Check out the CCLP/COFPI Blog: Policy Matters
NEW REPORT: The Cost of Care - Can Coloradans Afford Health Care
June 25, 2009
The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI) released new data today updating our 2007 report, Aiming for the Middle: Benchmarks for Colorado's Future. The new numbers show that Colorado continues to fall behind other states in key investment areas such as education, health care, higher education, and transportation. Additionally, the new numbers do not yet reflect the impact of the recession, and raise concerns about Colorado's ability to recover with our current fiscal system.
June 22, 2009
As the debate over health care reform quickly moves forward in Washington, congressional staffers are looking to Colorado for guidance on key components of health care reform. CCLP's Liz Feder and Dede de Percin from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative met with key congressional staffers last week to discuss the newly released report, The Cost of Care: Can Coloradans Afford Health Care. You can watch and read more about the briefing here.
June 12, 2009
Last week, as the Denver Post reporter here, an arbitrator vetoed the sale of a Denver-area hospital to a Catholic health care group. Read more CCLP analysis of where the case is at the Policy Matters blog.
June 11, 2009
After several weeks of increased media attention on the broken Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) in the Denver Post, Aurora Sentinel, and other outlets, the Sentinel issued a strong rebuke of the state in its efforts to fix the failing computer system. The editorial rightly points out that 51 other states and terrorities seem to successfully deliver benefits to eligible recipients on time, yet not Colorado. As the editorial itself states, "it's inexcusable, and it has got to stop."
Aurora Sentinel: Fix Colorado Benefits System
Channel 7: Computer Problems Delaying Food Stamp Process
Denver Post: State vetoes efforts to speed up aid
June 2, 2009
Last wee, CCLP and seven partnering health care organizations submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee to provide input on their Policy Options Paper outlining different proposals to reform health care. The letter provided specific input on accessibility, affordability, and adequacy of health care, including what a public insurance option should look like, how access and coverage would be structured, reforming rating rules, ensuring affordability, sufficiency of benefits, reinforcing safety net programs, avoiding coverage gaps, and strengthening financing for states.
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Policy Options Report
CCLP-Health Advocate Letter
May 18, 2009
CCLP is seeking applicants for the position of Health Policy Analyst, to help work toward health care reform, protect and expand access to public program benefits, perform research and advocacy, build and maintain coalitions, and other key responsibilities to help advance CCLP's Health Care program agenda. For more details about the position and the application process, click here.
Health Policy Analyst
May 11, 2009
A New York Times article this weekend reported that Colorado was among the worst states in the country in terms of critical and sometimes life-sustaining safety net services for lower-income families and victims of the recession. Of the six areas evaluated, Colorado ranked in the bottom ten states in five of them, and was last in a composite ranking of all categories.
Complete Article
May 8, 2009
A post over on CCLP's blog outlines the urgent need for Colorado's state government to take action to alleviate longstanding problems with delivery of food stamps and health care benefits.
Blog Post
May 6, 2009
CCLP and COFPI applauded the Colorado state legislature today as the 2009 session comes to an end. Despite a brutal budget shortfall, the Legislature passed several bills that were key CCLP/COFPI priorities that will strengthen the state and help lower-income Coloradans.
Full Release
April 29, 2009
CCLP and its partners at Colorado Voices for Coverage (CVC) released an innovative new report today addressing affordability in health care. The findings show that too many Coloradans cannot afford health care and that too many families make vital trade offs to pay for health care.
Press Release
Executive Summary
Complete Report
April 21, 2009
CCLP released this issue brief today outlining why the provider rate cuts by the Colorado legislature are unhealthy for Coloradans and for Colorado's economy.
Provider Cuts Issue Brief
April 19, 2009
Late last week, the Colorado House passed an amended version of the Long Bill that included drastic cuts to Medicaid provider rates. The cuts, which came in addition to previous general fund cuts earlier in the session, came about in two key amendments. This COFPI issue brief outlines the impact of those cuts and what the next steps are this week on the budget.
Budget Issue Brief
April 8, 2009
The March revenue projections did not bring good news for Colorado, bookended by a 21-year high in unemployment and a deteriorating fiscal situation. This COFPI issue brief provides a detailed analysis of those revenue projections and what it might mean going forward.
