budget cuts

House approves $44B budget, GOP spending cut efforts rejected

Colorado state House legislators on Wednesday debated and advanced a $44 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year.

They also approved 63 “orbital” bills designed to change state law in order to balance the state budget.

As introduced, the fiscal year 2025-26 budget stands at $43.9 billion, including $17 billion in general funds and $14 billion in federal dollars. General funds are the discretionary dollars, derived from individual and corporate income taxes, as well as sales and use taxes. Cash funds make up the rest, about $12.8 billion.

Lawmakers’ biggest hurdle is closing a $1.2 billion general fund shortfall, driven by higher-than-expected Medicaid costs and a structural deficit.

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Los Angeles fire budget cut, hundreds of hydrants stolen for scrap before fires

Hundreds of fire hydrants were stolen from the ground for scrap metal in advance of the blazes raging across Los Angeles, highlighting the local government’s challenges in maintaining basic order and infrastructure. 

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