Economy
Colorado unemployment rate returns to pre-pandemic levels
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment announced Monday that the state’s unemployment rate was 2.8% in January, returning for the first time to pre-pandemic levels. “With Colorado’s unemployment rate dropping below three percent, it is clear that Colorado is the best place to live, work and do business,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a […]
Regulators end week like they started — tamping down fears, rescuing a bank
Financial regulators, policymakers, and bank executives spent the week trying to abate fears that a banking crisis will spread across the U.S. financial system. On Friday, President Joe Biden released a statement calling on Congress to take action to make it easier for regulators to hold senior bank executives accountable for their mismanagement. “It should […]
These companies see advantage in putting former inmates to work
Three years ago, Drew Patterson moved his company from Greeley to the town of Buena Vista, in part because a prison is located there. The Buena Vista Correctional Complex for men offered a labor pool for Patterson’s Basic Industries business that makes wooden stakes and other wood components. Patterson believes in second chances. While the […]
South Dakota congressman advocates expansion of work requirements for federal food aid
WASHINGTON — Republican South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson introduced a bill Tuesday aimed at expanding work requirements for federal nutrition aid, reigniting a perennial conflict over how Congress navigates both the farm bill and federal spending. “Work is the best pathway out of poverty,” Johnson, who in his home state has talked about growing up […]
Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse differs from our last financial crisis
After the largest U.S. bank failure in more than a decade, regional bank stocks plunged on Monday as the federal government — with the 2007-2008 financial crisis still a fresh memory for many — rushed to reassure Americans that the U.S. banking system was stable. President Joe Biden told Americans that the risks taken on by failed […]
Let’s keep leading the way on equal pay
At a time when too many policies affecting women are going backward, I believe Colorado can continue to go forward. Today is Equal Pay Day, the day that marks how far into 2023 women must work on average to be paid what men were paid on average in 2022. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Colorado’s […]
Biden says U.S. bank deposits are safe despite tumult over California bank collapse
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden reassured Americans early Monday that their money is safe in U.S. banks, after a tumultuous weekend following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and a move by regulators to shut down a second lender. Americans “should feel confident that their deposits will be there, if and when they need them,” […]
Powell signals higher interest rates. Here’s why Friday’s jobs report will affect Fed’s decision.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week that interest rate increases could be higher and come faster if Friday’s unemployment data shows the nation’s labor market isn’t cooling off. Stock indexes fell after his comments. That’s been a familiar pattern over the past year as the federal bank has tried to combat inflation. A […]
Biden budget asks for 25% tax on billionaires, boosts in domestic and defense spending
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Thursday he’s ready to meet with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to hash out federal spending as soon as House Republicans release their budget, a challenging task without a firm deadline. “I’m ready to meet with the speaker anytime, tomorrow if he has his budget,” Biden said during a […]
Progressive agriculture groups rally for land access, climate-smart policies in farm bill
WASHINGTON — Farmers and leaders from more than 20 progressive agricultural groups gathered this week to march on the U.S. Capitol, and promote climate solutions and underserved producers as priority issues for lawmakers in the upcoming farm bill. “As farmers, we are close to the land. We love the land. We understand the sanctity and […]
Bipartisan group of Colorado leaders urge Biden to keep Space Command in Colorado
Colorado leaders in both political parties are continuing their push to keep the U.S. Space Command in Colorado, sending another letter this week to President Joe Biden. The letter is signed by Gov. Jared Polis, both of Colorado’s U.S. senators, seven of Colorado’s eight U.S. representatives, and leadership from both parties in the Colorado General […]
As COVID protections end, patients classified as ‘medically needy’ fear new barriers to care
Courtney Blake and her 10-year-old daughter live on their own in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Both of them struggle with chronic mental health issues and have been using Medicaid to help pay for their behavioral health care needs. But like millions of people across the country, Blake is worried that at the end of this health emergency […]