Proposition HH: A Deceptive Bailout for Politicians at the Expense of Coloradans
This November, Colorado voters will be faced with a seemingly innocent ballot initiative called Proposition HH. But do not be fooled by its misleading language, as it is actually a desperate move by some liberal state legislators to bail themselves out of their own profligate spending habits.
This proposal would stick hardworking Coloradans, especially Latinos, with a hefty bill and violate the ironclad protections of the state's Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).
From the perspective of taxpayers, there are many reasons to be suspicious of Proposition HH. First and foremost, this bill was not brought up for a vote until the final hours of the legislative session. This is a classic move by political elites to sneak through a bill that would not survive public scrutiny and debate.
But even more concerning is the ambiguous and misleading language used in Proposition HH. Phrases like "reduce property taxes" and "tax relief for seniors" are thrown around, along with promises of funding for various services. However, if this proposal was truly beneficial, it would have been brought up for a vote much earlier, and the details would have been clearly outlined.
It's clear that the politicians pushing for Proposition HH are trying to hide the truth from voters. And speaking of hiding the truth, the way this proposal is being promoted is also deceptive.
The ballot language makes no mention of taxpayers, bills, or rights, and aims to distance itself from TABOR. This is because the politicians behind this initiative don't want voters to be reminded of TABOR in the voting booth, or to start questioning where all this supposed "free money" will come from. In reality, Proposition HH will result in a $21 billion tax increase between now and 2040, with minority and lower-income families bearing the brunt of it.
According to a recent study by the non-partisan Common Sense Institute, Proposition HH could lead to a $21 billion net tax increase, with taxpayers seeing a $21 billion reduction in property taxes and a $42 billion increase in state taxes.
This is a significant burden for middle-class families, while the state government would collect $9 billion in "transaction fees" as part of the deal. It's a massive transfer of wealth from younger and more diverse working families to more affluent homeowners and businesses, all while undermining the protections of TABOR.
It's no surprise that the state government resents TABOR's cap on spending and mandatory annual refunds of surplus revenue. But this is exactly why the people of Colorado support it. Polls have consistently shown overwhelming support for TABOR, which gives voters a say in tax increases or bond issuances.
Proposition HH goes against the will of the people, and it's no coincidence that as more information about it becomes known, support for the measure dwindles.
The campaigns for and against Proposition HH are currently in a financial standoff, with both sides raising and spending similar amounts of money. However, the funding for the yes campaign largely comes from liberal groups and unions, while the bulk of the opposition's funds come from the conservative organization, Advance Colorado. This shows that this issue is not just a partisan battle, but a matter of sound fiscal policy.
Proponents of Proposition HH claim it is necessary because TABOR limits the state's ability to make necessary public investments. This is far from the truth. Coloradans support funding for education, utilities, and public services, as evidenced by the state's $40 billion budget. What they do not support is reckless spending and hidden tax increases by politicians.
In conclusion, Proposition HH is a deceptive bailout for politicians and a burden for hardworking Coloradans. It goes against the will of the people and undermines the protections of TABOR. We urge voters to see through the misleading language and vote no on Proposition HH. Remember, when it comes to this proposal, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.