The is headed to Gov. John Hickenlooper on a wing and a prayer that another measure will follow to erase the the deep spending cuts to hospitals.
The state Senate approved on a 33-1 vote Wednesday despite lamenting a move to balance the budget by , a total cut worth $528 million once federal matching dollars are added.
Republicans and Democrats expressed hope that to eliminate the cuts also will make it to the governor’s desk before the legislative term ends next week.
“Although this is not a perfect product, I sincerely hope we muster the political courage to fix whatap wrong in this budget to make sure rural hospitals don’t close,” said Sen. Dominick Moreno, a Commerce City Democrat and budget writer.
The concern delayed approval of the budget to the latest point in the session in the last decade, according to legislative analysts, and the timing gives Hickenlooper the ability to use his line-item veto power with little regard for an override because lawmakers will no longer be in session.
Effective July 1, the budget bill represents a 4 percent increase and the $11 billion in discretionary spending did not meet the priorities outlined in the beginning, leading to tough decisions and cuts.
The final version includes a salary hike up to 2.5 percent for most state employees, a $185 per-pupil increase in education spending, $15 million for an affordable housing program and $9.5 million to connect rural areas to high-speed internet.
The legislation no longer includes because the move would have boosted future pay for lawmakers and statewide elected officials.
Sen. Owen Hill, a Colorado Springs Republican and candidate for Congress, cast the lone no vote. Earlier in the week, the final measure split the House 39-26 with all but two Republicans voting no.
Rep. Steve Lebsock, D-Thornton, sought $500,000 for a senior home repair program and objected to the last-minute addition of $1 million for repairs to the governor’s mansion.
“Instead of maintenance for seniors, they approved maintenance for the governor’s mansion,” said Lebsock, a candidate for state treasurer in 2018, who still voted for the final budget
