reported Friday.
Craig Daily Press commentary: Rebuilding consumer confidence is key step
As the local and national economy continues its slow recovery, I am more convinced than ever that consumer confidence is one of, if not the only, indicator that can predict where things are going.
Longmont Times-Call: ‘A change’: City sales tax revenue up
The last time the city’s sales tax revenue went up was in August of 2008.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Trouble ahead for Summit County budget
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, May 21, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Principle of Tea Party phenom problematic
It was bound to happen eventually. The Tea Partyers would get one of their own nominated to run for the U.S. Senate, meaning someone would finally have to pay attention to what the guy is actually saying.
ECONOMY
Denver Daily News: Energy jobs bills introduced
Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., believes furthering New Energy Economy will create jobs.
FISCAL POLICY
Summit Daily News: County budget: Revenue could decrease $4.6 million in 2012
Some say it will be the end of the world. But if people are still paying taxes in 2012, the Summit County coffers look to be hit hard.
KUSA: Colorado Department of Labor borrowing millions to pay unemployment benefits
The state's Unemployment Trust Fund has run out of money forcing the Colorado Department of Labor to borrow more than $250 million in federal funds to keep paying thousands of people who are out of work.
GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Principle of Tea Party phenom problematic
It was bound to happen eventually. The Tea Partyers would get one of their own nominated to run for the U.S. Senate, meaning someone would finally have to pay attention to what the guy is actually saying.
ECONOMY
Denver Daily News: Energy jobs bills introduced
Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., believes furthering New Energy Economy will create jobs.
FISCAL POLICY
Summit Daily News: County budget: Revenue could decrease $4.6 million in 2012
Some say it will be the end of the world. But if people are still paying taxes in 2012, the Summit County coffers look to be hit hard.
KUSA: Colorado Department of Labor borrowing millions to pay unemployment benefits
The state's Unemployment Trust Fund has run out of money forcing the Colorado Department of Labor to borrow more than $250 million in federal funds to keep paying thousands of people who are out of work.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Some districts in, others out of lawsuit over school funding from state
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, May 20, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Union presses Ritter on pay-raise bill
The largest union representing state employees has launched a campaign urging Gov. Bill Ritter to sign legislation revamping the pay-raise system for state workers.
Face the State: Douglas County School Board says 'No thanks' to statewide lawsuit
The Douglas County School Board - which presides over Colorado's third-largest school district--recently declined to join 17 other districts that are suing the state for more funding. The districts, which include Jefferson County Schools and Colorado Springs District 11, argue that the state Legislature is shorting Colorado schools and therefore isn't living up to its constitutional obligations to provide Colorado students with a quality education.
Also: Loveland Reporter-Herald: District addresses lawsuit
Grand Junction Sentinel: Colorado’s part-timers getting full job benefits
The state of Colorado pays out at least $10 million annually in full-time benefits to part-time employees, some of whom work as few as 10 hours a week, according to state Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran.
Steamboat Today: Economic leader warns of drastic budget cuts at Steamboat Economic Summit
Preserving millions of dollars in state tourism funds that fuel Steamboat’s resort economy will require a very tough battle in 2011 as Colorado’s next governor will be forced to make severe budget cuts immediately upon taking office, a state economic leader said Wednesday.
Salida Mountain Mail: Council fixes city budget
Facing a budget shortfall of $339,800 and continuous sales tax revenue decline, Salida City Council members unanimously amended the 2010 budget Tuesday during their regular meeting.
HEALTH POLICY
Denver Daily News: Health care reform riding away?
The Revere America campaign stopped in Denver yesterday with its spokesman, former Republican New York Gov. George Pataki, encouraging Coloradans to sign a petition asking Congress to repeal and replace “ObamaCare” with “responsible reforms” to the nation’s health care system.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
KDVR: Help Colorado's Hidden Homeless
Kids with no place to sleep at night; it's a growing problem for school districts across Colorado.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Union presses Ritter on pay-raise bill
The largest union representing state employees has launched a campaign urging Gov. Bill Ritter to sign legislation revamping the pay-raise system for state workers.
Face the State: Douglas County School Board says 'No thanks' to statewide lawsuit
The Douglas County School Board - which presides over Colorado's third-largest school district--recently declined to join 17 other districts that are suing the state for more funding. The districts, which include Jefferson County Schools and Colorado Springs District 11, argue that the state Legislature is shorting Colorado schools and therefore isn't living up to its constitutional obligations to provide Colorado students with a quality education.
Also: Loveland Reporter-Herald: District addresses lawsuit
Grand Junction Sentinel: Colorado’s part-timers getting full job benefits
The state of Colorado pays out at least $10 million annually in full-time benefits to part-time employees, some of whom work as few as 10 hours a week, according to state Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran.
Steamboat Today: Economic leader warns of drastic budget cuts at Steamboat Economic Summit
Preserving millions of dollars in state tourism funds that fuel Steamboat’s resort economy will require a very tough battle in 2011 as Colorado’s next governor will be forced to make severe budget cuts immediately upon taking office, a state economic leader said Wednesday.
Salida Mountain Mail: Council fixes city budget
Facing a budget shortfall of $339,800 and continuous sales tax revenue decline, Salida City Council members unanimously amended the 2010 budget Tuesday during their regular meeting.
HEALTH POLICY
Denver Daily News: Health care reform riding away?
The Revere America campaign stopped in Denver yesterday with its spokesman, former Republican New York Gov. George Pataki, encouraging Coloradans to sign a petition asking Congress to repeal and replace “ObamaCare” with “responsible reforms” to the nation’s health care system.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
KDVR: Help Colorado's Hidden Homeless
Kids with no place to sleep at night; it's a growing problem for school districts across Colorado.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Stimulus money kicks off projects in Grand Junction, Boulder County
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 Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
KUSA via The Denver Post: Douglas County votes to charge fees for school-bus rides
Parents in Colorado's third-largest school district are being asked to pay if their kids want to ride the bus to school.
Colorado Springs Gazette: Attorney general's 23 attempts to serve Bruce come up empty
The Colorado Attorney General’s office has made 23 attempts to serve Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce with a court order compelling him to testify at a deposition in connection with three campaign-finance complaints.
Steamboat Today: Steamboat officials critical of anti-tax ballot measures
They say initiatives would force further cuts and result in fewer services.
ECONOMY
Denver Daily News: Road to jobs leads through … road fixes?
Union calls for federal transportation funding to fix roads, highways, create jobs.
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: Fueling the area economy
The announcement this week by the Governor’s Energy Office that it will use federal stimulus money to help fund two compressed natural gas fueling stations in western Colorado is welcome news. If all goes as planned, the money will help make the Interstate 70 corridor between here and Denver far more accommodating to vehicles using compressed natural gas, and will help boost another market for locally produced natural gas.
Summit Daily News: Sales tax activity in Breckenridge up slightly; tracking with budget
The first quarter of 2010 shows Breckenridge financial activity on track with the town's budget — a better situation than in 2009, when the economic recession led to significant cuts.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Grand Junction Sentinel: State cuts deal with payday lending company
Firm with 13 offices, including one in GJ, will refund clients for overcharges back to 2004.
Longmont Times-Call: BoCo gets $500,000 in federal grants
Boulder County has been awarded a total of $502,700 in federal stimulus money for a housing counseling program and the development of a wildfire protection plan, county officials announced Tuesday.
FISCAL POLICY
KUSA via The Denver Post: Douglas County votes to charge fees for school-bus rides
Parents in Colorado's third-largest school district are being asked to pay if their kids want to ride the bus to school.
Colorado Springs Gazette: Attorney general's 23 attempts to serve Bruce come up empty
The Colorado Attorney General’s office has made 23 attempts to serve Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce with a court order compelling him to testify at a deposition in connection with three campaign-finance complaints.
Steamboat Today: Steamboat officials critical of anti-tax ballot measures
They say initiatives would force further cuts and result in fewer services.
ECONOMY
Denver Daily News: Road to jobs leads through … road fixes?
Union calls for federal transportation funding to fix roads, highways, create jobs.
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: Fueling the area economy
The announcement this week by the Governor’s Energy Office that it will use federal stimulus money to help fund two compressed natural gas fueling stations in western Colorado is welcome news. If all goes as planned, the money will help make the Interstate 70 corridor between here and Denver far more accommodating to vehicles using compressed natural gas, and will help boost another market for locally produced natural gas.
