Press Release: $320M Budget-Balancing Plan
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, AUG. 18, 2009
CONTACT
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER PRESENTS $320M BUDGET-BALANCING PLAN
Gov. Bill Ritter today presented to the legislature's Joint Budget Committee a balancing plan that closes a nearly $320 million shortfall in the current 2009-10 budget. The package includes more than 100 separate items, and most aspects will take effect Sept. 1.
The plan reflects a 9 percent reduction in spending from the start of last fiscal year. It includes $263 million in targeted service cuts, the elimination of nearly 270 full-time equivalent positions, and $48 million in cash-funded program reductions.
"The plan I'm presenting today reflects the same values, the same culture of cost-cutting and the same smart investing we've been doing since January 2007," Gov. Ritter said. "I approached this thoughtfully, surgically and compassionately. We've struck the right balance by minimizing pain, protecting critical services and maintaining investments in our future.
"We've preserved the safety net for a growing number of people living on the margins," Gov. Ritter said. "We've protected health care for children, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations. We've tried to maintain the gains we've made for people with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
"And we're still investing in small businesses, job-creation, infrastructure and education so we can recover stronger, healthier and quicker. Still, you can't reduce spending this much without impacting services. Sadly, many people are going to feel the pain of these cuts. Many people will be making sacrifices to help all of us get through this tough time."
The FY09-10 balancing plan outlined today calls for reductions large and small, including permanent cuts to the base:
Workforce
- Eliminating nearly 270 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Pay raises have been frozen until at least July 2011 and employees are taking four unpaid furlough days this year.
Human Services
- Closing 59 beds in the children, adolescent and geriatric units at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan, eliminating 48 FTE and saving the General Fund $1 million this fiscal year and millions more in the future.
- Closing 32-bed nursing facility at the Grand Junction Regional Center, eliminating 57 FTE and saving the General Fund $1.3 million this fiscal year and millions more in the future.
These services can be effectively provided by non-state agencies within their communities.
Health Care
- Reducing provider rates by 1.5 percent, reducing funds to Federally Qualified Health Centers by $1.5 million General Fund, and making other reductions totaling $110 million.
Corrections
- Implementing a pilot program that complements Gov. Ritter's anti-recidivism initiative and was recommended by the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. The pilot will:
- Accelerate the transition from parole to the community for qualifying parolees.
- Utilizing the savings to provide enhanced, targeted and front-loaded supervision and services for new parolees.
- Accelerate the transition from prison to parole for qualifying inmates who are already eligible for parole and whose mandatory release dates are within 180 days.
These steps will save $18.9 million in the General Fund and align Colorado with half of all states now making similar changes so they can more responsibly manage limited resources.
Higher Education
- Reducing the state's investment to colleges and universities by $80.9 million. However, these reductions will be backfilled with federal Recovery Act funding.
Vehicle Fleet
- Reducing the state commuter program, which allows certain state employees to use state vehicles for transportation between work and home, saving the General Fund $475,000.
Tony Grampsas Youth Services Grant Program
- Eliminating $1 million in state funding.
"All of these actions reflect today's tough times," Gov. Ritter said, "but they also reflect where we've been and where we need to go. We've made great progress since 2007 investing in education, health care, economic development and innovative public-safety programs.
"Yes, the economy has slowed us down. But it hasn't stopped us. Our vision remains strong, to create jobs of the future, to keep building the New Energy Economy, to lead the nation in education and healthcare reforms.
"Even in these tough times, our strategy is working. We remain far better off than many other states, and I'm confident that by working together we'll come out of this downturn stronger, healthier and more determined than ever."