Ritter plans 'modest decrease' for school funding
November 06, 2009 8:13 AM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER • Gov. Bill Ritter is proposing cutting state education funding because of the Colorado's budget problems.
Speaking to education groups on Thursday, Ritter said the plan would include a "modest decrease" for kindergarten through 12th grade schools.
He plans to unveil his complete budget plan for next year late Friday.
Funding for kindergarten through 12th grade schools is protected by a constitutional amendment but Ritter's staff say the cut is legal.
The state faces what is expected to be a $1.3 billion shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. That's because many of the budget-balancing moves so far have been one-time fixes, such as using stimulus money or taking money from cash funds.
