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Colorado’s well-liked common free college meals program might face substantial cuts subsequent 12 months if voters don’t approve a measure for added funding.
The state is dealing with challenges on two fronts with the Wholesome College Meals for All program: much less total income for this system than it prices to run and a $1.2 billion funds shortfall that requires cuts to state packages and gained’t present sufficient cash to cowl this system’s operations.
Joint Funds Committee lawmakers launched a $43.9 billion funds proposal on Monday that features accompanying laws to handle this system’s funding.
In the very best case state of affairs, voters approve extra income for this system and the state avoids cuts. Within the worst case, state cutbacks would imply just some faculties can be eligible to get cash without cost lunches.
In 2022, Colorado voters allowed the state to boost income to make breakfast and lunch free for all college students no matter household revenue by decreasing a tax credit score for taxpayers making greater than $300,000 a 12 months.
Within the first 12 months, funding fell brief by $56 million. Lawmakers coated the hole and have continued to take action because the demand for meals soared. Subsequent 12 months, lawmakers will not be capable of cowl prices via the state’s training financial savings.
The state funds estimates this system will want $151 million subsequent 12 months, however the state will solely acquire $108.8 million.
The invoice would scale back extra state funding to $8 million, sufficient cash to take care of this system via December.
Then the invoice spells out two situations.
Within the first, lawmakers go Home Invoice 1274, which is already into consideration and ship two referendums earlier than voters in November to boost extra money for this system.
The primary referendum would ask voters to approve permitting the state to retain cash for this system that usually should be refunded to taxpayers as a result of state’s cap on spending.
The second referendum would ask voters to develop this system by growing taxable revenue on those that earn over $300,000 a 12 months. A monetary evaluation of the invoice estimates that referendum would generate greater than $95 million annually for the varsity meals program.
The state would acquire sufficient cash for this system to take care of companies statewide, in accordance with funds projections.
Within the second state of affairs, if the referendum doesn’t go, solely faculties that at the moment take part within the federal Group Eligibility Provision program would qualify for meals freed from cost. Faculties the place at the very least 25% of the inhabitants qualifies for the federal free or lowered lunch pricing threshold would additionally obtain funding.
College students at different faculties must fill out a federal type to obtain free or lowered meals.
Jason Gonzales is a reporter masking increased training and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado companions with Open Campus on increased training protection. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.