Colorado
State Senate approves budget cuts
Posted: Apr 11, 2011 1:23 PM by Greg Boyce
DENVER (AP) - A series of budget cuts in Colorado has gotten final approval in the state Senate. The $18 billion annual budget passed the Senate in a 30-5 vote today, sending the spending plan on to the House.
Senators also passed a related bill cutting $250 million from K-12 education. The cut will likely prompt teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and shorter school weeks. The budget bill also cuts money for higher education and reduced Medicaid payments to doctors who treat the poor. The budget counts on severance taxes from drilling and mining that would otherwise go to local governments. Senators also restored part of a tax rebate to retailers for collecting sales tax, and they waived sales taxes on agricultural products.
The House is expected to vote on the budget this week.
As Seen On News 5
