Gov. Bill RitterSaying state government needs "options" should the continuing economic crisis hurt state revenues, Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday announced several measures that would cut upwards of $85 million in state costs.
That includes an executive branch hiring freeze and delaying funding for many state-funded construction projects, Ritter said at a Statehouse press conference.
"We believe for the purposes of acting today on the heels of the president's speech last night, these are responsible, prudent actions that allow us to be nimble where the budget is concerned," Ritter said. "We take these actions in order to keep our options open."
Gov. Bill RitterSaying state government needs "options" should the continuing economic crisis hurt state revenues, Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday announced several measures that would cut upwards of $85 million in state costs.
That includes an executive branch hiring freeze and delaying funding for many state-funded construction projects, Ritter said at a Statehouse press conference.
"We believe for the purposes of acting today on the heels of the president's speech last night, these are responsible, prudent actions that allow us to be nimble where the budget is concerned," Ritter said. "We take these actions in order to keep our options open."
After seeing Bush's speech, Ritter said, "I just thought for a governor in a state like Colorado, it's important for us to ensure we're prudent, that we're cautious as we move forward with taxpayer dollars."
Ritter's measures include delaying $50 million in new higher education and state-funded construction projects through at least Jan. 31, 2009 and holding up $35 million in grants for full-day kindergarten capital construction projects that have not yet been issued.
Also, he ordered that the state executive branch not hire any new employees after Sept. 29, except for "essential personnel who are critical to protecting health, life and public safety," Ritter said.
State Sen. Mike Kopp (R-Littleton) said after Ritter's press conference that he was "glad the governor's taking these steps."
But he quickly added that "had (Democrats) had a more forthright dialogue this spring with Republicans (about the budget) we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today."
On Wednesday, Republican state senators had called for a hiring freeze for all state government agencies.
