GOP to shake up the status quo on the Joint Budget Committee

Following last week’s GOP takeover of the state House of Representatives, a changing of the guard will occur this week regarding the state budget process as the newly minted House Republican leadership seeks to shake up the status quo.

The Joint Budget Committee will begin Wednesday with a mostly new crop of lawmakers, including one freshman, Rep.-elect Jon Becker, of Fort Morgan, appointed last week by incoming Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty, of Highlands Ranch. Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, will be the only committee member with experience crafting the state’s budget.

The committee consists of two members from the majority party in each chamber and one member from the minority party in each chamber, resulting in a 3-3 split this go-around. The last four years of the JBC have seen a Democratic majority.

The JBC wields tremendous power over the budget process and commands a grueling commitment from its members time-wise. McNulty defends his unusual pick of a freshman lawmaker and says that he intended to make a statement with his appointment.

“My appointment of Rep.-elect Becker to the JBC is a strong signal to Colorado that, for Republicans, it’s no longer business as usual at the state Capitol,” said McNulty.   – More -