By the time you read this, we will have reached a compromise decision and passed next year’s budget, but as I write this, we are gearing up for the big debate which will occupy most of the week of April 11-15.
There is a lot at stake, and many perspectives to consider. We have to decide what to do about programs that provide breast and cervical cancer screening services. We have to look at a variety of tax credits to see which are helping our economic recovery and which are not. We need to figure out how to fund our K-12 education system.
In March, the House and Senate Democrats went on a statewide “budget listening tour.” We heard many views on how to balance the budget, and we heard about programs that our constituents want—everything from preserving mental health programs to reforming our prison system, from increasing funding for roads and bridges to improving early childhood education, from demanding further sacrifices from public employees to asking our top income earners to pay their fare share. But most of all, we heard the people of Colorado say that they wanted us to protect our K-12 education system.
Coloradoans understand that a quality education system is vital to our success in a 21st century economy, and they want all children to have every opportunity to be successful and happy. Coloradoans understand that an educated workforce can attract businesses to Colorado and create good jobs. They understand the importance of investing in our people for our future.
We’ve got a lot of work to do in the coming weeks, but I am confident we will work together and find the compromises that are needed. I encourage you to stay involved, and if you have ideas about the services you value the most, please share them with me. You can email me at jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us or call me at 303-866-2966. Thanks.