MCCLUSKIE TAKES REINS OF THE JBC

DENVER, CO — Representative Julie McCluskie today became the next chair of the Joint Budget Committee as the FY 2022-2023 budget process begins this morning.

“It’s a true honor to lead the JBC as we craft a balanced budget that powers the Colorado comeback and boosts our economy in every community,” said JBC Chair Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m excited to lead the charge as we make significant investments in public education and make responsible decisions to protect critical services in the coming years. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass a budget that protects our Colorado way of life, helps our small businesses and forges a recovery that leaves no one behind.”

Passionate about public education, Rep.McCluskie spent more than a decade working in Summit School District and has championed efforts to increase funding for public education and target resources to at-risk students. She has led efforts to boost workforce training programs, improve wildfire mitigation and response, increase higher education funding, expand access to affordable housing and has created new programs to improve teacher retention.

In 2019, Rep. McCluskie passed landmark legislation to create the state reinsurance program that has successfully lowered the cost of health insurance, most drastically in rural parts of the state and in mountain communities. She chairs the School Finance Committee where she has focused on reforming the school finance formula to make it more equitable and student centered. Last session, she passed legislation to invest $50 million in workforce training programs to help workers learn the skills they’ll need to thrive.

Born and raised in Colorado and a graduate of Colorado State University, Rep. McCluskie and her husband Jamie have spent most of their married years in the Rocky Mountains. They are proud parents of two children, Ian and Cait, and enjoy spending family time in Colorado’s great outdoors.