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Gov. Jared Polis' Budget Proposal Includes Full-Day Kindergarten, Paid Parental Leave

DENVER (CBS4)- Gov. Jared Polis pitched his first budget proposal to lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday. The budget includes some campaign promises.

Among his funding priorities, a program allowing Coloradans to import prescription drugs from Canada, new oil and gas inspectors and paid parental leave for state employees.

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Gov. Jared Polis (credit: CBS)

The governor's biggest request is $227 million for free full-day kindergarten in Colorado.

Polis told CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd the funding identified for that is one of the most stable parts of the budget.

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CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd interviews Gov. Jared Polis (credit: CBS)

"We're also suggesting to the Legislature that this year alone, we leave $92 million unspent. We have a surplus of $92 million. We want to put that into the state education fund to help make sure that we can prevent any cutbacks during a recession," said Polis.

The budget needs approval from the Joint Budget Committee. Some lawmakers on that committee are concerned the ongoing commitment to full-day kindergarten may not be sustainable.

Related: Colorado Governor 'Looking At Ways' To Help Furloughed Federal Workers

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