Ritter's Budget A Credible Plan

The Denver Post

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday unveiled an array of painful state budget cuts to shore up a $318 million gap in this year's budget.

Some of the cuts, such as the early release of some prisoners, are risky and will be roundly criticized.

Even though all of the implications from the cuts aren't yet known, we think the governor has presented a credible plan under difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, the pain could be felt by some of our most vulnerable citizens as the state cuts Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals.

State government also will shed 267 jobs and slash funding to higher education by nearly $81 million. That money, however, will be backfilled at least for this year by federal stimulus money. But next year, higher ed will feel the pain, too.

But perhaps most controversially, about 2,600 criminals will be either let out of prison up to six months early or see their parole supervision time cut after showing good behavior.

The corrections reductions, sobering to contemplate, are expected to save nearly $19 million.

The risks are obvious. What if one of them does something horrible shortly after being released from prison or parole?

You can bet the governor's political opponents are sharpening their knives in anticipation of criticizing him for this move.

But reducing prison costs is a fiscal necessity. There just isn't much else to cut in the state budget beyond education and social services.

Other states have found themselves in the same budgetary corner, and have made a variety of cuts to prisons.

Ritter, a longtime prosecutor, clearly had thought very carefully about the issue and presented a well-reasoned plan.

The former Denver district attorney wouldn't have agreed to it if he didn't think it would work, or if he had other options.

The state parole board now will consider for release certain prisoners who have served long enough to be eligible for parole and are within six months of mandatory release.

These prisoners won't be sex offenders, murderers or kidnappers. The governor characterized them as drug offenders, burglars and the like. The parole board will consider release on a case-by-case basis and will have the final say on who is let out early.

Those who are released will get closer supervision. The governor proposes paying for it by getting people off of parole sooner if they have served more than half of their term. Research suggests that if someone is going to violate their parole, they do it early.