Colorado Senate passes $25 billion budget, sends to House
DENVER — Colorado’s $25 billion budget for next year passed the Senate with nearly every Democrat voting no because ruling Republicans rejected funding for some of their ideas.
The 21-14 vote Thursday came after nearly a dozen hours of debate over two days. Only three Democrats voted in favor of the spending plan that takes effect July 1.
Most of the spending is non-negotiable because it goes to places like schools, colleges, health care and prisons.
But every year lawmakers try to make minor tweaks to fund things they want. Usually, the minority party is left feeling left out because their amendments don’t pass. This year, it was the Democrats’ turn after being in the majority for the past 10 years.
The Democrat-led House takes up the budget next week.
Job seekers fill the conference room during the Pikes Peak Workforce Center’s Spring Job Fair Thursday, April 2, 2015, at the Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. More than 900 job seekers had attended the event by noon and about 120 employers had booths at the fair. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)