Sep 21

Now we know how much money is at stake on the 2019 ballot with Proposition CC and TABOR refunds in Colorado

Posted on September 21, 2019 by thetabor

Now we know how much money is at stake on the 2019 ballot with Proposition CC and TABOR refunds in Colorado

New economic forecasts show the state may refund as much as $1.7 billion to taxpayers in the next three fiscal years — but not all will benefit the same

PUBLISHED ON SEP 20, 2019 2:56PM MDT

The Colorado Sun — johnfrank@coloradosun.com

On the November ballot, Colorado voters will decide a question potentially worth as much as $1.7 billion.

Proposition CC asks voters for permission to end the cap on state tax revenue outlined in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. If the answer is yes, the state plans to spend the money on schools, higher education and transportation projects. If the answer is no, the money would get returned to taxpayers as a refund — mostly to benefit seniors and disabled veterans.

Just how much money is at stake became clearer Friday, as state economists released the latest economic projections to inform the ballot question

The tax revenue is estimated to exceed the TABOR caps by $541.7 million to $1.7 billion total in the next three fiscal years through 2022, according to forecasts from legislative economists and Gov. Jared Polis’ budget office. If the state’s economy continues to prosper, the total would continue to grow in future years.

House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, said the numbers show how much Colorado voters can do to address priority spending areas in the $30 billion state budget if Prop. CC is approved.

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Sep 21

Cooke: The case against Colorado’s Proposition CC

Posted on September 21, 2019 by thetabor

September 20, 2019 By Amy Oliver Cooke

This November, Colorado voters will decide the fate of a deceptively worded measure — Proposition CC, a blank check for a tax increase drawn on our pocketbooks, with zero accountability, that would permanently cripple our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. It deserves an overwhelming “NO” vote.

For those who aren’t familiar with our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR, it’s simple. TABOR promotes transparent, consensual and good, fair government. Ever since voters approved it in 1992, this constitutional amendment has been an indispensable voter check and balance on state government growth. TABOR provides reasonable limitations on revenue collection (population growth plus inflation) and general government debt.

If government wants to grow, all it has to do is ask voters. Coloradans are lucky to live in a state in which we get to decide on the size and scope of government.

First, there is no budget crisis.

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