Post praises Ritters veto of automatic pay raises for state workers

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, June 9, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post editorial: Wrong way to fix pay system
Gov. Ritter acted for all Coloradans with his fiscally responsible veto of a bill pushing automatic pay increases for state workers.

Boulder Daily Camera: Gov. Ritter to sign bill that will give CU tuition flexibility
Gov. Bill Ritter is scheduled to sign a bill into law Wednesday morning that will loosen the state's reins on Colorado's public colleges, partly giving them the flexibility to raise tuition on their own and recruit more international students.

Fort Collins Coloradoan: Officials: Ballot issues could cut millions from county budget
A trio of issues on the November ballot could end up forcing Larimer County to cut million of dollars from its budget as soon as next year, officials say.

Sterling Journal-Advocate editorial: Bad timing to say the least
Even the best of ideas need a no-vote when the timing is wrong, and that is the least we see for three proposals waiting for November voters.

Greeley Tribune: Greeley plans survey to gauge what residents are willing to pay for road repairs
Greeley City Council is going the survey route to gauge what level of funding increase — be it a street utility fee, sales tax hike or diversion of quality-of-life funds — residents are willing to shoulder to upgrade the city's crumbling streets.


CONSUMER PROTECTION
Colorado Pols commentary: Why the Bank Regulations Matter
Here's the key issue we need to face, if we don't bring in real regulation, then the banks will continue to place large bets, keep the profits, leave us with the losses, and continue to drive us into deep recessions. And if we continue to merely pretend to address the core issues, while leaving the banks to fuck with our economy for their short-term profit, they will continue to wreak devastation on the economy and on people's lives.


ECONOMY
Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Glenwood sales tax drop not as bad as expected
While city revenues have continued to decline for 23 consecutive months, Glenwood Springs City Manager Jeff Hecksel said that the declines in March and April weren't as bad as he expected.


HEALTH POLICY
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial: County clinic could harm local health care network
Mesa County is trying to save money in health care. The county recently decided to set up its own primary care clinic in an effort to control ever increasing health insurance costs incurred by Mesa County taxpayers. The county commissioners should be applauded for those goals. We should thank them for addressing the problem. Our gratitude should stop there, however. They have not seen the forest through the trees.