C748F34EE7FEDA428725850B007468D6 Hearing Summary

Senators Fields and Moreno introduced Senate Bill 20-029 and distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The bill increases the amount of basic cash assistance for a Colorado Works recipient by 10 percent for FY 2020-21 and then adjusts the amount for inflation in subsequent years. Senator Moreno explained amendment L.001, which decreases the 10 percent increase to 5 percent and requires the Joint Budget Committee to annually review the sustainability of the Colorado Long-term Works Reserve and to make adjustments in the funding source of the cost of living adjustment if the balance of the reserve is less that $34 million. The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Committee discussion ensued on the bill's fiscal impact and the sources of funding to the Colorado Long-term Works Reserve.

Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties Inc., tesified regarding her organization's position on the bill.

Greg Romberg, Arapahoe County Commissioners, testified regarding concerns with the bill and the county's position on amendment L.001.

Chrissy Witzburg, Bayaud Enterprises, testified in support of the bill.

Norm Davey, Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed materials in support of the bill to the committee (Attachment B).

Katie Creedon, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

Aditi Ramaswami, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Jack Regenbogen, Colorado Center on Law and Poverty, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout regarding the bill (Attachment C).

Isabel Cruz, Center for Work Education and Employment, testified in support of the bill.

Judith Rubio, Center for Work Education and Employment, testified in support of the bill.

Members of the committee commented on amendment L.001.  Senators Field and Moreno gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.

Members of the committee commented on the bill.