Taxpayers may wonder how booming economy leads to budget cuts at Colorado Capitol

[TexasTowelie]

Colorado lawmakers are set to begin work this week on a tight $26.8 billion budget proposal that will have taxpayers wondering why programs are seeing reductions during a booming economy.

Republicans have been hesitant to call nearly $700 million in budget-balancing maneuvers "cuts" to critical programs, pointing out that the proposed budget reflects a nearly 7 percent increase in discretionary spending over the current fiscal year. Budget writers carved out $10.6 billion for the General Fund.

As introduced, the total budget price tag is $28.3 billion. But funds are closer to $26.8 billion when considering double-counted cash because federal funds are re-appropriated. The total budget would reflect a more than 4 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

Senate Republican Leader Chris Holbert of Parker said the nearly $700 million in budget-balancing moves reflects money that budget writers had to "curtail."

Read more: http://gazette.com/taxpayers-may-wonder-how-booming-economy-leads-to-budget-cuts-at-colorado-capitol/article/1599825