By Ed Sealover Businesses and governments required to pay water-quality permitting fees may see those fees rise more regularly and with fewer legislative requirements under a bill that is set to be introduced in the coming days in the Colorado Legislature. The proposal, backed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, would remove […]
The Sum & Substance
Cabinet member to legislators: Hands off unemployment-tax revenues
By Ed Sealover A key member of Gov. Jared Polis’ cabinet sent a letter to Colorado legislators Wednesday expressing his “extreme opposition” to their use of unemployment taxes to fund enforcement of proposed new labor laws, and he hinted that any bills trying to do so could face a veto. Read More at The Sum […]
Hospitals’ costs, spending under fire from Colorado Legislature
By Ed Sealover Colorado legislators are questioning how Colorado hospitals charge fees to patients and how they spend their money, putting health-care facilities in a defensive position this session as they look to justify their business models at a time when expenses are outpacing revenue growth. Read More at The Sum & Substance.
Polis issues new regulations on oil and gas companies
By Ed Sealover Colorado oil and gas producers along much of the Front Range must cut nitrogen oxides 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030 under a new directive from Gov. Jared Polis — changes that industry leaders described Thursday as achievable but requiring new investment levels and technology. Read more at The Sum & […]
Legislators target pharmacy benefit managers in latest health-care regulatory bill
By Ed Sealover Gov. Jared Polis’ focus on bringing down pharmaceutical prices has spawned an effort to limit what pharmacy benefit managers can charge to business customers — an effort that is dividing business groups and legislators over whether it will be helpful or intrusive to employers. Read more at The Sum & Substance
ADA enforcement proposal could spur more lawsuits
By Ed Sealover Individuals with disabilities could file legal actions against businesses more easily and receive greater monetary awards under a legislative proposal that advocates say is long overdue but that skeptics say will lead to an increase in “drive-by lawsuits.” Read more at The Sum & Substance.
Polis, legislators unveil workforce bill package
By Ed Sealover Seeking to alleviate the labor shortage that continues to plague multiple industries, Gov. Jared Polis and a bipartisan group of legislators announced Tuesday that they will run two bills that could put $70 million toward helping students get credentials in high-demand fields. Read More at The Sum & Substance.com
Legislators grill utility leaders over rising rates
By Ed Sealover A special legislative committee probing rising utility costs questioned several long-standing aspects of Colorado’s rate-setting model Tuesday, including whether for-profit utilities like Xcel Energy should be allowed to make as large a return on investments as they do now. Read More at The Sum & Substance.com
Denver’s mayoral race may have statewide implications on tackling homelessness
By Ed Sealover Denver voters will begin casting ballots this week to elect their next mayor. And while those residents represent just 12% of the state’s population and skew more liberal than Colorado as a whole, their decision could send a far-flung message on homelessness and public safety. Read More at The Sum & Substance.com
Unemployment taxes could fund new labor regulations
By Ed Sealover Colorado legislators are seeking to use a fund that is seeded by unemployment-tax payments from employers to pay for enforcement of several regulatory bills this year — efforts that come as the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund continues to be insolvent. Read More at The Sum & Substance.com