https://tinyurl.com/tgr9u6y
Link to article
DENVER (AP) —
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis proposed a $34.5 billion state budget Wednesday for
the next fiscal year, once again emphasizing early and higher education investments and
seeking to increase rainy-day reserves.
Polis presented his
request to the Joint Budget Committee, which will craft a balanced budget
during the 2020 legislative session.
Polis noted that
the requested funding increase of 2.9% kept with the inflation rate, Colorado
Politics reported.
"There's not a
lot of free money" available, he said. Hmmm is there any such a thing?
Polis wants to
increase general fund reserve to 7.5% of state obligations from the current
7.25% to help the state weather a possible economic downturn.
The Democratic
governor previously instituted full-day, state-funded kindergarten and increased pre-school
enrollment. He wants to boost state-funded preschool enrollment by
6,000 children next year.
Polis requested $52
million to help reduce unfunded state obligations to K-12 schools to about $520
million; $10 million for capital improvements to public colleges and
universities; and $14 million to help college students make payments on
their loans during the first two years after graduation.
Tuition at public
colleges and universities would rise by 3% under his plan.
Polis wants $550
million for transportation. He also has outlined a plan to give state workers two
months of paid family leave.
———
Copyright 2019 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posts
