Paul Lundeen

The people of Colorado are crying out for relief: Relief from burdensome taxes. Relief from overwhelming regulations choking small businesses and chasing big employers out of the state. Relief from a growing reality that state government is telling people how to live and what to believe.

Every other week for the past five years, Senate Republican leadership has had a standing meeting with Gov. Jared Polis and his staff. This has ensured an open line of communication we have always appreciated and one that has hopefully given the governor insight into how our senators and our constituents feel about the issues that affect their everyday lives. Despite our numerous vigorous policy disagreements, I have professional respect for Governor Polis.

The state budget will be introduced in the Colorado Senate this week. Building and passing a balanced budget and providing for a thorough and uniform public school system are the only constitutional mandates placed on the General Assembly. And yet, if this year is anything like the years of the last several decades, the General Assembly will grow the Colorado Government in more directions — and faster — than the real economy of the state, small businesses and family budgets will grow.