TABOR & Fiscal Policy

By John Schroyer
The Gazette

More than one Colorado political expert has said that the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights has had more effect on state government than any other ballot measure in the state's history.

TABOR, as the 20-year-old voter-approved measure is known, has been felt across the state during two recessions. It's best known for restricting Colorado governments – from the state down to school districts - from increasing taxes without a vote of the people. The measure was added to the state Constitution on Election Day in 1992.

We've told you before about "TBD Colorado," Gov. John Hickenlooper's non-partisan, collaborative effort to create informed and constructive conversations among Coloradans about some of the biggest issues facing the state.

TBD has been working hard to get Coloradans talking and to provide ways for residents to speak up and shape the future of our state. The latest effort is a series of videos on important issues and a Facebook page where you can answer survey questions.

It's nice to have friends when you're in court and the Lobato v. State school funding case has drawn plenty, some backing the parents and school districts that brought the lawsuit and others supporting the state officials who are defendants in the case.

The case has attracted 18 "friend of the court" filings with the Colorado Supreme Court, including 13 that support the plaintiffs, four backing the state's case and one that's neutral. The briefs represent the formal views of nearly 50 organizations and groups of individuals.

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

Click the link below to download our 2012 ballot guide. Please share it with your friends and keep it handy when you vote.

By Bob Semro

Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid eligibility will be expanded to all U.S. citizens under the age of 65 with incomes less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level beginning in 2014 – unless some states decide to opt out of the expansion. That possibility arose as a result of the Supreme Court ruling on the ACA.

Some governors have already announced their intention to drop out, citing budget concerns but also partly for political reasons. Colorado and many others states will make their decisions after getting cost estimates.

Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid eligibility will be expanded to all U.S. citizens under the age of 65 with incomes less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level beginning in 2014 – unless some states decide to opt out of the expansion. That possibility arose as a result of the Supreme Court ruling on the ACA.

Some governors have already announced their intention to drop out, citing budget concerns but also partly for political reasons. Colorado and many others states will make their decisions after getting cost estimates.

We want to talk to you!

The expert staff of the Bell Policy Center has developed deep knowledge about many of the most challenging issues facing Colorado, but that knowledge has little value unless we share it.

With that in mind, we want to make Bell staffers available for presentations on a variety of important topics. If your group is interested in learning more and has an opening on its summer or fall agenda, please let us know.

By Aldo Svaldi
The Denver Post

Colorado's enterprise-zone program has granted the majority of its tax credits in recent years to natural-resource companies and utilities operating in rural areas.

That has critics asking whether the state is using its limited economic-development ammunition to reward activities that would have happened anyway.

State revenues are expected to grow over the next two fiscal years and will be higher than projected in March, economists told the Joint Budget Committee today.

Even with this relatively strong growth, revenues are only now returning to pre-recession levels. In fact, the Office of State Planning and Budgeting stated, "Despite the growth, state general fund revenue is nearly $1 billion less (when adjusted for inflation) than it was five years ago."