By Lauren Stephenson
During Tuesday’s State of the State address, Governor Jared Polis declared that “access to a quality education is a fundamental right and critical for our economic prosperity.” Polis went on to pledge his commitment to fully funding Colorado’s public education system by buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor during the 2023 Legislative Session and eliminating it completely by the end of his second term.
On behalf of 39,000 education professionals across Colorado, the Colorado Education Association has long stressed the need for substantial and sustained investment in our schools.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and President of the CEA, said:
“After a decade plus of disinvestment in Colorado’s public school system, we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to eliminating the BS Factor, and to fully funding our education system. It is more apparent now than ever that our students and our educators need resources and supports to thrive. Investing in Colorado’s students and educators should be the state’s top priority.
“Though it’s by no means a cure-all, eliminating the BS Factor would go a long way towards righting the systemic issues that have plagued our education system for over a decade. We look forward to collaborating with the Governor on this initiative and centering the voices of education professionals, students, and families.
“Eliminating the BS factor – along with other priorities that the Governor outlined, such as housing, workforce development,and healthcare – will require a tax system that is equitable and sustainable. When our public finance system prioritizes the wellbeing of working families in our state over the interests of the ultra-wealthy, we will all have what we need to thrive and fully fund our communities.
“We now call on the Colorado State Legislature to make this proposition a reality for our public schools. Colorado’s educators look to you to stand up for them and their students – to ensure that they are provided with the resources they need, no matter what zip code they live in.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Lauren Stephenson is Director of Communications for the Colorado Education Association.
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