Members of a special committee looking into how to ensure the long-term viability of the state budget agreed on at least one thing Wednesday.
The state needs a rainy day fund: a savings account to help weather the lean times, members of the Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission agreed.
“We need an emergency fund, and I believe it needs to be of a substantial size,” said Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, echoing a sentiment shared on the panel.
The state does have a reserve fund, currently set at 2 percent because of the state’s budget woes. Some experts recommend the reserve be at least 8 percent.
But it was harder for the those on the 16-member commission to find agreement in other areas.
Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, chairman of the panel, asked members “what kind of state” they wanted.
Several Democratic-appointed members of the commission envisioned a state with well-funded public schools, robust transportation and a good health care system.
The state should “care for the least among us,” said Tim Hume, a Walsh rancher and a Democratic appointee.
But some Republican-appointed members suggested education, transportation and security were top priorities. Only Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway, a Republican, listed health care as a core function of the state.
Amy Oliver, a conservative talk show host, said health care specifically is not a core function.
“I have no problem including in there taking care of the least among us,” Oliver said. “I do have a problem with health care.
“I think health care implies you could say universal or state-paid-for health care.”
