Colorado House gives initial OK to $25 billion state budget
The Colorado House gave initial approval to the state’s $25 billion budget for next year after considering nearly 40 amendments.
The initial approval Wednesday sets up a final vote Thursday.
Most of the amendments failed or were withdrawn. Among those rejected was one to eliminate nearly $17 million for statewide student tests in math and English.
The Republican-controlled Senate approved the spending plan last week, with nearly every Democrat voting no after GOP lawmakers rejected most of their amendments.
The House is ruled by Democrats and they made their own tweaks, including adding $5 million in funding for a birth-control program for low-income teens.
The budget takes effect July 1. Most of the spending goes to schools, colleges, health care and prisons.
