Deal to sell Pinnacol is dead, for now

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, March 31, 2010.

HEALTH POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Buckle up; debate is here to stay
If you trust the polls — and it's good to be trusting occasionally — a slight majority of Americans still oppose health care reform. According to Monday's USA Today/Gallup poll, 50 percent of Americans said passing the bill was a "bad thing" and 47 percent called it a "good thing."
Also: Denver Post editorial: Health care hit didn't take long
Also: Denver Post commentary: Health care reform stifles innovation
Also: Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: Fewer doctors won't mean more health care

Colorado Springs Gazette: Retirement plans may complicate talk of selling Memorial system
The retirement plan of thousands of Memorial Health System employees and retirees could loom large in discussions about whether the city-owned enterprise should be sold.
Also: Colorado Springs Business Journal: Memorial commission grapples with legal issues


GENERAL
The Denver Post: Pinnacol deal is dead — for now
The workers'-comp fund would've paid the state hundreds of millions, but some lawmakers objected.
Also: Denver Business Journal: Colorado lawmakers drop plan to privatize Pinnacol Assurance


SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Potential ballot measures target rent control, energy-efficiency mandate
A Highlands Ranch man who owns rental property in Boulder has filed two ballot measures dealing with rent control and energy-efficient building codes.


CONSUMER PROTECTION
Denver Daily News: Putting a face to financial reform
Bennet holds roundtable with people affected by financial industry.


FISCAL POLICY
Greeley Tribune editorial: Lifting tax limit not the answer
We wholeheartedly support reforms to our state budget system that will give K-12 and higher education the money needed to operate successful systems. But we don't think a proposal by a Democratic lawmaker will do that.

Associated Press via Summit Daily News: Colo. lawmakers call for reform in budget debate
DENVER — Colorado lawmakers say they're tired of going from crisis to crisis in the budget debate and they're offering a package of reforms they say will serve as a roadmap for future lawmakers.

KOAA-TV: Pueblo District 60 braces for budget cuts
School districts across the state have to tighten their belts and brace for budget cuts across the board. You can now add Pueblo School District 60 to that growing list. Many teachers in District 60 are not happy about proposed budget cuts. It has many worried they could lose money or even worse, their job.