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Agenda-Driven

Colorado’s initiative to legalize marijuana was sold to voters in part by promising to put a large portion of the stiff state taxes on pot toward schools. Two years later, Denver Public Schools begs to differ. They released a video saying that such funding is a “myth” — they didn’t get any, and will be working to get a tax increase to raise funds for the district. Yet last year, the state gave tens of millions in marijuana tax money to the Building Excellent Schools Today grant program. Why didn’t Denver schools benefit? “Denver’s district just didn’t apply for this grant program,” said Scott Newell, one of the BEST grant directors. To get a BEST grant, he says, any school district in the state can apply — but they do have to apply. “We’re not going to waste our time applying for grants we’re likely not going to get,” grumped DPS CFO Mark Ferrandino. (RC/Denver Post) ...So pretty much, the whole thing is just a cloud of smoke.