Tag: tabor
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Perspective: ‘Structural deficit’ = spending too much
Colorado voters will once again face a November ballot measure aimed at weakening the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR, in our state constitution. This year’s proposal — referred by the Legislature — is the Colorado TABOR Revenue Cap Increase for K–12 Education Measure. It would raise TABOR’s cap on government spending and growth, and…
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Legislators ask voters to forfeit thousands in TABOR refunds
A Democratic‑backed proposal to direct money to K‑12 schools using Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights dollars is headed to the ballot, setting up a major debate over taxpayer refunds and long‑term education funding. If voters approve it, the average Coloradan would forfeit more than $7,000 in TABOR refunds over the next decade, according to a nonpartisan…
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Legislators ask voters to forfeit thousands in TABOR refunds
A Democratic‑backed proposal to direct money to K‑12 schools using Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights dollars is headed to the ballot, setting up a major debate over taxpayer refunds and long‑term education funding. If voters approve it, the average Coloradan would forfeit more than $7,000 in TABOR refunds over the next decade, according to a nonpartisan…
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Colorado legislators ask voters to forfeit thousands in TABOR refunds, redirect money to school spending
A Democratic‑backed proposal to direct money to K‑12 schools using Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights dollars is headed to the ballot, setting up a major debate over taxpayer refunds and long‑term education funding. If voters approve it, the average Coloradan would forfeit more than $7,000 in TABOR refunds over the next decade. Senate Bill 135 includes…
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Colorado bill redirecting $300M in TABOR refunds raises legal concerns, sparks budget committee dispute
A discussion about a proposal to eliminate $300 million in taxpayer refunds over the next two fiscal years quickly shifted into a strategy session — and a tense exchange among members of a budget committee — over what would happen if a lawsuit were filed to stop it. House Bill 1419 attempts to take $300…
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Colorado justices confirm water-related enterprises may condemn private property
The Colorado Supreme Court confirmed on Monday that water-related enterprises have the legal authority to exercise the governmental power of eminent domain over private property. An enterprise is a government-owned business that provides fee-based services. In 1993, lawmakers authorized the creation of “water activity enterprises” to provide a secure water supply for residents. The enterprises…
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EDITORIAL: Beam me up, Scotty, there are no signs of intelligent life down here
If Captain Kirk ever visited Colorado’s state Capitol in search of an elected Democrat who could balance a budget — or even a checkbook — there’d be nothing to enter in the captain’s log. He only would find beings addicted to spending and incapable of living within their means. A species doomed to extinction. That’s…
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As education funding changes in Colorado, rural school districts face uncertainties
In the small mountain town of Cripple Creek, widely known across Colorado for its casinos, donkey herds and mining history, sits a fittingly humble school district faced with rising costs and limited resources to address them. During the district’s spring break in late March, a high school teacher could be found alone in her classroom…
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Proposal to use TABOR refunds for education gets preliminary OK in Colorado
KEY TAKEAWAY: Colorado residents will lose more than $7,000 in TABOR refunds over 10 years under a Democratic proposal to divert the money to K-12 education. If approved by the full Senate, its next stop is the House. Colorado senators on Friday gave preliminary approval to a proposed ballot measure that would take billions of…
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EDITORIAL: Robbing TABOR to pay pols
The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR, has served as a wise and workable limit on government growth in Colorado ever since the policy was amended into the state constitution by voters in 1992. Which of course means politicians and special interests have toiled tirelessly for decades to outflank TABOR — sometimes cleverly, other times…