How Much Colo. Teachers Union Member Losses Tied to Greater Options?
Senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow offers some quotable insights regarding news that the Colorado Education Association membership numbers continue in significant decline over the past two years.
Is mandatory insurance enforceable? If so, penalty too small, insurance death spiral possible
The IRS may not be able to enforce mandatory insurance. If it can, penalty is too weak, which can destroy non-group insurance markets. Continue reading
Flash! Amtrak Food Services Loses Money
House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica says that Amtrak is losing $84 million a year on its food services. A recent report from the Amtrak inspector general says that at least part of the loss is due to thefts from Amtrak food-service personnel. Florida Representative Sandy Adams–who, due to redistricting, is facing Mica in this […]
Event Video: John Corcoran’s Personal Tale Touts Importance of Literacy
On Thursday, August 2, national literacy champion John Corcoran shared the personal story of his long bout with (and ultimate triumph over) illiteracy at an Independence Institute Brown Bag Lunch Event with an audience of more than 50 Colorado educators, officials and other interested citizens.
Amy Oliver Show: School Finance Report Light on Details
Senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow explains his disappointment with a report that is short on details from the education establishment on how to reform Colorado’s School Finance Act.
Local Breakdown of Colorado K-12 Spending Further Highlights Need for Reform
Since I got so long-winded yesterday (and because I know you’re tired of me hammering on the school funding issue once again), today’s post is going to be a short one. I’ve recently pointed out that the statewide K-12 financial trends are not quite as dire as some have proclaimed. But what about at the […]
Politico on next threat to ObamaCare: illegal subsidies to federal exchanges
If a state does not set up a health insurance exchange, no subsidies can apply to federal exchange operating in that state, argue J. Adler & M. Cannon. Continue reading
Colorado School Finance Partnership Report Fails to Inspire Real Reform Hopes
I’ve recently been asked whether I actually take the time to read every piece of hate mail, er, fan mail that I receive with not only compliments but also with thoughts and suggestions to improve this blog. Let me tell you, I’ve never let a piece go unopened. And yes, all your suggestions have been […]
Aurora Food Tax Changes Respect TABOR Restriction
The City of Aurora amended its sales tax regulations related to candy and soft drinks, as a response to concerns raised by Aurora grocery retailers. The 2012 ordinance amendment has the appearance of a tax increase but further analysis concludes the tax policy change is likely to be “revenue neutral,” And therefore does not require voter approval under TABOR.
CBO: Obamacare Will Spend More, Tax More, and Reduce the Deficit Less Than We Previously Thought – Forbes
bamacare will spend more money, raise more tax revenue, and reduce the deficit less than the agency thought in 2010. And things could get worse Continue reading
AFT National Teachers Union Resolved to Protect Power in Douglas County
Summer vacation is almost over (for some students, it already is). Any reason why I can’t write about Douglas County again? That’s what I thought. So here goes…
Education Week’s Stephen Sawchuk reported last week from the annual the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) convention that members sounded off on a local Colorado issue:
The union passed, […]
Colo. Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing Recycles Child Poverty Statistics
If the goal is more government involvement, and one implicitly assumes that poor families cannot raise children properly, what better way to foster more government involvement than to produce and harp on data showing that child poverty is increasing? Continue reading
