Health Care
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing provides health coverage to low-income families and disabled Coloradans through programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Program. The total FY 2012-13 budget is $5.56 billion, $1.86 billion of which is General Fund. State expenditures receive a federal match. In FY 2012-12 the federal match for healthcare expenditures is expected to be $2.77 billion.
In FY 2012-13 it is anticipated that 687,473 Coloradoans will receive healthcare services through Medicaid. This represents a caseload increase of almost 57% since FY07-08 when the economic recession began and 10.2% over the previous year. CHP+ will provide health insurance to an estimated 67,542 children and an average monthly caseload of 1,360 adult pregnant women in FY 2012-13.
Recent policy changes: The Colorado Health Care Affordability Act of 2009 enacted a fee on hospitals to pay for an increase over the next three years in the number of low-income and disabled Coloradans on public programs. The fee is matched fifty-fifty by the federal government. When federal reform is fully implemented in 2014, the federal government will pay 90-100% of the cost.
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What changes would you make to Health Care spending?
Eliminate coverage of prescription drugs in the Medicaid program.
Some services are optional under Medicaid, meaning that under federal law the state is not obligated to provide this service. One of the highest cost optional services is prescription drug coverage. Eliminating prescription drug coverage would save the program $146 million but would risk higher expenditures in other mandatory areas of Medicaid as medical conditions are likely to worsen if patients do not have access to prescription drugs.
Budgetary Effect: ($146,000,000.00)
| 8.49% |
Eliminate coverage of hospice care and home nursing services in the Medicaid program.
Some services are optional under Medicaid, meaning that under federal law the state is not obligated to provide this service. Hospice and home nursing care services are optional under Medicaid. Eliminating these would save just under $70 million in FY 12-13, but might result in higher costs elsewhere, particularly for longer hospital or nursing home stays.
Budgetary Effect: ($66,900,000.00)
| 7.34% |
Increase utilization of care coordination in public programs to incent providers and organizations to offer high quality, better outcomes, and good customer service
Reform provider payments to promote integrated-care delivery models.
Budgetary Effect: ($9,500,000.00)
| 21.56% |
Reinstate the nursing facility rate reduction.
In FY 2011-12 there was a one-time reduction of 1.5% on daily rates paid to nursing facilities (e.g. nursing homes). Extending this into FY 2012-13 would save $4.43 million.
Budgetary Effect: ($4,430,000.00)
| 11.70% |
Provide incentives for elderly and people with disabilities to have inproved access to home nursing and community-based services
Provide incentives for aging and disabled Medicaid beneficiaries to choose to choose to receive services that support them to stay in their home. These services are typically more cost-effective than nursing homes.
Budgetary Effect: ($2,400,000.00)
| 22.71% |
Status quo: Maintain FY 2012-13 spending levels on health care.
The FY 2012-13 budget ($1.9 billion in General Fund) includes coverage for 687,473 low income seniors, adults, disabled, and children in Colorado at an annual cost of $5,813 for a Medicaid client. In addition the budget covers other programs for the indigent, children, and other special needs populations.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 1.83% |
Restore Medicaid budget reductions in the FY 2012-13 budget.
This option would restore a series of budget reductions and cost containment strategies implemented by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Some of these strategies were approved during the last fiscal year, but a new one, moving to a sole source contract for diabetic testing supplies, will be implemented in FY 2012-13.
Budgetary Effect: $2,825,000.00
| 11.01% |
Implement immediately Medicaid expansions included in Federal Healthcare Reform.
With the passage of Federal Healthcare Reform (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010,) starting in 2014 all Coloradans making less than $14,404 annually (or $29,327 for a family of four) will be eligible for Medicaid. Selecting this option would make these federal expansions effective immediately. It assumes that the Colorado Health Care Affordability Act (which isn’t fully implemented in its entirety until 2012) is effective immediately as well. This would cover an additional 53,400 Coloradans. The cost would be shared by the State and Federal government until 2014 at which point the Federal government would cover at least 90% of the costs.
