Colorado Legislative Strategies Updates 11.1.23

COLORADO LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES NEWSLETTER
 
November 1, 2023

​Introduction
 
Today, Governor Polis released his 2024-25 budget request. The budget process kicks off every year with the Governor’s budget request on November 1. Governor Polis will present his budget request to the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) on November 16.
 
The Governor’s budget request becomes the roadmap for that year’s budget process. The JBC will now hold briefings on the Governor’s request with JBC staff, then the JBC will hold hearings with each department, and then make decisions on figure setting and comebacks. The Governor’s budget request sets the stage for what becomes decision items for the JBC. 
 
While the JBC has the ultimate authority on decisions about exactly what gets funded (and how much) in the budget, the Governor’s budget request represents the starting point and the agenda going forward for all the budget decisions to come. 
 
Subsequent newsletters will take a deeper dive into all of the details of the Governor’s budget request, for now here are some quick highlights and links to the documents released today.

Governor’s 2024-25 Budget Request
 
Governor Polis outlined five primary goals in this budget request:

1. “More Housing Now” – After the defeat of the Governor’s big land use bill last session, Governor Polis is doubling down on housing as his top priority. There will be several large decision items (and several bills) focused on increased funding for housing.
2. “Making Colorado One of the Top Ten Safest States” – The Governor is seeking to strengthen existing programs that support victims and prevent targeted violence, while creating new initiatives to disrupt some of the most pressing issues that Coloradans face, such as gun violence and auto theft.
3. “Saving People Even More Money on Healthcare” – The phrase you knew was coming. The Polis administration has done a lot on healthcare over the past five years and this budget request seeks to double down and make more investments in healthcare. 
4. “Saving People Money on Property Taxes” – A familiar phrase but a new focus on property taxes. Watch out for this to be a hot topic for both Democrats and Republicans next session, especially in the wake of the voters’ decision on Proposition HH.
5. “Advancing the Path to 100% Renewable Energy by 2040” – Over his second term, Governor Polis wants to focus on long-term strategies to take advantage of unprecedented federal funding, increase clean air, lock in goals to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and deploy new clean energy solutions.

 
Additionally, while this issue didn’t make it in Governor Polis’ top five primary goals, school funding will be another top priority in this budget:

1. “Strengthening Schools” – Governor Polis is seeking to fully eliminate the budget stabilization factor and increase teacher pay. The governor will also seek additional funding for universal preschool and higher education. 

 
Lastly, here are some additional areas where Governor Polis is focused on seeking funding in this budget request:

1. “Commitment to Colorado’s Workforce” – Includes increased support for community providers and other workforce development. 
2. “Commitment to Colorado Families” –  Includes expanding the state Child Care Expense Tax Credit and homelessness prevention.
3. “Commitment to a Colorado for All” – Includes increased funding to support people with disabilities and support for new migrants.
4. “Commitment to Protecting our Environment” – While related to one of the top priorities, this will include maintaining funding for Zero Fare for Better Air, and seeking additional money for improved air quality and environmental justice.
5. “Commitment to Long-Term Solutions” – Includes funding to reduce the competency restoration waitlist and installing broadband infrastructure in correctional facilities. 
6. “Commitment to Good Governance” - Includes making the most of all the state assistance available in recently passed federal legislation and returning the budget to a post-pandemic normalization as one-time pandemic funding recedes from the budget. 

 
Conclusion
 
Watch out for more information on the Governor’s budget request and the budget process in general as 2023 comes to a close and we embark on 2024.
 
Links for November 1 Governor’s 2024-25 Budget Request Documents:

• Governor’s Budget Rollout Presentation (15 slides)

• Governor’s Budget Request Letter (138 pages)