March 2009 Revenue Projections
April 2, 2009
The Boulder Daily Camera ran an oped today about SB 247 jointly authored by COFPI's Kathy White and 9to5's Linda Meric. The piece highlights key legislation being considered in the statehouse that would qualify Colorado for $127.5 million in federal money for the unemployed, simply by making modest changes to modernize the state's unemployment insurance system.
Boulder Daily Camera Oped
March 18, 2009
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed HB 1276 by a 5-2 vote today. The bill provides a 90-day timeout in the foreclosure process for qualifying homeowners. CCLP Special Counsel Ed Kahn testified in favor of the legislation, which now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Read More
March 17, 2009
Just minutes after SB 228 passed in the Colorado State Senate by a 21-14 vote, supporters gathered in the Capitol to applaud the strong fiscal leadership of bill sponsors Sen. John Morse and Rep. Don Marostica. The important budget reform bill would get rid of an outdated budget formula, known as Arveschoug-Bird, and help Colorado get out of the recession quicker.
Full Report
PNS Radio Interview
March 3, 2009
As the 2009 legislative session moves forward, many of CCLP and COFPI's priority bills are progressing with broad support. Just this week, SB 228, the budget reform bill to repeal Arveschoug-Bird, moved closer to final passage in the Senate. Likewise, HB 1064, which would create an anti-poverty task force, passed the House with a bipartisan vote. Stay tuned for additional developments.
SB 228 Update
HB 1064 Update
February 26, 2009
Check out this fact sheet to learn more about how Colorado will be impcacted by Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) dollars, related to the federal recovery bill.
FMAP Fact Sheet
February 24, 2009
The Senate Finance Committee approved SB 228, which would repeal the outdated Arveschoug-Bird provision that limits how state general fund dollars are allocated. Getting rid of the measure, also known as the 6 percent, would allow Colorado to maximize federal recovery dollars and get the state's economy back on track quicker by investing in key priorities such as education, health care, job training, economic development and higher education.
Press Release
Fact Sheet
FAQs
February 17, 2009
Check out COFPI's updated analysis (as of February 17th) of the federal stimulus impact in Colorado, including revised estimates, and new numbers on worker training impact.
Stimulus Issue Brief
February 9, 2009
CCLP appreciated the opportunity to work with Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Sen. Morgan Caroll, community advocates, the financial sector, and the Governor's Office in helping shape a foreclosure-deferment bill that will be introduced in the legislature this week.
Read More Here
February 3, 2009
What can Colorado do to maximize federal stimulus dollars and strengthen the state's fiscal future? Eliminate the 6% directive. Find out more here.
Fact Sheet
How It Works
Action Items
Legal Summary
FAQ
February 2, 2009
The Denver Post published an online guest commentary over the weekend from CCLP Executive Director Maureen Farrell-Stevenson and COFPI Program Director Kathy White about Colorado's pressing budget and fiscal issues, and the impact proposed cuts could have on the state's economy.
Denver Post Guest Commentary
January 28, 2009
COFPI policy staff testified on eight different pieces of tax and fiscal legislation over the last 36 hours. The
general message sent to legislative committess was that in these difficult economic times, as the state faces mounting budget problems, we must do everything we can to preserve revenue and protect the worker safety net that is so vital to our economic health during a recession. Likewise, as Congress debates an unprecedented stimulus package, COFPI believes the state should slow down the push for budget cuts, explore other options, and avoid making bad decisions that could amplify the recession and cause more hardship for Colorado families.
Denver Business Journal: Carol Hedges on tax credits
Denver Daily News: Laura Oldright on closing tax loopholes
KGNU: Carol Hedges in policy debate on budget issues (forward to 37:30)
The Jay Marvin Show: Carol Hedges on slowing down the push for budget cuts
January 27, 2009
CCLP Special Counsel Ed Kahn spoke with the Denver Post about the growing problems with delayed processing on food stamp applications--more than 2,000 eligble recipients not getting food stamp benefits each month. This is a problem that has persisted for more than four years, and is now being exacerbated by the growing economic crisis. Not only can the state not meet the growing need, but there are also proposed cuts to the administrative areas that would help fix this problem.
