Lawmakers Education Spending

A bipartisan group of Colorado lawmakers are proposing $263 million more in funding for various education initiatives. Legislative leaders say $80 million would go to districts to fill recession-era budget cuts that resulted in late-state days and other cutbacks. Other areas include $35 million would go to help English-language learners, $100 million for teacher evaluations, and $20 million for literacy programs.
A bill outlining the spending package will soon be introduced in the House. It's all tied to next month's state revenue forecast.  

Rural Mainstreet

An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states, including Colorado, suggests the regional economy is losing steam. The Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below growth neutral in the February survey, hitting 48.4, compared with 50.8 in January and 56.1 in December. The survey indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and says the overall index's decline shows that "areas of the nation highly dependent on agriculture and energy are losing economic steam."

Udall's Son

The son of U.S. Sen. Mark Udall's charged with breaking into a home and four cars in January after allegedly using heroin. 26-year old Jedediah Lee Fox-Udall's attorney told a judge in Boulder today his client's in an addiction treatment program and "is dedicated to turning his life around." Fox-Udall was also charged with misdemeanor theft for allegedly taking $80 from one car and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia.