News roundup for March 19, 2010

Here's a look at news reports from around the state on issues of interest to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy.

HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Markey says she'll vote for health care bill
WASHINGTON — Colorado Rep. Betsy Markey announced Thursday that she will support a compromise bill on health care reform, helping create a sense of momentum among Democrats that they will have the votes to pass the bill in a rare Sunday vote.
Also: Denver Post commentary: Markey faces music, trumpets vote
Also: Denver Post commentary: Does process matter?
Also: Colorado Independent: How reconciliation irons out the House and Senate health bills
Also: Greeley Tribune: Markey signs on to health care reform
Grand Junction Sentinel: Congressman says he’ll cast ‘aye’ vote on bill
U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., will support a health care measure that he described as “probably the single largest deficit-reduction measure I will probably ever vote on.”

Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: About that mandate
Instead of saying everyone must obtain health insurance and those who don’t will have to pay a hefty fine, Congress could decide that no one is required to buy insurance, but those who do will receive a tax break.

Denver Post editorial: State immigrant pension loophole is outrageous
Lawmakers should have worked to prevent abuse of the Old Age Pension fund, which costs as much as $24 million a year.

Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: States try to stop health care oppression
As congressional Democrats prepare to fundamentally change the United States this weekend, with an act of political suicide that would force each American to buy health insurance, Jon Caldara and his colleagues at the Independence Institute work to protect Colorado citizens from nationalized health care oppression.


FISCAL POLICY
Denver Daily News: Mayor: tax ‘wrongheaded’
Says he will look into occupational tax and new registration fee.

Denver Daily news: Ed cuts coming?
Fewer teachers and staff, four-day school weeks could be Colorado schools’ future.

Grand Junction Sentinel: Mesa County fiscally sound despite rough economy, officials say
Despite plummeting sales-tax revenue, soaring foreclosures and a steady decline in building permits, Mesa County leaders insisted Thursday the county is on solid financial footing due to a healthy fund balance and plans to expedite capital projects.


SELF SUFFICIENCY
Colorado News Agency via Denver Daily News: Affordable housing or rent control?
A panel of lawmakers were divided yesterday over whether a proposed measure was about allowing local governments to negotiate affordable housing contracts with developers or a slippery slope to rent control.


GENERAL
Denver Business Journal: Pinnacol ups buyout offer to Colorado government
Worker’s-compensation insurer Pinnacol Assurance increased its buyout offer to Colorado by $130 million Thursday, offering to pay $330 million to receive its autonomy from state government.