The Bad Three ballot measures bombed at Denver chamber event

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, May 18, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Denver council might give tax break to businesses with one employee
Under heat from small-business owners, the Denver City Council on Monday initially approved reducing a new registration fee for the so-called "head tax" business owners pay on workers they employ.

Denver Business Journal: Ballot measures loom over Denver chamber lunch
It was all about bipartisanship, good government and coming together on behalf of the community at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce "State of the State" luncheon Thursday. There’s just one problem: It won’t mean a thing if any one of three Draconian, anti-government, anti-investment ballot initiatives are passed by voters this year. Because state and local governments in Colorado won’t be able to do much of anything but pay for police and fire protection if these amendments become law.


ECONOMY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Sales tax collections rise for a sixth straight month from the year before
Colorado Springs sales tax collections rose for a sixth consecutive month in April, raising hopes among city officials and economists that the local economy is recovering more strongly than expected from its worst downturn in nearly 20 years.


GENERAL
Greeley Tribune editorial: 2010 legislative session a mixed bag
It feels a bit like the 2010 Colorado legislative session was more about putting out fires than real forward-thinking lawmaking.