Press Release- May 09, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER SIGNS SCHOOL FINANCE ACT INTO LAW
Governor touts legislation as good government that avoids fiscal train wreck
Surrounded by dozens of lawmakers, supporters and children, Gov. Bill Ritter today signed the School Finance Act into law, praising it as good-government legislation that avoids a fiscal calamity that would have struck in 2011.
"In November, we were elected by the voters of this state to solve problems, to bring pragmatic solutions to the very real challenges facing Colorado," Gov. Ritter said during the signing ceremony on the West Steps of the state Capitol. "Today, we are fixing a big problem.
"I'm signing Senate Bill 199 here at the Capitol because it represents good government. It's called the School Finance Act, but it's about so much more: higher education, health care, human services, economic-development and other important services. This law will make a difference in the lives of Coloradans for years to come."
Ritter, citing widespread bi-partisan support for the Act from around Colorado, was joined at today's ceremony by state Treasurer Cary Kennedy; Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System; and Harry Lewis, a longtime civic leader who currently heads his own investment firm and serves on the Colorado Forum and Colorado Economic Futures boards.
"This is a historic moment because the new School Finance Act that Gov. Ritter is signing today is landmark legislation," Treasurer Kennedy said. "It ensures that improving funding for education does not result in dramatic reductions in Colorado¿s other critical priorities."
The Act increases total funding for education in Colorado by $310 million, a 6.6 percent increase. An amendment to the Act will keep the State Education Fund from becoming insolvent in 2011 as projections called for. Other benefits of the Act:
School Finance Act supporters include:
Newspaper Editorials
Denver Post
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Pueblo Chieftain
Greeley Tribune
Durango Herald
Boulder Daily Camera
Business Community
Colorado Forum
Colorado Succeeds
Economic Development Council of Colorado
Human Services
Colorado Association of Homes & Services for the Aging
Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
Homecare Association of Colorado
Mental Health Association of Colorado
Colorado Counties Incorporated
Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans
Medical Community
Children's Hospital
Colorado Academy of Family Physicians
Colorado Association for Family and Children's Agencies
Colorado Association of Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers
Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Colorado Immunization Coalition
Colorado Hospital Association
Colorado Medical Society
Colorado Public Health Association
Denver Health
Education Associations
Alliance for Quality Teaching
Coalition for a Thorough & Uniform Colorado Public Education System
Colorado Association of School Boards
Colorado Association of School Executives
Colorado Boards of Cooperative Educational Services
Colorado Education Association
Colorado PTAs
Colorado School Counselor Association
El Paso Education Alliance
Great Education Colorado
Higher Education
Colorado State University
Community College System
Fort Lewis College
Mesa State College
Metropolitan State College of Denver
University of Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
University of Colorado Student Union
Colorado State Student Association
Daniel Ritchie
School Districts
Academy 20
Colorado Springs School District 11
Canon City
Cherry Creek Public Schools
Fountain-Fort Carson
Greeley-Evans School District 6
Littleton Public Schools
Mesa Valley School District 51
Poudre School District
Pueblo School District 60
Thompson School District R2-J
Widefield School District
Windsor School District
Miscellaneous
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
AFL-CIO
Bell Policy Institute
Colorado Children's Campaign
Pitkin County Board of Commissioners
Service Employees International Union/SEIU