Current Year Budget Cuts

'Brutal' budget cuts announced by governor (Colorado)

 

State spending for colleges and universities will be cut by 40 percent…to balance the current year's budget.

 

…[Governor] Ritter plans to cut $145 million in general-fund revenue from colleges and universities, which comes on top of an $80.9 million cut made earlier this year. In addition, Ritter's plan outlined Wednesday:

 

• Takes $37 million in funds generated by severance taxes...

 

• Delays Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals, saving $16.3 million.

 

• Suspends a grant program to fund local energy conservation and renewable-energy programs, saving $14.2 million.

 

• Refinances lease-back payments with financiers on various state buildings, saving $10.8 million,

 

• Transfers $6 million from a construction fund for the Fitzsimons Medical Center in Aurora.

 

• Further reduces Medicaid rates paid to doctors and hospitals, saving $3.1 million.

 

• Refinances some child-welfare services funds with federal Temporary Aid to Needy Families funds, saving $3 million.

 

• Eliminates a property-tax subsidy to poor counties, saving $2.8 million.

 

• Drains $2.5 million from a Department of Corrections... 

 

Tim Hoover

The Denver Post, October 29, 2009