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State Issues
Colorado Wasteful Spending (FY 2024-25)
Department of Corrections: $ 7,995,411 Increase 28.3 FTE
● Transgender Unit and Healthcare
- $2,677,911 to create two transgender living units totaling 148 beds.
- $5,317,500 for “gender-confirming surgical care.
●Clinical Staff Incentives
- $6,312,464 General Fund to provide incentive payments for certain DOC clinical staff up to $25,000.
- The bill includes an increase of $6,312,464 General Fund to provide incentive payments for certain DOC clinical staff up to $25,000.
●HB 24-1389 School Funding 2023-24 for New Arrival Students (immigrants): $24,000,000
- The bill provides $24,000,000 to be distributed to school districts and charter schools for new arrival students. It increases state expenditures and school district funding in the current FY 2023-24 only.
● Office of New Americans Expansion (immigrants): $119,029 General Fund and 1.5 FTE
- $119,029 General Fund and 1.5 FTE for an administrator to manage ONA grants, coordinate with other entities, and identify opportunities for new migrant career pathway enhancement and a full-time program assistant to support the ONA Director.
-This office has had difficulty expending grants.
●SB 24-182 Immigrant Identification Document Issuance: $ 122,855
- The bill changes certain requirements for the issuance of driver licenses or state identification cards to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. The bill increases state expenditures for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 only.
●HB 24-1280 Welcome, Reception, Integration, Grant Program:
$ 2,436,862
- The bill creates the Statewide Welcome, Reception, and Integration Grant Program to provide assistance to migrants. It transfers funds in FY 2024-25 only.
●Immigrant Legal Defense Fund: $ 350,000
- Long Bill budget amendment
- A doubling of the fund for FY 2024-25 making a total budget of $700,000. This funding is used for public defense for people facing immigration legal issues. Sponsored by Rep. Mabrey and Sen. Gonzalez.
●Office of Health Equity and Environmental Justice: $ 2,840,715
- Funding for the Office
- Mission: Build partnerships to mobilize community power and transform systems to advance health equity and environmental justice.
- What this office does to advance their mission:
1. Build relationships with communities and across sectors to address root causes of health disparities.
2. Use equity in decision-making and partner with all sectors of government to embed health and equity considerations into their decision-making process.
3. Use data to support the narrative of the social determinants of health and tell the story of what creates health.
4. De-center communications from the English language or any one dominant language, and prioritize language justice when engaging with communities.
5. Develop, implement, and provide guidance on health equity training, practice, and policies within CDPHE and across the state of Colorado.
6. Focus on upstream determinants of health, guided by the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative.
●HB 24-1197 Department of Public Safety Supplemental: $ 9,800,000
- Funding for Community-based organizations providing service for migrants.
- Funds to provide grants to community-based organizations providing services to people migrating to Colorado.
●Department of Education: $ 56,100,000
- Expanding Healthy Meals for All Program.
- Adds $56.1 million total funds for the Healthy School Meals for All Program, including $40.6 million from the Healthy School Meals for All Program General Fund Exempt Account and $15.5 million from the General Fund. This includes an increase of $56.0 million for meal reimbursements and $100,000 for consulting resources.
●HB 21-1318 Department of Public Health & Environment: $ 198,192
- Outdoor Equity Program
- This bill injected identity politics into access to the outdoors.
●Department of Public Health & Environment: $2,840,715 total funds and 8.3 FTE
- Creating the Office of Health Equity and Environmental Justice by combining two offices.
- The bill includes an increase of $2,840,715 total funds and 8.3 FTE, including a reduction of $11,349 General Fund, to join the Environmental Justice Program with the Office of Health Equity to form the Office of Health Equity and Environmental Justice (OHEEJ) for the purpose of centralizing environmental justice staff. OHEEJ is responsible for ongoing environmental justice work, including administration of environmental health mitigation grants through the Community Impact Cash Fund.
●Department of Revenue: $714,515 total funds and 8.3 FTE
- GENTAX & DRIVES SUPPORT FUNDING: The bill includes an increase of $714,515 total funds and 8.3 FTE, comprised of $442,906 General Fund and $271,609 cash funds from the Colorado DRIVES Vehicle Services. Account, in FY 2024-25. Funds will address the backlog of upgrades and system enhancements to the DRIVES and GenTax systems stemming from legislative, user experience, and system operational demands.
Government’s Lack of a Financial Plan:
A Critical Error at the Peril of the Citizens
When considering a run for City Council in Montrose, Colorado, a small town with big aspirations, one quickly uncovers the stark reality of governmental financial shortcomings. This personal journey revealed a system plagued by inaction and unpreparedness. Local governments often operate without robust, forward-thinking financial strategies, leaving citizens to bear the brunt through unexpected tax hikes and service disruptions.
The Pitfalls of Reactionary Budgeting
In Montrose, budgeting feels more like crisis management than strategic planning. Funds are not set aside for foreseeable needs, such as infrastructure upgrades or capital improvements. Instead, decisions are reactive: a failing sewer plant prompts sudden calls for rate increases, catching residents off guard. This approach mirrors broader trends where local entities fail to anticipate expenses, leading to deficits and forced revenue boosts. For instance, many municipalities face ongoing financial strain from rising costs and stagnant revenues, turning minor gaps into chronic issues.
Insights from Financial Experts
Conversations with seasoned financial professionals highlight a troubling pattern across government at every level, Local, State and Federal. The default response to shortfalls is tax increases, with little emphasis on governmental belt-tightening or innovative forecasting. In Montrose's 2026 proposed budget, reserves dip below targets to fund projects, while water, sewer, and trash fees rise significantly, up to 22 percent for sewer this year alone after a 20% increase last year and another 20% coming next year, to cover mandates and growth. Experts note that without proactive measures, such as diversifying revenue or building reserves, communities risk economic distortions and unfair burdens on taxpayers.
Broader Implications for Citizens
This lack of planning extends beyond Montrose, affecting localities nationwide. Studies show local spending has doubled in two decades, often on non-essential services, resulting in soaring property taxes. During economic downturns, revenues lag, forcing cuts or hikes that erode public trust and hinder growth. Citizens face higher costs without improved services, perpetuating a cycle of fiscal stress.
A Call for Proactive Change
To safeguard citizens, governments must adopt comprehensive plans: forecast needs, prioritize savings, and explore equitable revenue sources. In Montrose and similar towns, shifting from reaction to preparation could prevent peril and foster sustainable prosperity.
Just one man’s humble opinion.
Michael J Badagliacco, “MJB”
Michael is a father of 5, grandfather of 3, USAF Veteran, recording artist, entrepreneur, Editor of USA Liberty Report, passionate about Freedom, Liberty, the founders’ genius of the Constitution and current Candidate for Montrose City Council (mjb4Montrose.com)
