Payday lender regulation bill is back, but weaker

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, April 9, 2010.

FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Stimulus funds to boost DPS teacher residency program
Denver's teacher residency program is getting an $8.2 million boost from federal stimulus money aimed at raising student achievement by improving instruction in the nation's schools.

Denver Post commentary: Glory to the taxpayer
Yes, our tax system is fairly complex. And complexity is what makes it work. If Jane Taxpayer figures out she spends more than three months of her year working for Joe Biden, well, she might be annoyed.

Denver Post commentary: Tax relief petitions are good for Colorado
Dan Haley's column against tax relief shouted the epithet "extreme" four times, an extreme response to three short, simple, moderate tax reforms.

Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: It's so fun to soak the rich
Friday is Tax Freedom Day — the day when Americans have worked enough to pay their annual tax obligations.

Colorado Springs Gazette commentary: City and County of Colorado Springs? Doesn't make sense
Most people around here like the idea of smaller government and every so often someone fires off a missive about the benefits of a consolidation that would mirror the governments in Denver and Broomfield.

Pueblo Chieftain: Killing jobs
A very dangerous late bill has crept into the Legislature that would eliminate tax credits in Colorado’s enterprise zones, thus wiping out incentives for businesses to create jobs where they are desperately needed.

Huffington Post Denver: Cutting College Scholarships Should Be Colorado's Last Resort
We need to do more--not less--to get low-income students to complete college.

Durango Herald: Fort Lewis College supporters stand up to budget panel
DENVER - It may have been symbolic, but Fort Lewis College allies in the Legislature have won a small victory against the governor's office and an influential group of lawmakers.

Associated Press via KCNC-TV: Colo. Lawmakers Consider Abolishing All Tax Breaks
House Democratic Leader Paul Weissmann says lawmakers didn't go far enough when they voted this year to abolish nearly a dozen tax breaks on candy, soda, online sales and other items to balance the state budget.
Also: KOAA-TV: Budget would open new prison, end scholarships

KKTV-TV: City Turns off Lights to Save Money
While the city finishes turning off a third of the street lights indefinitely to save money, residents in one Colorado Springs neighborhood say their safety is at risk.


SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Weaker, rewritten version of payday loan bill clears committee
Supporters of legislation to put new limits on payday loans are hoping the second time is the charm.
Also: Denver Business Journal: Changes made to payday-lending legislation



CONSUMER PROTECTION
Longmont Times-Call: AG candidate says he’d make consumer protection a priority
He said that could include statewide programs to educate seniors, in particular, and Coloradans in general about ways to identify and protect themselves against fraud, abuse and such crimes as identity theft.