Education

The 2013 legislative session made extraordinary progress in expanding opportunities for more Coloradans. The legislature enacted several measures that the Bell and others have been working on for almost a decade.

Our end-of-session edition of The Opportunity News reviews many of those accomplishments, with a focus on the Bell's major bills.

Click here to read our end-of-session wrap-up

By Daniel C. Vock
Stateline Staff Writer

States this year are passing a slew of immigrant-friendly laws, a major change from the strict enforcement measures Arizona and other states approved just a few years ago.

The November elections that put immigration back on Congress' agenda also prompted the shift at the state level. Pro-immigrant measures that had been stalled for years got new life this spring, while courts have thwarted state efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

The Colorado Title Board has approved 21 ballot measures designed to provide funding for Senate Bill 13-213, which would update Colorado's school financing formula for the first time in almost 20 years. If the bill passes, voters must approve one of these ballot measures to provide funding for it.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, surrounded by legislative sponsors
and supporters, displays the final ceremonial pen
used to sign the ASSET bill.

By Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst

Creation of a Manufacturing Career Pathway

House Bill 13-1165

Testimony to the Senate Education Committee
Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst
April 25, 2013

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Wade Buchanan
The Bell Policy Center
303-297-0456, ext. 221

Carol Hedges
Colorado Fiscal Institute
720-379-3019, ext. 221

Bell Policy Center, Colorado Fiscal Institute file amicus
in case challenging Taxpayer's Bill of Rights

Continuation of Ed Success Task Force

House Bill 13-1244

Testimony to the Senate Education Committee
Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst
April 18, 2013

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

Note: This Opportunity Note is revised from the version presented Jan. 28, 2013

The Bell Policy Center strongly supports Senate Bill 13-213, the proposal to update our state's financing formula for P-12 education. Wade Buchanan, president of the Bell, testified in favor of the proposal on Monday before the House Education Committee, noting that it helps move Colorado in the direction of expanding opportunity for all students.

Future School Finance Act

Senate Bill 13-213

Wade Buchanan, President, the Bell Policy Center
Testimony to the House Education Committee

April 15, 2013

My name is Wade Buchanan, and I am the president of the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization founded on progressive values.