Ready for another $1 billion cut from state services? How would you do it?

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, June 28, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

FISCAL POLICY
Denver Post editorial: How would you cut $1 billion?
With yet another possible $1 billion shortfall looming for the state of Colorado, we got out our sharpened pencils to see if we could determine what it would take to make up the deficit.

The Denver Post: Looking down the road: Tax measures proposed for 2012 ballot
Two tax ballot measures for the 2012, yes 2012, ballot were filed today, including a provision that eliminates the hated business personal property tax.

Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Draconian
There is no free lunch, but if two statewide ballot issues aimed at cutting property taxes and vehicle taxes were to pass, Puebloans’ hunger for knowledge would suffer.

Colorado News Agency: Open-government advocates say legislature moved the ball, a bit, in 2010\
Spurred on by the Internet, government transparency has become a recurring theme at the General Assembly in recent years, yet some lawmakers say we still have a long way to go in making the public’s business publicly accessible. Their goal: someday to see the day-to-day operation of all government functions available online.

Greeley Tribune editorial: CSU tuition plan will help families now, but state needs long-term solution
Colorado State University's recent announcement that it will reduce tuition for students from middle- and low-income families strikes us as a great idea. Sort of. Our concern is that it strikes us as putting a Band-Aid on a deep and potentially fatal wound. It might help stop the bleeding for a little while, but sooner or later, major surgery will be required.


HEALTH CARE POLICY
Denver Post commentary: How health care reform will impact children
The status quo in American Health Care is not sustainable. While many receive outstanding care from the best-trained physicians in the world utilizing the most advanced technology, insurance coverage is repeatedly denied to those in greatest need, and others can not afford even basic services.


CONSUMER PROTECTION
Denver Daily News: Congress takes swipe at ‘swipe fees’
Financial-overhaul includes limits on interchange fees, which could help consumers save.


ECONOMY
Denver Business Journal: Colorado gets on-the-job training grant for long-time unemployed
Colorado received a $1.14 million federal grant Friday that will assist businesses in providing on-the-job training to individuals who have been out of work for a long time.


GENERAL
Grand Junction Sentinel: Tea party rally denounces government bailouts
Hoisting signs and occasionally waving flags, tea party enthusiasts and their candidates vowed Sunday to wrest control of the U.S. from politicians they painted as greedy and dishonest and give it back to the citizens.