accountability

By Joseph Boven
Colorado Independent

A Democratic move to bring pay-as-you-go legislation to the Colorado General Assembly died in the Republican controlled House Finance Committee Thursday, an outcome sponsor Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, D-Niwot, said was no surprise. The bill, HB 1052, died on a 6-6 vote.

House Bill 11-1052 – Concerning the Adoption of Pay-As-You-Go Requirements

Rich Jones, Director of Policy and Research
The Bell Policy Center
February 10, 2011

Lawmakers and Colorado residents will be better able to judge the performance of state programs and whether they are accomplishing their goals under a bill signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on Saturday.

The State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) Government Act – HB 1119 – ties state funding more closely to results, increases transparency and improves public access to budget data.

Articles: A User???s Guide to the State Budget Process, Part Two, Accountability Tour made nine stops, PODCAST set for April 5

Presentation providing an overview of the structure of Colorado's state budget, Referendum C, and other constitutional provisions that affect state spending.

A letter in response to an open letter from Rep Stengel informing him that the Bell's Accountability Tour for Referendum C is open to all interested parties, including opponents to the referendum.

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary explaining the goals of the Bell Policy Center's Referendum C Accountability Tour, to ensure the legislature does what Referendum C instructs them to do, to ensure Referendum C money is spent to increase Coloradans' opportunity and to explain how the money is spent.

We would like to thank those of you whose perseverance, foresight, good judgment and tireless work led to the crafting and passage of Referendum C. We believe the clear message from the voters is that, to the extent possible, revenue resulting from the passage of Referendum C should be allocated to providing increased funding for education (from pre-school to college) and health care, while maintaining adequate funding for other important services, such as housing and child care assistance.

A table showing the amount of funds under the 6 percent growth limit available to various state programs after the passage of Referendum C.

A Denver Post Sunday perspective piece laying out an agenda for spending Referendum C funds according to the voters' intent.