Bailey Enters Race For District 8 Seat
Former DPS school board member Dr. Sharon Bailey has entered the race for the District 8 Council seat. As a life long resident of the district, Bailey has demonstrated leadership and dedication to community service. In announcing her candidacy, she outlines her eight priorities for District 8 as effective and efficient responses to constituents; neighborhood and school safety; services for children and families; development of more affordable housing; economic opportunity and workforce development; city-school partnerships; services and support for seniors; and advocating for more youth services and programs. Former State Sens. Regis Groff and Paul Sandoval are honorary co-chairs of Bailey’s campaign.

Perlmutter Appointed To Financial Services Subcommittees
Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) was appointed to two subcommittees of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Perlmutter will sit on the following subcommittees: Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, Chair: Rep. Paul E. Karjorski, (D-PA); and Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, Chair: Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). As a member of these subcommittees, Perlmutter will be able to draw on his expertise and work as a bankruptcy attorney to ensure that Colorado and our nation's financial markets are stable, secure and meeting the needs of consumers and small businesses.

Colorado Ranks 28th In Education Despite Low Spending
Over the past 20 years, education funding in America has increased by almost 80 percent so that today, school systems spend an average of more than $9,000 per student. Despite this record of growth, student achievement has remained stagnant. However, pockets of success do exist and can help guide policy makers and educators in the right direction towards better schools. Colorado continues to spend less per pupil than the national average, yet its students score above average on standardized tests.
The American Legislative Exchange Council has recently released the 13th edition of the Report Card on American Education: A State by State Analysis: 1983-1984 to 2003-2004, which ranks the educational performance of the school systems in the states, and the District of Columbia according to several criteria including National Assessment of Educational Progress, SAT, and ACT scores.

Crime In Denver Down 10 Percent In 2006
Crime in Denver dropped 10 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, according to data released by the Denver Department of Safety. Figures compiled by the Safety Office of Policy Analysis show that both violent and property crime are down, and that the eight major crimes tracked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were down 14 percent in Denver last year. More than 80 percent of metro neighborhoods saw reductions in crime. Measures of police activity, including citations, arrests and other officer-initiated actions, were all up in 2006, according to Denver Police Chief Gerald Whitman. Property crimes led the citywide reductions, and were down 15 percent overall, with double-digit drops in every major category: burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson. Auto theft and theft from motor vehicles both declined 21percent, representing 1,624 fewer stolen cars and 1,981 fewer thefts from automobiles.

Capitol Dome Re-Opened
Gleaming 272 feet above the ground, the Colorado State Capitol’s dome has been closed to the public for the past five and a half years. The dome was closed in 2001 for the purpose of making essential safety upgrades including a new fire prevention and safety system. Now Capitol visitors can once again enjoy the breathtaking 360 degree view that can be seen from the heart of the gold-laced dome. Dome tours start at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, on the hour, every hour, until the final tour of the day at 2 p.m. Tours are by reservation only and limited to 30 persons per party.

2009 USHCC National Convention In Denver
The Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ( DHCC ) is proud to announce the selection of the city of Denver as the host site for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s (USHCC) 29th Annual National Convention and Business Expo. This convention, scheduled to be held in September 2009, is the largest convergence of Hispanic business owners in the country, and could draw over 4,000 visitors to the Denver metro area. Denver ’s atmosphere of business opportunity and expansion, and its history of Hispanic entrepreneurial growth are what solidified the selection committee’s choice of the Mile High City. Other cities vying for the prestigious selection included Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City.

New Bill Helps Coloradoans Receive Discounted Drugs
Prescription drug costs are a problem for a large number of Coloradans. Many struggle to pay for needed prescriptions or choose to forgo filling them at all because they lack insurance or cannot afford their insurance’s deductibles. Many senior citizens have to pay for a multitude of expensive prescriptions. Senate Bill 001 hopes to help alleviate that problem. The bill would create a new prescription drug program called the Colorado Cares Rx, and make the state a middleman for prescription drugs by requiring the Department of Medical Services and the State Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to agree on a fixed price for generic and non-patented drugs with the manufacturer.

Rose Community Foundation Awards Grants
The Rose Community Foundation awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants during the fourth quarter of 2006. The Foundation made grants to 54 nonprofit organizations, government agencies and projects that support the health and well-being of the Greater Denver community. Rose Community Foundation focuses its grant making in five program areas: aging, child and family development, education, health and Jewish life. Rose Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $117 million since its inception in 1995. The Foundation’s board of trustees authorized the grants between Oct. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2006.