DENVER (October 22, 2013)— Colorado Concern, an alliance of Colorado’s top business leaders, announced their opposition to Amendment 66, the nearly billion dollar-a-year tax increase. Colorado Concern joins an ever-growing and diverse list of opponents, including Club 20, Progressive 15, Action 22 and the South Metro Chamber of Commerce, to the tax scheme.

Since March the group has noted its concern over moving from a flat tax rate to a tiered rate as required by Amendment 66, but it wasn’t until the delay of a suit by the Colorado Education Association (Colorado’s teacher union) that the alliance decided to publicly oppose the Amendment.

According to their statement on the issue:

“To us, asking for nearly $1 billion dollars annually on the one hand - as CEA is doing as a proponent of Amendment 66 - when you plan to file a lawsuit over components of the very measure you are seeking to fund, felt disingenuous at best.  Additionally, ensuring that the decision to litigate occurred after the election lacked the transparency we believe voters deserve.”

About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

The bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, was developed to advocate for substantive reform that leads to measurable gains in student achievement and to oppose the billion dollar tax increase proposed by Amendment 66. For additional information, please visit us at VoteNoOn66.com.

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DENVER (October 22, 2013)—As of today, all three major rural coalition groups, representing southern, northeastern and western Colorado, have announced their opposition to the billion-dollar per year tax increase proposed by Amendment 66.

“Clearly, urban downtown Denver bureaucrats don’t speak for rural Colorado, they don’t speak for everyone, no matter how incessantly they say they do,” said Amy Oliver Cooke of the Independence Institute, a Coloradans for Real Education Reform coalition member. “It is unfair to struggling rural communities to demand, ‘pay up, your money is going to Denver.’”

The three major rural coalition groups announcing their opposition to Amendment 66 include Club 20, Progressive 15 and Action 22. Club 20 is a Western Slope organization of counties, communities, tribes, businesses, individuals and associations representing a rural voice. Progressive 15 was formed to stand up for rural Colorado, to influence public policy and enhance economic viability for rural areas. Action 22, another organization representing rural areas, pulls together businesses, organizations, non-profits, cities and counties as well as individuals, in order to give a voice to southern Colorado.

“What we see with this rural hat trick of opposition to Amendment 66 is a victory for real education reform,” said Cooke. “Every day, as more and more people find out information and the truth about Amendment 66, Coloradans for Real Education Reform gains more support.”

Amendment 66 misallocates funds and creates an unfair distribution scheme that will negatively impact many school districts. Educational research clearly suggests the kinds of changes that improve student achievement in public schools. Amendment 66 would impede these changes by condemning students in poor schools to a poor education.

“How much sense does it make to take money from rural families to pump into a failing system? None,” said Cooke. “Coloradans across the state deserve better than having their hard-earned income taken away from them to spend arbitrarily on reform-free proposals.”

Neither Amendment 66, nor its accompanying legislation, contain guarantees the money raised will be spent directly in classrooms on students and teachers. Senate Bill 213 creates substantial new funding inequities that will allocate funding on the basis of programs, which already have questionable efficacy, and generate new incentives to maintain the status quo in a failing school system.

“We are going to see this measure taken down by Colorado’s families, and a broad coalition of people who know they deserve better,” added Cooke. “The proponents can continue wasting money on advertising and spreading myths, but it’s not going to work. Coloradans are smarter than special interest groups who don’t really care.”

About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

The bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, was developed to advocate for substantive reform that leads to measurable gains in student achievement and to oppose the billion dollar tax increase proposed by Amendment 66. For additional information, please visit us at VoteNoOn66.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jonathan Lockwood
coforrealedreform@gmail.com
720-470-8233

DENVER (October 17, 2013) —Today, Coloradans for Real Education Reform (CRER) launched its “Claim vs. Fact” campaign dedicated to educating and informing Coloradans about the facts around Amendment 66, the billion dollar tax increase.

The web campaign, which can be seen here , consists of a series of Facebook and Pinterest messages that offer the truth behind the myths that Colorado Commits to Kids has spread throughout Colorado.

“This is the largest income tax hike in Colorado’s history. Coloradans need the facts to help cast an informed vote in the 2013 election,” said Kelly Maher, Coloradans for Real Education Reform coalition member.  “Our opponents have promised our children a world-class education in exchange for a billion dollar tax increase.  The truth is that Amendment 66 contains no provisions to deliver any of these promises. It’s unfair to make these promises without any way to fulfill them.”

While the false promise to restore gym and music classes to Colorado’s schools may be the most visible whopper that Colorado Commits to Kids spread, the proponents stand behind several other pieces of misinformation, such as the ones below.

CLAIM: Amendment 66 will hold educators accountable for student achievement

FACT: Amendment 66 holds no one accountable.

CLAIM: Amendment 66 will reduce class size.

FACT: There are no guarantees this money will reach classrooms.

The ballot proposal is a two-tiered tax increase, a tax increase on all levels of income. This increase translates to a 27 percent state income tax increase on incomes greater than $75,000 and an 8 percent tax increase on incomes below that threshold. Despite the massive tax hike, the proposal lacks the genuine reforms our children deserve.

