DENVER (AP) -- Unions representing Colorado's teachers are criticizing Gov. John Hickenlooper's proposal to slash school funding by $375 million to help balance the state budget.
State lawmakers still must decide whether they want to go along with the idea. If they do, it would follow a $260 million cut this school year, amounting to a combined 14 percent drop.
Both the Colorado Education Association and the state branch of the American Federation of Teachers say the proposed cut is short-sighted and risks the future competitiveness of Colorado.
CEA, the state's largest union, said increasing revenue should be considered to help solve the state's budget crisis.
With one-time fixes and federal stimulus money running out, Hickenlooper said he had no choice but look at cutting education, which comprises about 40 percent of the budget.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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