Denver Post: No taxation without information
In the last decade, generous Coloradans approved additional funding for K-12 education, increased tobacco taxes and Referendum C-the state’s largest tax increase in history. In addition, taxpayers agreed to numerous local and regional tax increases, such as RTD’s FasTracks.
Also, in the last couple of sessions the state legislature raised numerous fees bringing the state millions of additional dollars.
Adding fiscal insult to injury, the Democratic-controlled legislature passed Governor Ritter’s unconstitutional property tax “freeze,” that brought another several hundred million dollars to the state coffers.
As a result, Colorado’s budget has nearly doubled since 2000: from roughly $10 billion to nearly $20 billion today. Still it’s not enough.
This November, Colorado voters may face upwards of three ballot measures that will raise taxes and increase state revenue.
Amendment 51 raises the state’s sales tax from 2.9 percent to 3.1 percent.
Governor Ritter’s Amendment 58 would increase severance taxes on the oil and gas industry.
House Speaker Andrew Romanoff’s SAFE initiative eliminates future TABOR refunds and increases state K-12 education spending.
Question: What did government do with the money it already has? Taxpayers should not accept general answers that are long on numbers but very short on detail.
For instance, it’s not enough to say higher ed is short $850 million. Taxpayers should demand a complete accounting of every penny, and if officials are unable to do so, then maybe budgets are too big already.
Thanks to the Sam Adams Alliance, Colorado taxpayers have a new motto: No taxation without information!
