Most of Colorado’s $25 billion budget for next year is set in stone, but lawmakers will get a chance to make tweaks before they approve it and send it to the governor later this month.
The process started with a debate in the Senate on Wednesday.
The majority of the spending plan includes federal money lawmakers have little control over. Of the $25 billion, only about $9.6 billion is under their control, a pot of money called the general fund.
But even in the general fund, a lot of that tax money is spoken for.
Two departments alone, Education and the agency that oversees Medicaid, receive about $6 billion in general funds, at $3.5 billion and $2.5 billion respectively. Other big chunks of the budget go to higher education, with nearly $857 billion, and prisons with about $780 million.
The state’s spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1 reflects an improving economy.
The budget sets aside about $70 million for surplus tax refunds required under Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. TABOR requires refunds when tax revenue exceeds the rate of inflation and population growth.
Because lawmakers must pass a balanced budget, proposed amendments are politically very tricky. Any extra money in one area requires a cut somewhere else.
Still, the budget debate and proposed amendments give lawmakers a chance to speak about their priorities. Among the notable amendments lawmakers considered Wednesday:
Republicans propose o eliminate mandatory statewide tests for math and English. They say their plan will save the state about $16.9 million. Democrats counter schools will still be on the hook for the tests, but they just won’t be getting any money for them.
Democrats want $5 million to continue a birth-control program that gives low-income teenagers long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices. Republicans are sure to defeat the proposal.
After debating amendments, the Senate will take a voice vote giving initial approval to the budget and take a final vote Thursday to pass the plan. Then next week it’s the House’s turn.