budget principles

Gov. Bill Ritter presented his plan to balance the fiscal year 2009-10 budget today before a packed house at a meeting of the Joint Budget Committee. The overall plan totals $320 million and includes $261.2 million in cuts to the General Fund, $39.8 million in transfers from cash funds and $19 million in other revenues and reserve changes.

Colorado remains mired in a deep recession. General Fund revenues are projected to fall short by more than $1 billion over the next two fiscal years.  

Budget cuts are a certainty. They will be real, and they will hurt. That makes it imperative that Gov. Bill Ritter and legislators approach budget decisions thoughtfully and strategically.  

We got another dose of bad budget news on Tuesday (1/27). There will be significant cuts this year and next. As lawmakers move forward, we offer some principles we think should serve as guideposts. We will be communicating them each and every chance we get to talk to lawmakers, our allies, the media and the general public.