Summit Daily News: Sales tax activity in Breckenridge up slightly; tracking with budget
The first quarter of 2010 shows Breckenridge financial activity on track with the town's budget — a better situation than in 2009, when the economic recession led to significant cuts.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Grand Junction Sentinel: State cuts deal with payday lending company
Firm with 13 offices, including one in GJ, will refund clients for overcharges back to 2004.
Longmont Times-Call: BoCo gets $500,000 in federal grants
Boulder County has been awarded a total of $502,700 in federal stimulus money for a housing counseling program and the development of a wildfire protection plan, county officials announced Tuesday.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Bad Three ballot measures bombed at Denver chamber event
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 Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Denver council might give tax break to businesses with one employee
Under heat from small-business owners, the Denver City Council on Monday initially approved reducing a new registration fee for the so-called "head tax" business owners pay on workers they employ.
Denver Business Journal: Ballot measures loom over Denver chamber lunch
It was all about bipartisanship, good government and coming together on behalf of the community at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce "State of the State" luncheon Thursday. There’s just one problem: It won’t mean a thing if any one of three Draconian, anti-government, anti-investment ballot initiatives are passed by voters this year. Because state and local governments in Colorado won’t be able to do much of anything but pay for police and fire protection if these amendments become law.
ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Sales tax collections rise for a sixth straight month from the year before
Colorado Springs sales tax collections rose for a sixth consecutive month in April, raising hopes among city officials and economists that the local economy is recovering more strongly than expected from its worst downturn in nearly 20 years.
GENERAL
Greeley Tribune editorial: 2010 legislative session a mixed bag
It feels a bit like the 2010 Colorado legislative session was more about putting out fires than real forward-thinking lawmaking.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Denver council might give tax break to businesses with one employee
Under heat from small-business owners, the Denver City Council on Monday initially approved reducing a new registration fee for the so-called "head tax" business owners pay on workers they employ.
Denver Business Journal: Ballot measures loom over Denver chamber lunch
It was all about bipartisanship, good government and coming together on behalf of the community at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce "State of the State" luncheon Thursday. There’s just one problem: It won’t mean a thing if any one of three Draconian, anti-government, anti-investment ballot initiatives are passed by voters this year. Because state and local governments in Colorado won’t be able to do much of anything but pay for police and fire protection if these amendments become law.
ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Sales tax collections rise for a sixth straight month from the year before
Colorado Springs sales tax collections rose for a sixth consecutive month in April, raising hopes among city officials and economists that the local economy is recovering more strongly than expected from its worst downturn in nearly 20 years.
GENERAL
Greeley Tribune editorial: 2010 legislative session a mixed bag
It feels a bit like the 2010 Colorado legislative session was more about putting out fires than real forward-thinking lawmaking.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Colorado poll finds lack of trust in government
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, May 17, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Don't reverse progress on real estate regulation
In the Colorado legislature, a bill pushed by a brash, ultra-conservative senator is sent to the governor for his signature, by a body of citizen legislators who appear to be blindly, blissfully unaware that the sharply lowered level of regulation they ask for is exactly the reason buildings are vacant — and why many, many of our people are homeless and jobless.
Denver Post commentary: Coloradans are a skeptical bunch
Coloradans are skeptical about government. A hefty majority do not believe that their elected officials care what people like them think (61 percent). A similar majority are "bored and turned off by most politicians" (63 percent). Two-thirds think state government is unduly influenced by big campaign contributions.
Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: Suddenly, the Springs is in vogue
Some folks bellyache a lot here in Colorado Springs, bemoaning the cheap voters who won’t approve taxes that we’ve all been told could somehow result in economic development and prosperity. The national press has made a joke of the Springs for its fiscally conservative ways. Meanwhile, the people who decide where to relocate businesses aren’t laughing. They’re planning to move here.
Colorado Springs Gazette: New banking regulator taps experience
Steve Strunk has spent more than three decades preparing for the job he started a month ago as Colorado’s top banking regulator, and that experience likely will come in handy as the state’s banking industry faces its biggest challenges in decades.
Greeley Tribune: Tea time: How big an impact will tea partiers have in November and beyond?
The tea party movement has grown rapidly in popularity and legitimacy since its grass-roots beginnings in the wake of the 2008 presidential election. Despite its growth, it's difficult to assess how much of an impact the movement will have at the ballot box in November or beyond.
Also: Greeley Tribune editorial: Tea party serving a big cup of voters
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Denver Daily News: Enforcing prevailing wage
The Denver City Council tonight is expected to introduce a bill that would allow the city auditor to assess penalties against contractors paying workers less than prevailing wages.
FISCAL POLICY
Colorado News Agency: Business lobby: Session was ‘worst’ and ‘most difficult’ in years
The Colorado business community is looking to November to regain stability after what some business groups say was an upsetting and volatile legislative session.
Denver Post commentary: When "sucking it up" is mostly hot air
Mayor Lionel Rivera and a City Council majority are opposing the Local Jobs for America Act, a bill to put people to work and restore municipal services slashed since the economy crashed. It would borrow $75 billion over two years with the aim of pulling cities out of the recession.
Huffington Post Denver commentary: GOP: Recession's Foreclosure Victims "Want a Homeless Life"
The (Colorado Springs) city council this week doubled down on its conservative extremism, officially opposing a congressional jobs bill that would provide roughly $43 million to the city in much-needed aid. Their rationale? They don't want to add to the federal deficit -- a seemingly principled position, until you realize the same city council has had nothing to say about a far bigger deficit culprit: the profligate defense spending that underwrites about a third of Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colo lawmakers turn to philanthropy for budget
Stung by declining revenue and facing a state budget cliff over the next few years, Colorado lawmakers are increasingly turning to philanthropists, hoping someone will bail them out.
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Rifle feels recession sting, faces budget shortfall
City already cut $1.3 million from its general fund budget for 2010.
Aurora Sentinel: City faces $2.3M shortfall despite improving revenues
The city is poised to face an estimated $2.3 million revenue shortfall this year with sales tax revenues projected at $122 million, according city documents made available before an upcoming Aurora City Council spring workshop this week.
KUSA: Lawmakers may look to lottery to help higher education
Colorado's universities and colleges are facing a dramatic funding shortage that will need a dramatic solution, and they could get help from the lottery.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Fort Collins Coloradoan: Bill will help prevent another meltdown
A much-needed financial reform bill to protect America's economy is being debated in the U.S. Senate. As someone who has been hard-hit by the recent recession, I am intensely aware of how important it is to rein in greedy Wall Street bankers who destroyed our economy for their own personal gain, leaving the rest of us scrambling to make ends meet.
GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Don't reverse progress on real estate regulation
In the Colorado legislature, a bill pushed by a brash, ultra-conservative senator is sent to the governor for his signature, by a body of citizen legislators who appear to be blindly, blissfully unaware that the sharply lowered level of regulation they ask for is exactly the reason buildings are vacant — and why many, many of our people are homeless and jobless.
Denver Post commentary: Coloradans are a skeptical bunch
Coloradans are skeptical about government. A hefty majority do not believe that their elected officials care what people like them think (61 percent). A similar majority are "bored and turned off by most politicians" (63 percent). Two-thirds think state government is unduly influenced by big campaign contributions.
Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: Suddenly, the Springs is in vogue
Some folks bellyache a lot here in Colorado Springs, bemoaning the cheap voters who won’t approve taxes that we’ve all been told could somehow result in economic development and prosperity. The national press has made a joke of the Springs for its fiscally conservative ways. Meanwhile, the people who decide where to relocate businesses aren’t laughing. They’re planning to move here.
Colorado Springs Gazette: New banking regulator taps experience
Steve Strunk has spent more than three decades preparing for the job he started a month ago as Colorado’s top banking regulator, and that experience likely will come in handy as the state’s banking industry faces its biggest challenges in decades.
Greeley Tribune: Tea time: How big an impact will tea partiers have in November and beyond?
The tea party movement has grown rapidly in popularity and legitimacy since its grass-roots beginnings in the wake of the 2008 presidential election. Despite its growth, it's difficult to assess how much of an impact the movement will have at the ballot box in November or beyond.
