Denver ready for economic take-off, Brookings report says

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 10, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

GENERAL
The Denver Post: Denver well-positioned for future growth and diversity, says Brookings Institution report
The Denver area is poised to emerge in the coming decade as a model for economic growth, while avoiding much of the conflict and upheaval facing other metropolitan areas, according to a Brookings Institution analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Denver Business Journal: Equal-pay argument stirs in waning days of session
Colorado women earn just 80 percent of what Colorado men make, according to 2008 Census data.


FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post commentary: Will Colorado decide to put children first?
For the Great Futures Colorado coalition, the severity and irreversibility of these cuts gave us no choice but to take action. Waiting might be convenient for adults, but our children don't get do-overs. For them, educational opportunities delayed are opportunities lost.

Colorado Independent: Bold bipartisan bill will rework Colorado higher ed funding
The Higher Education Flexibility Act passed the Senate last week and is scheduled to make it to the House Monday. It’s a bold bill that would rearrange the relationship between public universities and the government.

Face the State commentary: A final assault on TABOR?
There’s not much meat still clinging to the bones of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, but the legislature keeps nibbling away at what’s left.

Denver Business Journal: Tourism, hiring tax-credit bills killed in Colorado House
A Colorado House of Representatives committee has killed two business-backed bills: One that would have made it harder to eliminate the state’s tourism marketing funding, and another that would have created job credits for the hiring of unemployed workers.

Colorado Springs Business Journal: Tax bill would crack down on errant defense firms
Legislation under consideration by the House Armed Forces Committee would end the common practice of awarding defense contracts to companies who owe more than $3,000 in back taxes.

Associated Press via Vail Daily: Colorado lawmakers question governor's jobs programs
When Gov. Bill Ritter announced a slew of programs to help Coloradans get jobs last December at the Jefferson County Workforce Center, unemployed workers lined the second-floor balcony and stairs.