Could large employers fill health care assistance gaps?
Taxing big companies could offset coming cuts to public aid
Colorado could offset coming cuts to health care assistance by taxing big companies whose workers rely on it because of their low incomes.
As the state looks to fill a $1.5 billion budget hole by cutting all kinds of programs — including Medicaid, the state’s biggest expenditure – lawmakers are considering a bill that would make companies with more than 500 employees pay $2,300 per year (roughly half the average cost of Medicaid) for each employee working more than 20 hours a week who uses state health assistance.
Similar proposals have been floated in other states. And some national politicians are also focusing attention on the contrast between corporate profits and cuts to public assistance. But the bill, which passed an initial step of the lawmaking process this week, could have a tough path forward.
While medicaid cuts are unpopular and cause significant hardship for many people, big businesses reflexively oppose paying higher taxes. And even worker advocates warn that the proposal could result in unintended consequences like companies paying workers less or not hiring workers who need health care assistance.
Need to Know
🏘️ Two new laws aimed at improving housing affordability got Gov. Jared Polis’ signature yesterday. One law allows nonprofits, schools and some government agencies to build housing on their land. The other authorizes counties to fund housing via property taxes. (Denver Post, Colorado Politics)
🏟️ The Denver Broncos will buy the site of their new stadium from the state for roughly $4 million less than the state paid for it. The $46 million purchase price will repay the loan the state took out to buy the land, but it won’t reimburse the state for millions spent on cleanup and maintenance of the site, known as Burnham Yard. (Denverite, Denver Business Journal)
⚖️ Denver’s county court provided more information about the “recovery court” program mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter. A spokesperson told me the program will consist of a “high risk” track that will offer treatment to drug case defendants. A second “low risk” track will offer different support services and absorb the participants of the previous “Helping, Encouraging and Motivating Court.” Other changes include an expansion in the types of cases that qualify for the program and universal brain injury screenings for defendants.
📚 Jeffco public schools is preparing a response to the U.S. Department of Education’s finding that the school district’s transgender student protection policies are illegal. “We are engaging in the federal review process and coordinating with state and local partners as we determine next steps,” a spokesperson told me. The school district sent a letter to federal authorities on Friday, March 20 saying they would respond to the findings within a month.
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Something Good
🏀 The Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks last night, marking their fourth straight win and helping them stay in fourth place in the Western Conference. There are eight games left before the playoffs, and the Nuggets are guaranteed a spot. But their win-loss record determines which teams they have to face in the tournament, so I’m excited to watch how this final stretch shakes out.