Representative Ty Winter Expects a Blame Game During Upcoming Special Session

State lawmakers will be spending time in Denver for a special session to tackle the state's money woes, starting August 21st.

Representative Ty Winter explained to us he expects fingers to point to President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill for financial challenges ahead for the Centennial State. However, the Southern Colorado legislator shared his frustration on the spending that's been a problem for quite some time.

"I mean the budget’s  doubled in twelve years I mean that's pure insanity and as we see them saying that there's gonna be a short fall like I say, I've said numerous times, we don't have a revenue problem. We have a priority problem and you know this session, the Democrats thumbed their nose Republicans as we tried to stop a lot of these problems from happening and they just wouldn't listen to any of our concerns. They wouldn't listen to any of our solutions."

Governor Jared Polis has requested the special session to tackle a $750 million to $1.2 billion budget gap. This request is actually an executive order that orders the following actions:

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  • Address the immediate and severe budget shortfall due to the federal H.R. 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill”) by adjusting reserve rules and implementing other budget-balancing measures.

  • Enable tax policy actions, including issuing deferred tax credits, decoupling from federal deductions (like the qualified business income and FDII), adjusting home office and sales tax vendor deductions, and expanding tax-haven jurisdictions. (Brownsteincosea.org)

  • Provide healthcare relief, ensuring continued Medicaid funding for providers affected by H.R. 1, and stabilize the individual insurance market through the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise. Brownsteincosea.org

  • Expand the use of the Healthy School Meals for All fund to support SNAP-related food assistance programs. Brownsteincosea.org

  • Evaluate or delay implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act (SB 24-205) to reduce its fiscal and compliance burdens. Brownsteincosea.org

  
  

  And, there would be a halt to hiring in the state of Colorado, at least through the end of the year.

Representative Winter reiterated he feels it is a priority issue because the state seems to have money in some cases.

"They have set aside over the last couple years over $500 million to help people that aren't citizens of this country so the money is there. . It's just where we're putting our money so you know they can blame the big beautiful bill all they want. It's just very convenient for them that this is happening but at the end of the day. Democrats in the state of Colorado are in charge of the state capital of this state in this situation and they won't stop any of their social programs which they believe gets them votes at the ballot box so they're gonna blame the big beautiful bill."

The timing of the special session is somewhat ironic, according to Winter. It's set to run alongside the Colorado State Fair and an important celebration for Centennial Farms in the state of Colorado.

"It hadn't even ended and we knew we were gonna go back what's more upsetting about it isn't anything is on the 22nd of Centennial Farms. That's why we celebrate the farms and ranches in the state. They lasted 100 years and it's important every year we have farms out of our districts and ranches that make the Centennial Farms. It's great to be able to go support the kids. I think the most important thing people don't realize is this is a chance for the urban legislators to come down to Pueblo and talk to the rule that the rural people you know the rural people come to state fair to showcase. Their animals showcase their products, the innovation that they have to make growing food for Colorado better, clothing material better, so it makes it really hard for me, as this is a chance for that back-and-forth for these people from rural Colorado to talk to these legislators at the legislative barbecue ... so just a shame that it's during state fair it could've been done any other time."

When asked about a request from Governor Jared Polis to legislators at the start of the last session, to refrain from introducing any bills that would cost the state extra money, Winter says the "no fiscal note" actually didn't help.

"They do have a fiscal impact and we were in a $1.2 billion deficit last year and it blows my mind is as we literally have to go through the couch cushions to ball the budget. I mean, we shut down every cash fund that wasn't being used. You know we took many steps that we could because at the end of the day, the Republican caucus in both the house on the Senate, you know these are business people. These are people that are actually you know signed the front of a paycheck. You're not just the back of a paycheck and they actually have some really good ideas on how we can save the state money and where we can put money but once again it's a priority problem not a revenue problem."

The special session will start Thursday, August 21st. There's no word on how long it's expected to last.

~Anne Boswell, anneboswell@coloradonewsyourway.com

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