DENVER, CO – Democratic leaders in the House and Senate today released the following statements regarding Governor Jared Polis’s call for a special session on property taxes:
Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon:
“Our vision for Colorado is a place where everyone, from the youngest learners to working families to older Coloradans, can succeed and afford a good life. Initiatives 50 and 108 would do the opposite, jeopardizing the future of our state by defunding public schools, fire departments, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks and recreation centers. Coloradans elected us to govern responsibly and listen to those on the front lines providing these critical services. I am grateful for the feedback from the bipartisan Property Tax Commission and the growing consensus among affected stakeholders that we should pursue further property tax cuts with guarantees that protect the Colorado we love and the future of our state.”
Statement from President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder:
“The reckless and irresponsible ballot measures we are facing pose an existential threat to critical state and local services, and it is our duty to act in Colorado’s best interests. After years of bipartisan work to address Colorado’s property tax and affordability challenges, we now have another opportunity to take action, govern responsibly, and ensure that additional property tax cuts are implemented in a way that does not jeopardize Colorado’s fiscal future. I am grateful for the hard work that has gone into negotiating the future of our property tax framework, and grateful for the thoughtful input of Property Tax Commission members and local leaders from across the state.”
Statement by House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Democrat of Wheat Ridge:
“It is a major risk to our state that wealthy special interests have pushed through ballot measures that would devastate our economy, cut funding for schools, and jeopardize funding for critical infrastructure projects like affordable housing. These measures seriously jeopardize the services that Coloradans depend on, especially those Coloradans who are struggling most from our affordability crisis. I appreciate the thoughtful engagement of stakeholders and voices from across the political spectrum who spoke out on this proposal, and I am proud to get back to work to help people stay in their homes, provide additional tax relief, and secure funding for our schools that we have fought so hard for.”
Statement by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Democrat of Denver:
“The people of our state share a common goal: to make Colorado an affordable place to live, work and raise a family. Over the past few years, we have worked with stakeholders inside and outside the Capitol and on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that provides needed property tax relief while ensuring critical state services are funded and available to their communities. In the face of dangerous ballot initiatives driven by special interests, we remain committed to doing what is best for the people of Colorado and their schools, fire departments and local governments. We will work to ensure that any additional property tax cuts provide relief for Coloradans and are implemented in a responsible manner that does not jeopardize the services they depend on.”
On Monday, August 12, the bipartisan Property Tax Commission assessed the devastating impact of Initiatives 50 and 108 for the budgets of the state and local governments as well as for important services and discussed possible legislative alternatives for a responsible implementation of the property tax relief.
