Health of Democracy

We are pleased to announce that The Bell Policy Center's Board of Directors has voted to endorse Colorado Amendments 65 and S, as well as Denver Measure 2A, three important items on this fall's ballot.

Download our complete ballot guide

(Online edition headline: College isn't what it used to be, but it's critical)

By Frank Waterous

Recently, the value of a college education has come into question. Robert J. Samuelson of The Washington Post, for one, said the "college-for-all crusade has outlived its usefulness."

In these tough economic times, with unemployment high and college graduates facing a bleak job market, the question might seem worthy of debate. But that's because the question misses the mark on two crucial points:

Several months ago, we wrote you about "TBD Colorado" – Gov. John Hickenlooper's non-partisan, collaborative effort to spark informed and constructive conversations among Coloradans about some of the biggest issues facing the state.

More than a thousand Coloradans have invested a great deal of time in community meetings to learn about the state's budget, education, health care and transportation systems and personnel challenges. Then, they considered policy options.

Letter to the editor, The Denver Post, published in the March 23 edition

Re: "Leave state's juvenile justice system intact," March 14 guest commentary.

The research does not support Attorney General John Suthers' assertions on proposed reforms to Colorado's juvenile justice system (House Bill 1271).

Each year, the Census Bureau asks 3 million American households to answer questions on age, race, housing, health and other demographic markers to produce timely information about communities, states and the country at large.

This annual socioeconomic snapshot is known as the American Community Survey, or ACS. It is an improvement on the old once-a-decade data collected from long-form Census questionnaires, and it has long had bipartisan support.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signs the Colorado READ Act,
under the watchful eyes of second-graders from
Kenton Elementary School in Aurora.

Surrounded by second-graders and childhood literacy supporters, Gov. John Hickenlooper today signed House Bill 12-1238, the "Colorado READ Act," into law.

The inglorious end to the 2012 legislative session and the special session required to tie up loose ends have garnered much attention. While that is warranted, we don't want the conclusion to overshadow what was otherwise a productive 120 days at the Capitol.

Given the realities of an election year and the continued effects of the Great Recession, most observers expected an acrimonious and highly partisan session from day one. But for the most part, lawmakers worked together quite well and accomplished a great deal.

The inglorious end to the 2012 legislative session and the special session required to tie up loose ends have garnered much attention. While that is warranted, we don't want it to overshadow what was otherwise a productive 120 days at the Capitol.

Given the realities of an election year and the continued effects of the Great Recession, most observers expected an acrimonious and highly partisan session from day one. But for the most part, lawmakers worked together quite well and accomplished a great deal.

Although unaccompanied by any public fanfare or ceremony, a bill that will help more working-age adult students enroll in college and complete their post-secondary credentials was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper on Saturday.

House Bill 12-1271

Rich Jones, Director of Policy and Research

Testimony to Senate Judiciary Committee
March 26, 2012

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony to you today.