The Senate Majority Press Office issued the following press release Friday:
Today, Senate Democrats responded to the Republicans “plan” to balance the budget and to oppose the budget balancing
plan discussed on the Senate floor today with House Bills 1189-1199. Yesterday the Republicans offered an ill-conceived plan to balance the budget which didn’t quite add up. Today, Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) addressed it on the Senate floor, as he held up a copy of “Cliff’s Notes: Basic Math”:
Senator Morse’s statement: “Today, I present the Minority Leader with the Cliff Notes version of Basic Math. Because your math is so far off I’ve gotten you a book on math. And I’ve gotten you a Cliff’s notes version since you are coming at the 11th hour. With great honor I give you this book and look forward to your proposal.”
“After reading the Republican budget fix it is quite clear that they can’t add or subtract. The budget shortfall is $1 billion. The Republicans proposed a reckless “off the cuff” idea to fire state employees to save $17.8 million. $17.8 million in cuts to solve a $1 billion shortfall. Now they just need to come up with 50 more plans so the math will add up. The problem is their plan doesn’t even identify the first $17.8 million.
“The Governor’s budget proposal cuts state spending by $700 million. Removing corporate tax credits and exemptions provide the balance of the $300 million needed to balance the budget. It’s a balanced approach to serious financial crisis. It preserves as best it can our core values. It protects the most vulnerable of our citizens. It asks everyone to pull together during these tough times. The Governor’s plan demonstrates leadership. There’s an old saying that if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. It’s time the Republicans either offer a serious solution or get out of the way.”
Morse vented his irritation with Republicans at the Democratic El Paso County Central Committee Meeting yesterday. A former CPA, Morse claims that he immediately sensed something fishy with the numbers conservatives were touting. After his rant on the Senate floor, The Denver Post caught up with Republicans, who were already distancing themselves from their heinous math:
Senate Republicans now say their figures have been misinterpreted. On Thursday, they put out a statement that said their budget proposal “includes a 0.25 percent reduction in state payroll spending for the current fiscal year, and a 4.4 percent reduction for next fiscal year.” They also said the plan “would require Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter to cut the state’s $3.2 billion state payroll budget by $19 million for the current fiscal year.” Republicans said the plan would save $306 million in the next fiscal year.
Republican staff told reporters that the 0.25 percent figure pertained to payroll.
But by Friday evening, they said that what they meant was that they were calling for a 0.25 percent cut in the state’s total general fund operating budget. That’s roughly $7.5 billion.




plan discussed on the Senate floor today with House Bills 1189-1199. Yesterday the Republicans offered an ill-conceived plan to balance the budget which didn’t quite add up. Today, Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) addressed it on the Senate floor, as he held up a copy of “Cliff’s Notes: Basic Math”:
Bench Colorado
d to prefer his current role as Senate Minority Leader, an equally prestigious but more influential position. But late last month Penry
the post, remarking that he “didn’t know the context” but “the comment fits with Norton’s belief that local control of the schools is best.”
powers to the question of health care reform. He recently posted a column on two conservative blogs,
liberty and justice for all. Gays and lesbians can’t marry. There’s still a lot of racism and sexism in the world.” Until gays and lesbians have equal rights, Phillips says, he doesn’t want to say the pledge.