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Colorado news roundup
The weekday Colorado news roundup is a collection of links to news reports and other resources of interest to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

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Other news summaries

Grasscatcher, from the National Conference of State Legislatures

Today's Health News, from The Colorado Trust

Colorado daily news roundup, from Stateline

Daily Health Policy Report, from Kaiser Health News

Lawmakers should remember the root of budget crisis, editorial says

Fiscal policy
Boulder Daily Camera editorial: Good news, but caution ahead: Lawmakers should remember the root of our budget crisis
This week, the state legislature's chief economist estimates that the state revenues this year would grow by $108 million more than had been earlier estimated. This compares with the governor's budget director's estimate of $149 million. Either way, it's good news, and even better news when you consider where the increases are coming from. Income taxes, sales taxes, and increases in important industry segments including manufacturing and agriculture. Either way, it's also -- at least numbers-wise -- minor news, with a general fund of $7.4 billion and on the heels of massive cuts to important programs, including education.

The Denver Post: Budget panel confirms that Colorado Tourism Office faces $5 million budget cut
The Joint Budget Committee on Tuesday stuck with its proposed $9.6 million budget for the Colorado Tourism Office, a $5 million cut that would mark a 50 percent decline from the office's 2007 budget.

Pueblo Chieftain: Reduced crime means less need for state prisons
State will close newest prison in February; 213 employees will be reassigned.

Pueblo Chieftain: Jobless aid subject to fraud check
A measure that heightens oversight of unemployment benefit payments was signed into law Monday.

Longmont Times-Call editorial: Colorado Legislature's business tax bill a good first step
New and expanding businesses could finally get a break on business personal property tax. After years of such tax-cut bills failing, this Colorado Legislature has finally found a bipartisan solution to the lifetime business tax. It's not perfect, but it's a great step.


Family economic security
Boulder Daily Camera: Boulder leaders get earful on homeless project
Emotions over a controversial proposal to build an apartment complex in north Boulder for the chronically homeless reached a boiling point Tuesday night.


Health care
KCNC-TV: Shopping For Health Insurance May Get Much Easier For Coloradans
The Colorado Health Benefit Exchange, created by lawmakers last year, will be open for business in October of 2013. Now community leaders are seeking input to make it as user-friendly as possible.
Also: KCFR-radio: Expectations High for CO Health Exchange


The national scene
Reuters: Top court rejects state damages in medical leave case
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that states cannot be sued for money damages for violating a key provision of a federal law that gives workers time off for a serious medical condition, a decision that could affect millions of state employees.

USA Today: Some go extra mile to hire growing pool of jobless veterans
As the nation grapples with finding work for its newest generation of combat veterans, job experts say that basic roadblocks persist for those willing to hire them: how to find these veterans and how to train them in new, non-military skills.


Think tanks
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: CBO Shows Ryan Budget Would Lead to End of Most of Government Other Than Social Security, Health, & Defense By 2050
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's new budget plan specifies a long-term spending path under which, by 2050, most of the federal government aside from Social Security, health care, and defense would cease to exist, according to figures in a Congressional Budget Office analysis released today.

Brookings Institution: Health Care Is a Necessary Reform
As the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act approaches, Alice Rivlin speaks with Campaign 2012 Director Benjamin Wittes about the health care reform law, the Supreme Court's upcoming oral arguments, and Medicare's impact on the federal budget.

RAND Corporation: How Would Eliminating the Individual Mandate Affect Health Coverage and Premium Costs?
As the individual mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is reviewed by the Supreme Court, researchers at the RAND Corporation have estimated how repealing the mandate would affect the number of adults insured, the cost of insurance premiums, and government spending.