Also: Greeley Tribune editorial: Tea party serving a big cup of voters
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Denver Daily News: Enforcing prevailing wage
The Denver City Council tonight is expected to introduce a bill that would allow the city auditor to assess penalties against contractors paying workers less than prevailing wages.
FISCAL POLICY
Colorado News Agency: Business lobby: Session was ‘worst’ and ‘most difficult’ in years
The Colorado business community is looking to November to regain stability after what some business groups say was an upsetting and volatile legislative session.
Denver Post commentary: When "sucking it up" is mostly hot air
Mayor Lionel Rivera and a City Council majority are opposing the Local Jobs for America Act, a bill to put people to work and restore municipal services slashed since the economy crashed. It would borrow $75 billion over two years with the aim of pulling cities out of the recession.
Huffington Post Denver commentary: GOP: Recession's Foreclosure Victims "Want a Homeless Life"
The (Colorado Springs) city council this week doubled down on its conservative extremism, officially opposing a congressional jobs bill that would provide roughly $43 million to the city in much-needed aid. Their rationale? They don't want to add to the federal deficit -- a seemingly principled position, until you realize the same city council has had nothing to say about a far bigger deficit culprit: the profligate defense spending that underwrites about a third of Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colo lawmakers turn to philanthropy for budget
Stung by declining revenue and facing a state budget cliff over the next few years, Colorado lawmakers are increasingly turning to philanthropists, hoping someone will bail them out.
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Rifle feels recession sting, faces budget shortfall
City already cut $1.3 million from its general fund budget for 2010.
Aurora Sentinel: City faces $2.3M shortfall despite improving revenues
The city is poised to face an estimated $2.3 million revenue shortfall this year with sales tax revenues projected at $122 million, according city documents made available before an upcoming Aurora City Council spring workshop this week.
KUSA: Lawmakers may look to lottery to help higher education
Colorado's universities and colleges are facing a dramatic funding shortage that will need a dramatic solution, and they could get help from the lottery.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Fort Collins Coloradoan: Bill will help prevent another meltdown
A much-needed financial reform bill to protect America's economy is being debated in the U.S. Senate. As someone who has been hard-hit by the recent recession, I am intensely aware of how important it is to rein in greedy Wall Street bankers who destroyed our economy for their own personal gain, leaving the rest of us scrambling to make ends meet.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Boulder County residents would support sales tax hike to make up for state cuts, poll says
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, May 14, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Think-tank chief challenges Colorado's petition-gathering rules
A federal district judge Thursday heard testimony on a challenge to how citizen-initiative supporters may gather the tens of thousands of signatures required to make the ballot. Free-market think-tank chief Jon Caldara seeks an emergency suspension of a ban on petition circulators being paid per signature, a recent law he says drives up the cost of signature gathering and threatens an anti- health-care-reform initiative he's trying to get on the November ballot.
Face the State commentary: Politics aside, litigation to stop ObamaCare could have real legs
The lawsuit filed in March against ObamaCare was widely dismissed in the media as a no-hoper, a mere political stunt promoted by a baker’s dozen Republican attorneys general seeking higher office, or at least re-election. Not so fast. The number of states suing has grown from 13 to 20, and the amended complaint to be filed Friday in the northern district of Florida will include significant new plaintiffs.
Canon City Daily Record: Panel dives into new health-care legislation
Pueblo Community College-Fremont Campus and Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center teamed up Wednesday at the campus for a health-care discussion.
ECONOMY
Associated Press via Colorado Springs Gazette: Foreclosure filings up in Colorado in first quarter
The state Division of Housing says first-quarter foreclosure filings in Colorado rose 6 percent from the same period last year, but numbers last year were affected by efforts nationwide to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure.
Also: Boulder Daily Camera: Report: Boulder County posts lowest 1Q foreclosure rate in metro area
Also: Denver Daily News: New foreclosure filings up 6%
Also: Denver Business Journal: End of moratorium helps boost Colorado foreclosure sales 54% from 2009
Also: Loveland Reporter-Herald: Larimer County leading the way on cutting down foreclosures
Also: Greeley Tribune: In Weld, job losses adding up to foreclosure sales
GENERAL
Denver Daily News: Gov. Ritter looks back
Calls legislative session a success; GOP says it was ‘taxing.’
Also: Denver Business Journal: Ritter defends Legislature’s record on business issues
Longmont Times-Call editorial: Legislature set, tackled tough agenda
Measuring this year’s legislative session by lawmakers’ own checklist, 2010 was a success.
FISCAL POLICY
Longmont Times-Call: Voters quizzed on possible ballot
Most Boulder County voters would support a new 0.15 percent sales tax to replace funding the state has cut from county social services programs, according to a recent poll.
Salida Mountain Mail: Elected officials direct staff to draft county-wide sales tax resolution
Elected officials will direct their respective staff personnel to begin a draft resolution regarding possible placement of a countywide sales tax initiative on the November ballot.
HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Think-tank chief challenges Colorado's petition-gathering rules
A federal district judge Thursday heard testimony on a challenge to how citizen-initiative supporters may gather the tens of thousands of signatures required to make the ballot. Free-market think-tank chief Jon Caldara seeks an emergency suspension of a ban on petition circulators being paid per signature, a recent law he says drives up the cost of signature gathering and threatens an anti- health-care-reform initiative he's trying to get on the November ballot.
Face the State commentary: Politics aside, litigation to stop ObamaCare could have real legs
The lawsuit filed in March against ObamaCare was widely dismissed in the media as a no-hoper, a mere political stunt promoted by a baker’s dozen Republican attorneys general seeking higher office, or at least re-election. Not so fast. The number of states suing has grown from 13 to 20, and the amended complaint to be filed Friday in the northern district of Florida will include significant new plaintiffs.
Canon City Daily Record: Panel dives into new health-care legislation
Pueblo Community College-Fremont Campus and Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center teamed up Wednesday at the campus for a health-care discussion.
ECONOMY
Associated Press via Colorado Springs Gazette: Foreclosure filings up in Colorado in first quarter
The state Division of Housing says first-quarter foreclosure filings in Colorado rose 6 percent from the same period last year, but numbers last year were affected by efforts nationwide to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure.
Also: Boulder Daily Camera: Report: Boulder County posts lowest 1Q foreclosure rate in metro area
Also: Denver Daily News: New foreclosure filings up 6%
Also: Denver Business Journal: End of moratorium helps boost Colorado foreclosure sales 54% from 2009
Also: Loveland Reporter-Herald: Larimer County leading the way on cutting down foreclosures
Also: Greeley Tribune: In Weld, job losses adding up to foreclosure sales
GENERAL
Denver Daily News: Gov. Ritter looks back
Calls legislative session a success; GOP says it was ‘taxing.’
Also: Denver Business Journal: Ritter defends Legislature’s record on business issues
Longmont Times-Call editorial: Legislature set, tackled tough agenda
Measuring this year’s legislative session by lawmakers’ own checklist, 2010 was a success.
FISCAL POLICY
Longmont Times-Call: Voters quizzed on possible ballot
Most Boulder County voters would support a new 0.15 percent sales tax to replace funding the state has cut from county social services programs, according to a recent poll.
Salida Mountain Mail: Elected officials direct staff to draft county-wide sales tax resolution
Elected officials will direct their respective staff personnel to begin a draft resolution regarding possible placement of a countywide sales tax initiative on the November ballot.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The 2010 Colorado Legislature: Tax breaks, school funds up in smoke, pot passes
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, May 13, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Colo. legislative session ends in a scramble shadowed by future education woes
The 2010 Colorado legislative session closed Wednesday with lawmakers scrambling to pass bills limiting teacher tenure and eliminating a tax break for seniors.
Also: Colorado Springs Gazette: A look back: Tax breaks, school funds up in smoke; pot passes
Denver Post editorial: Tough decisions made at Capitol
With key politicians not running for office this year, lawmakers were able to pass crucial measures, such as education reform.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: Take this jobs bill and stuff it
Sanity and wisdom prevailed this week when the Colorado Springs City Council refused to support a federal jobs bill, introduced by close friend and ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that stands only to hurt the country and cities such as Colorado Springs. Several council members blasted the whole idea of trying to create jobs with federal cash.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Tax credits suspended
Senior citizens and big businesses would be affected under two bills that lawmakers passed yesterday. Senate Bill 190 would eliminate part of the property tax exemptions that qualifying senior citizens get in Colorado, while House Bill 1200 would delay tax credits for Colorado’s largest businesses that operate in enterprise zones. The bills seek to help close an estimated $85 million budget gap in the state budget.