Denver Post article
Fort Collins Coloradan/Loveland Connection article
January 27, 2009
In a packed room at the statehouse, dozens of advocacy groups and service provides testified in support of HB 1064, a bill that would create a task force dedicated to taking a comprehensive, strategic approach to fighting poverty and advancing economic opportunity. HB 1064 cleared the House State Affairs Committee by a 9-2 vote.
9to5 Board member Testimony
January 26, 2009
CCLP Health Attorney Adela Flores-Brennan did a radio interview with the Colorado News Connection about the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Plan in Congress.
Complete Interview
January 23, 2009
COFPI released this analysis of the inital U.S. House economic stimulus proposal. According to initial data, Colorado could see $2.133 billion in federal investment, not including other benefits such as tax credits, income assistance, and other measures in development.
Complete Fact Sheet
Denver Post article
January 15, 2009
This year's event was a tremendous success, with more than 150 attendees for the all day forum on fiscal issues. COFPI thanks everyone for attending, and a special thanks to Michael Ettlinger from the Center for American Progress, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, Kathy Gephardt from CU and Children's Voices, Legislative Council's Natalie Mullis, the Bell Policy Center's Rich Jones, and the Colorado Children's Campaign's Mark Fermanich, as well as COFPI's own Carol Hedges, Laura Oldright, Adam Kretz, and Adela Flores-Brennan for all of their terrific presentations. Materials from most of the Budget Works 2009 can be found here.
Colorado's Unique Constraints
Revenue 101
Economic Stimulus Benefit from Public Investments
Legislative Council Presentation
January 6, 2009
Carol Hedges, senior fiscal analyst at COFPI, delivered this presentation to the Colorado Social Legislation Committee (CSLC). It takes a look at state revenue estimates, economic indicators, and other bellweather signs for 2009.
Full Presentation
December 19, 2008
The Colorado Legislative Council announced today that the state faces a $631 million shortfall—or about 9 percent of the General Fund—in the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget that was approved by the 2008 legislative session. The severity of any cuts to the FY 2008-2009 budget would be magnified because the timeline is compressed into the final six months of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2009. COFPI released the following statement from Kathy white on the new projections.
Full Statement
December 18, 2008
COFPI relased the State of Working Colorado 2008 report today, which includes data on employment, wages and income, poverty, insurance, and other economic indicators. This year's report shows that even with the soft recovery that ended in 2007, Colorado families are particularly vulnerable heading into an economic downturn. Data shows that families were worse off in 2007, than in 2000.
Press Release
Full Report
December 17, 2008
The Denver Post editorialized today about the desperate need to fix the fiscal mess in Colorado. CCLP and COFPI could not agree more.
Denver Post editorial
SAVE THE DATE: Budget Works 2009
November 24, 2008
COFPI is pleased to announce that Budget Works 2009 will be held on Friday, January 9th. Because of unprecedented interest in the fiscal challenges facing Colorado, COFPI is expanding its Budget Works program this year to include a morning session, a lunch speaker, and an afternoon panel. Stay tuned for more details about location, time, and registration information.
November 21, 2003
After Governor Ritter presented his FY 2009-2010 Budget Request to the Joint Budget Committee last week, COFPI prepared this analysis of the budget proposal.
Budget Issue Brief
November 13, 2008
The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute released a new paper today, Why We Need Government and Government Needs Us, that explores the history of effective public investments in the U.S., evaluates the relationship between connectivity and trust in government, and validates the view that increasing rather than cutting public investments in difficult economic times is a sound strategy for economic growth.
Executive Summary
Complete Paper
October 24, 2008
The Colorado Bar Association released its positions on several key issues on this year's ballot. CBA threw its support behind Amendment 59, also known as SAFE because it would create a Savings Account for Education, as well as Referendum O. CBA opposes both Amendments 46 and 48. For more information, check out the CBA election guide.
October 23, 2008
The Bell Policy Center released a op-ed column today making the case of why Coloradans need to vote No on Amendment 46. Citing three different reports, the op-ed concludes that, "Amendment 46 would turn back the clock and damage efforts to expand opportunity for all Coloradans." Vote No on Amendment 46.
