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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Bill in DC Could Take Big Chunk Out of State Budget Unless Senate Acts

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Friday, June 4, 2010   

DENVER - As Congress prepares to get back to work in Washington on Monday, services that impact many Coloradans face an uncertain future. That's because the House of Representatives failed to extend critical federal funding for states before its long Memorial Day recess.

Terry Scanlon, analyst for the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, says if the Senate doesn't restore the funding soon, it could mean the state will have to make over $200 million in additional budget cuts.

"It's something that would threaten child protective services, which has already taken a cut; services for people with developmental disabilities; K-12, already taken a cut; could affect higher education, already taken a cut."

House members who voted to remove the money from the so-called "extenders" bill say they're concerned about adding to an already huge deficit, but Scanlon says there's plenty of evidence that government spending on core services pays for itself over time, especially during tough economic times.

"That helps retain and help create jobs and it helps the economy grow. So, this isn't just about providing services, it's about stimulating the economy."

Linda Meric, director of the 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women in Denver says she'll be watching to see if the Senate restores emergency funding for unemployment benefits that are in danger of running out for many Coloradans.

"These unemployment benefits are critical for Colorado families who are trying to pay their bills and make ends meet while they're searching for work and hoping that the economy will improve."

Meric's husband was laid off in September and has gone looking for a job in-person to hundreds of Colorado employers, but still doesn't have a job.

"He and other Coloradans like him are playing by the rules and they're doing everything they should be doing. It would be devastating to them, their families and Colorado's economy to stop these unemployment benefits now."

The House also removed funding for COBRA from the bill. That's the program that helps workers keep their health coverage after losing a job. The Senate is expected to take up a version of the extenders bill Monday or Tuesday and will consider whether or not to restore the funding cut by the House.




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