Also: Durango Herald: Legislators put tax break for senior citizens on hold
Denver Daily News: Ritter issues executive order regarding job-creation activities
Gov. Bill Ritter yesterday issued an executive order directing the Colorado Economic Development Commission to include in its annual report to the Legislature additional information about job-creation activities. The order also instructs the commission to prepare a plan to track jobs created from grants, loans and tax credits provided by the Commission.
Also: Denver Business Journal: Ritter orders tracking of tax-credit recipients after proposal dies in Legislature
Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Death tax
We firmly believe the death tax is counterproductive. Analyses have shown the government spends about the same amount in its collection efforts as the tax generates.
Denver Business Journal: Legislature cuts enterprise-zone businesses some last-minute slack
Big businesses located in enterprise zones caught a small break on the final day of the 2010 legislative session, as the Colorado General Assembly increased to $500,000 the maximum amount of income-tax credits they can claim over each of the next three years.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel: Lawmakers amend, OK enterprise tax credit bill
Grand Junction Sentinel: House OKs bill to counter Amendment 61 provision
A bill approved 56 to 9 by the state House of Representatives on Wednesday would provide school districts an alternative way to patch funding holes caused by cash-flow shortages if Amendment 61 passes on November’s ballot.
Sterling Journal-Advocate: Logan County jail to start charging inmates fees
A resolution approving fees charged by the Logan County Sheriff’s Department for committing and discharging prisoners in the Logan County Jail and for taking, approving and returning bonds was approved. State statute authorizes the county sheriff to collect this type of fee up to $30 and Logan County is the only county in the district that has not been charging a fee according to John Johnson, jail administrator. The fee will be a first-time fee of $25 and $10 per bonding.
Vail Daily: Eagle County schools to cut $3.3M
Fifty fewer staff positions and no new buses are among cuts to operating expenses.
ECONOMY
Denver Business Journal: Colorado has 2nd-best economic outlook, says free-markets group
Colorado is said to have the nation’s second-best economic outlook in an annual report by an advocacy group representing conservative state legislators.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Hospital Transfer Act answer likely to come May 25
The Colorado Springs City Council is likely to find out on May 25 whether it can receive money from the sale of Memorial Health System.
Grand Junction Sentinel commentary: Voters should consider health care’s bleak future
February 2015, I think around 9:15 a.m., in a crowded waiting room at the Michael Bennet Federal Hospital in Denver. A tired-looking man trudges in and walks to a round, red plastic dispenser. He pulls a number from the machine — 61 the slip reads. He reports the number and his name to a bored clerk and resignedly sits on the corner of a chipped white Formica table after realizing that there are no vacant chairs left in the room.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Colo. legislative session ends in a scramble shadowed by future education woes
The 2010 Colorado legislative session closed Wednesday with lawmakers scrambling to pass bills limiting teacher tenure and eliminating a tax break for seniors.
Also: Colorado Springs Gazette: A look back: Tax breaks, school funds up in smoke; pot passes
Denver Post editorial: Tough decisions made at Capitol
With key politicians not running for office this year, lawmakers were able to pass crucial measures, such as education reform.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: Take this jobs bill and stuff it
Sanity and wisdom prevailed this week when the Colorado Springs City Council refused to support a federal jobs bill, introduced by close friend and ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that stands only to hurt the country and cities such as Colorado Springs. Several council members blasted the whole idea of trying to create jobs with federal cash.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Tax credits suspended
Senior citizens and big businesses would be affected under two bills that lawmakers passed yesterday. Senate Bill 190 would eliminate part of the property tax exemptions that qualifying senior citizens get in Colorado, while House Bill 1200 would delay tax credits for Colorado’s largest businesses that operate in enterprise zones. The bills seek to help close an estimated $85 million budget gap in the state budget.
Also: Durango Herald: Legislators put tax break for senior citizens on hold
Denver Daily News: Ritter issues executive order regarding job-creation activities
Gov. Bill Ritter yesterday issued an executive order directing the Colorado Economic Development Commission to include in its annual report to the Legislature additional information about job-creation activities. The order also instructs the commission to prepare a plan to track jobs created from grants, loans and tax credits provided by the Commission.
Also: Denver Business Journal: Ritter orders tracking of tax-credit recipients after proposal dies in Legislature
Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Death tax
We firmly believe the death tax is counterproductive. Analyses have shown the government spends about the same amount in its collection efforts as the tax generates.
Denver Business Journal: Legislature cuts enterprise-zone businesses some last-minute slack
Big businesses located in enterprise zones caught a small break on the final day of the 2010 legislative session, as the Colorado General Assembly increased to $500,000 the maximum amount of income-tax credits they can claim over each of the next three years.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel: Lawmakers amend, OK enterprise tax credit bill
Grand Junction Sentinel: House OKs bill to counter Amendment 61 provision
A bill approved 56 to 9 by the state House of Representatives on Wednesday would provide school districts an alternative way to patch funding holes caused by cash-flow shortages if Amendment 61 passes on November’s ballot.
Sterling Journal-Advocate: Logan County jail to start charging inmates fees
A resolution approving fees charged by the Logan County Sheriff’s Department for committing and discharging prisoners in the Logan County Jail and for taking, approving and returning bonds was approved. State statute authorizes the county sheriff to collect this type of fee up to $30 and Logan County is the only county in the district that has not been charging a fee according to John Johnson, jail administrator. The fee will be a first-time fee of $25 and $10 per bonding.
Vail Daily: Eagle County schools to cut $3.3M
Fifty fewer staff positions and no new buses are among cuts to operating expenses.
ECONOMY
Denver Business Journal: Colorado has 2nd-best economic outlook, says free-markets group
Colorado is said to have the nation’s second-best economic outlook in an annual report by an advocacy group representing conservative state legislators.
HEALTH POLICY
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Hospital Transfer Act answer likely to come May 25
The Colorado Springs City Council is likely to find out on May 25 whether it can receive money from the sale of Memorial Health System.
Grand Junction Sentinel commentary: Voters should consider health care’s bleak future
February 2015, I think around 9:15 a.m., in a crowded waiting room at the Michael Bennet Federal Hospital in Denver. A tired-looking man trudges in and walks to a round, red plastic dispenser. He pulls a number from the machine — 61 the slip reads. He reports the number and his name to a bored clerk and resignedly sits on the corner of a chipped white Formica table after realizing that there are no vacant chairs left in the room.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Denver businesses see danger with the Bad Three
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 Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Listing here does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
Denver Post editorial: Hits and misses under the dome
From higher ed funding to union dues and even the Capitol itself, the 2010 legislature took on a wealth of thorny issues.
Colorado Springs Gazette: Douglas Bruce must appear for deposition, district court says
A Denver district court judge has issued an order requiring anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce to appear for a deposition in connection with campaign finance complaints filed against the backers of three statewide measures that will be on the November ballot.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Bill would partially restore home tax break for seniors
Colorado seniors still could get a partial break on their property taxes the next two years — rather than nothing — under a House proposal that must still survive Senate review.
The Denver Post: Roads to be less traveled with taxpayer funds
Public employees driving taxpayer-purchased cars would have to reimburse the state for the miles they travel to and from work in the vehicles if lawmakers continue to give approval to House Bill 1287.
Also: Colorado News Agency: Applying the brakes to personal use of state vehicles
Denver Business Journal: Denver businesses blast Nov. ballot issues
The Denver business community Tuesday jumped into the battle over three massive spending-reduction amendments on the November ballot, arguing that the measures would make Colorado an "investment-flight state."
Durango Herald: County commission drops road fees
La Plata County will not impose road-impact fees on new development after county commissioners failed to come to an agreement on the proposal.
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Silt board follows through with further budget cuts
The Silt Board of Trustees took formal action Monday to ratify a series of drastic budget cuts agreed to last month, including the elimination of the town's two-person planning department.
