Higher Education

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

Here at the Bell Policy Center, we know that it takes time to turn research into policy and then legislation. Of course, what really matters is the results.

Well, the latest results are in on concurrent enrollment, and they are dramatic. And we couldn't be more pleased – because more Colorado high school students are following their dreams and attending college and because we worked hard to help craft the legislation that put concurrent enrollment in place.

Sales and Use Tax Holiday for Textbooks for Use
at an Institution of Higher Education

HB13-1151

Testimony to the House Finance Committee
George Awuor, Policy Analyst
Feb. 14, 2013

Last week, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education released its master plan for 2012-17. We are very pleased that the key goals articulated in the plan align well with the Bell Policy Center's opportunity agenda, and we commend the commission on this important work.

Colorado's fiscal situation forces many hard choices, and there is no better example than our continuing struggle to pay for higher education – and to make college affordable for students and families.

We will see two illustrations of that this week. Tomorrow, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education will continue discussions of possible changes to the state's need-based financial aid program, and the governor will submit his budget request for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

(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:

Jay Dedrick
CU Connections
(News and information for faculty and staff)

State funding woes remained at the center of discussion among higher education constituents during the current session of the Colorado General Assembly – and during a gathering of speakers and panelists last week steps away from the Capitol.

The Colorado General Assembly will take up the state's budget this week. The so-called Long Bill (HB 1335) started in the House on Monday and is expected to move to the Senate by the end of the week.