Busy year at the state capitol: which bills matter most?: Panorama: Rocky Mountain PBS: a7

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Busy year at the state capitol: which bills matter most?

posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:10pm

See more on: Blogs, Colorado, Colorado State of Mind, Laws & Law Enforcement, News & Current Affairs

This week at the Colorado legislature, we can see the strain put on the state budget by the economic downturn, and the options lawmakers have to work with.

For the first time ever, the powerful Joint Budget Committee was told to go back to the drawing board, when legislative leaders balked at the idea of cutting $300 million more out of higher education, to help balance the budget. That idea had also drawn protests by college students around the state.

On "Colorado State of Mind" this week, our guests will be reporters who cover the state capitol day to day, so we'll get the latest on the road to a balanced budget, and also talk about some bills which are making their way through the process more quietly. We'll get their insight on the relative impact this 2009 session will have.

Aside from the overall financial picture, which other actions of the state legislature have you been interested in this year? What do you think of the bill which would limit the use of cell phones while driving? Or the various measures which aim to spur economic development and offer tax credits for job creation? Were you surprised at the defeat of the bill to offer in-state tuition to all Colorado residents, regardless of citizenship? What else are you watching, and why?

Let us know your thoughts, and join us Friday evening at 7:30 for "Colorado State of Mind" on television, or any time after that, online.

-Cynthia Hessin

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Colorado State of Mind
"2009 Legislative Session"

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What's your point of view?

A.M. Roeder
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 › 4:30pm
What matters most is the federalization of all student loans. Please read the following:
It is imperative that you discuss the "Student Loan Scam-The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History..." (An $85 billion dollar +industry)

Over six billion students have been burdened with high student loan interest rates, some amounting to more than 30% and compounding for one missed payment.

Worse yet, students frequently commit suicide as a result of the torture and harassment from the "bank owned/student lending companies'" credit agencies. In one example, a 35 year old graduate of Illinois State University, was found dead in a chemistry lab on campus-the same chemistry lab where he had done the research to complete his master's thesis.
In 1997, Albert Lord assumed control of privatizing Sallie Mae. During this time, Sallie Mae provided universities "kick backs" and other perks for luring students into signing onto a Sallie Mae Loan.

From then on, all consumer protections were removed from student loans by an act of Congress. Sallie Mae and a handful of other student loan interests spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress. And by 2006, the share of the Federal Direct Loan Program had diminished to about 19% of the market (81% are private loans).

Moreover, students were told that they were signing on to government loans and not private loans, thus the universities' financial aid offices became facilitators' at gaming the student loan system.

Last year over 150,000 of the graduates in America could not find employment due to the economic crisis in this country. The student lenders have purchased credit agencies that relentlessly harass students, their friends, and families. They call the student's references and ask harassing personal questions. None of the collection agencies ever accept "reasonable and affordable" payment amounts, and often demand $2,000-$3,000.00 per payment, per student including compounded interest fees. The extortion remains uncontrollable on behalf of the private lending agencies.

Andrea Luethge
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 › 2:32pm
Can I send this.

casey
Thursday, April 30, 2009 › 6:19pm
The legislature doesn't have a choice as to balancing the budget. There will be less state income for the next two years and we had better plan for that reality. Every agency, department. service, and project must share in the burden of limiting costs to the state government. Financing education has become a process of throwing good money after bad in larger sums every year with little to show for it.
With the advent of texting on cell phones the extent of distraction has become more than serious. Stop and do your texting without endangering others on the road.
We don't need any more federalization especially in the financial industry. Rules are needed as well as self restraint and education. Mom and Dad say NO. It works most of the time. Teach self responsibility and control.

Andrea Luethge
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 › 2:32pm
Can I send this.