HEALTH POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Straw men
Let us review. Perhaps the most controversial policy of this president’s tenure in the White House has been over health care. But did the president — and his fellow Democrats in Congress — allow Republicans to help craft any compromise or even participate in democratic deliberation? No, they allowed no Republican amendments to see the light of day. And now they are surprised to find a large majority of Americans are unhappy with ObamaCare?
ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colorado buffered from worst construction industry job hits
“As (this) report makes clear, the impacts of the stimulus are now being felt across a much broader section of the construction industry,” he said, adding that the industry’s unemployment rate had sifted down slightly to 24.9 percent from a high of 27.1 percent during February.
Steamboat Today: Steamboat economist weighs recession
A diverse economy allowed Routt County to weather the worst of the recession better than most areas, a local economist said Tuesday, adding that financial forecasts appear to be brightening.
Vail Daily: Vail Valley ‘smart loans' program hits roadblock
County officials had found money and laid the legal groundwork for the “smart loan” program — which will provide loans for energy-efficient home improvements to local residents. The program was supposed to start taking applications this month, with work on projects starting this summer.
GENERAL
Denver Post editorial: Hits and misses under the dome
From higher ed funding to union dues and even the Capitol itself, the 2010 legislature took on a wealth of thorny issues.
Colorado Springs Gazette: Douglas Bruce must appear for deposition, district court says
A Denver district court judge has issued an order requiring anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce to appear for a deposition in connection with campaign finance complaints filed against the backers of three statewide measures that will be on the November ballot.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Bill would partially restore home tax break for seniors
Colorado seniors still could get a partial break on their property taxes the next two years — rather than nothing — under a House proposal that must still survive Senate review.
The Denver Post: Roads to be less traveled with taxpayer funds
Public employees driving taxpayer-purchased cars would have to reimburse the state for the miles they travel to and from work in the vehicles if lawmakers continue to give approval to House Bill 1287.
Also: Colorado News Agency: Applying the brakes to personal use of state vehicles
Denver Business Journal: Denver businesses blast Nov. ballot issues
The Denver business community Tuesday jumped into the battle over three massive spending-reduction amendments on the November ballot, arguing that the measures would make Colorado an "investment-flight state."
Durango Herald: County commission drops road fees
La Plata County will not impose road-impact fees on new development after county commissioners failed to come to an agreement on the proposal.
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Silt board follows through with further budget cuts
The Silt Board of Trustees took formal action Monday to ratify a series of drastic budget cuts agreed to last month, including the elimination of the town's two-person planning department.
HEALTH POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Straw men
Let us review. Perhaps the most controversial policy of this president’s tenure in the White House has been over health care. But did the president — and his fellow Democrats in Congress — allow Republicans to help craft any compromise or even participate in democratic deliberation? No, they allowed no Republican amendments to see the light of day. And now they are surprised to find a large majority of Americans are unhappy with ObamaCare?
ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colorado buffered from worst construction industry job hits
“As (this) report makes clear, the impacts of the stimulus are now being felt across a much broader section of the construction industry,” he said, adding that the industry’s unemployment rate had sifted down slightly to 24.9 percent from a high of 27.1 percent during February.
Steamboat Today: Steamboat economist weighs recession
A diverse economy allowed Routt County to weather the worst of the recession better than most areas, a local economist said Tuesday, adding that financial forecasts appear to be brightening.
Vail Daily: Vail Valley ‘smart loans' program hits roadblock
County officials had found money and laid the legal groundwork for the “smart loan” program — which will provide loans for energy-efficient home improvements to local residents. The program was supposed to start taking applications this month, with work on projects starting this summer.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Lawmakers reject measures to expand gambling
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 Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Listing here does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Two proposals to expand gambling in Colorado killed
Neighborhood bars won't offer keno and the State Fair grounds won't regularly host horse races now that the legislature Monday killed the second of two bills aimed at expanding gambling in Colorado.
The Denver Post: House approves bill allowing tuition hikes
House lawmakers Monday gave a final nod to Senate Bill 3, which would give colleges greater flexibility to raise tuitions. School administrators would be given the unchecked ability to boost tuition by 9 percent annually and would be able to seek permission from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education for increases beyond that amount.
Also: Durango Herald: Tuition increase bill passes House
Denver Post commentary: Will Colorado decide to put children first?
Colorado's schools, colleges and universities are facing a funding crisis unlike any yet experienced in this state. What will that look like in the next year or two?
Denver Daily News: Late vote for late registration fees
A House committee yesterday backed legislation that would cap late registration fees for trailers at $10.
Pueblo Chieftain: State worker pay proposal clears panel
A bill that would replace the state's pay-for-performance approach to employee salaries with a 12-step system is in a race against time, but cleared an important hurdle in the Legislature on Monday. Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, the Senate sponsor of HB1409, said it aims to fix a broken system.
Pueblo Chieftain: Enterprise zone cap off, then on
A bill that would cap enterprise zone tax credits at $250,000, costing Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel in Pueblo about $345,000 annually was killed in the Senate on Monday, but promptly revived.
Fort Collins Coloradoan: Larimer County braces for budget cuts
A looming drop in property-tax revenue in 2012 has Larimer County officials looking for ways to reduce next year's budget.
Also: Loveland Reporter-Herald: Officials will look at budget cuts, asking voters to extend sales tax
Summit Daily News: Home energy loans now available in Summit County
Summit County government, the Town of Breckenridge and High Country Conservation Center partner to provide loans for energy upgrades in local homes.
Greeley Tribune: Greeley-Evans schools get a $2M surprise, will reverse some cuts
The Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board of Education received $2 million worth of reasons on Monday why members can breath a bit easier when dealing with the 2010-11 budget.
ECONOMY
The Denver Post: Bennet turns foreclosure counselor, gets an earful about mortgage trouble
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, in Colorado for a rare Monday, took a turn listening to troubled loan holders at the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline.
Also: Colorado Springs Gazette: Many Springs-area property owners remain upside down on their mortgages, reports say
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: 20% of Springs properties in negative equity
Denver Daily News: Loans for Main Street
Legislation aims to help small business and Main Street by providing small banks with more liquid capital to make loans.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Residents finally able to move into affordable housing at Ironbridge
The 20-unit affordable housing neighborhood at the Ironbridge subdivision finally has signs of life, as a handful of units are now occupied and several more are being offered first-come, first-served without another lottery.
Colorado Statesman: Payday reform bill hits pay dirt - but not until it's muddied up with amendments
The second attempt by Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, to end the cycle of debt created with payday loans is now on its way to the desk of Gov. Bill Ritter.
Salida Mountain Mail: Housing department uses Facebook to tout programs
The council partners with USDA Rural Development to provide residents an opportunity to become homeowners. In the "sweat equity" building program, a group of four to 12 families or individuals cooperate to make home ownership a reality.
HEALTH POLICY
Aurora Sentinel editorial: More blame game played on health costs
Stories Monday about the cost of health insurance going up because of the new health care reform laws affecting college students are hugely misleading.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Two proposals to expand gambling in Colorado killed
Neighborhood bars won't offer keno and the State Fair grounds won't regularly host horse races now that the legislature Monday killed the second of two bills aimed at expanding gambling in Colorado.
The Denver Post: House approves bill allowing tuition hikes
House lawmakers Monday gave a final nod to Senate Bill 3, which would give colleges greater flexibility to raise tuitions. School administrators would be given the unchecked ability to boost tuition by 9 percent annually and would be able to seek permission from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education for increases beyond that amount.
Also: Durango Herald: Tuition increase bill passes House
Denver Post commentary: Will Colorado decide to put children first?
Colorado's schools, colleges and universities are facing a funding crisis unlike any yet experienced in this state. What will that look like in the next year or two?
Denver Daily News: Late vote for late registration fees
A House committee yesterday backed legislation that would cap late registration fees for trailers at $10.
Pueblo Chieftain: State worker pay proposal clears panel
A bill that would replace the state's pay-for-performance approach to employee salaries with a 12-step system is in a race against time, but cleared an important hurdle in the Legislature on Monday. Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, the Senate sponsor of HB1409, said it aims to fix a broken system.
Pueblo Chieftain: Enterprise zone cap off, then on
A bill that would cap enterprise zone tax credits at $250,000, costing Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel in Pueblo about $345,000 annually was killed in the Senate on Monday, but promptly revived.
Fort Collins Coloradoan: Larimer County braces for budget cuts
A looming drop in property-tax revenue in 2012 has Larimer County officials looking for ways to reduce next year's budget.
Also: Loveland Reporter-Herald: Officials will look at budget cuts, asking voters to extend sales tax
Summit Daily News: Home energy loans now available in Summit County
Summit County government, the Town of Breckenridge and High Country Conservation Center partner to provide loans for energy upgrades in local homes.
Greeley Tribune: Greeley-Evans schools get a $2M surprise, will reverse some cuts
The Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board of Education received $2 million worth of reasons on Monday why members can breath a bit easier when dealing with the 2010-11 budget.
ECONOMY
The Denver Post: Bennet turns foreclosure counselor, gets an earful about mortgage trouble
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, in Colorado for a rare Monday, took a turn listening to troubled loan holders at the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline.
Also: Colorado Springs Gazette: Many Springs-area property owners remain upside down on their mortgages, reports say
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: 20% of Springs properties in negative equity
Denver Daily News: Loans for Main Street
Legislation aims to help small business and Main Street by providing small banks with more liquid capital to make loans.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Residents finally able to move into affordable housing at Ironbridge
The 20-unit affordable housing neighborhood at the Ironbridge subdivision finally has signs of life, as a handful of units are now occupied and several more are being offered first-come, first-served without another lottery.
Colorado Statesman: Payday reform bill hits pay dirt - but not until it's muddied up with amendments
The second attempt by Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, to end the cycle of debt created with payday loans is now on its way to the desk of Gov. Bill Ritter.
Salida Mountain Mail: Housing department uses Facebook to tout programs
The council partners with USDA Rural Development to provide residents an opportunity to become homeowners. In the "sweat equity" building program, a group of four to 12 families or individuals cooperate to make home ownership a reality.
HEALTH POLICY
Aurora Sentinel editorial: More blame game played on health costs
Stories Monday about the cost of health insurance going up because of the new health care reform laws affecting college students are hugely misleading.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Denver ready for economic take-off, Brookings report says
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, May 10, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Denver well-positioned for future growth and diversity, says Brookings Institution report
The Denver area is poised to emerge in the coming decade as a model for economic growth, while avoiding much of the conflict and upheaval facing other metropolitan areas, according to a Brookings Institution analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
Denver Business Journal: Equal-pay argument stirs in waning days of session
Colorado women earn just 80 percent of what Colorado men make, according to 2008 Census data.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Will Colorado decide to put children first?
For the Great Futures Colorado coalition, the severity and irreversibility of these cuts gave us no choice but to take action. Waiting might be convenient for adults, but our children don't get do-overs. For them, educational opportunities delayed are opportunities lost.
Colorado Independent: Bold bipartisan bill will rework Colorado higher ed funding
The Higher Education Flexibility Act passed the Senate last week and is scheduled to make it to the House Monday. It’s a bold bill that would rearrange the relationship between public universities and the government.
Face the State commentary: A final assault on TABOR?
There’s not much meat still clinging to the bones of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, but the legislature keeps nibbling away at what’s left.
Denver Business Journal: Tourism, hiring tax-credit bills killed in Colorado House
A Colorado House of Representatives committee has killed two business-backed bills: One that would have made it harder to eliminate the state’s tourism marketing funding, and another that would have created job credits for the hiring of unemployed workers.
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Tax bill would crack down on errant defense firms
Legislation under consideration by the House Armed Forces Committee would end the common practice of awarding defense contracts to companies who owe more than $3,000 in back taxes.
Associated Press via Vail Daily: Colorado lawmakers question governor's jobs programs
When Gov. Bill Ritter announced a slew of programs to help Coloradans get jobs last December at the Jefferson County Workforce Center, unemployed workers lined the second-floor balcony and stairs.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Denver well-positioned for future growth and diversity, says Brookings Institution report
The Denver area is poised to emerge in the coming decade as a model for economic growth, while avoiding much of the conflict and upheaval facing other metropolitan areas, according to a Brookings Institution analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
Denver Business Journal: Equal-pay argument stirs in waning days of session
Colorado women earn just 80 percent of what Colorado men make, according to 2008 Census data.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Will Colorado decide to put children first?
For the Great Futures Colorado coalition, the severity and irreversibility of these cuts gave us no choice but to take action. Waiting might be convenient for adults, but our children don't get do-overs. For them, educational opportunities delayed are opportunities lost.
Colorado Independent: Bold bipartisan bill will rework Colorado higher ed funding
The Higher Education Flexibility Act passed the Senate last week and is scheduled to make it to the House Monday. It’s a bold bill that would rearrange the relationship between public universities and the government.
Face the State commentary: A final assault on TABOR?
There’s not much meat still clinging to the bones of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, but the legislature keeps nibbling away at what’s left.
Denver Business Journal: Tourism, hiring tax-credit bills killed in Colorado House
A Colorado House of Representatives committee has killed two business-backed bills: One that would have made it harder to eliminate the state’s tourism marketing funding, and another that would have created job credits for the hiring of unemployed workers.
Colorado Springs Business Journal: Tax bill would crack down on errant defense firms
Legislation under consideration by the House Armed Forces Committee would end the common practice of awarding defense contracts to companies who owe more than $3,000 in back taxes.
Associated Press via Vail Daily: Colorado lawmakers question governor's jobs programs
When Gov. Bill Ritter announced a slew of programs to help Coloradans get jobs last December at the Jefferson County Workforce Center, unemployed workers lined the second-floor balcony and stairs.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Some voters aren't so concerned about raising taxes in a recession, Gazette 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, May 7, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post editorial: Worker pay bill should be killed
In the final days of the legislative session, Democrats should not rush through an overhaul of the way Colorado pays its state workers. However well-intentioned, House Bill 1409 is unworkable and potentially dangerous to future state budgets.
Colorado Springs Gazette commentary: What recession? Tax hike passes easily
Concerned more about future property values than the recession, one of the more conservative enclaves in El Paso County approved a substantial tax increase Tuesday.
Loveland Reporter-Herald: Larimer County property tax revenues to fall
Larimer County budget manager Bob Keister told the Larimer County commissioners Thursday morning that he expects to see a decrease of 6 percent to 8 percent in property tax revenues in 2012.
ECONOMY
Aurora Sentinel: AEDC bringing jobs and has biggest challenge ahead
According to the group’s figures, it helped create or retain 2,183 primary jobs in 2009 and 654 so far in 2010. But the coming months and years will likely present the organization with one of its biggest challenges yet: Helping Aurora attract a major company to fill brand new high-end office space at the proposed Horizon Uptown development in northeast Aurora. And, AEDC is trying to do that at a time when the market is flooded with vacant office space and the economy continues to flounder.
Vail Daily: Vail Daily Editor Don Rogers: Signs that economic storm will pass
It is the worst of times. It's the, well, never mind, of times. But there also are plenty of signs that the recession will loosen its grip on the Vail Valley, in time.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post editorial: Worker pay bill should be killed
In the final days of the legislative session, Democrats should not rush through an overhaul of the way Colorado pays its state workers. However well-intentioned, House Bill 1409 is unworkable and potentially dangerous to future state budgets.
Colorado Springs Gazette commentary: What recession? Tax hike passes easily
Concerned more about future property values than the recession, one of the more conservative enclaves in El Paso County approved a substantial tax increase Tuesday.
Loveland Reporter-Herald: Larimer County property tax revenues to fall
Larimer County budget manager Bob Keister told the Larimer County commissioners Thursday morning that he expects to see a decrease of 6 percent to 8 percent in property tax revenues in 2012.
ECONOMY
Aurora Sentinel: AEDC bringing jobs and has biggest challenge ahead
According to the group’s figures, it helped create or retain 2,183 primary jobs in 2009 and 654 so far in 2010. But the coming months and years will likely present the organization with one of its biggest challenges yet: Helping Aurora attract a major company to fill brand new high-end office space at the proposed Horizon Uptown development in northeast Aurora. And, AEDC is trying to do that at a time when the market is flooded with vacant office space and the economy continues to flounder.
Vail Daily: Vail Daily Editor Don Rogers: Signs that economic storm will pass
It is the worst of times. It's the, well, never mind, of times. But there also are plenty of signs that the recession will loosen its grip on the Vail Valley, in time.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Cost-saving elements of health reform begin rollout
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, May 6, 2010. Listing here does not imply endorsement of the content.
HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Shared health visits get patients more time with doctors
Jeff Wilson saw a doctor recently about his high cholesterol — and five other patients with the same problem came to his appointment.
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: Piloting health reform
The $12 million federal grant announced this week to spread health care information technology on the Western Slope actually comes from the federal stimulus bill approved last year, not from the just-passed health care reform bill. But it is representative of one of the things we like about the health care reform legislation: pilot programs to test potential cost-saving ideas.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Work share measure backed
A bill that would allow employees whose hours are reduced to claim some unemployment benefits was given initial approval yesterday by the House.
Pueblo Chieftain: University would raise tuition if given authority
Colorado State University-Pueblo would likely hike tuition by the maximum allowed under a bill passed by the state Senate on Wednesday.
Aurora Sentinel editorial: Douglas Bruce and company need to come clean on who’s behind ballot questions
As state lawmakers through the ages here in Colorado have discovered and rediscovered, nothing in regards to the people’s business doesn’t benefit from transparency and openness. Tax protester Douglas Bruce and his cohorts need to learn the same thing.
Salida Mountain Mail: Salida seeks budget shortfall remedies
With Salida sales tax revenue in steady decline, city personnel are looking for areas in which to cut spending to remedy a budget shortfall of about $365,000.
The Associated Press via KMGH: Fort Collins Schools To Lay Off Teachers
The Poudre School District announced Wednesday it will cut 139 teaching and other school jobs because of budget cuts. The state's ninth-largest school system says it has to cut $12 million from next year's budget.
ECONOMY
Loveland Reporter-Herald: Loveland sees sales tax revenue rebound
A one-month upward bump in sales tax revenue in Loveland, after 20 months of falling down a flight of stairs, is good news.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Summit Daily News: Summit County sees spike in social services demand
Food stamps caseload increases 442 percent in five years.
HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Shared health visits get patients more time with doctors
Jeff Wilson saw a doctor recently about his high cholesterol — and five other patients with the same problem came to his appointment.
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: Piloting health reform
The $12 million federal grant announced this week to spread health care information technology on the Western Slope actually comes from the federal stimulus bill approved last year, not from the just-passed health care reform bill. But it is representative of one of the things we like about the health care reform legislation: pilot programs to test potential cost-saving ideas.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Work share measure backed
A bill that would allow employees whose hours are reduced to claim some unemployment benefits was given initial approval yesterday by the House.
Pueblo Chieftain: University would raise tuition if given authority
Colorado State University-Pueblo would likely hike tuition by the maximum allowed under a bill passed by the state Senate on Wednesday.
Aurora Sentinel editorial: Douglas Bruce and company need to come clean on who’s behind ballot questions
As state lawmakers through the ages here in Colorado have discovered and rediscovered, nothing in regards to the people’s business doesn’t benefit from transparency and openness. Tax protester Douglas Bruce and his cohorts need to learn the same thing.
Salida Mountain Mail: Salida seeks budget shortfall remedies
With Salida sales tax revenue in steady decline, city personnel are looking for areas in which to cut spending to remedy a budget shortfall of about $365,000.
The Associated Press via KMGH: Fort Collins Schools To Lay Off Teachers
The Poudre School District announced Wednesday it will cut 139 teaching and other school jobs because of budget cuts. The state's ninth-largest school system says it has to cut $12 million from next year's budget.
ECONOMY
Loveland Reporter-Herald: Loveland sees sales tax revenue rebound
A one-month upward bump in sales tax revenue in Loveland, after 20 months of falling down a flight of stairs, is good news.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Summit Daily News: Summit County sees spike in social services demand
Food stamps caseload increases 442 percent in five years.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Payday loan reform heads to the governor
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 Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Listing here does not imply endorsement of the content.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Payday-loan change OK'd
By a one-vote margin, the House on Tuesday sent Gov. Bill Ritter legislation putting new limits on payday loans that supporters said would help break a cycle of debt by borrowers.
Also: Durango Herald: Lawmakers pass payday loan measure
HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Western Slope chosen for health-information technology pilot program
The Western Slope is among 15 communities across the country selected to test health-information technology as the nation embarks on federal reform.
The Denver Post: The lawsuit against health care reform
Even the now-sacrosanct old age pension program, what we call Social Security, underwent its share of legal challenges in the states, never mind the famous contests in the United States Supreme Court. The legal challenges to the state programs that preceded federal social security came up in every state that tried to enact a program, including Colorado.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Seniors' tax break still a bad idea
When Republicans held power during Colorado's last budgetary meltdown, they suspended a special property tax break for seniors to help balance the budget. It was the right thing to do given the optionsand because the exemption itself, which rewards some seniors and ignores others without regard to income, had only been in place since 2000.
The Denver Post: Hands off my Botox, taxman
There’s a wrinkle developing in the way pharmaceuticals are taxed, according to Senate Majority Leader John Morse.
Pueblo Chieftain: Tuition flexibility bill gets preliminary nod
A bill that would give colleges the authority to raise tuition by up to 9 percent annually gained preliminary approval Tuesday in the Senate.
Colorado News Agency: Committee scuttles ‘balanced budget’ message to Congress
A call for a constitutional convention stipulating a balanced budget for the federal government was made from the confines of a House committee room today by a GOP lawmaker–but panel members voted against sending the message to Congress via a legislative resolution.
Colorado Springs Gazette: AG wants to compel Douglas Bruce to testify in campaign finance hearing
The Colorado Secretary of State has asked for an "expedited order" that would compel Colorado Springs anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce to comply with subpoenas seeking information about his involvement in three statewide ballot initiatives.
Face the State: Online retailers forced to lean on, rat out Colorado consumers
It’s nearing high noon in the gunfight between the Colorado legislature and Amazon.com.
Face the State: The taxman cometh - and he ain't taking prisoners
An apparent jump in the number of "deficiency" and "adjustment" letters issued by the state Department of Revenue has some accounting firms scratching their heads. Are more Colorado taxpayers screwing up on their returns than in the past? Is the budget-strapped state government more desperate to collect taxes than ever before? Or, is the tax-collection agency's new software for processing returns simply more thorough - or, more error prone - than its predecessor?
Associated Press via Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colo. House kills tax review measure
The Colorado House has killed a bill that would have required annual review of millions of dollars in tax credits.
GENERAL
KUSA: Thousands spent on unused census swag
The U.S. Census Bureau spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on promotional items used to convince more people to mail back their census forms, but a 9Wants to Know investigation found thousands of the items were dropped off, unused, at a local high school.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Payday-loan change OK'd
By a one-vote margin, the House on Tuesday sent Gov. Bill Ritter legislation putting new limits on payday loans that supporters said would help break a cycle of debt by borrowers.
Also: Durango Herald: Lawmakers pass payday loan measure
HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Western Slope chosen for health-information technology pilot program
The Western Slope is among 15 communities across the country selected to test health-information technology as the nation embarks on federal reform.
The Denver Post: The lawsuit against health care reform
Even the now-sacrosanct old age pension program, what we call Social Security, underwent its share of legal challenges in the states, never mind the famous contests in the United States Supreme Court. The legal challenges to the state programs that preceded federal social security came up in every state that tried to enact a program, including Colorado.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Seniors' tax break still a bad idea
When Republicans held power during Colorado's last budgetary meltdown, they suspended a special property tax break for seniors to help balance the budget. It was the right thing to do given the optionsand because the exemption itself, which rewards some seniors and ignores others without regard to income, had only been in place since 2000.
The Denver Post: Hands off my Botox, taxman
There’s a wrinkle developing in the way pharmaceuticals are taxed, according to Senate Majority Leader John Morse.
Pueblo Chieftain: Tuition flexibility bill gets preliminary nod
A bill that would give colleges the authority to raise tuition by up to 9 percent annually gained preliminary approval Tuesday in the Senate.
Colorado News Agency: Committee scuttles ‘balanced budget’ message to Congress
A call for a constitutional convention stipulating a balanced budget for the federal government was made from the confines of a House committee room today by a GOP lawmaker–but panel members voted against sending the message to Congress via a legislative resolution.
