TABOR & Fiscal Policy

Last Friday, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law Senate Bill 12-128, which will create a pilot program to help determine whether assisted-living facilities represent a cost-effective alternative for providing long-term care, as well as a better choice for residents and their families who are weighing their options.

Gov. John Hickenlooper this week signed a bill that takes a step forward in making our state's Enterprise Zone Program more productive.

House Bill 1241, which became law on Wednesday, is a small step, but it is a step in the right direction. The legislation creates a 15-member task force that will review:

Thanks to those who contacted us to point out that yesterday's email about the TBD Colorado summits didn't mention that one of the meetings is set for Denver on June 23.

There is, indeed, a Denver meeting, but it is already booked up. We urge you to consider attending one of the other meetings if you can (click on links to RSVP):

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.

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.

By Peter Marcus
The Colorado Statesman

Gov. John Hickenlooper joined with legislative leaders and members of the Joint Budget Committee on Monday, May 7, to sign the state budget for fiscal year 2012-13, praising lawmakers for having passed a budget with more support than it has received in 17 years.

Senate Bill 12-015

Oral Testimony to the House Education Committee
Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst
April 23, 2012

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

Article in link includes two charts provided by the Bell Policy Center.

By Matt Sidor
The Scribe
(University of Colorado at Colorado Springs)

On April 27, the University of Colorado Board of Regents voted in favor of tuition increases across all CU campuses for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signs the bill creating the Hospital Payment
Assistance Program. At left is Sen. Irene Aguilar, the Senate sponsor,
and Rep. Cindy Acree, the House sponsor, is at right.