About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

The bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, was developed to advocate for substantive reform that leads to measurable gains in student achievement and to oppose the billion dollar tax increase proposed by Amendment 66. For additional information, please visit us at VoteNoOn66.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jonathan Lockwood
coforrealedreform@gmail.com
720-470-8233

DENVER (October 16, 2013)—Yesterday, Colorado Commits to Kids, proponents of the billion-dollar tax increase, disclosed its most recent campaign finance contributions.  The National Education Association and the Colorado Education Association (the national and state-based teacher’s unions) contributed $1 million and $1.25 million, respectively, to the issue committee in just the last reporting period.  In aggregate, the two organizations have given $2 million each to the pro-Amendment 66 effort.

“When special interest groups like the National Education Association and the Colorado Education Association contribute such overwhelmingly significant funds, Colorado families wonder what the groups expect in return,” said Kelly Maher, a Coloradans for Real Education Reform coalition member.  “What the pro-66 campaign lacks in public opinion support, it’s scrambling to make up in financial backing from a few pay-for-play donors.”

Current opinion polling has shown that the more Coloradans learn about the proposed tax the less likely they are to vote for it.

About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

The bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, was developed to advocate for substantive reform that leads to measurable gains in student achievement and to oppose the billion dollar tax increase proposed by Amendment 66. For additional information, please email us at coforrealedreform@gmail.com or visit www.votenoon66.com.

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DENVER (October 15, 2013)—Despite the Initiative 22 campaign spending over $1 million on signature gathering to have 46% of their signatures rejected by the Secretary of State, the Denver District Court today ruled that the initiative’s proponents substantially complied with statute and will allow a vote on the initiative to proceed in the 2013 election.

"I am disappointed with the judge’s ruling this evening,” said former Democratic state Sen. Bob Hagedorn. “If a vested interest can spend a million dollars to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot, the least that we can expect is strict compliance with the law."

The lawsuit, filed by Hagedorn and former Republican legislator Norma Anderson, contained three separate allegations.  The first showed that circulators had verified their own identification when signing affidavits attached to 3,130 sections containing 39,167 signatures.  Another showed that circulators did not include a permanent address on affidavits attached to 111 sections containing 1,350 signatures.  Finally, circulators did not present a valid form of identification on affidavits affixed to 57 sections containing 746 signatures.

In response to unethical practices by out-of-state paid petition gatherers, the Colorado General Assembly recently passed a series of laws to prevent potential fraud and abuse.  The Secretary of State also highlighted the serious compliance issues with Initiative 22’s signature gathering process by previously invalidating over 75,000 signatures.


About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

The bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, was developed to advocate for substantive reform that leads to measurable gains in student achievement and to oppose the billion dollar tax increase proposed by Amendment 66. For additional information, please email us at coforrealedreform@gmail.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 
Jonathan Lockwood
coforrealedreform@gmail.com
720-470-8233

DENVER (October 2, 2013) —Today, a lawsuit was filed in Denver District Court asserting that Initiative 22 contains over 39,555 invalid signatures.    

The Initiative 22 campaign paid an out-of state signature gathering firm over $1 million to collect enough valid signatures to place the initiative on the November 2013 statewide ballot.  The integrity of this signature gathering process was called into question after the Colorado Secretary of State invalidated 75,890 signatures, which represents 46% of the total number of signatures gathered.

A more thorough review of the signature gathering effort has revealed additional problems:

§  Circulator Verified Own ID (3,130 Affidavits; 39,167 Signatures): Colorado law requires a notary to complete a section of the circulator affidavit verifying the type of valid ID presented by the circulator. This requirement is critical to verify the circulator accurately completed the affidavit and is qualified to circulate the petition.  Initiative 22 contains 3,130 affidavits in which the notary did not complete this section. In each case, the circulator verified his or her own ID in direct violation of state statute. Nullifying these affidavits in accordance would invalidate 39,167 signatures.

§  Circulator Did Not Include Permanent Address (111 Affidavits; 1,350 Signatures): Colorado law requires a circulator to provide a permanent address on each affidavit form. This provision ensures the circulators can be contacted regarding their activities and prevents fraud and abuse. Initiative 22 contains 111 affidavits in which the affidavit does not include a permanent address for circulators.  Nullifying these affidavits in accordance with state law would invalidate 1,350 signatures.

§  Circulator Did Not Present Valid ID (57 Affidavits; 746 Signatures):  Colorado law requires petition circulators to present valid form of identification.  This provision prevents fraud and abuse.  Initiative 22 contains 57 affidavits in which the circulator did not provide a valid form of ID. Nullifying these affidavits in accordance with state law would invalidate 746 signatures.

In response to illegal activity and unethical practices by out-of-state paid petition gatherers, the Colorado General Assembly recently passed a series of laws to prevent this very type of fraud and abuse.  By previously invalidating over 75,000 signatures, the Secretary of State already highlighted the serious compliance issues with Initiative 22’s signature gathering process.    

