K-12 Education in Denver

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Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

As far as K-12 education is concerned, Coloradans could give a crap about things like public education and social programs for the elderly, sick, or needy. Much of which can be blamed upon the Tax Payers Bill Of Rights also known as TABOR.

Here's some stats from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:

TABOR Has Contributed to Declines in Colorado K-12 Education Funding

• Under TABOR, Colorado declined from 35th to 49th in the nation in K-12 spending as a percentage of personal income.

• Colorado’s average per-pupil funding fell by more than $400 relative to the national average.

• Colorado’s average teacher salary compared to average pay in other occupations declined from 30th to 50th in the nation.

TABOR Has Played a Major Role in the Significant Cuts Made in Higher Education Funding

• Under TABOR, higher education funding per resident student dropped by 31 percent after adjusting for inflation.

• College and university funding as a share of personal income declined from 35th to 48th in the nation.

• Tuitions have risen as a result. In the last four years, system-wide resident tuition increased by 21 percent (adjusting for inflation).

TABOR Has Led to Drops in Funding for Public Health Programs

• Under TABOR, Colorado declined from 23rd to 48th in the nation in the percentage of pregnant women receiving adequate access to prenatal care, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Colorado plummeted from 24th to 50th in the nation in the share of children receiving their full vaccinations. Only by investing additional funds in immunization programs was Colorado able to improve its ranking to 43rd in 2004.

• At one point, from April 2001 to October 2002, funding got so low that the state suspended its requirement that school children be fully vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) because Colorado, unlike other states, could not afford to buy the vaccine.

TABOR Has Hindered Colorado’s Ability to Address the Lack of Medical Insurance Coverage for Many Children and Adults in the State

• Under TABOR, the share of low-income children lacking health insurance has doubled in Colorado, even as it has fallen in the nation as a whole. Colorado now ranks last among the 50 states on this measure.
• TABOR has also affected healthcare for adults. Colorado has fallen from 20th to 48th for the percentage of low-income non-elderly adults covered under health insurance.

• In 2002, Colorado ranked 49th in the nation in both the percentage of low-income non-elderly adults and low-income children covered by Medicaid.

I must admit that I am not familiar with TABOR. If indeed it is as bad as you say, then it's simply something that needs to be modified. One of the nice things about the law is that it can always be changed.

A good tax climate for business is important. Of course, good public schools, quality infrastructure and services are also important. It's always a balance in my opinion.

Thank you for the info. I will look into TABOR a little more.