February 09, 2011 02:11 AM UTC

"Show Us The Money" With Pay-As-You-Go?

• 3 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

House Democrats held a press conference this afternoon on a newly-introduced bill that will, depending on who you talk to, either attract a lot of bipartisan support–or, as seems to be the case, give the House Republican majority some rather telling indigestion. House Bill 1052, known as the “Paygo” bill, would require all bills that either involve a tax expenditure or result in a decrease in revenue to the state either specifically identify offseting cuts or increases in revenue. We’re told the press conference was well-attended by media, so we’ll be watching for coverage. A press release from liberal coalition Strong Colorado follows after the jump.

We’re told that “Paygo” is not going over well with House Speaker Frank McNulty, who might well want to see it killed in the House Finance Committee later this week–before it becomes an uncomfortable distraction. Passage of “Paygo” would make the current fad of demanding cuts in the abstract, without talking about the bleeding, more difficult. The terms of this debate would seem to favor proponents, as the voters generally do prefer lawmakers to show their math.

They just might not like the bottom line.

February 8, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It’s Time to Have a Commonsense Conversation

About Colorado’s Budget

Campaign for a Strong Colorado is supporting  “Pay as You Go” (HB 1052) legislation to begin an honest, commonsense discussion on the state’s budget priorities for the future. The proposal requires any bill that decreases state revenue or gives a tax exemption must also identify the accompanying required state budget cuts.

“Show us the money – where do we cut if we’re going to have less money in the budget because of tax breaks? In tough economic times, you can’t give away money in tax exemptions without saying what public services will be cut. That’s the budget equivalent of only eating desert and no fruits and vegetables,” said Ellen Dumm, executive director of Strong Colorado.

Colorado currently requires a fiscal note –  the estimated amount of money a bill would cost to implement – but does not require proposed decreases to be accompanied by offsetting cuts. Colorado, like 44 other states, has suffered from decreased revenues since 2008, and has a constitutional requirement to balance its budget.  

“Pay Go”  (HB 1052)  is sponsored by Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (D-Boulder) and Senator John Morse (D-Colorado Springs). It will be heard in the House Finance Committee on Thursday.