Date: 10/15/2009
Final
Call to Order - Opening Remarks
INTERIM COMMISSION TO STUDY FISCAL STABILITY
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09:16 AM -- Call to Order - Opening Remarks
Esther Van Mourick from the Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS) explained the rules and procedures for having legislation drafted from an interim committee. Ms. Van Mourick explained that although ideas for legislation may come from any member of the commission, only legislative members may vote for the final recommendation to the Executive Committee of Legislative Council. She reminded the commission that timing constraints require that bills drafted at the commission's request must receive an up or down vote at the commission's next meeting on November 4, 2009.
09:27 AM
Jason Schrock and Natalie Mullis from Legislative Council Staff presented the draft funding table prepared for the commission (Attachment A). Mr. Schrock identified the major components of the table and some of the assumptions made by the departments in providing information. He further clarified that although the departments calculated a total amount of funding necessary to provide an ideal level of services, the sources of revenue for any additional funding is not presumed.
Senator Morse suggested that additional information showing all department budgets, in addition to the big 6, would be a useful number for the commission to consider. He reminded the commission that there are other departments of government that must not be ignored.
09:36 AM
Senator Morse asked for some clarification about local and state sources of funding for K12 Education. He suggested removing the local share of funding for K12 from the ideal scenario identified by the Colorado Department of Education. This would help to demonstrate only the state share of this desired funding. Mr. Schrock answered that total additional amount is not broken between sources such as local, federal, or state. Ms. Mullis added that policy decisions would determine how new funding can be raised. For example, the legislature could change property tax laws, thus having an impact on the local share of school finance and adjusting the total necessary from state or federal sources.