Colorado Senators: Check Please!

A state Senate committee accepted a $78,300 check from a special-interest group Friday and promptly approved a public-school voucher program the group supports, saying the money was welcome given the state’s financial crisis.

“If everyone would show up with a check, that would make this job so much easier,” said state Sen. Ron Teck, a Republican from Grand Junction.

The check was issued by the Colorado Alliance for Reform in Education, a nonprofit group that backs school vouchers. If the voucher program is finalized, the money will be used to pay a state-employed administrator. The group has agreed to donate more money next year for the program.

The committee voted 6-4 to approve a bill to create a pilot program that would provide scholarships for eligible students to attend private or religious schools.

Lawmakers said they knew of no precedent for getting upfront cash for a project, though they have approved legislation that allows programs only if they were financed through gifts and donations.

Lawmakers said they would return the check if the bill doesn’t pass.

Bill Wyatt, spokesman for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said he has not seen other legislatures asking for money upfront.

Political observers said the committee’s action sets a bad precedent.

“This is government by tin cup. That isn’t how it should be done. If you can pay, you can get your policy implemented,” said Pete Maysmith, director of Colorado Common Cause.

Colorado is facing its worst budget crisis in nearly 60 years. Lawmakers are trying to cut about $1 billion from the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.