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Props 116, 117 will help struggling Colorado Latino families

Proposiciones 116 117 Si PROPOSITION 116 AND 117

VOTE YES | Angel Merlos. (Foto/El Comercio de Colorado)

DEBATE – PROPOSITION 116 AND 117

On November 3, Colorado voters will decide whether or not they want to lower the state income tax (Proposition 116) and give voters the right to approve utility rates (Proposition 117). Know the arguments for and against the proposals.

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Angel Merlos

Coalitions Director of The LIBRE Initiative-Colorado

One of the many great things about living in Colorado is that, before government can raise our taxes, we have a say.

Our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights gives us a direct voice in approving tax increases. But politicians, ever hungry for more revenue, have found ways around it. One is a state-owned enterprise — essentially businesses that collect fees to pay for their activities. Those fees amount to billions of dollars a year and are not counted under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

In November, we have a chance to strengthen TABOR by voting yes on Proposition 117, which would give every Colorado voter the opportunity to approve new fee-collecting enterprises above a certain size.

At the same time, we can vote for a tax cut for struggling families and businesses by supporting Proposition 116, which would cut the state income tax rate from 4.63 percent to 4.55 percent, saving taxpayers more than $150 million a year.

We urge Colorado voters to vote “yes” on both.

Proposition 117 would require voter approval to create new state government enterprises that are expected to collect or actually collect fee revenue of more than $100 million during the first five years of their existence.

Thatwould bring state-owned enterprises more closely under the TABOR umbrella. While voter approval is required for any new or increased state tax, fees can be created by the legislature without going to voters.

In fiscal 2017-18, the revenue for all state enterprises totaled $17.9 billion, But you were denied a voice because the government calls the costs “fees” rather than “taxes.”

But the money, whether it’s called a tax or a fee, is still coming out of your pocket. You should have a say in how much is collected.

The other proposed change on the November ballot, Proposition 116, would also give you a chance to rein in the size and cost of government and to keep more of your hard-earned money.

Colorado’s Hispanic community has been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. The modest tax cut from Proposition 116 would provide a measure of relief for struggling families and businesses while trimming state revenue by barely over 1 percent. They think they know better how to spend every penny than can get their hands on. We believe you know better how to spend your money and invest in your communities.

Those opposed to letting you keep a bit more of your money are trying to scare us into believing that a 1.2 percent tax cut will result in shuttered schools, closed hospitals, and crumbling infrastructure. After decades of growth in state spending and revenue, out-of-touch politicians begrudge you this small payback, even though state revenue is still expected to increase next year and recent changes in the federal tax code provided the state with a multibillion dollar windfall.

Proposition 116 would benefit every Coloradan who pays income taxes or works for a company that pays income taxes, providing needed relief for families and small business owners all over the state who are struggling to make ends meet.

In these challenging times, our state’s families and businesses need all the help they can get to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Hispanics especially hard. “Yes” votes on Proposition 116 and Proposition 117 would be a step in the right direction.