Initiative 22 has only 3,715 signatures (less than 2.5% of the total numbered gathered) above the minimum threshold to place it on the 2013 statewide ballot.  The lawsuit demonstrates that a total of 39,555 signatures are invalid.  A hearing date has not been set.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jonathan Lockwood, 720-470-8233
https://coforrealedreform.com/
 

                   CRER Stands Against the Nickel and Diming of Colorado’s Families

September 30, 2013 (Denver, CO) - In the wake of the Denver Post’s coverage of the ever-increasing student fees faced by Colorado’s families, Coloradans for Real Education Reform (CRER) is calling for an end to the nickel and diming of Colorado’s families. 

Currently, Colorado’s families currently pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in extra school fees, and many local school districts passed mill levies and tax increases to supplement education revenue in 2012. On top of the local taxes and fees, special interests are now asking for a one billion dollar-per-year tax increase through Amendment 66 for the same spending that the previous tax dollars were meant to address.

"Colorado's families are already struggling to pay ever-increasing fees for their children to attend public schools" said CRER coalition member Kelly Maher. "Hitting them with a bigger tax bill that will do nothing to relieve that burden is asking too much. There is absolutely no part of this billion dollar tax-increase that will lower student fees or help Colorado’s children realize better educational outcomes.

Even Jefferson County Superintendent Cindy Stevenson, a vocal supporter of Amendment 66, acknowledged in an interview with the Lakewood Sentinel that the billion-dollar tax increase of Amendment 66 would not lower student fees.  

"Jefferson County residents will pay higher taxes into a system where they will get back just .56 cents on the dollar for our students and staff," said another coalition member and Jefferson County mom, Laura Boggs. "The fact this tax increase won't relieve any of the fee burden on families is simply unfair."
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Click to download the recent poll conducted by Magellan Strategies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jonathan Lockwood, 720-470-8233
https://coforrealedreform.com/

DENVER (September 23, 2013) - Amendment 66, the proposed billion-dollar a year tax hike, put forward under the guise of outcome-driven education funding, would be unlikely to pass if the election were to be held today.

A poll conducted by Magellan Strategies September 17 and 18th found 52 percent of respondents, given the specifics of Amendment 66, would vote against the measure compared to a mere 38 percent of respondents who would support the proposed tax hike.

“This survey reconfirms there is no appetite for a statewide tax increase,” said Coloradans for Real Education Reform coalition member and former State Senator Norma Anderson. “In the midst of a fragile recovery, pushing an unfair scheme like Amendment 66 won’t be received well by Coloradans."

For more information on the poll click here:

https://coforrealedreform.com/uploads/1/5/3/9/15394228/magellan_strategies_colorado_amendment_66_survey_executive_summary_memorandum_092013.pdf


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Coloradans for Real Education Reform's Truth Booth and Rally for Real Reform Counters Billion Dollar Tax Hike Advocates  

DENVER (August 15, 2013) Today, the bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, teamed up with moms and education reform advocates to expose the truth about the failure of Initiative 22 to offer the real education reform that our kids deserve while saddling Colorado’s hardworking families with a billion dollar per year tax hike.  The counter-rally included a “Truth Booth” and “Rally for Real Reform” during Colorado Commits to Kids' campaign kick-off at Green Mountain High School.

“Moms are too smart to fall for the false promises of reform that this bill dangles in front of parents who are desperately seeking a high quality education for their children,” said Karin Piper, executive director of Parent-Led Reform, and a single mother.   “We believe it important to demonstrate to Coloradans how this tax increase will negatively impact their families.”

According to the latest Census American Community Survey, the median family income was $69,110 in 2011 (the latest figure available).  This means that this new tax will cost the median Colorado family over $255 per year.  Coloradans for Real Education Reform purchased and displayed $250 worth of school supplies to demonstrate the meaningful impact this tax will impact families that are already struggling under Colorado’s fragile economic recovery.

“A billion dollar tax hike on Colorado families seeing less and less income over the years is not a solution to the broken system was has consistently failed to deliver the quality of education that our children deserve,” added Kelly Maher, a coalition member. “We have got to get down to business and push forward with real education reform.”

Included in the real reform that CRER seeks is real school choice, funding that directly benefits children and teachers in the classroom, and success-based metrics.  Neither Initiative 22 nor the related S.B. 213 includes genuine reform measures.

“This initiative takes decision-making power away from parents,” Democratic former state Sen. Bob Hagedorn. “Parents deserve to see reforms that will help their kids.”

“As you know, I’m a dad of two small children, and I want to see my kids and Colorado’s kids succeed,” state Treasurer Walker Stapleton. “The problem is this tax increase won’t help them achieve their goals and dreams.  We owe our children more than a billion dollar per year blank check to the state legislature.”

About Initiative 22

Initiative 22 is a ballot initiative proposing a two-tiered tax increase, a tax hike on all levels of income. This increase translates to a 27% state income tax increase on incomes above $75,000 annually and an 8% increase for $75,000 or less.

About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

The bipartisan coalition, Coloradans for Real Education Reform, was developed to advocate for substantive reform that leads to measurable gains in student achievement and to oppose the outsized tax increase proposed by Initiative 22. For more information visit CRER or to access our fact sheets, news articles or press releases.

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