Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday rejected a Republican suggestion that he seek a federal waiver to rules governing Medicaid to balance the state budget.

The Democratic governor's reaction comes amid a standoff with Republicans over suspending a property-tax break for seniors that costs the state $100 million a year. Hickenlooper has said suspending the tax break next year would help avoid further cuts to schools, while Republicans have said the state needs to curb Medicaid spending.

Appearing before the legislature's Joint Budget Committee on Thursday, Hickenlooper was asked by Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen, about the prospect of Colorado's getting a waiver to help ease the costs of Medicaid.

"We are really trying to figure out, do we take care of those in need or do we fund K-12 education?" Gerou said to the governor. "We need a little bit of a Band-Aid, and that waiver is what I'm looking for as a Band-Aid."