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With the slowing economy, Colorado needs a budget fix. Our state constitution limits revenue in good times, mandates spending in bad times and it is time for us to reform the current system. The SAFE Ballot initiative is a start in the right direction.

What is SAFE?
SAFE (Savings Account For Education) is a proposed ballot initiative to create a savings account for public education. SAFE dedicates a permanent source of funding to public education, preserves the right of citizens to vote on taxes, and untangles the fiscal knot in Colorado's constitution.

What does SAFE do?
 Invests future surpluses in the State Education Fund
 Creates a long-term savings account for education
 Sunsets the constitutional requirement to increase P-12 spending

What does SAFE mean for kids?
 Dedicates a permanent source of funding to preschool-12th grade education
 Enables the state to protect public schools from cuts during economic downturns

What does SAFE mean for taxpayers?
 Does not increase tax rates
 Preserves the constitutional right to vote on taxes
 Preserves the constitutional requirement to balance the budget
 Prevents the state government from growing beyond its means; triples state reserves

How can the State Education Fund be used?
The State Education Fund can be used only for public education, from preschool through the 12th grade.

Specific purposes include:
 class-size reduction
 gifted and talented programs
 performance incentives for teachers
 preschool and kindergarten
 school-building construction
 special education
 student safety
 technology education
 vocational education

How can you help?
 Sign a petition before July 29th
 Circulate a petition among your family and friends
 Invite someone to speak with you community group or chapter regarding SAFE
 Contribute financially

No one can predict the exact future course of the economy. That's why it's vital for Colorado to regain the freedom that 49 other states have—to keep the revenue produced by existing taxes in good times and to spread the pain of bad times as fairly as possibly. That's what the reform plan, billed as the SAFE initiative, for Savings Account for Education, will do.