Proposition CC asks you to give up a tax refund if the state
of Colorado collects more than is allowed under the TABOR amendment instituted
in 1992. The amendment was intended to restrict growth of government and taxes.
The unintended consequences is that it has reduced tax collection year after
year for state and local areas, so they can no longer provide services or
improvements for the community you live in.
When you look at the Peak 7 paving situation, Summit County
has said it has not paved any neighborhoods since TABOR went into effect. This
is a direct result of TABOR reducing the ability of the county to even
contribute toward the project, and now the residents pay the entire cost at
$20,000 each.
The state of Colorado does not have the money to build new
lanes to accommodate increased traffic. Instead they are creating pay lanes
that actually use the shoulder or emergency parking to accommodate the
increased traffic at the risk of safety. If you break down and pull into the
“emergency lane,” there is a good chance you could get hit by the person
traveling faster than the average traffic or by someone using that lane when it
is closed.
Visitors to Colorado use our roads and services and, in
exchange, pay a lot of sales tax. During periods of economic growth, that money
should be used to repair our roads, not refunded to residents.
Opponents want you to believe this is big government
increasing your taxes, but in reality, it is giving up a small refund to fund
roads and schools for the greater good of Colorado. If you choose to vote
against CC, then you can expect to pay more in non-tax fees, which has become
the norm for alternative revenues.
Thank you for your consideration.