Resolution In Opposition to Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 (Fiscal Initiatives)

Resolution In Opposition to Amendments 60 (Property Tax) and 61 (State and Local Debt Limitations) and Proposition 101 (Motor Vehicle, Income, and Telecommunications Taxes and Fees)
 
WHEREAS, three measures appearing on the November statewide ballot would significantly damage Colorado’s state and local governments from funding their most basic level of services related to safety, education, and transportation; and
 
WHEREAS, the trio would eliminate at least $1 billion annually in state revenue, kill at least 70,000 jobs, roll back half of all school property taxes statewide, and drastically limit government’s ability to construct new buildings; and
 
WHEREAS, one of the many components of Proposition 101 reduces the vehicle registration fee (annual license plate fee) to the same registration fee amount from the year 1919, a provision that alone would devastate Colorado’s ability to maintain safe roads and bridges; and
 
WHEREAS, one of the many components of Amendment 60 overturns hundreds of elections approved by local voters in the past eighteen years, forcing cuts in schools, road maintenance, public safety and other basic services and creating financial chaos for school districts and local communities; and
 
WHEREAS, one of the many components of Amendment 61 eliminates any practical means for state and regional governments to make future road, highway, and bridge improvements, or other capital improvements to their districts, such as DIA, FasTracks, the Anschutz Medical Center, colleges and universities, water conservation districts, or improvements to public schools, cities, and counties; and
 
WHEREAS, the cumulative and destructive nature of the three measures will devastate our economy, kill jobs and drive business out of our state and ensures that Colorado will surrender its competitive standing to attract large and small employers alike, resulting in little to no economic growth for the state, a steady decline in property values, and erosion of the state and local tax base;
 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Central Committee of The Democratic Party of Denver: That the Committee hereby opposes the three ballot measures known as Proposition 101, Amendment 60, and Amendment 61, urges a “No” vote on all three measures on the General Election ballots cast on or before November 2, 2010, and commits to educating the electorate on the dangers of passing these three initiatives.