Colorado loses race for federal education money

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, March 30, 2010.

FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: CU bumps up tuition again
The University of Colorado regents' decision Monday to raise tuition — the fourth year in a row they've taken such a step — should make parents think hard about putting aside money early for their children's education, financial planners say.
Also: Boulder Daily Camera: CU regents approve 9% tuition increase for in-state students

The Denver Post: Colorado loses out in first round of Race to the Top education funding
Colorado lost in the first round of the $4 billion federal education grant competition known as Race to the Top — coming in 14th out of 16 finalists.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel: That doesn’t mean Colorado has given up hope for some education reform money
Also: Denver Post editorial: A lesson from Race winners, http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_14780847
Also: Denver Daily News: State loses round 1 on Race to Top dollars
Also: The Associated Press via KUSA-TV: Colo. misses out on first 'Race to the Top' awards
Also: KDVR-TV: Colorado education: Cuts for K-12, hikes in higher ed tuition

The Denver Post: Colorado lawmakers digest new budget
Lawmakers on Monday began a round of hearings on the proposed 2010-11 state budget, a spending plan that anticipates a revenue shortfall of as much as $1.3 billion.
Also: Pueblo Chieftain: House committees tackle budget bill
Also: Durango Herald: State budget debate begins

Boulder Daily Camera: Budget panel: Boulder needs to change its culture and expectations
Boulder needs to take a tough look at itself and make fundamental changes in the way it does business, according to a panel of experts who have just completed more than a year of work evaluating the city's financial woes.

Pueblo Chieftain: City Schools board to discuss budget-busting measures tonight
With the discussion planned for laying off 60 teachers next year, furlough days and other cuts, the Pueblo City Schools Board of Education has moved tonight’s meeting to the Centennial High School auditorium.
Also: Steamboat Today: Steamboat Springs School Board cuts staff
Also: Greeley Tribune: District 6 dives into budget-balancing process
Also: Durango Herald editorial: None of the fiscal news from Colorado's education community is good

Colorado Pols: Gardner's All-Purpose "Rainy Day Fund" Excuse
The House this week approved HB 1369, the school finance act, but it was a vote that brought some legislators to tears.


SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Colorado uses $17 million in Recovery Act funds to rehabilitate public housing
Colorado housing authorities made good on a promise to put people back to work with Recovery Act funds for public housing improvements, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said.

Colorado Pols: "How Did I Get Myself In This Payday Loan Mess?"
I just got a bonus from work, of $1,500.00 I am vowing to cut myself off payday loans.


HEALTH POLICY
KRDO-TV: Sen. Michael Bennet Reacts To Health Care Bills Passing
"I'm please that a bill passed," said Bennet. "I'm sorry in the way that it passed. I think the process from the very beginning to the end in the Congress was horrible."

Greeley Tribune editorial: Partisan hysteria doesn't serve voters; casting a ballot does
The passage of the health care reform bill last week was heralded by many as either the savior for many uninsured and underinsured residents or the end of the world as we know it.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel commentary: America ‘muddles along,’ even with health reform

Denver Business Journal: Ritter signs law for gender equality in Colorado health insurance rates
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed a law Monday that bans providers of individual insurance policies from charging different rates to men and women for identical products.


CONSUMER PROTECTION
Longmont Times-Call editorial: It’s wrong to reward inept regulators
This news comes as debate heats up over President Barack Obama’s proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency, whose responsibility would be to protect consumers from exploitation by banks and other sources of credit. From the consumer’s point of view, the idea might look good on paper. But knowing the kind of failed protection for which government regulators were rewarded in the past is plenty reason to be skeptical.