Posted on 05/06/2008 9:30:07 PM PDT by george76
Official testifies in TABOR lawsuit that more money collected as a result of mill levy freeze.
State treasurer Cary Kennedy conceded today on the witness stand that a bill passed last year by the legislature alters the way taxes are calculated with the net result that many property owners pay more.
But Kennedy continued to insist the 2007 law, SB 199, does not violate Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.
Kennedy's testimony came on the second day of a lawsuit brought by opponents of the 2007 law. They say SB 199 should have been referred to voters under TABOR provisions.
The 1992 Constitutional amendment allows tax increases only with approval at the ballot box.
SB 199, passed with the backing of Gov. Bill Ritter, froze mill levy rates in most school districts. The frozen rate increases the tax on properties that have appreciated in value.
Statewide, the increased tax revenue this year is more than $117 million.
"I told voters, 'You can trust me,'" said former Grand Junction school board member Marcia Neal. "Now that mill levy freeze is coming in, and people are saying, 'I thought you said that wouldn't happen.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...
ht comments
The Dems with the help of Mark May (R) form Parker have been eager to de-Tabor Colorado, that is why all the attacks on Doug Bruce. They don’t control all the wealth yet!
That’s Mark May from (not form) Parker, my bad sorry!
The snake-oil saleswoman who brought us Amendment 23.
nationally, we need a balanced budget amendment without finangling room....we need something similar in the states and the school districts and counties....
Of course it’s a tax increase, less money in my pocket is a tax increase by any name they want to call it.
Distrust anyone that plays these word games. They can’t be trusted to tell the truth about what they want you to vote for, so how can they be trusted to follow the will of the people once they get even more of your money?
This word-smithing only proves the need for TABOR.
Attorney Richard Westfall, representing taxpayers challenging the tax freeze, said the votes by individual school districts weren’t enough. He said a statewide vote is necessary because the Legislature’s action altered the state school finance act, which applies to all 178 Colorado school districts.
District Judge Christina Habas indicated it could be several weeks before she issues a ruling.
The law passed last year is expected to raise an estimated $1.7 billion
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/16225342/detail.html
“Apparently, it took a Bible and a witness stand to get the governor and his allies to admit their tax hike is, in fact, a tax hike.
Of course, the rest of the state already knew as much, especially when homeowners and business owners got their property-tax bills earlier this year.”
http://www.coloradosenatenews.com/content/view/840/26/
Recall petitions, ballot proposal for the elimination of an entire state dep’t. That’ll get their attention, and it will HOLD the attention of their successors.
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