Our KidsFlash blog helps child advocates and policymakers stay up to date on the latest child well-being news from the Colorado State Capitol and around the state. Find data and research on child health, early childhood education and development, K-12 education, and more. Track important legislation and policies affecting Colorado's kids. Get the inside scoop on the Children's Campaign's outreach efforts - including information on important fundraising and advocacy events, as well as efforts being undertaken by the It's About Kids and Circle of Friends networks. The KidsFlash blog is your connection to the resources and information your need to make a difference in the lives of Colorado's children.
There is no doubt that this was an historic election with both the nation and Colorado seeing record voter turnout.
Last month, we shared that the Children’s Campaign is supporting proposition EE – and urged you to vote yes to increase the tax on smoking and vaping products to fund affordable housing, public health, and universal preschool.
As we get closer to November, a lot of attention will be on the political races at the top of the ballot. However, it’s just as important that child advocates understand the role they play in shaping public policy by being informed on the issues at the bottom of the ballot too.
In recent weeks Gov. Polis signed several Children’s Campaign priority bills that advance investments in children’s health and early childhood development and family economic security.
Colorado’s General Assembly returned from its pandemic recess in May, facing a $3.3 billion hole in the state’s General Fund (about 25% of the overall budget). As such, alongside a coalition of partners, we worked to navigate budget cuts, protect key investments, and advocate for policy changes to support children and families throughout the abbreviated legislative session.
The Children’s Campaign supports equitable access to opportunity for children and families who face the greatest barriers and works to combat systemic inequities written into policy that have been playing out for decades.
This week the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) began the unenviable and daunting task of making drastic cuts to the state budget.
Earlier this week, staff for the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) submitted recommendations for potential budget cuts in light of the economic downturn that has accompanied the coronavirus pandemic. While the legislature is awaiting an updated economic forecast on May 12, it is widely speculated that the state will need to make cuts upwards of $3 billion in order to pass a balanced budget by the end of fiscal year on June 30.
As you know from our update last week, the state Supreme Court recently ruled that the General Assembly is allowed to pause the 120 days in their session for a public health emergency. That means that lawmakers can reconvene after the original end date of May 6 to finish their work.
The legislative session can be extended! In a decision handed down on Wednesday from the State Supreme Court, the justices ruled that the 120 days for the session do not need to be consecutive during a public health emergency. Lawmakers paused the session on May 14 due to spread of the novel coronavirus.