Budgetary Effect: $105,600,000.00
| 15.14% |
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Higher Education
The Department of Higher Education is responsible for vocational and higher education in the state, operating 26 state campuses, two local district junior colleges, and four area vocational schools. A key factor driving the budget is how much policymakers view paying for higher education as an individual versus public responsibility. The FY 2012-13 budget is $3.034 billion, 20.4% ($619 million) of which comes from the General Fund.
There are two issues for you to consider: 1) general operating funds (e.g. teacher salaries, facility maintenance, program administration, etc.) and 2) how much financial aid is offered to students.
During the last two economic downturns ( early 2000s and 2008-2010), state support for higher education was disproportionately cut more than other areas of the budget because higher education is not protected by either state or federal mandates like K-12 education or health care. Colleges and universities made up the difference with tuition increases. During this current recession, the federal government provided the state with $621.9 million of Recovery Act money over a three year period to help avoid cuts, but this assistance ran out in 2011. Anticipating deep cuts in 2011, a 2010 law (SB 10-003) was passed authorizing campuses to raise tuition up to 9% annually. The FY 1012-13 budget assumes a 9% tuition increase this year across the system.
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What changes would you make to Higher Ed - General Operating Fund spending?
Eliminate state support for one of Colorado’s major university systems and five rural community colleges.
This option reduces all state support for both student stipends and direct state support of higher education for the state’s community college system and for one of Colorado’s major public university systems. These institutions would be wholly dependent on tuition if this option were implemented.
Budgetary Effect: ($257,400,000.00)
| 10.05% |
Eliminate state support for and thus privatize one of Colorado’s major university systems.
This option reduces all state support for both student stipends and direct state support of higher education for one of Colorado’s major public university systems. This institution would be wholly dependent on tuition if this option were implemented.
Budgetary Effect: ($141,200,000.00)
| 7.94% |
Reduce state funding across the board for higher education by 20%.
According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers, in FY 2010 Colorado ranked 46th per capita and 46th as a share of personal income for state and local support for public and independent higher education. This option would cut current state support for public institutions by one fifth. This may mean significant impacts on student costs and the quality of education provided.
Budgetary Effect: ($124,000,000.00)
| 3.17% |
Eliminate direct state support for Community Colleges but retain the student stipends for students attending those institutions.
This option reduces all direct state support for the community college system but retains the ability for Colorado students attending those institutions to receive their state stipends. This would likely result in tuition increases at the community colleges which might make them unaffordable for some students.
Budgetary Effect: ($15,200,000.00)
| 7.94% |
Status Quo: Maintain FY 2011-12 spending levels on higher education.
The FY 2012-13 General Fund expense is $619.6 million.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 18.52% |
Restore the General Fund contribution to the College Opportunity Fund to FY 11-12 levels.
The College Opportunity Fund was set up to provide stipends to Colorado students attending state-operated higher education institutions and private institutions. The General Fund is the source of revenue for the College Opportunity Fund. In FY 2012-13, even as tuition at state-operated institutions is set to increase, the amount of General Fund support for the College Opportunity fund is decreasing to reflect a slight decrease in the number of eligible students. This option, with a budget impact of only $751,000 (thousand), would restore the stipends to previous year’s levels, providing increased per-student tuition support for Colorado students attending state-operated institutions.
Budgetary Effect: $751,000.00
| 21.69% |
Restore higher education funding to FY 2007-08 levels of $747.7 million.
In FY 2007-08, public colleges and universities received $747.7 million General Fund. This represents the largest amount of General Fund support for higher education over the past five years. In order to provide FY 2007-08 levels of support, this option will require an additional $128 million from the State above and beyond the FY 2012-13 amount of $619 million.
Budgetary Effect: $128,000,000.00
| 30.69% |
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What changes would you make to Financial Aid spending?
Eliminate state financial aid awards to students completely.
This option would eliminate Colorado’s financial aid program entirely for all Colorado students who have a demonstrated need. Federal financial aid as well as private loans and scholarships would still be available; however, since the State’s program focuses on students in the lowest income quartile, eliminating this program will reduce educational access to low-income Coloradans.