Complete Op-ed
No on Amendment 46
October 8, 2008
The Denver Post urged Coloradans to vote no on Amendment 46, which as they said, would be a step backwards on race and gender. They the amendment "devilish genius," and make it clear that this is a "wrong-headed solution looking for problems that don't exist." Read the full editorial here.
October 7, 2008
Families USA released a new report today, called Premiums versus Paychecks: A Growing Burden for Colorado’s Workers. The findings of the report give cause for concern, as health care premiums have risen nearly five times faster than median earnings. Additionally, according to the study, Colorado families faced higher out-of-pocket health care costs as well, leaving it tougher and tougher to make ends meet.
CCLP/CCHI Press Release
Complete Report
Families USA Press Release
October 6, 2008
Check out COFPI's analysis of the state's Septmeber 2008 revenue projections, which include nearly a $100 million reduction in the FY 08-09 appropriations.
Complete Analysis
October 3, 2008
This year's crowded ballot giving you headaches? Then take a look at the 2008 Colorado C3 Roundtable Ballot Guide, which includes measures that were considered by member organizations of the Roundtable.
2008 C3 Roundtable Ballot Guide
October 1, 2008
Check out COFPI's new video about Amendment 59, also known as SAFE (Savings Account for Education). The video features House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, a teacher, a student, a school counselor, a doctor, and others, telling their story about why Colorado needs to pass Amendment 59.
Video: Yes on Amendment 59
Blog: A SAFE Place
September 4, 2008
A Boulder County judge ordered a stay in one of two lawsuits related to the proposed transaction of two Denver-area hospitals to a Catholic health care group. The second case, which is in Denver court, has been sent to arbitration.
Boulder Daily Camera article
Litigation Update: Exempla cases
August 26, 2008
The U.S. Census Bureau released new data today on poverty, income, and health insurance. Nearly 570,000 Coloradans, or 12 percent, struggle with poverty—the same rate from the previous year. The trend of increasing child poverty continued with Colorado’s child poverty rate rising slightly to 15.9 percent. Statewide data also showed that median household income increased from the previous year, and that 16.8 percent of Coloradans are uninsured, which is higher than the national rate. Nationally, income inequality is a growing problem facing low- and middle-income earners.
August, 25, 2008
CCLP currently has an opening for a Tax Policy Analyst. Please click here for more details and application instructions.
August 18, 2008
CCLP has teamed up with Colorado Voices for Coverage - a collaboration among the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI), the Business Health Forum, the Colorado Progressive Coalition (CPC), and the Colorado Council of Churches - to conduct a groundbreaking study on affordability of healthcare and healthcare coverage in Colorado. More than 80 workshops around the state are underway to get input directly from consumer about what they actually pay and what they can actually afford. Elisabeth Arenales, CCLP's Health Program Director, spoke with Public News Service PNS about the project.
PNS Interview (audio)
August 14, 2008
Take a look back at 2007 with CCLP and COFPI. The annual report features a review of the work and the achievements of CCLP and COFPI, including commentary from Executive Director Maureen Farrell and outgoing Board President Jean Dubofsky, as well as recognition to all of our tremendous partners, funders, and supporters.
2007 Annual Report
August 12, 2008
As concerns grow over high food and fuel costs, and more and more families struggle to make ends meet, Colorado finds itself at a crossroads when it comes to poverty and economic self-sufficiency. This fact sheet provides a snapshop of poverty in Colorado and what can be done to fight it.
Fact Sheet: Poverty in Colorado
August 8, 2008
Colorado’s future economic vitality is compromised by restrictive and conflicting constitutional and statutory provisions that make it nearly impossible to provide adequate educational and economic infrastructure. In November, voters will have an opportunity to adopt an innovative proposal to untangle the constitutional, free up the State’s economic prospects, and dedicate funding for education. The Savings Account for Education proposal (Ballot Initiative 126) is an important step in moving Colorado forward.
