Post says lawsuit to stop health reform is 'without merit'

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 24, 2010.

HEALTH POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Markey says she voted her conscience on health bill
It took a while, but I finally caught up with Betsy Markey on Tuesday. The woman has guts.
Also: Fort Collins Coloradoan: Sarah Palin targets Betsy Markey, other House Dems

Denver Post editorial: Health care suit is without merit
The landmark health care legislation passed Sunday has serious issues, but the legality of its personal mandate isn't one of them.
Also: Grand Junction Sentinel commentary: Attorney General Suthers should serve Colorado, not GOP

Denver Post commentary: The mugging of personal freedom
What does it say about your cause that nearly every policy idea you cook up is based in some form or another on coercing the American people?

Colorado Independent: Norton communicates position on health care bill via Facebook status update
U.S. Senate candidate Jane Norton apparently committed Tuesday to working to repeal the federal health care bill passed Sunday. In a Facebook status update, she wrote vaguely that the “country must elect leaders this November who will work to repeal ObamaCare.”

Huffington Post Denver: A Major Victory, But the Fight Continues
While Washington spent the past year arguing, more than 120,000 Coloradans saw double digit increases in their health insurance. And 57,000 more Coloradans became uninsured.
Also: Colorado Pols: Earth to Sen. Bennet: You Now Have Absolutely No Reason to Not Offer the Public Option Amendment

Longmont Times-Call editorial: Easy-to-read policies good for consumers
It’s fitting that while Colorado students wrap up their Colorado Student Assessment Program tests for another year, lawmakers are looking at ways to make insurance contracts easier to read.


CONSUMER PROTECTION
The Denver Post: Colo. Division of Insurance tackles mountain of work
Seven employees at the Colorado Division of Insurance are responsible for reviewing more than 14,000 filings a year from insurance carriers offering coverage on everything from health and life policies to property and casualty plans.

Denver Daily News: Main St. vs. Wall St.
Debate continues over a regulatory overhaul of the financial industry


FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Ailing Greeley school district takes tech fix out of mix
The Greeley-Evans School District is lacking in even the basic technologies needed to educate contemporary kids, but big budget cuts already forcing the closure of small schools will keep the fixes on the shelf for now.
Also: Durango Herald: 9-R suggests grueling budget cuts
Also: Boulder Daily Camera: Boulder Valley schools plan for larger classrooms, fewer teachers
The Associated Press via the Greeley Tribune: Education group to announce budget ballot measure
DENVER — A coalition of education groups worried about proposed budget cuts for Colorado schools want lawmakers to take the issue to voters.

Colorado Springs Gazette: Colorado Springs residents weigh in on police and fire cuts
Closing a substation and further reducing staff through attrition are cards on the table for the Colorado Springs Police Department’s 2011 budget, police officials said Tuesday night.

Denver Business Journal: Colorado business groups ask Legislature to kill bills
A trio of influential Colorado business groups sent a letter to General Assembly leaders Tuesday asking them to kill a half-dozen bills currently moving through the legislative process or risk harming the state’s ability to grow industry and jobs.

Colorado Springs Business Journal: Tea party groups talk health care strategy
Tea-party groups are mobilizing to form a new strategy after months of protesting a health care overhaul in Congress appear to have failed.
Also: Aurora Sentinel: Tea Party braces storm for confab

Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: A sign of relief for state budget
Three cheers may not be in order for the latest state budget numbers, released last Friday. But a collective sigh of relief certainly is. At least this wasn’t another instance in which the revenue forecast took another nosedive, and more state budget cuts are immediately required.