Gov. Bill Owens on Thursday warned state lawmakers that their spending plans for 2006-07 would cause the state to spend more than it can afford.
In a news conference, Owens said his budget team, which works on the first floor of the Capitol, has reviewed all the pending spending bills and has concluded that some plans need to be cut.
“The first floor has some very good people who are adding up the numbers, and at this point the numbers don’t add up,” he said.
The governor said he is particularly concerned about the school finance act, House Bill 1375, which received final approval in the Senate this week.
That measure, which outlines about $4.8 billion in total financing for schools, includes a $23 million boost in special- education funding.
That funding was targeted by Senate Republicans who worried it was an ongoing boost to a program that would divert future money from other worthy state services.
“The school finance act probably has too much spending in it compared to the state budget, which also has additional K-12 spending, if you expect to have any money left over for the bills that are waiting in appropriations,” Owens said.
Henry Sobanet, Owens’ budget director, said he is negotiating with lawmakers to make sure that enough is available to cover emergencies throughout the upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Sobanet wants at least $33 million available for “supplemental” costs that state agencies might encounter during the upcoming year.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D- Boulder, sponsor of the school finance act, said lawmakers are working toward an agreement with the Owens administration.
Staff writer Mark P. Couch can be reached at 303-820-1794 or mcouch@denverpost.com.
