I love getting all the phone calls and texts this time of year about clarification on ballots issues. This year I thought I might do things a little bit differently and publish a blog post as well. Hopefully, this can provide a little more clarity and insight.
This year Colorado voters will decide on 11 ballot questions that will change either statutes or the state constitution. Statutes, once voted in, can be amended by the Colorado State Legislature; however, Colorado Constitutional amendments cannot be altered by the Colorado State Legislature.
Statewide Measures on the 2020 Colorado Ballot
Amendment B – Repeal Gallagher Amendment (amends constitution)
Repeals the Gallagher Amendment of 1982, which limits the residential and non-residential property tax assessment rates so that residential property taxes amounted to 45% of the total share of state property taxes, and non-residential property taxes amounted to 55% of the total share of state property taxes. Currently, the tax rate for a home goes down as the actual value goes up, usually resulting in an increase every two years; for homes with a value that is steady or declining, the tax bill declines. If passed, Amendment B will result in residential property taxes increasing or decreasing in tandem with the actual value of the property.
The Colorado State Legislature placed this question on the ballot because it estimates that next year the Gallagher amendment will cut residential tax rates from 7.15% to 5.88%, which would reduce funding to schools by about $490 million and local governments by $200 million. Colorado State Legislators also voted to freeze the residential tax rate if Amendment B passes, so it cannot be raised without a public vote.
If funding for schools and local governments are more important, then you should vote YES. If property taxes, limited government, and property rights are a considerable concern, then you should vote NO. Read More about Amendment B, and here.
Amendment C – Charitable Gaming (constitution)
This amendment increases freedom by allowing licensees to hire professional managers and operators of games. It allows licensees to obtain permission from the government to offer charitable games. In Colorado, charitable organizations are required to obtain a license to conduct bingo games and raffles. The “qualified organization” must be operated as a non-profit and must have been in existence for a period of five years before applying for a license. I recommend a YES vote. Read more here & here.
Amendment 76 – Citizenship of Qualified Voters (constitution)
This would prohibit the Colorado State Legislature from allowing non-citizens or anyone under 18 years of age to vote. Amends the Colorado Constitution to state that “only a citizen” of the U.S. can vote in federal, state, and local elections, instead of the existing language that says “every citizen” of the U.S. can vote. I recommend voting YES as this supports the original intent of the Constitution and the only people who should have a say in the governance of our state are the ones who are citizens of the United States.
Amendment 77 – Local Voter Approval of Casino Bet Limits (constitution and statute).
Currently, betting limits can be changed only by a statewide vote of the people of Colorado. Amendment E would allow those betting limits to be changed by a vote of only residents of the casino towns (Black Hawk, Central City, Cripple Creek). The principle of self-determination means that voters in these communities should be able to regulate the gambling venues in their cities for their benefit and to use tax revenues raised from gambling as they see fit. It allows the voters in these communities with legalized gambling to expand the gaming options available to customers and how tax revenues are used. I recommend a YES vote.
Proposition EE – Taxes on Nicotine Products (statute)
This would triple the state tax on cigarettes and raise taxes on other tobacco products by more than half. The text of the legislative bill is 50 pages long and complicated. We should have clear and concise laws, for that alone, I will vote NO however this law would be a violation of limited government and raises taxes. I recommend a NO vote.
Proposition 113 – Adopt National Popular Vote (statute)
This is a chance for every Colorado voter to reverse a law passed in 2018, by a one-party controlled Colorado State Legislature & Governor. If passed, Prop 113 would award all of Colorado’s nine electoral votes (which determines who becomes president) to whoever is determined to have received the most popular votes. In other words, the States who have the most population will have the power in presidential elections. This would join Colorado into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, awarding Colorado’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, which is a clear violation of the original intent of the Constitution. Close elections could drag on for months, and honestly who wants that? Another indicator for who this will benefit the most is when we follow the money: more than 98% of funding for Prop 113 comes from outside Colorado and about 75% of funding comes from California. It is a founding principle and a guardrail that States should have their own representation in presidential elections. We should continue to have our diverse states represented, not less. I strongly recommend a NO vote. Watch Here & Read more here
Proposition 114 – Reintroduction of Gray Wolves (statute)
Reintroduces gray wolves on public lands, (70% of Mesa County is made up of public lands). This is obviously not the proper role of government. Second, there is a false notion that wolves will stay in our state if we put them here, wolves are wild animals and will travel where ever they want. This includes surrounding states, besides it is unfair and uncompassionate that Denver/Boulder would use the voting booth to approve an initiative that adversely affects people and their livelihoods in a completely different region of the state. It is also disingenuous of the advocates of this bill to introduce a species that would hurt ranches, big game, and small game wildlife, and make it less safe for people but yet they go out of their way to not reintroduce nonpredatory animals such as the sage grouse. It is not fair, nor wise to introduce a predator in someone else’s property that harms their private property. This is a roundabout way to attack private property owners, I recommended voting NO. Read more about Prop 114 and here.
