Monday, April 28, 2008

GOV. RITTER TO SIGN FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 STATE BUDGET INTO LAW TODAY

 
Monday, April 28, 2008
 
1:30 p.m.                    Gov. Ritter will be signing the Fiscal Year 2008-09 state budget into law at 1:30 p.m. today. Joining him will be members of the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, University of Northern Colorado President Kay Norton and 208 Health Care Reform Commission Chairman Bill Lindsay.
 
                                    Location: State Capitol, West Steps.
 
                                    Quick Facts:
 
n      $18.4 billion total budget, including operating and capital.
 
n      $7.6 billion operating budget/general fund.
 
n      Total Budget Breakdown:
            23 percent:      K-12 Education
            20 percent:      Health Care
            15 percent:      Higher Education
            12 percent:      Human Services
            4 percent:        Prison and Corrections
            7 percent:        Transportation
            19 percent:      All Others
 
Additional Budget Details:
 
n      Prison Recidivism Reduction: $5.7 million for 12 initiatives.
 
n      Renewable Energy: $2 million for solar incentives, $7 million for Clean Energy Fund to advance new-energy initiatives.
 
n      Building Blocks to Health Care Reform.
 
n      Higher Education: 9 percent, or $66 million increased investment into college and university operating budgets.
 
n      Development Disabilities: $17.4 million increase for additional services and community resources.
 
n      Capital Construction: $188 million increase for construction projects statewide, including higher education but excluding transportation.