FACT SHEET: SAFE Proposal
July 28, 2008
Check out the latest developments and analysis on the pending lawsuits related to the proposed transaction of two Denver-area hospitals to a Catholic health care group.
Litigation Update: Exempla Cases
July 15, 2008
This issue brief provides in-depth analysis on the latest revenue projections for the state of Colorado.
June 2008 Revenue Projections
June 11, 2008
The Colorado Children’s Campaign released a startling report this week showing that Colorado has the fastest growing child poverty rate in the country. These findings confirm similar research released last fall by the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI) that showed Colorado was the only state in the country that had a significant increase in child poverty. COFPI data cited in the Children’s Campaign report was referenced in both the Denver Post and the New York Times.
Colorado Children's Campaign Press Release
White Paper: Childhood Poverty in Colorado
KidsCount 2008 Data Book
May 12, 2008
“The challenges Colorado faces when it comes to health care, fiscal policy, and economic self-sufficiency are too great to resolve in one year,” said Maureen Stevenson Farrell, Executive Director at CCLP. “So while we recognize some of the progress made, we also know that a lot of work remains on key issues like the Earned Income Tax Credit and broader health care reform.”
Press Release: Legislative Review
Public News Service Interview (audio)
KGNU Interview with Kathy White and Elisabeth Arenales
(Audio-click yellow tab at right, begin at 21:30 mark)
April 29, 2008
Carol Hedges, COFPI's Senior Fiscal Analyst, delivered testimony today in the House State Affairs Committee on Speaker Romanoff's TABOR reform proposa, HCR 1014.
Full Statement
Denver Post article
April 16, 2008
A Rocky Mountain News column outlined how a tax proposal currently under consideration in the legislature, H.B. 1380, would actually raise taxes on 70 percent of Colorado businesses. It's part of the plan to change corporate income tax reporter to the so-called "single sales factor," and as the column points out it would reward some companies and penalize others.
Full RMN column here
Full COFPI statement on legislation here
April 10, 2008
The House Finance Committee voted yesterday, by a 10-1 margin, to move forward with H.B. 1380, which would change the corporate income tax system to the so-called “Single Sales Factor.” In doing so, the Committee added two amendments to the legislation that would implement corporate reporting and accountability measures.
Full COFPI Statement
Denver Business Journal article
April 9, 2008
A groundbreaking national study, Pulling Apart: A state-by-state analysis of income trends, released today shows that the income gap in Colorado is rapidly growing. The study reveals larger gaps between high-income earners and low- and middle-income families now than in previous decades.
Press Release
Full Report and State Fact Sheets
Public News Service story (audio)
April 8, 2008
As the House Finance Committee prepares to hear H.B. 1380 tomorrow, a coalition of advocacy groups and labor unions is raising questions about the corporate tax system in Colorado. These questions include whether corporations are pulling their weight, and how is that impacting working families? An amendment will be offered on the bill that would help increase transparency on corporate taxes in Colorado, and ensure that policymakers and citizens alike have the necessary information to make good decisions when it comes to tax policies.
Full Release
April 3, 2008
Following
three hours of spirited debate last night, H.B. 1362 failed in the House Finance Committee by a vote of 4-7. The bill would have restored the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for two years, providing much needed tax relief to 264,000 low-income working Colorado households and pumping $52 million a year into local economies.
Press Release
Paycheck Away Coalition video shown at hearing
Colorado Springs Gazette story
March 19, 2008
The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI) released a new report today, The 2008 Colorado Self-Sufficiency Study: A Family Needs Budget, detailing what it takes for families to make ends meet on a county-by-county basis. A broad coalition
of advocates, service providers, public officials, and other community members helped launch the report, as well as a newly created online tool called VisionKEI.
Executive Summary
Full Report
VisionKEI - interactive online Self-Sufficiency tool
Complete Self-Sufficiency Tables
9News Story (Video)
Denver Post article
Fort Collins Coloradoan article
March 14, 2008
Rep. John Kefalas and Sen. Betty Boyd introduced a bill (H.B. 1362) to restore the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which would provide direct relief to 264,000 tax-filers and pump $52 million into the Colorado economy. “The goal here, in my mind, is make an economy that works for everyone,” said House sponsor Rep. Kefalas. “The goal…is to make sure that folks who are playing by the rules, living paycheck to paycheck, that they have an opportunity to move toward self-sufficiency to get beyond poverty.”
