Colorado Governor Jared Polis has called the Colorado legislature into a special session. The federal government has reduced spending on a number of programs, with Medicaid (roughly 50%) and SNAP food assistance being the two biggest cuts. In total, the state needs to come up with $1 – $1.2 billion in new revenue and/or cuts to spending.
It’s a serious problem. They have a number of legislative proposals already on the table. You can always visit www.coleg.gov for the latest at the Colorado legislature.
Yesterday, the NAACP held a video call to discuss the situation. It was organized by the irrepressible and always pleasant Portia Prescott. Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Naquita Ricks, two reliable and fantastic Democrats, gave impassioned defenses of these social safety net programs. They spelled out a few of the solutions Democrats intend to present, debate, and vote on.
It occurred to me this morning at work, it sure is nice of this organization – which exists to eliminate racial discrimination and advocate for the civil rights of people of color, and Black people specifically – well it sure is nice of all these Black women to go to the mat for a couple of programs here in Colorado that primarily benefit White working poor and working class people.
So here’s to the Rocky Mountain NAACP. This working class White guy promises to stand with them the next time they need an ally.
And good luck to Democrats at the Capitol during this special session. It looks like nothing but really tough decisions to me.
To donate to and support the RMNAACP, visit https://rmnaacp.org/.