Colorado Springs Gazette: AG wants to compel Douglas Bruce to testify in campaign finance hearing
The Colorado Secretary of State has asked for an "expedited order" that would compel Colorado Springs anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce to comply with subpoenas seeking information about his involvement in three statewide ballot initiatives.
Face the State: Online retailers forced to lean on, rat out Colorado consumers
It’s nearing high noon in the gunfight between the Colorado legislature and Amazon.com.
Face the State: The taxman cometh - and he ain't taking prisoners
An apparent jump in the number of "deficiency" and "adjustment" letters issued by the state Department of Revenue has some accounting firms scratching their heads. Are more Colorado taxpayers screwing up on their returns than in the past? Is the budget-strapped state government more desperate to collect taxes than ever before? Or, is the tax-collection agency's new software for processing returns simply more thorough - or, more error prone - than its predecessor?
Associated Press via Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colo. House kills tax review measure
The Colorado House has killed a bill that would have required annual review of millions of dollars in tax credits.
GENERAL
KUSA: Thousands spent on unused census swag
The U.S. Census Bureau spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on promotional items used to convince more people to mail back their census forms, but a 9Wants to Know investigation found thousands of the items were dropped off, unused, at a local high school.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Summit County officials worry about effect of "Bad Three" election measures
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 Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Listing links here does not imply endorsement of the content.
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Republicans balk at “TABOR death panel”
Sen. Rollie Heath’s proposal to create a super commission empowered to recommend sweeping changes to the state constitution appears to be going nowhere this year.
Denver Business Journal: Democrats in Colorado Legislature beat back reboot of Internet-sales tax breaks
A Colorado legislative committee quickly scrapped a last-minute attempt Monday to reinstate tax breaks on software and Internet purchases that were taken away earlier this year.
Aurora Sentinel: Aurora City Council unanimously backs job incentives plan
Local businesses will be eligible to apply for tax breaks if they hire new employees, Aurora City Council members decided in a vote Monday evening.
Summit Daily News: Local officials worried over November ballot measures
Colorado Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 would make deep cuts to taxes, with major impacts to Summit County governments.
Also: Summit Daily News commentary: Don't go overboard cutting taxes
ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Local home construction improves in April; foreclosures down slightly
Single-family building permits totaled 127 in the Springs and surrounding El Paso County during April, a nearly 70 percent increase compared with the same month last year, according to a report released today by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.
Steamboat Today: Steamboat sales tax dips 6 percent in March
After a relatively encouraging February, March sales tax figures showed more of a decrease than at least one city official expected.
HEALTH POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain: House passes nursing home sale delay bill
The House passed a bill Monday that seeks to delay the sale of Trinidad State Nursing home for about a year. In the meantime, Las Animas County and the city of Trinidad intend to ask voters there to pass a sales tax in order to take over operation of the home.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado Independent: Compromise payday lending bill passes Senate
On Friday the state Senate passed a compromise version of Rep. Mark Ferrandino’s payday loan bill, which seeks to protect consumers against high interest rates and fees. Lawmakers fearing job-loss forecasts put forward by short-term loan industry softened the strictest limits the original version of the bill would have put in place. Ferrandino is confident the amended bill will pass in the House and head to the governor’s desk for signing this week.
Also: Colorado Pols: Payday Loan Passes Senate, Despite GOP Fears We're Welcoming the Mob
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: Lenders get bigger payday in latest legislative version
FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Republicans balk at “TABOR death panel”
Sen. Rollie Heath’s proposal to create a super commission empowered to recommend sweeping changes to the state constitution appears to be going nowhere this year.
Denver Business Journal: Democrats in Colorado Legislature beat back reboot of Internet-sales tax breaks
A Colorado legislative committee quickly scrapped a last-minute attempt Monday to reinstate tax breaks on software and Internet purchases that were taken away earlier this year.
Aurora Sentinel: Aurora City Council unanimously backs job incentives plan
Local businesses will be eligible to apply for tax breaks if they hire new employees, Aurora City Council members decided in a vote Monday evening.
Summit Daily News: Local officials worried over November ballot measures
Colorado Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 would make deep cuts to taxes, with major impacts to Summit County governments.
Also: Summit Daily News commentary: Don't go overboard cutting taxes
ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Local home construction improves in April; foreclosures down slightly
Single-family building permits totaled 127 in the Springs and surrounding El Paso County during April, a nearly 70 percent increase compared with the same month last year, according to a report released today by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.
Steamboat Today: Steamboat sales tax dips 6 percent in March
After a relatively encouraging February, March sales tax figures showed more of a decrease than at least one city official expected.
HEALTH POLICY
Pueblo Chieftain: House passes nursing home sale delay bill
The House passed a bill Monday that seeks to delay the sale of Trinidad State Nursing home for about a year. In the meantime, Las Animas County and the city of Trinidad intend to ask voters there to pass a sales tax in order to take over operation of the home.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado Independent: Compromise payday lending bill passes Senate
On Friday the state Senate passed a compromise version of Rep. Mark Ferrandino’s payday loan bill, which seeks to protect consumers against high interest rates and fees. Lawmakers fearing job-loss forecasts put forward by short-term loan industry softened the strictest limits the original version of the bill would have put in place. Ferrandino is confident the amended bill will pass in the House and head to the governor’s desk for signing this week.
Also: Colorado Pols: Payday Loan Passes Senate, Despite GOP Fears We're Welcoming the Mob
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: Lenders get bigger payday in latest legislative version
Monday, May 3, 2010
Packed agenda remains for the end of the legislative session
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, May 3, 2010.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Colorado legislature still has heavy lifting to do
With eight days left in the 2010 session, Colorado lawmakers still face some of the biggest and thorniest issues they will consider this year. They must sort out regulations on medical-marijuana dispensaries, decide whether to scale back teacher tenure, consider expanding gambling to help fund higher education, determine whether colleges should be allowed to increase tuition significantly and resolve the issue of payday loans.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Senate passes reworked payday loans bill
After three years of trying to put new limits on payday loans in Colorado, supporters are closer than ever to seeing a bill passed.
Also: Denver Daily News: New payday lending measure backed
Also: Denver Business Journal: Colorado Senate narrowly OKs payday-lending limits
HEALTH POLICY
Boulder Daily Camera editorial: Dissatisfaction with health reform won`t lead to repeal -- here`s why
The non-partisan Colorado Center on Law and Policy last week put out a fact sheet about health care reform. Here`s the takeaway: Tax penalties for people who do not have insurance will be phased in beginning in 2014.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Business Journal: Pommer kills his business-battered salary bill
Just as he promised, state Rep. Jack Pommer killed his nerve-rattling House Bill 1263 on Friday — but not before issuing some choice words to members of the Colorado business community who came out in force against it.
Aurora Sentinel: Real estate industry cautious as tax credits set to expire
A variety of recent studies show home prices are climbing slightly locally and nationwide after one of the weakest real estate markets in recent memory.
GENERAL
The Denver Post: Colorado legislature still has heavy lifting to do
With eight days left in the 2010 session, Colorado lawmakers still face some of the biggest and thorniest issues they will consider this year. They must sort out regulations on medical-marijuana dispensaries, decide whether to scale back teacher tenure, consider expanding gambling to help fund higher education, determine whether colleges should be allowed to increase tuition significantly and resolve the issue of payday loans.
ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Senate passes reworked payday loans bill
After three years of trying to put new limits on payday loans in Colorado, supporters are closer than ever to seeing a bill passed.
Also: Denver Daily News: New payday lending measure backed
Also: Denver Business Journal: Colorado Senate narrowly OKs payday-lending limits
HEALTH POLICY
Boulder Daily Camera editorial: Dissatisfaction with health reform won`t lead to repeal -- here`s why
The non-partisan Colorado Center on Law and Policy last week put out a fact sheet about health care reform. Here`s the takeaway: Tax penalties for people who do not have insurance will be phased in beginning in 2014.
FISCAL POLICY
Denver Business Journal: Pommer kills his business-battered salary bill
Just as he promised, state Rep. Jack Pommer killed his nerve-rattling House Bill 1263 on Friday — but not before issuing some choice words to members of the Colorado business community who came out in force against it.
Aurora Sentinel: Real estate industry cautious as tax credits set to expire
A variety of recent studies show home prices are climbing slightly locally and nationwide after one of the weakest real estate markets in recent memory.
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