Colorado spending stalemate drags on

By The AP
Monday, April 4, 2011

DENVER — A government spending stalemate in Colorado is entering its third week. Lawmakers are starting to openly worry they’re running out of time to broker a deal on how much to cut next year to balance the books.

Democrats and Republicans huddled in rival meetings today trying to figure out a spending plan that could win agreement. Democrats are looking for ways to soften education cuts proposed by Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper. Republicans want to send more money back to businesses that collect sales taxes, plus require state employees to contribute more toward their retirement plans. That could mean a deeper pay cut than Democrats advocate.

The Joint Budget Committee has been deadlocked between three Democrats and three Republicans. The Democrat-controlled Senate was considering whether to introduce its own budget Monday.