Lawmakers Unveil New Budget

Dems balance budget and make targeted investments for Colorado’s children

DENVER – Today, House Democrats began debate on the state’s 2008-2009 budget.  In the face of growing concerns about the economy, lawmakers pointed to the long bill’s emphasis on balancing the state’s budget.

“We are proposing a balanced budget that provides cost savings while making targeted investment in our kids’ future,” said State Representative and Joint Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction). 

Lawmakers stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility while continuing to foster priorities – like educating Colorado’s children, getting people the health care they need, and energizing Colorado’s economy – to help the state weather a potential economic downtown. 

“This budget reflects our priorities and the economic realities of the day,” Buescher continued.  “We can energize our economy, improve our schools and help Coloradans get the health care they need, while preserving Colorado’s fiscal well-being if and when things get bad.  We just need to be prudent and can’t spend money we don’t have.”

House Democrats will continue to debate the budget tomorrow before taking their vision of Colorado’s financial future to the House floor on Wednesday.

-- Posted by staff