Hundreds of college students gathered on the steps of the state Capitol today in support of legislation that would lift a growth limit on the state’s budget.
Chanting “Fund our future!” and carrying a banner that read, “Invest in us. We are the future,” about 200 students called for repealing the Arveschoug-Bird budget provision, which limits growth in the state’s general fund to no more than 6 percent a year.
The Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would repeal the limit. Money collected above the limit funds transportation and other construction needs.
“What we are advocating for is restoring to the legislature discretion in spending,” said Dave Dorey, a student at the University of Colorado-Boulder and chairman of the Associated Students of Colorado.
Dorey and others said that allowing lawmakers, rather than a formula, to dictate state spending, might help restore funding to higher education.
