Steamboat Pilot

(This column appeared in Steamboat Today on Aug. 17, 2011)

By Bob Semro

Steamboat Springs – July 30, 1965, was a milestone date in American history. On that day 46 years ago, the Social Security Act of 1965 was signed into law. That legislation introduced two new programs, Medicare and Medicaid. We take them for granted now, without realizing how much they have achieved and how much we rely on them.

(Op-ed in Steamboat Pilot)

By Bob Semro

At a time when political bipartisanship is a rare event, state leaders from both parties and business and consumer groups successfully reached agreement on a matter of real substance. Even more surprising, it was about health care reform.

By Jack Weinstein
Steamboat Pilot

Steamboat Springs – The increase of Colorado's minimum wage won't impact workers in Routt County, Yam­pa Valley Partners Executive Director Kate Nowak said Monday.

Starting Saturday, the state's minimum wage work force saw an increase of 11 cents to its hourly earnings, bringing them to $7.36. The state's minimum wage in 2010 actually was $7.24, but because the federal minimum wage of $7.25 was higher, it took precedence. The minimum wage for tipped employees increased to $4.34 an hour from $4.22.

By Jack Weinstein
Steamboat Pilot

Steamboat Springs – The Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association Board of Directors last week formally opposed three anti-tax measures on the ballot this fall.

Colorado voters in Nov­ember will decide whether to approve Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61, all of which are citizen-led initiatives aimed at decreasing taxes and reducing government spending.

Steamboat Springs – The South Routt School District depends on the state's interest-free loan program.