Unfunded Mandates: Body Cameras

What We  Believe

Local governments have many obligations to their constituents, which aligns with the proper role of government. Public safety should be a priority for every community throughout Colorado.
 
When the legislature puts additional burdens on law enforcement agencies, but does not accompany it with funding to properly implement these new laws, the local government must take its limited funding and re-appropriate it to cover the costs of the unfunded mandates. Even if the new mandate is based on good policy, the lack of funding often makes the mandate – or other necessary services the local government is responsible for – unsustainable.
 
This report examines one of those unfunded mandates: body cameras. While it is important to have body cameras to protect both the public and our law enforcement agencies, there is a cost associated with these body cameras.
 
It is incumbent on the state government to take into account the fiscal implications of legislation on local governments – not only on the state itself – before continuing to pass down unfunded mandates on local law enforcement agencies.

Media

Meet the Authors

Rose Pugliese

Representative Pugliese, a two-term Mesa County Commissioner, is celebrated for her significant contributions to enhancing government transparency and fostering bipartisan cooperation. Her dedication extends to crucial areas such as family affairs, fostering affordability and attainability, and safeguarding parental rights and choice. As a first-generation American, she proudly holds a juris doctorate degree. In addition to the rewarding role of being a single mother to two children, she remains steadfast in her commitment to her community and constituents. Rep. Pugliese is the Colorado House Minority Leader and is the Advance Colorado Fellow in Local Government.

Michael Tsogt

Michael Tsogt is a Policy Analyst at the Advance Colorado Institute. His areas of policy and research include education, budget/fiscal matters, and public safety. He has testified on a range of bills at the State Capitol, including a bill proposing education savings accounts for special needs and foster care kids in Colorado. During undergrad, Michael was elected as the Academic Senator for student government, covered sports and entertainment for the student newspaper, and participated in several political fellowships and opportunities, including at the Center for the Study of Government and the Individual, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. Michael graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in political science. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs.

At Advance Colorado, we believe in an education system that puts Colorado parents and students first through a system that emphasizes:

At the heart of Colorado’s school system is school choice, in which our state has been a national trailblazer for decades. – a system that has enjoyed deep, bipartisan support.

What We  Do

We craft cutting edge policies that empower parents, taxpayers, and teachers and push back on the status quo interests that resist reform. 

Our 2024 Policy Agenda includes several important education reform priorities. Read it HERE

This year, we are leading the charge to protect the school choice rights we currently have – rights that are annually under siege from the education establishment groups that want to eliminate your right to choose the best school for your children. We can secure our rights into the future through a school choice amendment to the Colorado Constitution. 

Read our policy brief on this important issue HERE.

What You Can Do

We help citizens become advocates and leaders.

Whether you are a concerned parent, grandparent or taxpayer, Advance Colorado can equip you with the knowledge and tools to be an effective advocate for high quality, accountable schools. Learn more about our ambassador program.

And if you are interested in running to become a member of your local school board, you can apply to participate in the Advance Colorado Academy New Leader program. LINK If you are a current school board member, you can enroll in our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program. Learn more about our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program.

Our Model Local Policy Team

Yazmin NavarroState Board of Education

Fellow in Growth & Opportunity

Rep. Rose PuglieseState Representative

Fellow in Local Government

Dr. Debora ScheffelDean & Professor, School of Education

Fellow in Education Reform

Michael FieldsPresident of the Institute

Kristi Burton BrownInstitute Executive Vice President

Michael TsogtPolicy Analyst & Academy Director