FTS Weekend Edition, 2/21/09

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This week on the Face The State Weekend Edition: Public employees at Denver's Regional Transportation District and Aspen's city government live high on the hog (at taxpayer expense), Rep. Don Marostica has a rough week, free-marketeers protest the federal stimulus plan, and the debate over higher ed "tuition equity" begins anew at the state capitol.

  • Segment 1 - The week's news: Boulder's new sprinkler plan, do-gooder kids
    FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin review the week that was in Colorado news.
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  • Segment 2 - Despite recession, local governments still spend big
    Despite tough economic times, local governments around Colorado are spending big, oftentimes on lavish benefits for public employees. As the Aspen Times reports, city employees just can't resist dining out on the taxpayer's dime. And as FTS reported this week, RTD-Denver directors made frequent use of a $50,000+ travel budget in 2008.
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  • Segment 3 - Marostica's remarks cloud budget debate
    The capitol was abuzz this week with controversy sparked by state Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, who called two high profile conservative leaders "losers" and "has-beens." He was speaking at a press conference defending his position in support of removing a statutory cap on growth of the state's general fund. The reaction to Marostica's remarks clouded what is otherwise an important debate over state spending. FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer has more.
    Play segmentDownload an MP3 version here.
  • Segment 4 - Protesting the federal stimulus package
    Opponents of President Barack Obama's nearly $800 billion "stimulus" package gathered at the state capitol Tuesday. FTS brings you audio from state lawmakers who spoke at the event, plus analysis of the ensuing political fallout.
    Play segmentDownload an MP3 version here.
  • Segment 5 - Alex Cranberg on higher education 'tuition equity'
    FTS visits with Denver businessman and education reform advocate Alex Cranberg about Senate Bill 180, a proposal to extend in-state tuition to Colorado high school graduates without regard to legal immigration status.
    Play segmentDownload an MP3 version here.