Measures slashing property taxes, fees certified for 2010 ballot
Two statewide initiatives that will reduce property taxes and slash fees on motor vehicles and cell phones have been certified and will be placed on the 2010 ballot.
Amendment 60, which would roll back property taxes, received 139,960 signatures, Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Rich Coolidge said Monday.
After statistically sampling 5 percent of the signatures, the department concluded the backers had a projected 105, 334 valid signatures, which is far more than the 76, 047 needed to get on the ballot.
The Secretary of State’s Office also certified an initiative that will be on the ballot as Proposition 101. Proposition 101 would greatly reduce vehicle registration fees and taxes associated with new-car purchases, as well as fees and taxes placed on cell phones, pagers, internet and satellite service. Any new fees would be classified as taxes and subject to a vote.
It’s the first time that Coloradans will see the word ‘proposition’ on the ballot, which was one of the changes that emerged from a bill passed during the 2009 legislative session.
Propositions apply to state law and can be changed by the Legislature. If they’re followed by a number, that means they’re citizen-initiated. If they’re followed by a letter, the Legislature initiated them.
Amendments are changes to the state Constitution. They’re much tougher to repeal or change. The number and lettering system applies to them, as well.
Coolidgesaid it’s likely that a third initiative, to be called Amendment 61, will be certified later this week. Amendment 61 would prohibit the state from borrowing funds and severely restrict local governments from borrowing money, as well.
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