Democrats could use the “nuclear option” to limit debate and prevent their calendar from being overrun as GOP lawmakers in the House stall
Julie McCluskie
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Republicans say Colorado is hurtling toward a possible budget deficit as a dozen new state offices are created
At least a dozen new offices have been added to Colorado’s state government over the past three years, stoking Republican fears of runaway growth as the state hurtles toward a possible budget deficit. The added offices, with ambitious goals like preventing gun violence and saving people money on health care, are a sign of ballooning […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s controversial public guardianship program scrutinized in legislative budget battle
A controversial plan to expand Colorado’s fledgling public guardianship program for people who have no family or friends to speak for them is in jeopardy as state lawmakers debate the state’s budget. The Office of Public Guardianship, which began taking wards in 2020, is now making decisions for about 70 people who are unable to […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado’s pension system missed out on millions after lawmakers parked cash in low-interest account
Colorado’s pension system missed out on millions of dollars in potential investment revenue as a result of lawmakers’ decision last year to park money in a low-interest bank account, according to an analysis by nonpartisan legislative staff. The legislature set aside $380 million last year in a low-interest bank account to ensure the state could […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers want to tweak how at-risk students are counted amid broader school-funding overhaul
State lawmakers are looking to tweak how Colorado distributes money to help school districts support their neediest students, fearing that the current definition of “at-risk,” a measure used to determine funding, is no longer accurate. Tens of millions of dollars could be on the line. The state uses free and reduced-price lunch sign-ups to help […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Is Colorado’s government headed toward a fiscal cliff? Democrats say yes, Republicans say no.
Colorado’s coffers are flush with cash right now — so much so that taxpayers are getting refunds. But Democrats see trouble on the horizon. They’re not worried so much about a downturn, but the potential for spending on critical services like education and health care to run up against constitutional limits on how much tax […]
Posted inBusiness, Housing, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s governor wants to enlist private companies to help fix public problems with new partnership office
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wants private companies to help solve public problems like a shortage of child care options and affordable housing and to help develop a Front Range passenger rail service. The Democrat’s budget proposal asks state lawmakers for more than a million dollars to open up a new public-private partnership office. The proposal […]
Posted inBusiness, COVID, News, Politics and Government
Colorado governor signs $34 billion budget into law, setting aside historic reserves and funding $800M stimulus package
Gov. Jared Polis signed Colorado’s $34.1 billion fiscal year 2021-22 budget into law on Monday, restoring cuts made as the coronavirus crisis descended on the state last year while also saving a historic amount for future economic downturns. The Joint Budget Committee, the legislature’s budget-writing panel, had to contend with constantly changing tax-revenue projections that […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s 2022 budget boosts K-12 spending, reverses higher ed cuts
By Jason Gonzales and Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado’s $34.1 billion proposed state budget restores deep cuts made last year to K-12 and higher education, provides more money to help students who have traditionally struggled to complete college, and creates a substantial reserve for K-12 schools that could lay the groundwork for future reforms — if […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Gov. Jared Polis signs bill maintaining school funding amid pandemic challenges
By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado school districts will get some financial relief under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis Monday. Under normal conditions, Colorado schools are funded based on enrollment. The legislation approved by Polis ensures Colorado school districts will receive the money they originally expected for the 2020-21 school year […]