session

This edition of the Opportunity News recaps the recently completed 2005 session of the General Assembly. As you can tell from the headline, we think the Legislature did a pretty good job in promoting opportunity for all Coloradans. Here is an overview of the session, followed by summaries of bills affecting each gateway and their final status.

Articles: Legislative interim committees lay foundation for '06 session, Special state commission sets goals to improve high schools, Health care coverage hard to get for part-time, temp and contract workers, The rich reap most benefits from capital gains tax cuts, Despite low inflation, ???real??? wages remain stagnant, Congress encourages automatic enrollment in 401(k) retirement plans

A special report on the 2006 legislative session and more than 100 bills related to opportunity, state finance, immigration and the health of democracy.

Special session compromise gets specific on public services for undocumented immigrants

Articles: New Colorado citizenship law tough on low-income citizens, costly, The Opportunity Agenda and what was NOT on the ???06 ballot, Wanted: Highly qualified teachers, CCHE approves new financial aid policy, State Health Care Reform Commission begins work, Citizens??? Health Care Working Group recommends access to health care for all Americans, Health insurance premiums rise at twice the rate of inflation, New Colorado minimum wage, What is the best way to promote financial literacy?

The General Assembly expanded opportunity for all Coloradans during the recently completed session. Lawmakers reached an historic agreement with Gov. Owens to fix the fiscal crisis, made health care more accessible to low-income citizens, acted to improve students??? preparation for college and increased tuition aid for low-income students.

State legislators did a good job of budgeting Referendum C tax dollars and passed bills that expand opportunity for some Colorado residents, but missed some chances to make a more profound impact.