Budgetary Effect: ($104,200,000.00)
| 10.69% |
Reduce state financial aid by 25%.
This option would reduce the amount of money available from the State to provide financial aid awards and work study to students by 25%. It would be left up to the Department of Higher Education to decide whether to continue to fund the same number of students but reduce their awards by 25%, or to fund fewer students.
Budgetary Effect: ($26,000,000.00)
| 6.87% |
Status Quo: Maintain FY 2012-13 funding levels for financial aid.
Continue to fund financial aid at $104.2 million.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 13.74% |
Increase financial aid to match tuition increases.
Given the 2010 law that gives universities and colleges the ability to raise tuition by 9%, this option would increase the available monies for state financial aid by 9%. Increasing financial aid relative to tuition increases may improve higher education access for Coloradans.
Budgetary Effect: $9,400,000.00
| 37.40% |
Increase financial aid by 25%.
Increase the amount of General Fund support for financial aid for higher education by 25%. This would allow for more students to receive aid, for the students receiving aid to receive additional aid, or a combination of both.
Budgetary Effect: $26,000,000.00
| 31.30% |
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Human Services
The Department of Human Services provides support to Colorado’s disadvantaged residents, through programs like child care and child welfare services, senior services, youth corrections, services for the developmentally disabled, mental health, and drug/alcohol abuse services. The FY 2012-13 Human Services budget is $2.071 billion total funds, $642 million of which are General Funds.
There are three major service areas for you to consider: 1) programs for the developmentally disabled, 2) mental health programs and services, and 3) child care, child welfare and youth corrections services. The major cost-drivers for these programs are related to case-load and costs per individual served.
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What changes would you make to Developmental Disabilities spending?
Reduce Human Services Department General Fund support for community services for the developmentally disabled by 50%.
Services provided in the community are funded with a mix of General Funds, cash funds, and Federal funds. This option would reduce the General Fund portion, which is 7% of the total. These programs serve 8,496 adults and 393 children with either comprehensive care or support services. The cut would either result in fewer people served or in a reduction in level of service for all recipients.
Budgetary Effect: ($15,000,000.00)
| 14.88% |
Reduce Human Services Department General Fund support for community services for the developmentally disabled by 25% and for the regional centers by 100%.
Services provided in the community and in the three state regional centers are funded with a mix of General Funds, cash funds, Federal funds. This option would reduce the General Fund contribution to community service programs by 25%. It would also eliminate the General Fund contribution to the three state regional centers. The General Fund only accounts for 0.17% of the regional centers’ budget. These cuts would either result in fewer people served or in a reduction in level of service for all recipients.
Budgetary Effect: ($7,600,000.00)
| 8.93% |
Status quo: Maintain current FY 2012-13 funding levels for individuals served in the developmental disability system, including the regional centers.
The FY 2012-13 budget includes funding for 8,799 children and adults receiving home and community based services as well as approximately 300 individuals in the three regional centers in Grand Junction, Wheat Ridge and Pueblo.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 28.57% |
Reduce the number of adults on the waitlist for home based or community services by 25%.
There are currently 1,498 adults on the waitlist in need of home and community based services. This option would reduce the waitlist by 25% or 375 adults, giving them access to services immediately. This option assumes the entire expansion would be funded by the General Fund.
Budgetary Effect: $15,100,000.00
| 23.21% |
Reduce the number of adults on the waitlist for home based or community services by 50%.
There are currently 1,498 adults on the waitlist in need of home and community based services. This option would reduce the waitlist by 50% or 749 adults, giving them access to services immediately. This option assumes the entire expansion would be funded by the General Fund.
Budgetary Effect: $30,200,000.00
| 24.40% |
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What changes would you make to Mental Health spending?
Eliminate General Fund support for Mental Health Community Programs.
This option would completely eliminate General Fund funding for community based services for indigent mentally ill clients. Currently, the General Fund provides approximately 78% of total funding for mental health community programs. Services that would be eliminated include inpatient, outpatient, emergency, consultative, medications, and educational programs.