Proposition 115 – Prohibit Abortions after 22 Weeks (statute)
An exception is provided when immediately required to save the life of a pregnant woman. An unborn child at 22 weeks of pregnancy is able to survive and thrive with proper medical care. As a woman, a mother, and a citizen of the free and prosperous nation in the history of the world I believe this is a humane and reasonable policy that offers both compassion for the mother as well as for babies who are capable of surviving outside of the womb. I’m recommending a YES vote. Read more about Prop 115 here.
Proposition 116 – State Income Tax Reduction (statute)
Would reduce Colorado’s flat income tax rate which is applied to individuals and businesses, the state income tax rate would go from 4.63% to 4.55%. While it may reduce state tax revenues by 1.8% in the first year, it will enhance economic growth which in turn will generate new jobs and tax revenue. With the year we all just had, we need to focus on growth for our Colorado families. I recommend voting YES. Read more about Prop 116 and here.
Proposition 117 – Voter Approval for State Enterprises (statute).
Since the adoption of TABOR, or the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, voters have approved only a total of 3 statewide tax revenue increases, which include increased rates on tobacco products, new taxes on marijuana, and online sports betting. However, during that same time, the state legislature has created 15 new enterprises, resulting in fees to Coloradans and new revenue to the state, without a direct vote of the people.
Prop 117 requires voter approval of new enterprises (In reality these are new taxes) that are exempt from Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) if their revenue is greater than $50 million within its first five years. This supports limited government and the original intent of the Constitution. Everyone wants more options and opportunities to vote on what directly affects them not less.
I recommend voting YES. Read more about Prop 117
Proposition 118 – Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (statute)
Prop 118 creates a mandatory insurance program, funded by a payroll tax, to provide paid leave for employees of all businesses. Here is my op-ed as Chair-Elect of the Colorado Women’s Alliance on the effects of Prop 118.
SEP 11, 2020 COLORADO WOMEN’S ALLIANCE OPPOSES PAID FAMILY LEAVE
Published, Grand Junction Sentinel, Sept 11, 2020
While it may seem counter-intuitive, the Colorado Women’s Alliance opposes the paid family leave proposition on this fall’s ballot. Understand that we are not opposed to employers providing paid family leave for the birth or adoption of children, care of ill family members, or employees, themselves. In fact, we commend them.
What we oppose is mandating employers to do so, creation of a new, expensive, government-run program, and requiring both employers and employees to pay into the program, whether or not they need it or use it. Employees will be mandated to pay into the program, through a deduction in their paycheck, even if their employer already provides a generous leave benefit. This amounts to a pay cut and will disproportionately impact low-income, particularly female, employees. For someone making $25,000 a year, the employee’s portion of the payment is $113 and that can grow each year. That may not sound like much but if you are a single mother, trying to pay rent, buy groceries and school supplies, you just don’t have a spare $113.
For small businesses, many of which are female-owned, they have to pay an equal amount for each and every employee. This can really add up for small businesses. This year has been particularly difficult for small businesses; many cannot survive the pandemic shutdowns. This would be a double blow that most cannot withstand.
For these reasons, we urge a “no” vote on Proposition 118.
BOBBIE DANIEL, Chair-Elect
Judge Craig Welling
I strongly recommend a NO vote to retain Colorado Appellate Judge Craig Welling. On behalf of all the kids in Colorado who have been victims of abuse, please, vote no to retain. Read More here, here, & here.