Rocky Mountain News article
Association Press article
Channel 4 story (video)
Channel 9 story (video)
March 10, 2008
The Colorado Pay Equity Commission, a twelve-member group made up of representatives from business, labor, education, policy and advocacy organizations, released a comprehensive, detailed, and well-documented account of pay inequity in Colorado on Friday, March 7th. CCLP Health Policy Analyst Elizabeth Feder is a member of the Commission. The report, Fulfilling the Promise: Closing the Pay Gap for Women and Minorities in Colorado, examines the practices that have perpetuated the pay gap and offers recommendations to address the issue. Among the key findings were that the pay gap shows women still lag men by more than 20 percent.
Full Report here
March 5, 2008
"They're calling it a 'back door bureaucratic move' to cut critical health coverage. Public health advocates say the Bush administration has been bypassing Congress, making cuts, and restricting access to Medicaid and other health programs by issuing new federal rules."
Full Interview
Denver Post: Medicaid plans slammed - 3/5/08
Rocky Mountain News: Medicaid rules could slash funding to CO hospitals - 3/5/08
March 4, 2008
Over the past year, the Bush Administration has proposed or issued nine regulations that would cut critical health care services and cost Colorado as much as $200 million in federal funding in 2008. At a time when state budgets are already stretched too thin, and given Colorado’s funding restrictions, these funding cuts and shifts in costs are difficult, if not impossible for Colorado to absorb. These changes in federal regulations will have devastating consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Fact Sheet
Denver Post: Medicaid reduction would hit state hard - 3/4/08
House Government Reform Committee report
Interactive Map showing state-by-state impact
March 3, 2008
"Colorado has a mixed story to tell about its five year recovery from the 2001 recession. Overall poverty rates have remained largely unchanged, but there has been a disturbing trend of increasing child poverty. Additionally, growing income inequality and soaring numbers of families without health insurance have offset positive developments in the recovery and indicate potential trouble ahead for the State of Working Colorado."
Executive Summary
Full Report
February 22, 2008
"The President’s budget proposal, unveiled earlier this month, is more of the same: more debt, more deficit spending, more cuts to vital public services, more strain on states and local governments, and most importantly, more strain on ordinary Coloradans." For full fact sheet click here.
February 13, 2008
Denver - The economic stimulus package President Bush is expected to sign this week will put some money in Coloradans' wallets - but some critics say that, at the same time, his proposed budget carries cuts that could offset that bonus.
Kathy White with the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute says there are billions of dollars in cuts to a number of vital services. "Everything from child care to police protection, a lot of the things that ordinary Coloradans make use of."
Full Interview Here
February 11, 2008
COFPI Senior Fiscal Analyst, Carol Hedges was a featured guest today on The Jay Marvin Show on AM760 Progressive Talk. She spoke with Jay about how the federal economic stimulus plan will cost Colorado between $68-109 million in lost state revenue.
Full Interview Here
Or Click Here and go to Jay Marvin Show, 2/11/08, Hour 3
February 1, 2008
CCLP Health Care Program Director and 208 Commission Member, Elisabeth Arenales, testified before the state legislature on January 31st, along with her colleagues on the commission. In what was described as a "bold yet realistic approach to health care reform in Colorado," the commission laid out a comprehensive set of recommendations to fulfill its charge of reducing both health care costs and the number of uninsured Coloradans.
Media Coverage
Commission Report
Commission Seb Site
January 29, 2008
"Exempla Healthcare has asked a judge to toss out a state attorney general's ruling that OKs the proposed Catholic takeover of two area hospitals. State lawmakers also have introduced two bills aimed at restricting similar hospital transactions and ensuring that all proceeds from such sales be spent on medical services."
Full article here
Updates on Exempla hospital sale here
January 29, 2008
Listen to reaction to the State of the Union address regarding federal fiscal policy. Click the above link, then click the yellow button to the right of the January 29th edition of "Morning Magazine." Fast forward to the 19-minute mark.
