February 07, 2009 02:19 AM UTC

ProgressNow Colorado Urges State Stabilization Funds Be Preserved In Stimulus Bill

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• by: Alan

ProgressNow Colorado Urges State Stabilization Funds Be Preserved In Stimulus Bill

Colorado taxpayers support the Obama stimulus and deserve their fair share

Denver–Thousands of ProgressNow Colorado members have signed an open letter in support of President Obama’s economic recovery plan, in particular aid to state governments. As Colorado’s largest online progressive organization, ProgressNow Colorado calls on the United States Senate to reject any attempt to gut state aid from the plan.

“We agree that the stimulus needs to be targeted toward job creation, but some proposed cuts, especially cuts to funds targeted for state budget stabilization, are unacceptable,” said Bobby Clark, Deputy Director of ProgressNow Colorado. “We call on Senators to reject attempts to cut funding for vital programs and services provided by state governments, and send Colorado the help it needs.”

The latest revenue projections released by Governor Ritter indicate a shortfall of nearly $1 billion over the next eighteen months, and the proposed budget for the coming year contains hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts to crucial services such as education, public health, and environmental protection. Without federal stabilization funds, Colorado jobs will be lost and Colorado families will suffer. [1]

A group of 18 to 20 moderate Republicans and Democrats in the Senate reportedly are meeting to discuss possible cuts to the stimulus bill in order to secure votes necessary to close debate and have an up-or-down vote.

“Some cuts may make sense, but in a desire to appease the right wing, Senators shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Clark said. “Like most states, Colorado is suffering under the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Without federal help, Coloradans will suffer,” said Clark. “Senators should reject any attempt to remove critical state funding from the stimulus bill.”

The Senate will vote on the stimulus package as early as this evening.

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[1] Rocky Mountain News, Painful cuts lie ahead, state warns, 1/28/2009.