The current recession is making it hard on everybody, from individual families to businesses and our state government. Colorado faces huge economic and budget challenges, and lawmakers are working harder than ever trying to set priorities while protecting access to education and health care.

But even after the cuts legislators are being forced to make, rebounding from the recession won't be easy for Colorado. Most people have never heard of something called the "Arveschoug-Bird limit," but this almost 20-year old restriction in state law makes all the budget cuts being made to weather the recession much worse in the long term.

The recession is going to end, and when it does, the "Arveschoug-Bird limit" will severely hamper the state's ability to recover vital services to pre-recession levels. Meaning that even when the recession is over, we'll continue to feel the pain for years longer than we should. What's more, funding restrictions tied to the limit will prevent legislators from properly allocating resources as the state's needs and priorities change.

It was bad policy when it was enacted. Even the provision's co-author, former Sen. Mike Bird, says so now. And fortunately, the legislature is close to approving a bill that will repeal this antiquated limit and give our elected officials the flexibility they need to operate in our changing world.

The legislature and top Colorado elected officials want to do the right thing, but like FDR once famously told supporters, we need to "make them do it!" Please take a few seconds to click below, and sign the petition to support Senate Bill 228--the "Arveschoug-Bird" repeal:

http://progressnowcolorado.org/YESon228

We will deliver your signature and comments to key members of the Colorado House and Governor Ritter. Thanks for taking action to protect Colorado, now and for the future.