Senate GOP Crows Over 3Q Revenue Forecast

Republicans at the statehouse took the opportunity afforded by a somewhat pessimistic third quarter revenue forecast to criticize Democrats' budget policies today, knocking the majority party for launching a "runaway train of spending."

The GOP's main complaint is the loss of more than $200 million that would have gone to highways. A recent report from the Office of Legislative Council indicates that only about $28 million left over from last fiscal year will be available for that purpose this year.

"We tried and tried to get them to not spend every dime that was forecast," said Senate GOP leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs. "We saw the gathering storm of recession, but they didn't see a cloud on the horizon."

No spokesperson for the Democratic caucuses in the House or Senate was available to comment on the Republican legislators' accusations.