Progressives Try to Screw up Colorado with Income Tax Increases Again





Progressives love passing tax legislation. Outside of fighting for social justice issues, increasing income taxes might be their favorite hobby. The election cycle of 2018 is no different.

Tax wise, Colorado has good things going for it. We still have an income tax, but at least we have the Tax Payer Bill of Rights. TABOR restricts how the government can spend money, and it requires voters to approve any new large tax measures. From the time it was passed in 1992, it’s kept government in check and prevented income taxes from spiraling out of control.

We also have a flat 4.63% state income tax. Flat taxes are unheard of in most of the country because they’re always deemed “unfair”, despite their simplicity and their lack of administrative overhead.

I’m sure this low tax environment infuriates big government types, which is why they try again and again to dump our flat tax in favor of a more progressive system. Amendment 73 on the ballot in 2018 is the latest attempt. All other measures in the last 5 years have been soundly defeated by voters:

2013 - Amendment 66 attempted to raise additional taxes to fund public schools. It was defeated 64.5% to 35.5% , even despite raising 10 million dollars to get it passed, while the opposition raised a mere $35,000.

to , even despite raising 10 million dollars to get it passed, while the opposition raised a mere $35,000. 2016 - Amendment 69 tried to create a universal healthcare system. It was defeated 78.7% to 21.3%

To further express their displeasure, Coloradans passed Amendment 71 in 2016, making it harder to get these measures on the ballot in the first place. New initiatives require petition signatures from counties all over the state, and they need a super majority of 55% to pass.

Despite this roadblock and the dismal showing of their previous initiatives, progressives plow ahead.

So what does Amendment 73 propose? Similar to Amendment 66 in 2013, it raises funds for public schools. The measure would support all day kindergarten and special education. My problem with this is two-fold. First, K-12 education spending per pupil in the United States has increased by 2-3X per student since 1970 (inflation adjusted), while test scores have remained flat. And don’t even get me started on the cost of college.

Second, I don’t like using income taxes to pay for anything. Once the cat is out of the bag on a progressive system, there’s no telling where it will stop. Just look at California: The top rate is now 12.30%, and the 9.30% rate starts at income of $52,612. Last I checked, someone making $52,000 a year is not wealthy.

Progressive systems always start by taxing the rich. Then, the creeping government requires more and more revenue, and the taxes expand to encompass everyone. And despite all those taxes, California is still going bankrupt.

So I will be voting no on Amendment 73 come November. I hope you will join me.

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