Colorado lawmakers ship $38.5B price range to Governor Polis | Kiowa County Press

(The Heart Sq.) – The Colorado Normal Meeting despatched a $38.5 billion state price range for fiscal yr 2023-24 to Governor Jared Polis for his approval Thursday.

The price range gives funding for state companies, together with greater training, well being care, human companies, roads, courts and corrections. The price range is roughly 9 p.c, or $1.2 billion, greater than final fiscal yr.

Well being care coverage and financing will obtain the biggest portion of the price range at $15.4 billion. Schooling is budgeted for $7 billion, greater training for $5.8 billion and early childhood for $791 million. The accredited transportation price range is $1.8 billion.

State legislation requires a balanced price range.

“Balancing the state’s price range in a accountable and considerate method is one in every of our most pressing priorities as a legislature, and I’m happy to say that this yr’s price range hits the mark,” Joint Funds Committee Chair Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, mentioned in an announcement. “We’re delivering for Colorado households by making file investments in Ok-12 training, supporting our well being care employees, and creating safer communities – all whereas preserving our state on stable monetary footing.”

“This price range displays our core Colorado values of alternative, independence, and accountability,” Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and a member of the Joint Funds Committee, mentioned in an announcement. “The investments we’re making at this time will put together our college students for fulfillment, enhance our housing provide, reply to workforce wants, and decrease the price of well being look after our Colorado households. All in a balanced price range that places Colorado on a sound and sustainable fiscal path into the longer term.”

Republicans within the minority criticized the dimensions of the price range all through the legislative course of.

“SPENDING is straightforward – CUTTING is tough!” Roger Hudson, deputy chief of workers for the Colorado Home Republicans, mentioned in a social media put up. “Ask your state legislators what they CUT from Colorado’s bloated (and) ridiculously massive $38.5 billion price range.”