OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFRIDAY, NOV. 6, 2009CONTACTSEvan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.usMegan Castle, 303.319.8513, megan.castle@state.co.usCALLING FOR SHARED SACRIFICE, GOV. RITTER SUBMITS LEAN FY10-11 BUDGETCalling for shared sacrifice, Gov. Bill Ritter today submitted a $7.1 billionFY10-11 General Fund budget proposal to the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee,closing a $1 billion shortfall that holds down spending to reflect weak revenue.“While we’ve already closed unprecedented shortfalls, the budget I’m submittingtoday is our most challenging yet,” Gov. Ritter said. “I’m continuing to maketough choices from very limited options – even while the demand for many servicesis skyrocketing.“We’re asking everyone to share in the sacrifice, from schools to businesses tostate workers,” the Governor said. “This is a fair and balanced budget. In thisnew economic reality, the budget continues the cost-cutting and streamliningthat’s been underway for over a year. It does so in a way that minimizes pain,protects public safety, maintains essential services and preserves programs thatpromote job-creation and economic growth.“The budget also reflects that we’re continuing to fundamentally re-think the waygovernment does business, that we’re making government leaner, more nimble andmore efficient.”Despite ongoing shortfalls, Gov. Ritter has protected important programs that willlead to a stronger Colorado, such as pre-school and full-day kindergarten, job-creation and business development, transportation and anti-recidivism programs inthe prison system.Over the past 13 months, Gov. Ritter and the legislature have closed shortfallsfor FY09-10 of $2 billion in the face of declining revenues caused by the globalrecession. In effect, the FY10-11 budget required the closing of a $1 billionshortfall to remain balanced in part because of mandated cost increases in areassuch as Medicaid and prisons.Gov. Ritter will present the proposed budget to the JBC on Tuesday. The plan callsfor:•A $260 million, or 4.6 percent, cut to K-12 education total program fundingfrom the original FY09-10 appropriation of $5.6 billion, while still preservingpre-school and full-day kindergarten programs.•Adjustments and temporary suspensions of 13 of the state’s 100 special taxcredits and exemptions, providing $131.8 million in revenue.•A 2.5 percent, one-time cut to total employee compensation for about 25,000state employees, saving $20.1 million. This follows no pay raises and eight unpaidfurlough days for employees in FY09-10.