JBC directs drafting of school funding cuts as balancing option; moves $50M BEST and $20M charter reductions to draft

The Joint Budget Committee voted to send to drafting a plan that would reduce funds available through the BEST school capital program and cut Charter School Facility Assistance as a means of balancing the budget.

Vice Chair Bridges moved “to go to draft on a bill that would accomplish what it is we outlined. 50,000,000 best, 20,000,000 charter, roughly,” directing staff to formalize the amounts and distribution. Committee members said they wanted staff to coordinate with the governor’s office and the Colorado Department of Education before producing final language. Craig Harper, JBC staff, said he would reach out to the administration and CDE to explore options and return the committee a bill draft.

The committee indicated the reductions were intended as one‑time balancing actions and discussed how to treat any savings in the short term. The motion to draft the reductions passed 6–0.

Separately, the committee reversed a prior $50 million general fund increase to K–12 and instructed that amount instead be reflected as State Education Fund dollars; staff noted any formula implications would be addressed in the School Finance Act. The motion to switch the $50 million to State Ed Fund treatment passed 5–0 (one member excused).

Next steps: staff will coordinate with CDE and administration, draft appropriation language, and return with bill language and fiscal notes.