How Did Colorado Go From A $1.3 Billion Surplus To A $1.5 Billion Deficit In Eight Years? Here’s How:
In 2018, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed a $28.9 Billion state budget into law, and we had a $1.3 Billion surplus. In November of 2018, Jared Polis was elected Governor of Colorado, and the Democrats took control of the General Assembly. Eight years later, the proposed budget is $50.5 Billion and has a $1.5 billion deficit.
Over the past eight years, no one wanted to deal with the structural deficit. Colorado’s Structural Deficit Problem Explained. The budget in the 2018-19 fiscal year had huge economic growth and a windfall from the federal tax reform. In addition, the massive influx of one-time money during the COVID recovery masked the structural deficit. Now the bill is due, and the budget is short of $1.5 Billion. Read more here:
For years, Democrat lawmakers relied on one-time funding sources like COVID money, Federal relief dollars, and reserves, to support their massive spending spree. Meanwhile, consumers suffered under increasing regulations, skyrocketing property taxes, and costly new government programs for every perceived injustice.
You might wonder what that has gotten us. Here is a short list:
Massive government growth and debt.
Cuts in safety programs for seniors and veterans.
More potholes and a crumbling road infrastructure.
The Sixth most regulated state in the nation.
Crime spikes and increased drug use.
Increased taxes on business.
Over two dozen new “Enterprises” with countless fees.
Here is just a sample of legislation that has been proposed. HB26-1221 Tax Expenditure Adjustments, HB26-1222 Modify Tax Expenditures, HB26-1223 Modifying Certain Tax Expenditures. These three bills raise the cost of doing business and make it harder for companies to invest, hire, and stay competitive.
On the crime front, Democrats proposed legislation to legalize prostitution. They also sponsored HB24-1028 Overdose Prevention Centers, to create safe drug injection sites and have medical professionals in attendance to revive drug addicts if they overdosed.
In sharp contrast, this week I was able to pass HB26-1290 Criminal Offense of Assault out of the Judiciary Committee unanimously. This bill elevates strangulation from a sixth-degree felony to second-degree felony assault. Survivors of strangulation are 750% more likely to be killed by that same offender. I have worked on this bill for over a year, and it will be monumental for victims of domestic violence. Colorado’s current approach to crime has in many cases put victims at risk by being too lenient. My goal is to strengthen Colorado’s strangulation law to reflect its true lethality.
In eight years under single party rule, Governor Polis and the Democrat controlled legislature wiped out a $1.3 Billion surplus and saddled us with $1.5 Billion debt and grew the size of government by well over 40%. Crime has increased and the cost of living has nearly doubled. Are you better off now than you were eight years ago?
I am working hard to stop bad legislation and trying to pass common sense legislation that reduces crime and the cost of living. We keep working hard to reduce regulations to allow businesses opportunities for growth that will increase jobs and revenue. We must bring balance and sanity back to the General Assembly.