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Colo. lawmaker: 'Brutal' budget cuts may be ahead
The Associated Press
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: News
DENVER (AP) - A Colorado lawmaker is warning that state colleges and universities could face spending cuts next year because tax collections are declining.
Democratic state Sen. Moe Keller of Wheat Ridge said Thursday the state could have $150 million to $300 million less than expected.
Keller, chairwoman of the Joint Budget Committee, says that could mean "brutal" cuts in spending for higher education as well as prisons and kindergarten-through-12th grade schools.
She says state sales tax collections for May were $77 million below projections and that economists believe income taxes still being collected may be up to $80 million less than expected.
Economists for the state Legislature are scheduled to release their next forecast on June 22.
Democratic state Sen. Moe Keller of Wheat Ridge said Thursday the state could have $150 million to $300 million less than expected.
Keller, chairwoman of the Joint Budget Committee, says that could mean "brutal" cuts in spending for higher education as well as prisons and kindergarten-through-12th grade schools.
She says state sales tax collections for May were $77 million below projections and that economists believe income taxes still being collected may be up to $80 million less than expected.
Economists for the state Legislature are scheduled to release their next forecast on June 22.
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