State lawmakers slashed funding for the State Board of Education on Tuesday over reports of lavish spending that included expensive meals, themed catering and valet parking.
State Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Larimer County, said the Joint Budget Committee, which sets spending priorities for the state, cut the budget from $276,000 last year to $220,000 for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. They cut the $60,000 travel budget in half after records obtained by The Associated Press showed the elected eight-member panel took 17 state employees, including themselves, and 11 others to dine at a restaurant in Telluride that cost taxpayers $2,028.
According to board records, chairwoman Pamela Jo Suckla alone spent $26,000 for travel expenses and Evie Hudak claimed $11,316, according to the records obtained by AP.
Peggy Littleton claimed $10,025, Randy DeHoff $5,970, Karen Middleton $4,013, Jared Polis $997 and Elaine Gantz Berman $763, while Bob Schaffer claimed $521. Polis, who is no longer a board member, said he paid the money back.
The Associated Press
