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Philosophical split obvious in partisan budget feud

By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 4, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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The debate that led up to Senate approval of the $17.6 billion state budget Thursday revolved around a philosophical split between Republicans and Democrats on government spending.

Republicans called it "reckless" excess to add 1,334 state workers while the economy is tanking.

They were still fuming at the governor's office and majority Democrats for killing a "meager" $30 million "rainy day" fund proposal.

"It's like adding 1,300 new state workers to the deck of the Titanic and we're heading for an iceberg and we're telling them to hold on as we turn up the steam," said Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs.

"But maybe we can offer them slushies after we hit," he added.

Democrats called it a frugal, smart budget that "invested" in vital programs - top-notch universities to crank out world- class workers and solar-power subsidies to spur the "new energy economy." Such spending, they said, will help Colorado power through choppy economic waters.

Democrats said the state still has a $283 million emergency reserve - four percent of the general fund, which both parties have tried to increase for years.

Republicans questioned why Democrats could not simply "reduce" the growth of spending below the maximum 6 percent limit.

GOP lawmakers said Dems want to take the easy way out - tapping billions from the anticipated windfall from the state's oil-and-gas boom.

Senators voted 21-14, with only one Republican joining majority Democrats, to pass the spending plan.

A conference committee will iron out differences between House and Senate versions before the bill goes to the governor.

gathrighta@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5486