Budgetary Effect: ($40,000,000.00)
| 13.39% |
Close one of the state’s two Mental Health Institutes.
Currently the state maintains two inpatient mental health institutes. These facilities, located in Pueblo and at Fort Logan in Denver, jointly provide 532 in-patient beds. Eliminating one of these facilities would save the state money but would also reduce the state’s ability to care for Coloradans with mental illnesses and reduce jobs in the community in which the facility is located.
Budgetary Effect: ($33,800,000.00)
| 7.87% |
Status quo: Maintain funding for mental health services provided in the community as well as at the Mental Health Institutes at FY 2012-13 levels.
The FY 2012-13 budget includes $130.9 million of General Fund support for community based mental health services and the Mental Health Institutes.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 34.65% |
Implement Gov. Hickenlooper’s plan to redesign and strengthen Colorado’s mental health services and support system.
In response to the Aurora Theatre shootings in July 2012 and the Newtown, CT school shootings, on December 18, 2012, Governor Hickenlooper announced an $18.5 million plan for targeted changes and improvements to the state’s mental and behavioral health system. His plan included items like:
Authorize the court system to transfer mental health commitment records electronically to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for firearm purchase background checks.
Establish a single statewide mental health crisis hotline.
Establish 5 walk-in crisis stabilization centers for urgent mental health care needs.
Expand hospital capacity and enhance community care.
Develop community residential services for those transitioning from institutional care.
Provide de-escalation rooms at each of the state’s mental health hospitals.
Develop a consolidated mental health/substance abuse data system.
Budgetary Effect: $18,500,000.00
| 5.51% |
Increase community mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services by 25%.
Choosing this option would increase General Fund support for community mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services by 25%. The General Fund currently provides 66% of the total funding for these programs.
Budgetary Effect: $37,700,000.00
| 14.17% |
Increase community mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services by 50%.
Choosing this option would increase General Fund support for community mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services by 50%. The General Fund currently provides 66% of the total funding for these programs.
Budgetary Effect: $65,500,000.00
| 24.41% |
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What changes would you make to Child Care and Child Welfare spending?
Reduce funding to counties for child welfare services by 10%.
Counties are responsible for ensuring children are protected from abuse and neglect, regardless of state funding levels. However, currently the State General Fund does allocate counties some funding to support these programs and services. This option would reduce this support by 10%.
Budgetary Effect: ($20,400,000.00)
| 25.00% |
Eliminate all General Fund subsidies for child care.
As of the beginning of 2011, Colorado had just over 5,200 children on a waiting list for child care assistance. This reduction in funding would add to the number of unserved children and families.
Budgetary Effect: ($15,800,000.00)
| 4.17% |
Status quo: Maintain funding for child care and child welfare services at FY 2012-13 levels.
Currently the General Fund supplies $204 million to Child Welfare Services and $16 million to Child Care Services. This option would maintain those levels of funding.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 70.83% |
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Corrections
The Department of Corrections is responsible for managing the state’s prison system providing programming and services for inmates, and supervising/counseling inmates in community corrections programs and parolees. The FY 2012-13 Corrections budget is $737.6 million total funds, $651 million of which is General Funds. As of December 31, 2011, the Colorado inmate population was 21,772.
In fiscal year 2011, the average total cost to incarcerate one adult for one year in Colorado was $32,344. This was up slightly from the previous year’s average of $32,334. For the last 20 years, the Corrections budget has increased approximately 12% per year, which is largely due to the growing prison population (the 1980 population was 3,000). Since 1985, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for drug offenses has quadrupled and non-violent drug offenders now make up more than 20% of Colorado’s prison population.
Policy changes: The Ritter Administration (2007-2010) made slowing the increase in and even reducing the prison population a priority by seeking funds for prevention, anti-recidivism and mental health/substance abuse treatment. As a result the budget has decreased by $15.1 million since FY 08-09.
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What changes would you make to Corrections spending?
Eliminate the inmate drug and alcohol treatment programs.
