CLAIM: Colorado’s tax structure will be more equitable.
FACT: The way funds are distributed creates inequities all over the state.
This billion dollar tax increase takes money from some districts and gives to others based on an arbitrary formula. For example, for every new tax dollar that Jeffco residents pay, Jeffco schools receive just 56 cents. In Douglas County, it’s worse. For every new tax dollar that Douglas County residents pay, Douglas County schools receive just 50 cents.
There are approximately 20 school districts that will lose per pupil funding with the new tax structure. There are 70 districts that may have to go back to taxpayers at some point in the future to backfill reduced funding. This is unfair.
FACT: The way funds are distributed creates inequities all over the state.
This billion dollar tax increase takes money from some districts and gives to others based on an arbitrary formula. For example, for every new tax dollar that Jeffco residents pay, Jeffco schools receive just 56 cents. In Douglas County, it’s worse. For every new tax dollar that Douglas County residents pay, Douglas County schools receive just 50 cents.
There are approximately 20 school districts that will lose per pupil funding with the new tax structure. There are 70 districts that may have to go back to taxpayers at some point in the future to backfill reduced funding. This is unfair.
CLAIM: Colorado’s tax structure will be more equitable.
FACT: This tax increase is being levied on Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens, as well as on small businesses and families.
This is a billion dollar tax increase that will negatively impact all Coloradans under the guise of education reform. Rates on taxable income under $75,000 would increase from 4.63% to 5%. Rates on taxable income of more than $75,000 per year would pay a rate of 5 percent on the first $75,000, and a rate of 5.9% on any taxable income above that amount.
FACT: This tax increase is being levied on Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens, as well as on small businesses and families.
This is a billion dollar tax increase that will negatively impact all Coloradans under the guise of education reform. Rates on taxable income under $75,000 would increase from 4.63% to 5%. Rates on taxable income of more than $75,000 per year would pay a rate of 5 percent on the first $75,000, and a rate of 5.9% on any taxable income above that amount.
CLAIM: This tax increase will help our economy.
FACT: This tax increase will hit small businesses and may prevent some from hiring.
Our so called recovery is still fragile and Colorado’s unemployment numbers remain high. Families need greater prosperity in order to best care for their loved ones. As it is, Coloradans’ median household income as of 2011 (the latest figures available) is down nearly 7 percent since the recession began in 2008. Families cannot afford a tax hike whether it is 8 percent or 27 percent, especially when families’ earnings in Colorado have declined.
In fact, the Denver Business Journal recently wrote, “the passage of Amendment 66, a statewide school tax measure on the November ballot, would be a drag on Colorado's economy, according to a new study analyzing the ripple effects of public policy choices across the economy.”
FACT: This tax increase will hit small businesses and may prevent some from hiring.
Our so called recovery is still fragile and Colorado’s unemployment numbers remain high. Families need greater prosperity in order to best care for their loved ones. As it is, Coloradans’ median household income as of 2011 (the latest figures available) is down nearly 7 percent since the recession began in 2008. Families cannot afford a tax hike whether it is 8 percent or 27 percent, especially when families’ earnings in Colorado have declined.
In fact, the Denver Business Journal recently wrote, “the passage of Amendment 66, a statewide school tax measure on the November ballot, would be a drag on Colorado's economy, according to a new study analyzing the ripple effects of public policy choices across the economy.”
CLAIM: Even with this tax increase, Colorado’s state taxes will be among the lowest in the country.
FACT: Colorado will rank worse if Amendment 66 is passed in combined state and local taxes.
The Legislative Council was measuring taxes collected per $1,000 in income when they came up with the proponents of Amendment 66’s numbers. In 2011, the Legislative Council calculated Coloradans’ total tax burden based on a per capita basis which put Colorado’s at the ranking of 25th. The Independence Institute, last year, placed Colorado at 26th. The Tax Foundation ranked Colorado 32nd in state and local tax burdens as a percentage of state income last October.
Vince Carroll of the Denver Post reported these numbers along with the fact that Colorado’s tax burden is 9.1 percent higher than a number of other states in the Rocky Mountain region. Even the National Education Association put in a December 2012 report that Colorado is 32nd when taxes are related to income. Proponents of the measure are grossly misrepresenting the reality of tax burdens on Coloradans. The fact that we are not the worst, does not warrant levying the largest tax increase on Colorado’s families in the state’s history. On top of the massive tax increase, it’s a fact that this amendment offers no guarantees that this funding will reach classrooms.
FACT: Colorado will rank worse if Amendment 66 is passed in combined state and local taxes.
The Legislative Council was measuring taxes collected per $1,000 in income when they came up with the proponents of Amendment 66’s numbers. In 2011, the Legislative Council calculated Coloradans’ total tax burden based on a per capita basis which put Colorado’s at the ranking of 25th. The Independence Institute, last year, placed Colorado at 26th. The Tax Foundation ranked Colorado 32nd in state and local tax burdens as a percentage of state income last October.
Vince Carroll of the Denver Post reported these numbers along with the fact that Colorado’s tax burden is 9.1 percent higher than a number of other states in the Rocky Mountain region. Even the National Education Association put in a December 2012 report that Colorado is 32nd when taxes are related to income. Proponents of the measure are grossly misrepresenting the reality of tax burdens on Coloradans. The fact that we are not the worst, does not warrant levying the largest tax increase on Colorado’s families in the state’s history. On top of the massive tax increase, it’s a fact that this amendment offers no guarantees that this funding will reach classrooms.
CLAIM: All Colorado schools will receive equal support.
FACT: The new formula creates an unfair redistribution system. Many school districts will receive a fraction in what their local taxpayers pay into the system.
Twenty school districts will lose per pupil funding, approximately 20 more will lose because they’re receiving less under the new formula, and another 70 will find themselves constantly needing to backfill the tax hole that this new formula creates.
Also money will be taken from wealthy districts and redistributed to districts like Denver and Aurora. English Language Learners (ELS) who are also at-risk will no longer be counted as one or the other, but for both. Districts like Denver and Aurora where ELS and at-risk numbers are high will receive more money because these students are counted twice.
FACT: The new formula creates an unfair redistribution system. Many school districts will receive a fraction in what their local taxpayers pay into the system.
Twenty school districts will lose per pupil funding, approximately 20 more will lose because they’re receiving less under the new formula, and another 70 will find themselves constantly needing to backfill the tax hole that this new formula creates.
Also money will be taken from wealthy districts and redistributed to districts like Denver and Aurora. English Language Learners (ELS) who are also at-risk will no longer be counted as one or the other, but for both. Districts like Denver and Aurora where ELS and at-risk numbers are high will receive more money because these students are counted twice.