I will vote 'no' on Proposition 103.
First of all, I always have problems with increases in the regressive sales tax. Especially in these stressful economic times, those on fixed and limited incomes simply cannot afford higher taxes.
But even more is this true when a portion of that tax hike will ultimately be used for the gain of private developers. I refer to a very insightful letter-to-the-editor that appeared in today's (October 4, 2011) Denver Post.
It doesn't makes sense to raise taxes to fund education, when a portion of that revenue can then be funnelled through the backdoor for non-educational corporate welfare. Clearly a broader and more comprehensive approach to Colorado's tax system and education funding needs to be undertaken to ensure that situations like those described in the letter cannot happen.
Proposition 103 is a bandage approach that doesn't solve our fundamental taxation, budget and government revenue problems.
State voters have no say on “backfill” of taxes
Denver Post, Wednesday, October 4, 2011
Re: “Taxes if Gaylord didn’t have deal: over $500 million; Project supporters say jobs and other revenue offset property-tax subsidies,” Sept. 25 news story.
Your article on all the tax subsidies going to the Gaylord project was detailed and well-written. However, it missed a really key point.
The article noted that the biggest “sacrifice” of tax money is by the Brighton 27J School District — $273 million. But the school district won’t really feel the pain from that loss, because it will get the money back from taxpayers across the state.
State law says pupils across the state must be funded at an equal level. To accomplish this, the state will have to “backfill” the forgone tax subsidy to the Brighton district. That $273 million will come directly out of the general fund — directly out of the pockets of taxpayers across the state who got no vote on this project. Talk about taxation without representation!
Developers have been subsidized in this manner across Colorado for decades. Backfilling school districts cost state taxpayers around $71 million in 2010. I would urge The Post to focus its next Gaylord article on this issue.
Stephanie Thomas, Denver
The writer is an advocate for the Colorado Environmental Coalition.
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