Charlie Brennan
@charbren.bsky.social
Director of Income and Housing Policy at Colorado Center on Law and Policy (@copolicy.bsky.social) | he/him | opinions my own and do not reflect the views of any organization
“As the cost of living soars across America, the customers bearing the burden are those who can least afford it – customers who often don’t even notice they’re overpaying.”
How the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low prices
A Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General and Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:20 AM
“As the cost of living soars across America, the customers bearing the burden are those who can least afford it – customers who often don’t even notice they’re overpaying.”
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless estimates that it could lose funding for some 800 households in permanent supportive housing.
Thousands of Coloradans could lose supportive housing in 2026, major nonprofits warn
President Donald Trump has ordered cuts and changes to the national program for permanent supportive housing.
denverite.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless estimates that it could lose funding for some 800 households in permanent supportive housing.
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Hey America, if you were a Christian nation, you’d be feeding the poor, not yelling at them for using food stamps.
December 4, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Hey America, if you were a Christian nation, you’d be feeding the poor, not yelling at them for using food stamps.
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
On November 20th, CCLP spent an evening in community with friends and partners to honor our Colorado Champions! Photos of the event are available now! flic.kr/s/aHBqjCCpUN
Colorado Champions Awards 2025
Photos from our event at SKYLIGHT.
flic.kr
December 4, 2025 at 7:36 PM
On November 20th, CCLP spent an evening in community with friends and partners to honor our Colorado Champions! Photos of the event are available now! flic.kr/s/aHBqjCCpUN
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
CCLP's latest blog includes a summary of the list of recommendations advocates identified on the implementation of the OBBBA regarding public benefits systems and work requirements. Learn more about the work requirements recommendations and read our blog here: copolicy.org/news/colorad...
Coloradans address OBBBA’s attack on public programs - CCLP
A summary of the list of recommendations on the implementation of the OBBBA in Colorado regarding public benefits systems and work requirements.
copolicy.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
CCLP's latest blog includes a summary of the list of recommendations advocates identified on the implementation of the OBBBA regarding public benefits systems and work requirements. Learn more about the work requirements recommendations and read our blog here: copolicy.org/news/colorad...
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
A dozen Democratic state lawmakers in Colorado are now facing ethics complaints, tied to a 3-day retreat at the Sonnenalp in Vail that was paid for by a group that funds electioneering communications that backed the lawmakers last year. www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/c...
Colorado watchdog files ethics complaints against 12 Democratic lawmakers over Vail retreat
Colorado Common Cause filed complaints Wednesday with the state ethics commission against 12 Democratic state lawmakers, alleging they accepted funding from the “dark money” group One Main Street Colo...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
A dozen Democratic state lawmakers in Colorado are now facing ethics complaints, tied to a 3-day retreat at the Sonnenalp in Vail that was paid for by a group that funds electioneering communications that backed the lawmakers last year. www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/c...
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Hey, Colorado voters! Ballots are in the mail starting TODAY. Check out our 2025 Ballot Guide for facts, analysis, and context about Props LL and MM, the two statewide measures on the ballot this year. #copolitics bellpolicy.org/2025-ballot-...
October 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Hey, Colorado voters! Ballots are in the mail starting TODAY. Check out our 2025 Ballot Guide for facts, analysis, and context about Props LL and MM, the two statewide measures on the ballot this year. #copolitics bellpolicy.org/2025-ballot-...
Well this is ridiculous….
September 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Well this is ridiculous….
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Some 4M people could lose housing aid under new Trump administration rules. As CBPP's Will Fischer warns, “It’s going to cause people to become homeless, kids to be pulled out of their schools, people to lose their jobs.” #GreatRead via @propublica.org: www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan
Drafts of unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica detail plans that would open the door to full-time work requirements, two-year limits on living in federally supported housing and stripping aid from...
www.propublica.org
September 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Some 4M people could lose housing aid under new Trump administration rules. As CBPP's Will Fischer warns, “It’s going to cause people to become homeless, kids to be pulled out of their schools, people to lose their jobs.” #GreatRead via @propublica.org: www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Artificial intelligence in the private insurance industry isn’t new. But a Medicare pilot that will use AI to make prior authorization decisions is raising some concerns.
Story by Lauren Sausser and @dariustahir.bsky.social: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Story by Lauren Sausser and @dariustahir.bsky.social: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
AI Will Soon Have a Say in Approving or Denying Medicare Treatments - KFF Health News
A pilot program testing the use of artificial intelligence to expand prior authorization decisions in Medicare has providers, politicians, and researchers questioning Trump administration promises to ...
kffhealthnews.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Artificial intelligence in the private insurance industry isn’t new. But a Medicare pilot that will use AI to make prior authorization decisions is raising some concerns.
