Colo. teachers unions criticize proposed $375M cut

By The AP
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

DENVER — Unions representing Colorado’s teachers are criticizing Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proposal to slash school funding by $375 million to help balance the state budget.

State lawmakers still must decide whether they want to go along with the idea. If they do, it would follow a $260 million cut this school year, amounting to a combined 14 percent drop.

Both the Colorado Education Association and the state branch of the American Federation of Teachers say the proposed cut is short-sighted and risks the future competitiveness of Colorado. CEA, the state’s largest union, said increasing revenue should be considered to help solve the state’s budget crisis.

With one-time fixes and federal stimulus money running out, Hickenlooper said he had no choice but look at cutting education, which comprises about 40 percent of the budget.