Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called for a special session of the state legislature and announced a statewide hiring freeze Wednesday to address a $1.2 billion loss of revenue.

Colorado

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has announced a state hiring freeze and called the legislature into a special session to address a $1.2 billion funding shortfall. The deficit is attributed to changes in the federal tax code, specifically President Trump's spending bill, which automatically impacted Colorado's budget due to the state's policy of adopting federal tax changes. 

The special session will focus on rebalancing the budget by closing tax loopholes and reducing spending, with the hiring freeze expected to save the state between $3 million and $7 million. The move has drawn criticism from some Republicans, who argue that state spending is the issue, while Democrats maintain the budget numbers are accurate. This marks the third consecutive year the governor has called a special session to address budgetary concerns.

Gov. Polis announces hiring freeze amid $1.2B funding shortfall

I am doing two things. One is we are calling the legislature in for a special session on august 21st. The second is we are implementing a state hiring freeze. Governor Jared polis announcing today two solutions to a $1.2 billion funding shortfall created by President trump's spending bill. Thank you for joining us for Denver seven news at five. I'm jessica porter and I'm Jacqueline Allen tonight. Denver sevens. Brandon Richard is taking a closer look at how this deficit happened and holding those in charge of taxpayer money accountable. Unlike two years ago when he called a special session from this very room at the governor's mansion, Colorado Governor Jared polis didn't wield a bat this time. Instead, he brought a copy of H. R. One, also known as President trump's big beautiful bill. The governor says it's created a big ugly mess for colorado's budget and that has all changed with the signature of President trump on this bill here. Colorado is one of a handful of states that automatically adopts changes that are made to the federal tax code. Ordinarily not a problem, but state budget officials say the changes outlined in H. R. One immediately reduced the state's revenue by $1.2 billion, which is why the governor is calling lawmakers back to the state Capitol on august 21st to rebalance the budget. We are calling the legislature in to help figure out how to address this sooner rather than later. The special session will mostly focus on finding ways to dig the state out of the budget hole, largely by closing tax loopholes and cutting spending. The governor also announced a state hiring freeze starting august 27th, $3 to $7 million is the estimate of what the hiring freeze will save the state. Republicans called the special session a political stunt and say the big beautiful bill isn't the problem. They say colorado democrats who controlled the state government spend too much. House Speaker Julie McCluskey pushed back on that and said the budget numbers don't lie. I strongly push back on the sentiment that this is political theater or grandstand. I welcome any member of the minority to demonstrate to me that these numbers aren't real. I believe they are. This is the third year in the row the governor is calling a special session. The last two special sessions which dealt with property taxes lasted four days. It's unclear how long this one will last. By the way, the record was 71 days all the way back in 1910. Everyone hoping this one won't last that long. Reporters included at the Capitol. Brandon Richard, Denver seven. A little colorado history. Thank you, Brandon. Tonight on Denver seven news at six. We're asking Brandon what we can expect to come out of this special session. The different ways lawmakers plan to address the budget shortfall and the other measures on the docket. All this says more than 200 new state laws took effect today across colorado. You're looking live at the state capitol tonight. New laws include a block on pharmaceutical companies from limiting discount drugs and regulations on landlords. Denver seven's digital team compiled a full list of the new and what they mean for you. Just scan the QR code on your screen or head to Denver seven dot com.

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