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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.

Consumer Watchdogs Keep Eyes On CO Legislature

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Thursday, February 20, 2014   

DENVER – It's a busy time for Colorado lawmakers at the State Capitol – with the legislative session in full swing.

And they're not alone.

Advocacy groups, including AARP Colorado say they're also burning the midnight oil, keeping a close eye on at least 40 bills they're concerned might be harmful to Coloradans.

Among them are efforts to reduce funding provided to local communities to help with transportation.

"Our number one priority this year, and has been for many years, is to promote the services that help to keep seniors at home and independent," explains Kelli Fritts, associate state director for advocacy with AARP Colorado.

AARP and other groups recently helped to defeat a bill (SB 68) that would have increased the minimum full retirement age to 65 for new workers in the Colorado PERA system, the largest pension fund in the state.

They also worked to defeat a bill (HB 1135) that would have restricted the use of state funds in the new Medicaid expansion.

Fritts says sometimes lawmakers looking for ways to cut state costs – as in the case of the Medicaid expansion – are initially unaware of the full impact it would have on citizens.

"The thought there was to save taxpayer money,” she says. “But when we're talking about citizens of the state and access to health care, is that the best idea?"

Another bill advocacy groups are watching in the House (HB 1192) would repeal Colorado's Health Benefit Exchange, a move that Fritts says AARP strongly opposes.





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