Author: Michael Fields
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GUEST COLUMN: It’s time for Colorado to cut property taxes
We recently turned in over 190,000 signatures (124,632 valid signatures are required) to put Initiative 27 on this November’s ballot. This ballot measure would cut property taxes by 9%, while also allowing the state to keep an extra $25 million per year to help fund the Homestead Tax Exemption for seniors and disabled veterans. As…
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Colorado Democrats are leaving people behind
We’ve probably all heard the advice: “Watch what people do, not what they say.” Well, that’s especially true when it comes to public policy. If you listen to the politicians leading our state, they say they care deeply about minorities, women, small businesses and students. The impacts of their policies, however, are telling a very…
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GUEST COLUMN: Reforming Colorado’s mental health system
From losing loved ones to losing jobs, the emotional and economic toll of this pandemic has been significant. Over 5,200 of our fellow Coloradans have died from COVID. Many local businesses have closed their doors for good. Unsurprisingly, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide rates are up. According to Gallup, the number of Americans rating…
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GUEST COLUMN: Amendment B is a property tax hike
Discussions about the Gallagher Amendment are nothing new, but what is new is the extent politicians are going to hide the facts about Amendment B (Gallagher repeal) from voters. Legislators must fear that if voters knew that this ballot issue is a huge property tax hike, they would overwhelmingly reject it. It’s important that people…
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OPINION | Ballot issue gives voters a veto on runaway fees
Michael Fields This week, we found out that our Vote on Fees initiative officially made the ballot for this November. Even in the midst of a pandemic, 196,000 Coloradans signed a petition to strengthen our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). This support came from unaffiliated, Republican and Democratic voters from all across the state. What…
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Ballot bid to nix Gallagher confuses, deceives
Michael Fields Do you know anyone with 43 years of education? According to Ballotpedia, a person needs this much formal education to read and comprehend the ballot initiative to repeal Colorado’s Gallagher Amendment. Repealing the Gallagher Amendment will have big, long-term impacts on property taxes — and the state legislators who wrote and passed this referendum…
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POINT | Let voters decide on new state ‘fees’
Michael Fields The cost of living in Colorado is on the rise. Not only are health care and housing costs more expensive, but taxes and fees are also contributing to this spike in expenses. On top of that, we now find ourselves in the midst of a recession. In order for our economy to fully…
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POINT/COUNTERPOINT: Initiative 295: Yes or no?
Point: Michael Fields The cost of living in Colorado is on the rise. Not only are health care and housing costs more expensive, but taxes and fees are also contributing to this spike in expenses. On top of that, we now find ourselves in the midst of a recession. For our economy to fully recover,…
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GUEST COLUMN: Keeping state’s taxes low key to recovery
In the midst of a recession, the Legislature wants to raise your property taxes. Sens. Jack Tate and Chris Hansen, along with Reps. Matt Soper and Dayena Esgar, led an effort to put a full repeal of the Gallagher Amendment on the ballot this November. Passing this repeal would harm families who can’t afford the…
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COLUMN: Colorado needs to make another comeback
As Colorado begins to open back up, we know we have a big economic hole to dig out of. Unemployment claims are over 420,000, businesses have shuttered, and a lot of Coloradans have seen their hours and/or pay cut. This hit to the private sector means that our state budget will also likely see a…