Stay out of my state, putz!
Posted on 10/29/2013 7:47:47 AM PDT by beaversmom
DENVER - In the final week before voters decide on Amendment 66, the campaign supporting the education tax increase received $2 million in donations from Melinda Gates and a charity run by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"It is a testament to the breadth and depth of our reforms that Colorado has attracted the attention of business leaders across the country," Gov. John Hickenlooper said of the donations.
The donations from out-of-state, wealthy and politically-connected Democrats drew criticism from conservatives opposed to the tax increase.
"Billionaire New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg should have realized by now that he can't buy Colorado politics," said Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado.
Bloomberg was a top donor in September to two embattled state senators who were facing recall elections over gun legislation they supported during the 2013 legislative session. Senators John Morse and Angela Giron lost their seats despite outspending those trying to oust them.
Bloomberg's donation for the Amendment 66 came from the Bloomberg Philanthropies, a New York non-profit.
The check came from Melinda Gates personally, not the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is actively promoting education reform and improvement across the United States.
"Amendment 66 will bring a number of important policy reforms that should drive student achievement and provide Colorado students the education they need and deserve," said Bill and Melinda Gates in a statement released by the campaign.
Colorado Commits to Kids - the yes on Amendment 66 campaign - has so far spent $9.4 million according to a campaign finance report submitted Monday.
That money has paid for TV and radio ads, but also a door-to-door campaign encouraging voters to support the $950 million increase in personal income taxes.
Coloradans for Real Education Reform, which opposes the tax increase, had not submitted its Oct. 28 report by 5 p.m.; it had until midnight to file.
As of Oct. 15, the group had reported spending $6,853.
Amendment 66 would increase the state income tax rate from 4.63 percent to 5 percent and it would also create a second tax bracket for all income over $75,000, which would be taxed at 5.9 percent.
The tax increase would generate $950 million, all of which would be directed to local school districts.
Most of the money would go to districts with large numbers of at-risk students who are living in poverty, are learning English as a second language or have a learning disability.
Another huge chunk of the funds would increase the state-wide per-pupil funding level to a minimum amount, while also ensuring no school districts lose funding under the new education finance formula.
Every registered voter has received a mail in ballot for the Nov. 5 election; completed ballots can be dropped off at any of the El Paso County voter service centers or mailed back. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
CO ping
Colorado gives $2B to illegals through welfare then blackmails voters into tax increases for the “kids/schools”
Chickenpooper you should be in jail.
Related:
Rosen: Reasons to nix Amendment 66
By Mike Rosen
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_24276154/rosen-reasons-nix-amendment-66
I would not be so uptight about more money sinking into the public education black hole if some intelligence escaped from it once in a while. This will cost the average family a lot more than they are publicly saying.
At the very least...and a thousand more like him across the country.
Melinda Gates is funding this because she knows that via the Common Core database scheme her company will end up with much of this tax increase.
It always does. I know the people that get freebies for every facet of their life don't care, but when will working people learn that these people can't be trusted. All it takes is a little reading. I'm hoping with the shock from notices of health insurance increases the majority will be in no mood for this increase.
I’d be honored if you added me to your CO ping list.
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
Sure! George76 runs that so I will ping him you would like to be added. :)
George76, Zathras would like to be put on the Colorado ping list.
"It is a testament to the breadth and depth of our reforms that Colorado has attracted the attention of business leaders across the country," Gov. John Hickenlooper said of the donations.
Delusional dork.
Yeah, to stay out of Colorado. Trying to do California Part II!
“Trying to do California Part II! “
Huge problem here and to a large degree, they have succeeded. :(
The people who they have working at the Gates foundation all came from the Clinton administration.
Nice gig! Hope they all get their "rewards" someday!
Stay out of my state, putz!
Douglas County is doing reform, and they don’t need bloomys bucks.
John Hickenlooper is NOT good to go.
What is happening in Douglas County? Weren’t they doing vouchers, or trying to do them, among other things?
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