Bill Ritter tackles the state budget

Bill Owens left behind a plan that calls for 1,000 new state employees, and grows the budget by far more than state law allows.

A former prosecutor, Governor Bill Ritter believes that he can save some money by reducing corrections costs. From The Denver Post:

Ritter said reducing fast-growing prison costs would give the state more money for other programs such as higher education and human services, which are vulnerable to budget cuts... Ritter also promised close scrutiny of the budget proposal he inherited from Republican Gov. Bill Owens and state agency heads... Ritter said he has already warned his department heads not to expect too much. "Our communication with our directors is that there is not new money," Ritter said.