A study released today by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) on the candidates’ agendas in the Colorado Senate race found that Darryl Glenn would cut spending by $95.6 billion, while incumbent Senator Michael Bennet would increase spending by $52.5 billion.
| Total Cost per Year | # of Increase Proposals | Cost per Year of Increase Proposals | # of Savings Proposals | Cost per Year of Savings Proposals | # of Proposals With Indeterminate Costs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darryl Glenn | -$95.6 | 1 | $2.4 | 3 | -$98 | 5 |
| Michael Bennet | $52.5 | 6 | $53.5 | 1 | -$1 | 5 |
During campaigns it can be difficult to cut through the rhetoric and assess what a candidate will really do once in office, and what the bottom line will be for taxpayers. Our study can help citizens to understand the fiscal implications of the promises they keep hearing on the campaign trail.
NTUF reviewed the candidates’ campaign websites and debate statements for proposals that could have an impact on spending. Cost estimates for these items were verified against independent sources such as the Congressional Budget Office. Both candidates had a number of proposals whose costs could not be determined due to lack of specificity. For example, Glenn critiqued the defense sequester -- which is scheduled to reduce outlays by $54 billion through FY 2021 -- but it is unclear whether he would seek to repeal it. Bennet proposes to expand the current $556 million Summer Food Servive Program but a cost estimate in unavailable.
Detailed line-by-line reports are available for Glenn and Bennet. Colorado is the last in a series of Senate races that NTUF is analyzing this election cycle before voters go to the polls tomorrow.