Below is a preview of my March column for the Denver Gazette/Colorado Politics. If you’d like to read the full piece, click here. If you’d like to read the “Point” to my “Counterpoint,” please read Lisa LaBriola’s piece here.
Senate Bill 23-303 — the legislative cocoon that Proposition HH emerged from — was a beautiful display of political genius. Short-term relief offered in exchange for a terminal diagnosis for our TABOR tax refunds. Thanks, Guv!
Miss LaBriola is correct in her assertion our legislature has the right to petition the people regarding efforts to increase its revenues. If the state provides a valid need with a modest tax increase, there is no reason why the average voter shouldn’t give it careful consideration.
Unfortunately, that description doesn’t fit Proposition HH.
The problem is simple: Coloradans are facing an approximate $4 billion property tax increase this year because liberals in the legislature resisted implementing a long-term solution to property tax assessment rates. It simply wasn’t a priority.