Our KidsFlash blog helps child advocates and policymakers stay up to date on the latest child wellbeing news around the state. In our weekly newsletter, you can find data and research on child health, early childhood learning and development, K-12 education, and more. During the legislative session, KidsFlash also serves as a resource to help 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 you need to make a difference in the lives of Colorado's children.
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.
Coloradans are feeling the significant economic impacts of the social disruptions necessitated by the COVID-19 outbreak. Our state’s immigrant families are among the groups feeling these economic impacts most acutely, due to both industry-specific effects and the narrow eligibility requirements immigrant families face to qualify for support services.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is the third and most expansive bill considered by Congress this month to address the public health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is the largest stimulus package in modern American history
The Coronavirus response bill being considered Friday is the third in a package developed by Congress to respond to the pandemic. The second bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, contains several provisions that will benefit the health and well-being of pregnant people and children in Colorado.
With the Governor issuing a statewide stay-at-home order effective until at least April 11, the Legislature will likely extend their recess past the original March 30 date.