The one crisis in Colorado state government that truly needs to be addressed is the fact that we are always in a state of crisis.
Year after year, Colorado state legislators find themselves pushing the big issues off to future years and being forced to react to problems as they arise. True, there are many factors leading to this situation, each one more contentious than the next. However, this year, state House Republicans are leading on bipartisan reforms to address some of the issues that seem to plague us year after year.
Specifically, we are preparing proposals to push for an evaluation of the Department of Corrections to determine how Colorado can better utilize assets and increase efficiency. Another effort will focus on reforming Colorado’s higher education system to eliminate duplication between schools and increase efficiency. Republicans are also working on a proposal to re-evaluate our transportation system so that the state can fulfill obligations and eliminate roadblocks that prevent local communities from investing in their own roads. Fortunately, these efforts have been embrace by our counterparts this year instead of shunned as has happened in years past.
In reforming the state Department of Corrections, we hope to empower the department to make decisions while taking politics out of the process. Under the current system, when an underperforming prison is deemed a candidate for closure, that process becomes a legislative hot potato particularly for the impacted district. Oftentimes the debate becomes so contentious that no action is taken. We are suggesting that we grant the department more control to better manage and oversee its budget in a less politically charged atmosphere.
Colorado’s system of higher education is another area that is ripe for reform. Our colleges are constantly engaged in a never-ending turf war over funding and resources. We want to institute cost controls, eliminate duplication between schools serving the same populations, and even streamline the application process between schools. Everyone agrees we should fund higher education in Colorado but we cannot continue to spend increasing amount of taxpayer dollars funding the same unsolved problems.
Transportation has also become a contentious issue at the statehouse and in local communities. Our roads and bridges are in need of repair and the money simply is not there to do the necessary maintenance. That is why we are looking at turning over some state roads to the communities they serve. With proper support from the state, Colorado communities could make better decisions for their residents and act more quickly to perform required maintenance and improvements.
The tendency of the Colorado State Legislature to continually govern from crisis to crisis is not new. For quite a few years now, our state budget has been in one form of crisis or another with limited options to address these crises. That is why when state House of Representatives takes up the state budget this year, the House Republicans are taking the lead on these reforms to set us on a better path for future years.
When the Legislature is forced to deal with the crisis of the day rather than plan ahead, more and more problems get pushed down the road. This only leads to an increase in the list of setbacks that impact Colorado’s families.
We know that these proposals will not go without opposition. Like every other issue at the capitol, when significant changes are suggested, significant opposition comes out of the woodwork. However, we can’t let that stop us from tackling these issues for future generations. We can do better.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
