Higher Ed in CO

[Damien]

I'm as student in CO myself, and higher ed is something I worry about. Not so much for myself (I'm out of here soon), but because while we are one of the most educated states, we put nothing into education. The state budget crisis just makes higher ed into a quick source of money for anything else that needs it.

I know there is one "debrucing" bill getting suggested (though I totally forget who is pushing it (a dem -- for the record).

Is that kind of option the solution?

I know republicans want to use the tobacco money in one lump sum (a move i actually agree with) to quickly fund programs that need $$$, but I know that's not a solution for the long term problem.

What ideas do you have/or heard (and what bill is that for someone with a better memory than me).

[Damien]

HB 1194

I figured it out myself.

Does that help? I'd still love some imput on the effect this bill could have or any other ideas.

Thanks.

[Damien]

1. HB 1194

I figured it out myself.

Does that help? I'd still love some imput on the effect this bill could have or any other ideas.

Thanks.

[MissMarple]

2. One problem is the long time underfunding of all education in Colorado.

There is a lot of catch up to do, it's going to take awhile. Romanoff seems to be taking the long view, and that's good.

Here's something I found on HB 1194. There's more.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics2005a/commsumm.nsf/0/0c54b192c23fec4d87256f9c0071eb68?OpenDocument


"Representative Romanoff, prime sponsor, began by commenting on the legislature's recent efforts to balance the state's budget given the economic downtown that began in 2001 and the terrorist attacks that happened shortly afterwards. Representative Romanoff said the chief problem Colorado faces is job growth. He stated that businesses are primarily concerned about paying high taxes and have expressed the need for access to an educated workforce. Further, the state is not meeting its needs when it comes to education and transportation. He stated that the state needs a solution to stabilize its fiscal situation. He explained that House Bill 05-1194 is a simple, long-term plan that allows the state to cut taxes and invest in Colorado. This legislation would reduce the state income tax rate and make revenue available for Colorado's vital programs. He distributed a packet of materials on state revenues (Attachment A) and amendment L.003 (Attachment B) to committee members. Representative Romanoff closed by saying House Bill 05-1194 may be the best long-term solution to Colorado's fiscal problems.

The committee discussed the legislature's efforts to address Colorado's fiscal problem during the last session. Representative May commented that none of Colorado's fiscal problems resulted from the TABOR amendment but from mandated spending and revenue declines due to an economic downturn. Representative May continued by discussing the state's need to look at a long-term solution. Representative Romanoff responded by discussing the benefits of a measure that would ask voters to use existing revenues the state collects for Colorado's vital needs and programs.

The committee briefly discussed the 6 percent limit and TABOR. Representative Romanoff commented that Colorado's taxing limitations must be working because the state has the lowest total tax burden of all states.

Representative Witwer commented that under House Bill 05-1194 all future tax refunds under TABOR would be eliminated. He discussed how joint filers and families would be penalized under the plan and others who benefit from other TABOR refund mechanisms would be disadvantaged. He continued by commenting on the number of TABOR refund mechanisms that would no longer be available to lower income persons under the proposal. Representative Witwer closed by saying that any solution will have to meet the expectation of the voters. In response, Representative Romanoff discussed how the proposal would benefit everyone in the long-term by allowing the state to invest in schools, health care, transportation, and other programs that will bring more jobs to Colorado."