In recent history, Colorado needed dollars to help residents get out of real trouble during the recession of 2008-10, and again during COVID-19. State legislators could not help much, since the 1992 Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights restricts their ability to collect, save and spend tax dollars as needed.
As a member of the League of Women Voters of Colorado, I am aware that over $1 billion in cuts needs to be made in this year’s budget because of TABOR limitations on collecting and spending taxes.
TABOR requires all taxpayers to be taxed at the same flat rate, no matter what level of income. The lower income person pays an effective tax rate almost three percentage points higher than the top 1%. The League believes everyone should pay their fair share and this is not it.
Also, the federal government is cutting or reducing funding for a number of services in Colorado that we count on, including health care, nutrition and public education. With TABOR handcuffing the Legislature’s ability to spend all the revenue currently collected, Colorado will be entirely unable to replace those lost federal funds.
Colorado does not have a revenue problem. It is a TABOR problem. Our legislators have been hamstrung and unable to effectively manage the state budget and set tax policies.
We urge you to contact your state legislators to let them know you would support their efforts to reform TABOR.
Janine Reid, Legislative Action Committee member, LWVCO
Hotchkiss
