Colorado House Democrats

School Finance Act Gives Colorado Kids a Smart Start

DENVER – On Monday, Democrats unveiled their 2008 School Finance Act, the annual public school funding bill.  The proposal places special emphasis on early education by getting tens of thousands of additional 4- and 5-year-olds into preschool and kindergarten. 

House Bill 1388, sponsored by State Representative Jack Pommer (D-Boulder) and State Senator Sue Windels (D-Jefferson County), will increase per pupil funding to $5,250.41 to keep up with inflation and population increases.  The bill also will allow 22,000 more 4 and 5-year-olds to enroll in preschool and kindergarten over 6 years.

“The School Finance Act provides the three keys for student success – a smart start, top-flight teachers, and a safe place to go to school,” said Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood). 

Additional resources will be allocated for what are known as facility schools – day or residential treatment facilities, or other facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services – to provide students with special needs, including severe learning or emotional disorders, the extra attention they require to excel. 

Rep. Kerr put it this way: “Despite the tightest budget constraints in the country, we are still doing all we can to provide an education that helps our kids get ahead.”

-- Posted by staff

Democratic Budget Passes House

Winners: Kids, People with Disabilities, College Students
Losers: Perps, Polluters, Partisans

DENVER – Today, following the House of Representative’s passage of the 2008-2009 budget on a party-line vote, House Democrats held an energetic – and at times emotional – press conference to announce the many winners in this year’s budget.   

“This week, we made significant investments for in children,” said Speaker Andrew Romanoff to a packed capitol atrium.  “We invested in our children’s health care, getting 50,000 more kids the coverage they need.  We invested in our children’s safety, keeping hardened criminals behind bars.  We invested in our children’s education so they can compete in the 21^st century economy from the time they enter preschool until they graduate college.  And we’ve invested in our kids by making sure they can get good, high-paying jobs in the new economy.”   

The Speaker was flanked by State Rep. Bernie Buescher, Chair of the Joint Budget Committee, Majority Leader Alice Madden, State Representative Jack Pommer (D-Boulder), vice-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and a host of happy House Democrats. 

Lawmakers were also joined by this year’s biggest winners: over a dozen kids with developmental disabilities and their family members who will get long-awaited services, kids who will get the health coverage they need, and college students who will benefit from the financial aid in the state budget.

House Dems Tout Balanced Budget

DENVER – Today, the House started debate on the state’s 2008-2009 budget.  Democratic lawmakers introduced a balanced budget that supports education, economic development and health care for Colorado kids.

“This is a balanced budget that proves what our number one priority is: our children,” said State Representative and Joint Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction). “It allows us to make investments for our children’s future – their health, their safety, their education – so when they grow up, they can get a good job in a thriving economy.” 

Lawmakers stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility while continuing to foster critical sectors in the state to energize Colorado’s economy, such as bioscience and renewable energy.

Democrats also demonstrated today that sometimes the best offense is a great defense. They safeguarded education in Colorado by killing Republican-backed amendments that would have stripped essential funding for renewable energy, health care, economic development and education. For example, Republican-backed amendments would cut at least $120 million from higher education across the state.

“The budget presents us with fundamental choices,” Buescher continued.  “Do you want more criminals on the street, or safe communities for our kids? Do you want sick kids who become sick adults, or healthy kids who grow up to be strong, productive members of the community? Do you want our kids to get a good early education and have the chance to go to college – to have the chance to participate in the global economy? Or do you want them to sit out? 

“After six months of work, I can say happily that this budget ensures our kids are the real winners.”

Debate on various amendments is expected to last well into the evening.  By law, a budget must be approved this year by the 80^th legislative day in the House – which is this Friday – and 87^th legislative day in the Senate. House legislators will likely vote for final passage of the budget tomorrow.

-- Posted by staff

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