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Referendum C: A small step, but not a panacea

While Referendum C allowed the legislature to spend $801 million more than it would have had the referendum not passed, the number gives a false impression of largess. Passage of Referendum C made it possible to avoid further reductions in state services but resulted in very little new investment. In fact, medical services through Medicaid received $26 million less than in FY2006, K-12 education received about the same as it would have without Ref C and Higher Education spending grew by $52 million or about 10%.

These results are undeniable: Referendum C was an important step in the right direction but it falls short of solving the underlying financial problems plaguing Colorado’s public sector.

Released Aug. 17, 2006

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