Republican Leader Chides Raid on Transportation Funding

House Republican Leader Mike May, R-Parker, today had sharp words to say regarding a Democrat proposal to remove a key state spending restraint.

Passed by the House today on Second Reading, Senate Bill 228 would repeal the Arveschoug-Bird provision, which limits growth in the state's general fund to 6 percent a year. Billed by the governor and Democrats as a transportation funding bill, House Republicans proved that the bill would do nothing to fund transportation by passing an amendment to shift the included transportation dollars to education.

“It is extremely disingenuous for the Democrats to remove this spending cap under the guise of creating transportation funding,” May said. “We proved today just how easy it is to siphon those so-called transportation dollars right out of the bill and put them wherever you want.”

Republicans argued against removing the spending cap saying it places an important check on the growth of state government and preserves a guaranteed revenue stream for transportation funding. Currently, all revenue collected above the limit is dedicated to transportation. Republicans have called the bill a raid on transportation dollars because it would effectively remove dedicated funding to roads and bridges.

“This unique spending cap has served Colorado well for many years,” May said. “The important limit it places on the growth of government bureaucracy has left us in much better shape than some of our neighbors to the east and west that are being ravaged by the recession.”

May argued that there is no guarantee of transportation funding within the complicated spending formula being backed by the governor. He also noted that the complicated formulas within the bill are nothing more than a series of earmarks.

“I made the point during the debate on this bill that it is chock full of special interest earmarks,” May said. “This so-called compromise being backed by the governor is full of problems for Colorado.”

Republicans counter that this change needs to be sent to a vote of the people and granted constitutional protection from legislative raids on the transportation funding and cash reserves.

“We worry that future legislatures are going to treat this money like a piggy bank they can use for their pet projects,” May said. “This proposal is the classic bait and switch. I am only hopeful that we can get some kind of guarantee that this money will not be spent foolishly.”