Colo. Governor Proposes Education Cuts

Gov. Bill Ritter plans to close part of a $262 million shortfall in this years Colorado state budget by using federal education funds. The plan, announced by the Democratic governor late last month, includes reducing state funding for K-12 education by $156 million and providing money from the federal Jobs Education Act to avoid increased class sizes and layoffs. Colorado has already cut $4.5 billion in spending over the past three years, and lawmakers believe they will have to cut $1.1 billion more next year