Dems celebrate their success at boosting funding for schools

Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Democrats in the state legislature congratulated themselves Tuesday for making good on promises to boost funding for public schools.

The Democratic-dominated legislative session that ended Monday added $25 million to special education for the next school year, on top of a $20 million boost for this year.

The lawmakers also added funding for 2,000 preschool slots around the state next year at a cost of more than $5 million.

"This is what we've been talking about for a few years," said Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, a member of the House Education Committee and sponsor of a major school funding bill.

"This year, we're finally getting it done."

Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, a teacher for 25 years and a member of the education committee, said, "This is what got me to the State House. This is what it was all about. I believe the answer to every problem that we face is education."

Pommer and Todd spoke at a Denver news conference called by Democrats.

Education funding has been a strong part of the Democratic platform for years. But in Colorado, Democrats had not been in charge of the legislature since the 1960s.

Republicans controlled both houses until the 2004 election, and tight state budgets kept a lid on spending during the 2005 legislative session.

Referendum C, approved by voters in November, freed funds for schools in the 2006 session.

Rep. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, frequently the most vocal Republican on the education committee, took a different view of what the legislature accomplished.

"What are we getting as a result of those expenditures?" King asked in an interview. "How are we improving the system, both throughout the K-12 system and then in how these kids' transition into colleges and universities?"

Scores have been flat on student achievement tests, he said.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5209