Family economic security

The Denver Post: Legislature faces possible special session as payday-loan issue revived

The prospect of a special legislative session became imminent Tuesday night after the Republican-led House attached a payday-loan amendment to a bill implementing state agency rules.

Also: The Colorado Independent: Pro-payday lawmakers attempt late-session regulations roll-back

Aspen Daily News: Audit praises local child welfare programs, cites needs for Hispanics

An independent audit of Pitkin County's child welfare programs gave high marks to local services and suggested that the government's work could be a model for small communities in Colorado and nationwide.

Fiscal policy

Colorado Springs Gazette commentary: Challenging the misconception that our state taxes are too high

By any measure, either comparatively or historically, Colorado state taxes and fees are not high, but are in fact quite low.

Denver Business Journal: Colorado Senate OKs bill to expand tourism incentives

A 2-year-old state program designed to spur the creation of regional tourism projects could lead to the construction of more visitor draws across the state, following Senate approval of a bill to expand it Tuesday. Including comment from Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute Policy Analyst Mark Neuman-Lee.

Durango Herald editorial: State budget

Given the triumvirate of external pressures that limit budgeting option(s), as well as the political environment that influenced priorities, the spending document that the Legislature produced is better than it could have been.

Health care

Health Policy Solutions: Hickenlooper should veto health fees for kids

The legislature recently sent a bill to the governor that represents a step in the wrong direction for Colorado's children. SB 213 creates monthly premiums in the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program for kids who have family incomes between 206 percent and 250 percent of poverty.  These are families of four who earn about $46,000 to $56,000 a year. Co-authored by Colorado Center on Law and Policy Health Care Attorney Adela Flores-Brennan.