Posted on 11/29/2005 9:50:55 AM PST by bone52
Gov. Bill Owens on Monday offered his road-heavy budget proposal to state lawmakers while acknowledging that he probably won't get the entire $296 million he's seeking for transportation projects this year.
"Now, I'm aware that there are other requests being made for this revenue, specifically for higher education, and I'm certainly open to having that discussion with you," Owens said of the extra money the state will collect under Referendum C.
"I'm stating my preference, and obviously I understand that, during this process, while some of my preferences may make it into law, not all of my preferences will."
After voters approved Referendum C on Nov. 1, the governor proposed using most of the extra revenue this year on roads. He formally presented that request to the legislature's Joint Budget Committee on Monday.
Also, Owens made special requests for two programs: an extra $10 million to help the poor pay heating bills and another $10 million to promote tourism.
Rep. Tom Plant, D- Nederland, said the committee will conduct a thorough review of the governor's request. He also suggested that heating-bill assistance should be tied to energy-efficiency requirements for recipients.
This month, lawmakers began holding budget hearings with state departments - the first step in a process that will end in the spring with a final budget.
Owens' proposal prompted a furor when it was released this month. Some backers of Referendum C claimed the budget strays too far from the ballot measure's goals to fund public schools, state universities and health care programs.
On Monday, Owens said that existing laws limit his options with this year's budget.
With Referendum C, voters lifted revenue caps imposed by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, giving state leaders permission to keep and spend revenues above TABOR's inflation-plus-population- growth limit for the next five years.
But the state's operating budget remains tied to a 6 percent growth limit. Revenues exceeding that spending limit flow into road funding up to an amount equal to 10 percent of the state's sales- and use-tax collections.
According to Owens' plan, Referendum C will provide $440 million more than state
leaders expected for the current fiscal year. But existing laws will channel $216 million into roads, $117 into the reserve fund and $13 million into other accounts.
After those requirements, Owens expects the state to have $94 million left this year. Owens wants to spend $80 million on roads, saying that transportation will get no extra money next year.
In the 2006-07 budget, Owens proposes increasing spending for state colleges and universities by 10 percent. Higher education would get $658 million next year - enough to restore 40 percent of the cuts since 2001.
The governor is seeking a general-fund budget of $6.5 billion next year, a 4.1 percent increase from the current year's $6.3 billion spending plan.
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Key points of budget proposal
Gov. Bill Owens explained his budget proposal to a state legislative committee Monday.
Roads would get a big boost in funding this year - $296 million - but no extra money next year.
Higher education would get enough money next year to restore 40 percent of the cuts since 2001. Student stipends would go up to $2,580, from $2,400.
Public schools would get $2.8 billion from the state general fund next year - boosting funding $166 per pupil.
Tourism promotion would get a special boost of $10 million.
A program that helps low-income families with heating bills would get an extra $10 million.
What a total betrayal. Owens turned out to be a snake in the grass.
Don't fool yourself - this money will go straight to schools, and hence administrator salaries and in turn NEA and teacher's unions. This is in addition to Amendment 23, which was "for the children."
Yes, and medicare and the arts...
We will be paying for "nasty, hate America, burn the flag, NAMBLA attacks little boys art"...
And another raise for Ward Churchill. He got a raise in 2005 and wants another raise ( and no classes ) in 2006.
Of course, all the other professors who work 4 to 6 hours per week for their $100,000 plus benefits want another raise. They get the summer off, every holiday paid, healthcare, retirement plan, two weeks paid vacation at Christmas ( which they will not use the word Christmas )...
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