Colo. senator unveils plan to prevent school cuts

By The AP
Monday, February 28, 2011

DENVER — A Colorado Democrat who has said he’ll propose a possible tax to avoid education cuts plans to give new details about his plan.

Boulder Sen. Rollie Heath says he has a plan to protect schools from additional budget cuts next fiscal year. He’s set to speak about it at the Capitol today.

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has proposed slashing education funding, which comprises the biggest chunk of the state budget. The $332 million cut for the next school year would amount to about $500 less per student.

Heath called the governor’s proposal “unacceptable.”

Senate President Brandon Shaffer, another Democrat, has also criticized the governor’s education cuts. But unlike Heath, Shaffer has said new taxes shouldn’t be considered.