This option would eliminate inmate drug and alcohol treatment programs, saving $7.1 million in General Fund.
Budgetary Effect: ($7,100,000.00)
| 33.76% |
Status quo: Fund current prison population and programs at FY 2012-13 levels.
The Corrections budget decreased by $5.4 million from FY 2011-12 to FY 2012-13. This was largely due to the decommissioning of Fort Lyon Correctional Facility in southeastern Colorado.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 22.93% |
Do not decommission Fort Lyon Correctional facility.
During the 2011 legislative session, the General Assembly approved the Colorado Department of Corrections' budget amendment to decommission the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility effective March 1, 2012. This option would reverse that decision.
Budgetary Effect: $6,630,000.00
| 13.38% |
Double the expenditures for mental health services.
Doubling funding for mental health services could also result in an additional 132 fulltime jobs to provide these services. Providing these services might result in a decrease in repeat offenders.
Budgetary Effect: $12,000,000.00
| 29.30% |
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Transportation
The Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining the state highway system, working with local governments to develop public transportation systems, and increasing safety and preventing accidents. The state transportation system includes 9,156 miles of highway and 3,754 bridges. The FY 2012-13 budget is $1.119 billion and does NOT include any General Fund support.
Maintenance and improvements to the transportation system are funded through a variety of taxes and fees including the gas tax and vehicle registration fees. A report written in 2007 for former Governor Ritter’s Blue Ribbon Transportation Commission stated $90 billion is needed through 2030 to maintain the current transportation system and an additional $73 billion is needed to expand and improve our transportation system. The Joint Budget Committee forecasts that based on current projected revenue, overall state road maintenance will be rated a D- by 2019.
Recent Policy Changes: In 2009, the legislature passed FASTER, which raised vehicle registration fees in order to pay for investments in transportation projects - $100 million to upgrade the 125 poor/deficient bridges and $150 million for roadway safety. Also in 2009, the legislature passed SB 09-228 which required, among other provisions, that when a particular economic trigger is met, that the General Fund make a transfer to support transportation. The trigger is 5% annual growth in total state personal income. The period in which the trigger may be met begins in calendar year 2012.
This is a special case budget topic. Selections made in this budget topic will not effect the general fund.
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What changes would you make to Transportation spending? (This does NOT impact the General Fund!)
Status Quo: Keep FY 2011-12 funding the same as the previous years ($1.119 billion - none of which includes General Fund)
A majority (52%) of the State Highway System is now in poor condition, and under current funding levels deterioration will continue. It is forecasted that based on current projected revenue, overall state road maintenance will be rated a D- by 2019. Transportation does NOT receive any General Fund dollars.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 10.34% |
Fund an inter-regional transit system that connects areas of the state such as along the Front Range or Denver to mountain communities on the Western slope
While local agencies and regions have the primary responsibility for transit services within their boundaries, the state should work to implement transit services (bus, rail and guideway systems) between regions to enhance multi-modal choices across regions.
Budgetary Effect: $15,000,000.00
| 27.09% |
Add passing lanes, shoulders and other safety upgrades to improve safety and road reliability in rural Colorado.
Improve the safety and reliability of two lane roads by adding passing lanes, shoulders and other safety upgrades where studies indicate safety could be improved.
Budgetary Effect: $100,000,000.00
| 19.55% |
Adequately maintain Colorado’s 9000 mile state highway system.
Over the next ten years, the forecasted budget will fall short of the amount needed to sustain the current condition of the state highway system (the pavement, bridge and maintenance programs) by $157 million per year. The larger the shortfall each year, the more difficult it is going to be to sustain the transportation system. Commutes could get longer, snow removal services may be reduced and road conditions will continue to deteriorate. Businesses that rely on our transportation network may be negatively affected.
Budgetary Effect: $157,000,000.00
| 26.26% |
Address roadway congestion, particularly in urban areas, for immediate improvement and long-term sustainable mobility.