Story by Lauren Sausser and @dariustahir.bsky.social: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Story by Lauren Sausser and @dariustahir.bsky.social: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
NEW: GOP lawmakers cite Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage as a national model for federal Medicaid work requirements that are set to take effect in 2027.
A new report shows the program has spent twice as much on administrative costs as on health care.
By @savmargaret.bsky.social
A new report shows the program has spent twice as much on administrative costs as on health care.
By @savmargaret.bsky.social
Georgia’s Medicaid Work Requirement Program Spent Twice as Much on Administrative Costs as on Health Care, GAO Says
Republican lawmakers cite Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage as a national model for federal Medicaid work requirements that are set to take effect in 2027. A new report shows the program has spent at lea...
www.propublica.org
September 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
NEW: GOP lawmakers cite Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage as a national model for federal Medicaid work requirements that are set to take effect in 2027.
A new report shows the program has spent twice as much on administrative costs as on health care.
By @savmargaret.bsky.social
A new report shows the program has spent twice as much on administrative costs as on health care.
By @savmargaret.bsky.social
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
A cartoon by Brendan Loper. #NewYorkerCartoons
September 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
A cartoon by Brendan Loper. #NewYorkerCartoons
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Trump spent his 2024 campaign promising Americans he'd lower grocery prices.
Virtually all major grocery categories are now more expensive than they were a year ago, however, some substantially so.
Virtually all major grocery categories are now more expensive than they were a year ago, however, some substantially so.
Grocery prices rise at the fastest pace since 2022 as Trump tariffs bite
On the campaign trail, Trump promised lower grocery prices.
www.axios.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Trump spent his 2024 campaign promising Americans he'd lower grocery prices.
Virtually all major grocery categories are now more expensive than they were a year ago, however, some substantially so.
Virtually all major grocery categories are now more expensive than they were a year ago, however, some substantially so.
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Polls show Americans think Trump’s #BBB is ugly!
WSJ poll shows:
52% oppose it
70% think the bill helps the wealthy
50% said it would hurt the poor, working-class, #SocialSecurity, the #Economy, and our #FederalDeficit
WSJ poll shows:
52% oppose it
70% think the bill helps the wealthy
50% said it would hurt the poor, working-class, #SocialSecurity, the #Economy, and our #FederalDeficit
September 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Polls show Americans think Trump’s #BBB is ugly!
WSJ poll shows:
52% oppose it
70% think the bill helps the wealthy
50% said it would hurt the poor, working-class, #SocialSecurity, the #Economy, and our #FederalDeficit
WSJ poll shows:
52% oppose it
70% think the bill helps the wealthy
50% said it would hurt the poor, working-class, #SocialSecurity, the #Economy, and our #FederalDeficit
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
The latest data out from #Census today show median earnings and median household incomes kept pace with inflation in 2024. Men's earnings rose 3.7% increasing the gender wage gap back to 2019 levels. Income grew at the top, but not the middle or bottom, reversing recent trends.
#EconSky #NumbersDay
#EconSky #NumbersDay
September 9, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The latest data out from #Census today show median earnings and median household incomes kept pace with inflation in 2024. Men's earnings rose 3.7% increasing the gender wage gap back to 2019 levels. Income grew at the top, but not the middle or bottom, reversing recent trends.
#EconSky #NumbersDay
#EconSky #NumbersDay
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Worse than that. Lutnick shut down all the external advisory committees there to help with improving stats. bsky.app/profile/dean... Stats agencies lost staff, DOGE contract hassles, etc. this year.
Remember, Trump has been in office more than 7 months. His economic team has not come up with ONE suggestion for improving economic data. He is upset that the economy is in bad shape because of his policies, he couldn't care less about the quality of the data.
Looks like Trump is taking his lying machine to our economic data because he thinks the economy is so bad he needs to make up bullshit numbers
cepr.net/publications...
cepr.net/publications...
cepr.net/publications...
cepr.net/publications...
September 9, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Worse than that. Lutnick shut down all the external advisory committees there to help with improving stats. bsky.app/profile/dean... Stats agencies lost staff, DOGE contract hassles, etc. this year.
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
September 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Today, the Protect Colorado’s Future coalition announced plans to put a graduated income tax on the 2026 ballot. This proposal would lower taxes for 98% of Coloradans, while raising taxes on those making more than $500,000 a year. Read our press release here: copolicy.org/news/colorad...
