CO SB006

Prohibits the general assembly from expending state moneys to participate in the federal Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion beginning in the 2014-15 budget year and each year thereafter if doing so would decrease funding for Colorado's public schools.

Establishes the prohibition applies when Medicaid expansion expenditures would reduce the state's share of total program funding for school districts and charter schools, or fail to compensate for reductions in local school funding.

Declares in legislative findings that K-12 education is a highest priority for state government and that preserving general fund revenues for education is a higher priority than expanding the Medicaid entitlement program.

Notes the Kaiser Family Foundation estimated the Medicaid expansion could cost Colorado $858 million over ten years and references the U.S. Supreme Court determination that states may choose whether to participate in the expansion without risking traditional Medicaid funding.

Takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 7, 2013), unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2014 general election.