Conservatives Beat Back Democrats’ Misleading Money Grab In Colorado
Colorado voters delivered a resounding defeat to Democratic Gov. Jared Polis and the Democrat-led legislature by voting “no” on Proposition HH, the Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure.
Colorado taxpayers are fortunate to have the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), a state constitutional amendment that requires voter approval for certain tax increases. This means that excess revenue must be refunded to taxpayers if not approved. Last year, single filers in Colorado received a refund of $750 per person, and this year it is expected to be over $800. Despite Colorado’s deep-blue state status, TABOR has prevented Democrats from imposing excessive tax hikes like those seen in California.
Colorado Democrats have been fighting against TABOR for years, using ballot measures and lawsuits in their attempts to eliminate it. Proposition HH was their latest effort to get rid of TABOR. Polis claimed that Prop HH was the only way to prevent devastating tax increases while preserving TABOR refunds, but this was a false claim.
According to the Denver-based Independence Institute, Prop HH would not reduce property taxes or control future growth in property taxes. Instead, it would be a back-door tax hike that takes away TABOR refunds, allowing the state to keep and spend billions of dollars over the next few decades. The Common Sense Institute estimated that Prop HH would result in a personal income loss of $425 per household and cost Colorado over 14,000 jobs.
Despite their deceptive campaign, Democrats failed to fool voters into supporting Prop HH. Even left-leaning media outlets like 9News called out the false claims made by Polis and the Prop HH campaign. The “Yes on HH” group had to distance itself from Polis and make changes to its website due to inaccuracies.
Nonprofits Combat Misinformation
Nonprofit organizations such as the Independence Institute and Advance Colorado played a crucial role in educating voters about the true intentions of Prop HH. Through videos, op-eds, websites, and other means, these organizations exposed the tax increases and spending hidden behind Prop HH. Their efforts paid off, with about 60 percent of Colorado voters rejecting the measure.
Two Takeaways
The defeat of Prop HH highlights two important takeaways. Firstly, voters should be alarmed by the Democrats’ tactics of intentionally confusing voters through misleading ballot language. This is not unique to Colorado and has been seen in other states as well. Secondly, the defeat of Prop HH shows that conservative causes can still succeed even in blue states. By focusing resources and building broad coalitions, conservatives can win on issues that resonate with voters.
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How did the defeat of Prop HH protect taxpayer rights in Colorado?
Ependent Institute, Prop HH would have essentially repealed TABOR by allowing the state to keep excess revenue without voter approval. It would have replaced the current refund system with a complicated scheme where the excess revenue would be split between transportation projects, education funding, and other government programs. This would have effectively bypassed the taxpayer’s right to a refund and given the government free reign over how to spend the money.
Fortunately, Colorado voters saw through the misleading rhetoric and rejected Prop HH by a wide margin. The defeat of this measure is a clear victory for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer protections. It sends a strong message to politicians who want to increase taxes without voter approval: Coloradans value their right to have a say in how their money is spent.
It is concerning, however, that despite the overwhelming rejection of Prop HH, there are still politicians in Colorado who will continue to push for tax increases. Earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers proposed a bill that would have allowed them to raise taxes without voter approval by reclassifying fees as taxes. Fortunately, the bill failed, but it shows that there are ongoing efforts to undermine TABOR and increase the burden on Colorado taxpayers.
Colorado’s success in maintaining TABOR and preventing excessive tax increases is worth celebrating. It is a testament to the importance of fiscal responsibility and the power of the people to hold their government accountable. Other states should take note and consider implementing similar taxpayer protections to ensure that their citizens’ hard-earned money is not wasted on unnecessary and burdensome taxes.
While there are certainly valid arguments for increasing taxes in certain situations, it should always be done with the consent of the voters. TABOR provides a necessary safeguard against government overreach and ensures that taxpayers have a voice in decisions that directly impact their wallets.
The defeat of Proposition HH in Colorado is a reminder that politicians should not disregard the will of the people. It highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and respect for taxpayers. Colorado has set an example for the rest of the country on how to protect taxpayers’ rights and maintain fiscal responsibility.
As the fight for taxpayer protections continues, it is important to stay informed and engaged. Colorado taxpayers must remain vigilant in holding their elected officials accountable and defending TABOR against any attempts to weaken or eliminate it. The defeat of Proposition HH is a testament to the power of the people and the strength of the taxpayer’s voice, and it serves as a valuable reminder that our voices matter and can make a difference in shaping the future of our state.
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