Colorado poll finds lack of trust in government

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 Monday, May 17, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

GENERAL
Denver Post commentary: Don't reverse progress on real estate regulation
In the Colorado legislature, a bill pushed by a brash, ultra-conservative senator is sent to the governor for his signature, by a body of citizen legislators who appear to be blindly, blissfully unaware that the sharply lowered level of regulation they ask for is exactly the reason buildings are vacant — and why many, many of our people are homeless and jobless.

Denver Post commentary: Coloradans are a skeptical bunch
Coloradans are skeptical about government. A hefty majority do not believe that their elected officials care what people like them think (61 percent). A similar majority are "bored and turned off by most politicians" (63 percent). Two-thirds think state government is unduly influenced by big campaign contributions.

Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: Suddenly, the Springs is in vogue
Some folks bellyache a lot here in Colorado Springs, bemoaning the cheap voters who won’t approve taxes that we’ve all been told could somehow result in economic development and prosperity. The national press has made a joke of the Springs for its fiscally conservative ways. Meanwhile, the people who decide where to relocate businesses aren’t laughing. They’re planning to move here.

Colorado Springs Gazette: New banking regulator taps experience
Steve Strunk has spent more than three decades preparing for the job he started a month ago as Colorado’s top banking regulator, and that experience likely will come in handy as the state’s banking industry faces its biggest challenges in decades.

Greeley Tribune: Tea time: How big an impact will tea partiers have in November and beyond?
The tea party movement has grown rapidly in popularity and legitimacy since its grass-roots beginnings in the wake of the 2008 presidential election. Despite its growth, it's difficult to assess how much of an impact the movement will have at the ballot box in November or beyond.
Also: Greeley Tribune editorial: Tea party serving a big cup of voters

ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY
Denver Daily News: Enforcing prevailing wage
The Denver City Council tonight is expected to introduce a bill that would allow the city auditor to assess penalties against contractors paying workers less than prevailing wages.


FISCAL POLICY
Colorado News Agency: Business lobby: Session was ‘worst’ and ‘most difficult’ in years
The Colorado business community is looking to November to regain stability after what some business groups say was an upsetting and volatile legislative session.

Denver Post commentary: When "sucking it up" is mostly hot air
Mayor Lionel Rivera and a City Council majority are opposing the Local Jobs for America Act, a bill to put people to work and restore municipal services slashed since the economy crashed. It would borrow $75 billion over two years with the aim of pulling cities out of the recession.

Huffington Post Denver commentary: GOP: Recession's Foreclosure Victims "Want a Homeless Life"
The (Colorado Springs) city council this week doubled down on its conservative extremism, officially opposing a congressional jobs bill that would provide roughly $43 million to the city in much-needed aid. Their rationale? They don't want to add to the federal deficit -- a seemingly principled position, until you realize the same city council has had nothing to say about a far bigger deficit culprit: the profligate defense spending that underwrites about a third of Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colo lawmakers turn to philanthropy for budget
Stung by declining revenue and facing a state budget cliff over the next few years, Colorado lawmakers are increasingly turning to philanthropists, hoping someone will bail them out.

Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Rifle feels recession sting, faces budget shortfall
City already cut $1.3 million from its general fund budget for 2010.

Aurora Sentinel: City faces $2.3M shortfall despite improving revenues
The city is poised to face an estimated $2.3 million revenue shortfall this year with sales tax revenues projected at $122 million, according city documents made available before an upcoming Aurora City Council spring workshop this week.

KUSA: Lawmakers may look to lottery to help higher education
Colorado's universities and colleges are facing a dramatic funding shortage that will need a dramatic solution, and they could get help from the lottery.


CONSUMER PROTECTION
Fort Collins Coloradoan: Bill will help prevent another meltdown
A much-needed financial reform bill to protect America's economy is being debated in the U.S. Senate. As someone who has been hard-hit by the recent recession, I am intensely aware of how important it is to rein in greedy Wall Street bankers who destroyed our economy for their own personal gain, leaving the rest of us scrambling to make ends meet.