Coloradans launch 2026 ballot push for graduated state income tax - CCLP
New ballot measure proposals would cut taxes for 98 percent of Coloradans, raise revenue to address budget crisis.
copolicy.org
September 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Today, the Protect Colorado’s Future coalition announced plans to put a graduated income tax on the 2026 ballot. This proposal would lower taxes for 98% of Coloradans, while raising taxes on those making more than $500,000 a year. Read our press release here: copolicy.org/news/colorad...
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
NEW: From 1948-1979, productivity was ↑122% & worker pay ↑95%.
From 1979-2025, productivity ↑86% & worker pay ↑32%.
Trump's extreme anti-labor policies will make it much more difficult for most workers to share in any gains from productivity increases that result from AI. https://bit.ly/3URjUPM
From 1979-2025, productivity ↑86% & worker pay ↑32%.
Trump's extreme anti-labor policies will make it much more difficult for most workers to share in any gains from productivity increases that result from AI. https://bit.ly/3URjUPM
August 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
NEW: From 1948-1979, productivity was ↑122% & worker pay ↑95%.
From 1979-2025, productivity ↑86% & worker pay ↑32%.
Trump's extreme anti-labor policies will make it much more difficult for most workers to share in any gains from productivity increases that result from AI. https://bit.ly/3URjUPM
From 1979-2025, productivity ↑86% & worker pay ↑32%.
Trump's extreme anti-labor policies will make it much more difficult for most workers to share in any gains from productivity increases that result from AI. https://bit.ly/3URjUPM
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
This special session, corporate Dems won big for corporations and big tech by delaying the implementation of a AI protection law. We will never stop fighting against AI discrimination and overreach in housing, employment and education ✊
August 28, 2025 at 2:12 AM
This special session, corporate Dems won big for corporations and big tech by delaying the implementation of a AI protection law. We will never stop fighting against AI discrimination and overreach in housing, employment and education ✊
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
"Coloradans deserve better than the artificial budget crisis that led to today’s crippling cuts." CCLP's statement on @colorado.gov's executive order and the ongoing impact of TABOR's arbitrary revenue restrictions: copolicy.org/news/cclp-st...
August 29, 2025 at 12:18 AM
"Coloradans deserve better than the artificial budget crisis that led to today’s crippling cuts." CCLP's statement on @colorado.gov's executive order and the ongoing impact of TABOR's arbitrary revenue restrictions: copolicy.org/news/cclp-st...
The Dept of Labor is proposing to cut protections that help women access trade apprenticeships. They want to make it HARDER by removing:
❌Anti-harassment training
❌Programs that recruit women
❌Ways to report discrimination
#TWTF share.equalrights.org/s/mrJ90L2o
❌Anti-harassment training
❌Programs that recruit women
❌Ways to report discrimination
#TWTF share.equalrights.org/s/mrJ90L2o
Take action to oppose these changes!
share.equalrights.org
August 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The Dept of Labor is proposing to cut protections that help women access trade apprenticeships. They want to make it HARDER by removing:
❌Anti-harassment training
❌Programs that recruit women
❌Ways to report discrimination
#TWTF share.equalrights.org/s/mrJ90L2o
❌Anti-harassment training
❌Programs that recruit women
❌Ways to report discrimination
#TWTF share.equalrights.org/s/mrJ90L2o
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Today, I published an investigation a long time in the making. After wading through thousands of tax documents, years of published reports, and a few translated Russian websites, I can reveal how money moves through Colorado’s biggest Republican network. 1/
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/the-...
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/the-...
The Redprint: How Advance Colorado and Anonymous Donors Shape the Political Landscape
The Republican Party wields no official power at the state level in Colorado. Since 2020, the GOP has been shut out of every statewide office and control of either chamber...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
August 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Today, I published an investigation a long time in the making. After wading through thousands of tax documents, years of published reports, and a few translated Russian websites, I can reveal how money moves through Colorado’s biggest Republican network. 1/
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/the-...
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/the-...
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
Has the condition of Colorado’s roads worsened under TABOR?
Has the condition of Colorado’s roads worsened under TABOR?
Yes. The percentage of Colorado roads rated “poor” by the Federal Highway Administration has tripled since shortly after TABOR became law.
coloradosun.com
August 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Has the condition of Colorado’s roads worsened under TABOR?
Reposted by Charlie Brennan
In Colorado, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is spearheading state legislation that would prohibit consumers from suing businesses whose AI potentially violates consumer protection laws.
Colorado May Bar Consumers From Suing AI Businesses
In Colorado, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is spearheading state legislation that would prohibit consumers from suing businesses whose AI potentially violates consumer protection laws.
jacobin.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In Colorado, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is spearheading state legislation that would prohibit consumers from suing businesses whose AI potentially violates consumer protection laws.