Build tolled express lanes on congested corridors. Because these lanes are priced at a rate that varies based on the level of congestion, they can be used to manage congestion allowing for predictable and reliable free-flowing travel. Buses and carpools may use the lane for free and solo drivers may choose to pay to use the lane. Typically tolls pay for about one third of these projects.
Budgetary Effect: $500,000,000.00
| 16.76% |
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State Workforce
Total compensation for state employees (excluding higher education) amounts to $1.86 billion, $1 billion of this is General Fund dollars ($780 million for salaries and $229 million for benefits). State employees have not had a pay raise in over five years. Based on the Annual Compensation Survey Report for FY 2012-13, the Department of Personnel estimates increasing state salaries to match the prevailing market would cost the General Fund $31.1 million.
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What changes would you make, if any, to salaries for state employees?
Cut state employee salaries by 3% across the board.
The General Fund pays $780 million towards employee salaries. This option would decrease that amount by 3%.
Budgetary Effect: ($23,400,000.00)
| 28.47% |
Status Quo
This option has no fiscal impact.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 16.67% |
Increase the General Fund contribution to state employees by 3% and give performance bonuses to exemplary state employees.
The General Fund pays $780 million towards employee salaries. This option would increase that amount by 3% and distribute the new monies as performance bonus pay to exemplary employees.
Budgetary Effect: $23,400,000.00
| 20.14% |
Increase state employee salaries to match the prevailing private market pay rate.
Based on the Annual Compensation Survey Report for FY 2012-13, the Department of Personnel estimates increasing state salaries to match the prevailing market would cost the General Fund $31.1 million, excluding higher education institutions.
Budgetary Effect: $31,100,000.00
| 9.72% |
Increase the General Fund contribution to state employees by 5% and give performance bonuses to exemplary state employees.
The General Fund pays $780 million towards employee salaries. This option would increase that amount by 5% and distribute the new monies as performance bonus pay to exemplary employees.
Budgetary Effect: $39,000,000.00
| 9.03% |
Increase state employee salaries to match the prevailing private market pay rate AND give performance bonuses to exemplary employees.
This option would increase state salaries to match the prevailing market rate ($31.1 million excluding higher education), AND increase General Fund monies for salaries by 3% ($23.4 million) to be distributed as performance bonus pay to exemplary employees.
Budgetary Effect: $54,500,000.00
| 15.97% |
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K-12 Education
Since 1990, the burden of funding education has shifted from local property taxes to the state. Today, two-thirds of K-12 funding is accounted for by the state, while one-third is financed by local property taxes. State spending on education is $4.42 billion in FY 2011-12, $3 billion of which is from the General Fund (representing the largest slice of state budget). The department of education undertakes some programs, such as developing academic standards and licensing teachers, but the vast majority of its funding goes to school districts.
Four policy areas within K-12 education are presented: 1) funding to be allocated on a per pupil basis to Colorado districts, 2) funding for full-day kindergarten and preschool, 3) whether the state should have a role in setting educator salaries, and 4) whether schools should be required to offer physical education and healthier meals.
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What changes would you make to Per Pupil Funding spending?
Cut state’s share of K-12 funding by 5%.
The state and local communities share responsibility for per pupil funding. This option would cut the State’s General Fund portion (which is 64%) by 5%. Local school boards would determine how to make the cuts (e.g. eliminate athletic programs, larger class sizes or charge for transportation).
Budgetary Effect: ($147,900,000.00)
| 15.06% |
Status quo: Maintain State's share of General Fund funding at FY 2012-13 levels.
In FY 2012-13 the Department of Education’s General Fund budget of $2.958 billion reflected a 4.4% ($124.3 Million) increase compared to the prior year. This money is distributed to districts to pay teacher salaries, buy books and pay other operating expenses.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 27.20% |
Increase state’s share of General Fund funding by 5%.
This option would increase funding to districts by 5%, and could be used to reduce class sizes, pay teachers more, and to stem cuts to programs and services such as transportation and athletics.
Budgetary Effect: $147,900,000.00
| 23.43% |
Increase per-pupil funding to the national average.
