The Bell Policy Center

Colorado’s state budget – the hits just keep on coming

State revenues will fall about $250 million short of appropriations for the fiscal year that ends next week, according testimony today by state economists before the Joint Budget Committee. Estimates from the economists are worse than their projections in March and show that the state's economy was weaker than anticipated in the second quarter.

Ritter signs SB 228, most significant reform since Ref C

Today marks a major milestone in the journey toward greater fiscal sanity in Colorado. This morning, Gov. Bill Ritter signed SB 228, one of the most important pieces of legislation of his term in office.

SB 228 repeals an antiquated budget formula known as Arveschoug-Bird, and it more than doubles the state's reserve requirement as a cushion against future economic downturns. Both steps have been priorities for the Bell since we first released our groundbreaking report on TABOR in 2003.

Health bills increase access for underserved areas, people

Two bills will increase acces to health care for underserved areas and for women and children who are legal immigrants.

• When HB 1111 is signed by Gov. Bill Ritter tomorrow, Colorado will take a major step toward increasing health resources in rural and underserved areas.

• HB 1353, signed by Gov. Ritter today, aligns Colorado’s Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) with the federal SCHIP reauthorization passed in February.

Ritter signs bills to boost student success, opportunity

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, including legislators, the lieutenant governor, the state treasurer, the commissioner of education, key education stakeholders, school administrators, teachers and -- most important of all -- hundreds of students, Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law nine education bills passed during this year's legislative session. The ceremony was held at the Denver Public Schools' Career Education Center in north Denver.