January 25, 2008
Channel 7 talked with Bell Policy Center President, Wade Buchanan, about the Looking Forward report and the state's numerous fiscal challenges. Looking Forward is a joint collaboration between the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, the Colorado Children's Campaign, and the Bell Policy Center.
Channel 7 Interview and Looking Forward news coverage
Full Report
Press Release
January 24, 2008
"Commission members Edie Sonn of Denver and Elisabeth Arenales, health care program director for the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, discussed the proposed ideas for reform with The Tribune\'s editorial board on Wednesday. The commission, charged last year with coming up with ways to ensure all residents can have access to affordable health care, will make its final report to the Legislature on Jan. 31."
Full article here.
January 23, 2008
Listen to COFPI fiscal analyst Adela Flores-Brennan talk about legislation to restore the state Earned Income Tax Credit with KGNU.
Click the above link, then click the yellow button to the right of the January 23rd edition of "Morning Magazine." Fast forward to the 17-minute mark.
January 18, 2008
Check out the latest updates on the proposed sale of two Denver-area hospitals. The Community First Foundation and Sisters of Charity filed complaints to dismiss, followed by responses from Exempla supporting CCLP, Plaintiff's approach. To view latest court documents, click here and scroll down to bottom of the page.
January 17, 2008
Wondering what really goes into the state budget? Curious about how the budget process actually works? Then check out COFPI's 2008 Budget Primer.
January 14, 2008
CCLP Special Counsel Ed Kahn was awarded the Colorado Bar Association's Award of Merit at the annual Bar Fellows Dinner on January 11th. "Serving the public where and when one can is part of a lawyer’s professional responsibility, and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve in many meaningful matters,” said Ed Kahn. “I am pleased and humbled to receive this award."
CBA Press Release
Ed Kahn's Acceptance Remarks
January 9, 2008
As the 2008 legislative session begins today, the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP) and the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI) are focusing on a variety of bills and issues that impact health care, state tax and budget policy, and self-sufficiency for lower-income families.
January 8, 2008
The Exempla Board has filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court to block the proposed sale of two area hospitals citing that terms of the deal are "unacceptable and wrong."
Rocky Mountain News: Exempla sues to block sale - 1/9/08
Denver Post: Exempla board sues to halt hospital sale - 1/9/08
Exempla complaint filed in Denver District Court - 1/8/08
January 7, 2008
CCLP Special Counsel Ed Kahn spoke with KGNU's Metro program today about the proposed sale of two Denver-area hospitals. CCLP and a coalition of community groups have filed a complaint to stop the sale, as it would restrict medical access in Boulder and Jefferson counties.
Listen to the full KGNU Metro interview here.
January 4, 2008
More than 150 advocates and experts attended this year's Budget Works conference, which held a terrific program of speakers and presentations featuring representatives from the Colorado Fiscal Policy Insitute, the Colorado Children's Campaign, and the Bell Policy Center, as well as political commentators and CCLP Board President Jean Dubofsky. For more information about the confernce, check out some of the materials here.
January 2, 2008
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a study over the holidays outlining how more than 36 million Americans live in poverty, nearly half of which live in extreme poverty - meaning an income less than half of the poverty line, or less than $10,000 a year for a family of four.
See the complete study here.
December 20, 2007
On Thursday, the state announced a settlement agreement on the lawsuit against the Colorado Benefits Management System, which has been plagued by problems.
"We're pleased that the case has been settled," said Ed Kahn, attorney for the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, which represented the six clients who filed the suit about three and a half years ago. "We believe it gives us a mechanism to be an effective watchdog of the system."
Rocky Mountain News: Settlement reached over benefits management - 12/20/07
Denver Post: State agencies settle computer-benfits lawsuit - 12/20/07
CBMS Final Stipulation and Order of Settlement - 12/20/07
December 20, 2007
CCLP and a coalition of community groups worked together to file a complaint against the proposed sale of two Denver-area hospitals. "We're doing this because we want to preserve the broadest possible health-care opportunities and medical treatment for the people of Boulder and Jefferson counties who have been served with sound, broad medical practice for years," said Ed Kahn, special counsel at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, which assisted in the lawsuit. "They deserve to continue to have that opportunity."