According to 2008-09 data from the Census Bureau, Colorado ranks 40th in the nation in total per pupil funding. This raking takes into account all sources of funding (federal, state and local). Getting to the national average would require 15% more spending on a per pupil basis than is budgeted for 2012-13. Constitutional restrictions make it difficult to raise property taxes simultaneously in every one of Colorado’s 178 school districts. As a result under current law, it is likely that the state would need to pay for the entire increase necessary to bring per pupil average to the national median. This would require an additional $450,000,000 in FY 12-13.
Budgetary Effect: $450,000,000.00
| 34.31% |
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What changes would you make to spending on early childhood education?
Eliminate state funding for the Colorado Preschool Program.
This option would cut the state’s portion of funding for this program, leaving the burden to local school districts entirely or resulting in as many as 12,902 kids out of 20,160 cut from the program statewide.
Budgetary Effect: ($41,800,000.00)
| 12.31% |
Status Quo: Maintain current levels of funding for 20,160 at-risk preschoolers.
The FY 2012-13 budget funds 20,160 preschool slots for at-risk four-year-olds. Half day kindergarten is required in all school districts.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 32.82% |
Extend preschool to cover all 'at-risk' children and offer full-day kindergarten to all eligible kids at state expense.
This option would cover preschool for all children eligible for free or reduced lunch (adding 7,879 children) and offer kindergarten to all children of an eligible age as determined by the district. The entire additional funding would be provided by the state.
Budgetary Effect: $137,600,000.00
| 24.62% |
Extend preschool and full-day kindergarten to ALL Colorado kids at state expense.
This option would provide 20 hours a week of preschool and full-day kindergarten for all children of an eligible age. The entire additional funding would be provided by the state.
Budgetary Effect: $361,200,000.00
| 30.26% |
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Should the state become more involved in setting educator salaries?
Eliminate automatic pay increases when teachers obtain a master's degree.
Teachers typically earn higher pay when they obtain a master's degree. Some research shows that there is not a correlation between a master’s degree and student achievement. Local school boards set employee pay scales and policies. However, the Legislature could consider imposing an effective statewide cap on the “masters bump”. An exception would be for master’s degrees in subjects directly relevant to that teacher’s classroom. This option may be challenged by local districts, given that they have the legal authority to set pay rates.
Budgetary Effect: ($137,600,000.00)
| 29.31% |
Status quo: Maintain local control of educator salaries.
Currently, local districts set their own compensation polies.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 44.25% |
Increase educator compensation through an incentive program for districts
The average teacher salary in 2010 was $49,228. An incentive fund would be created to enhance educator compensation for high performance. One method to measure high performance is the framework created by the 2010 Great Teachers and Leaders Act (S.B. 10-191).
Budgetary Effect: $500,000,000.00
| 26.44% |
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Should schools be required to provide healthier food and physical education?
Status Quo
Currently the decision is left up to individual school districts.
Budgetary Effect: $0.00
| 32.68% |
Add statewide requirements for publically funded schools to provide healthier food
Add statewide requirements for publicly funded schools to provide healthy food choices (how it is prepared, quality of ingredients) to students. This policy change could encompass federally funded school meal programs, food available for purchase in schools, and/or vending machines on school grounds.
Budgetary Effect: $60,200,000.00
| 35.12% |
Add statewide requirements for publicly funded schools to provide physical education
For children, physical activity during the school day provides not only health benefits—such as strengthening the heart, muscles and bones—but can also increase academic achievement. A total of 60 minutes of daily, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for children that is age-appropriate, enjoyable and varied is recommended by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in October 2008. Currently, almost 30 percent of children do not exercise even three days per week and only 17 percent of high school students say they exercise the minimally recommended one-hour daily.
Budgetary Effect: $95,300,000.00
| 32.20% |
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Other
Colorado’s General Fund includes additional spending categories for the Departments of Public Safety, Public Health and Environment, Judicial and Revenue, in addition to those funds exempt from the spending limit. Together these make up 10% of the General Fund. The Backseat Budgeter currently does not include any options on these items.
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