Senate passes two school funding bills out of committee

Wednesday, the Senate passed two bills out of committee that will direct more funds to Colorado schools. Senate Bill 1 directs every dollar the state collects above the most recent economic forecast to education. Senate Bill 109, the “Public Education Fund Tax Checkoff,” allows Coloradans to support early childhood education by adding a voluntary donation option on Colorado tax returns.

Last week, the Senate passed a state budget package that made difficult cuts across every state department.

Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont), who is the sponsor of Senate Bill 109, offered the following comment on the committee passage of his bill:

“We need to find innovative ways to support the education of our kids. If we invest in kids’ education in their early years, we expand their future opportunity. Right now funding is limited, and giving Coloradans this opportunity to support schools is a smart way to do more for Colorado kids.”

Senate Bill 1 now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. The bill is sponsored in the House by Representative Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood).

Senate Bill 109 now goes to full Senate for Consideration. The bill is sponsored in the House by Representative Judy Solano (D-Brighton).