Rocky Mountain News: Suit seeks to block sale of hospitals - 12/20/07
Boulder Daily Camera: Lawsuit aims to block sale of hospitals- 12/20/07
Complaint as Filed
December 18, 2007
The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, the Bell Policy Center, and the Colorado Children's Campaign released a new report today that looks ahead at Colorado's fiscal prospects after Referendum C. This collaborative project, headed up by eight researchers from these three nonprofits, forecasts a six-year budget window with the goal of providing Coloradoans with good information so they can make sound decisions about tax and fiscal policy.
News Coverage
Press Release
Full Report
How Referendum C works
How the state budget works
December 18, 2007
"Some food-stamp applicants have been denied services altogether because their applications weren't processed quickly enough. On any given week, from 1,200 to 2,400 applicants for food stamps in the state's 10 largest counties had waited more than 30 days to get their applications filed. Applicants at the back of the line can wait weeks longer to collect benefits they're entitled to receive. Moreover, the state computer system has erroneously sent letters to scores of food-stamp applicants saying they had been rejected even though their applications were still active."
Rocky Mountain News editorial: Food stamp food fight - 12/18/2007
Rocky Mountain News: Food stamp applications mired in bureaucracy - 12/15/2007
December 12, 2007
CCLP is leading a coalition of advocacy groups and individuals objecting to the pending sale of two Denver-area hospitals. The sale would significantly divert charitable assets away from health care in the community and severely limit access to critical medical procedures in Jefferson and Boulder Counties. The coalition, led by CCLP Special Counsel Ed Kahn, submitted a letter to the Attorney General’s office on December 3 outlining the objections.
Rocky Mountain News: Talks aim for hospital compromise - 12/12/2007
Rocky Mountain News: Coalition says hospital deal violates law- 12/3/2007
Coalition letter to the Attorney General's Office - 12/3/2007
December 11, 2007
CCLP Health Care Program Director talks to KCFR's Colorado Matters about health care reform and Medicaid. Listen to the interview here.
November 15, 2007
The 2006 CCLP Annual Report is now available online! Check out the terrific work CCLP and COFPI are doing on health care, self-sufficiency, fiscal policy, and more. Also included are reflections from Board President, Jean Dubofsky, and Executive Director, Maureen Farrell-Stevenson, as well as a special tribute to Ed Kahn.
October 5, 2007
Read Maureen Farrell's statement on President Bush's veto of important SCHIP legislation. Also, check out other legislative facts and background information about the State Children's Health Insurance Program:
August 28, 2007
Listen to CCLP Health Care Director Elisabeth Arenales on CPR's Colorado Matters discuss how new ID requirements are pushing citizens off of Medicaid and wasting taxpayer dollars.
Full interview here.
August 28, 2007
The U.S. Census Bureau released new data today showing that nearly a half million Coloradans, or 10.6 percent, struggle with poverty and that the state's child poverty rate has increased to 15.3 percent. Statewide data also showed that median household income declined slightly from the previous year, and that 16.6 percent of Coloradans are uninsured, which is higher than the national rate.
Press Release
Colorado Poverty and Income Statistics 2006
August 1, 2007
See the below links for updates on the new rules related to State ID and Driver's License applications.
August 1, 2007
The new Lawful Presence Rule allows persons applying for public benefits to use an array of documents to prove lawful presence (citizenship or lawful immigrant status). It also allows applicants for public benefits to request Waivers if they do not have any of the required documents.
Lawful Presence Rule Summary and Fact Sheet
View Complete Department of Revenue Rule Here
State trails per capita U.S. average by $3.3 billion in critical areas
June 20, 2007
The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI) released a new report, Aiming for the Middle, exploring how Colorado continues to fall behind other states in key areas of public investment such as K-12 education, health care, transportation and higher education.
May 31, 2007
The Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Covering Kids and Families, and the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative cited new data from two surveys released today by the Colorado Health Institute as evidence of a growing problem in the state’s
health care system. See the Eligibility Technician survey here and the Outreach and
Enrollment Worker survey here. Read full press release here.
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