Referenda C and D
Early voting continues today in Denver .
Here's Part VI of the Rocky's series on the budget effects of TABOR [October 21, 2005, "Refs C&D: Budget Breakdown Running on empty"]. From the article, "CDOT's budget is less than it was eight years ago - not only when adjusted for inflation, but in actual hard cash. CDOT is spending $817 million this fiscal year, which comes from state gas tax revenues and federal funds, but no money from the state's general fund. In 1998, CDOT spent $899 million. If its budget had kept up with 3 percent inflation and 3 percent traffic growth, today's CDOT budget would be more than $1.4 billion. After several years of delaying projects, CDOT says it will have to put even more on hold - from $271 million to $376 million of already approved projects - if voters don't pass Referendums C and D on Nov. 1."
Here's another article from the Rocky about highway problems [October 21, 2005, "Main corridors in need"]. From the article, "Both of Colorado's 'Main Streets' - north-south I-25 and east-west Interstate 70 - are in for face-lifts if Referendums C and D are approved, however, but only a bit of cosmetic makeup if they lose. Colorado's only border-to-border freeways each have eight projects on the list of 55 projects statewide that would be funded under the two referendums. Ref D calls for up to $1.7 billion in bonding for highway projects, but the repayment cap of $100 million a year is expected to hold that at $1.2 billion. A little more than a half billion would go to the 16 projects on I-25 and I-70."
Here's an article from today's Denver Post detailing potential budget cuts by the state if Referendum C doesn't pass [October 21, 2005, "Budget cuts detailed in a Ref. C defeat"]. From the article, "Gov. Bill Owens' top budget officer on Thursday offered a peek at the future if Referendum C fails - outlining $255 million in budget cuts that would close parks, raise college tuition and eliminate programs such as feeding the elderly and ensuring clean air. 'If Referendum C fails, significant cuts across state government are unavoidable,' wrote Henry Sobanet, the governor's budget director, in a 28-page memo that detailed proposed cuts. 'While some of the cuts in recent years may not have affected the general public, this subsequent round of reductions would diminish public safety, and result in higher tuition for families and reduced consumer protection and services to the elderly.' Opponents of the ballot measure accused the governor of fear-mongering on the eve of the Nov. 1 election on Referendum C, which asks voters to give up $3.7 billion in tax revenues that would otherwise be returned to them under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights."
Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News [October 21, 2005, "What the state would cut"].
The Denver Post fact-checks radio ads about TABOR [October 21, 2005, "Ad Watch: Fact checking TABOR ads"].
Jon Caldara has crossed a line for Coyote Gulch. He's sending out bracelets to Governor Owens and others asking, "What would Ronald Reagan do?" We have fond memories of President Reagan and remind Mr. Caldara that the former president raised taxes when he found the government running up unacceptable deficits. President Reagan was also around when Social Security taxes were increased to build up the current surplus in anticipation of the huge baby boomer retirement. Here's an article on the subject from the Denver Post [October 21, 2005, "Caldara jab: "What would Reagan do?"]. From the article, "'Ronald Reagan approached debate forthrightly and honestly, and that's something that Jon Caldara has not done in this debate,' (Dan) Hopkins said. 'He can't win on the facts, so he uses subterfuge and gimmicks to try to draw attention away from the real issues.'" Exactly.
The Rocky Mountain News editorial staff is urging Denver voters to pass Referred Question 1A - Lodger's Tax on the November 1st ballot [October 21, 2005, "Denver's 1A will boost economy"]. They write, "...but we're nevertheless supporting Issue 1A on Denver's municipal ballot, which would hike the city's hotel room tax from 13.85 percent to 14.85 percent. A contradiction? In the purest sense, perhaps, but there's also this important fact to consider: The hotels are the beneficiaries of tourism and they seem to want the tax. In some cases they're downright enthusiastic about the idea. Up to this point, in fact, there's been no public opposition whatever from the hotel industry."
Mt. Virtus uses Progress Now's online tools to make a billboard against Referendum C. 
SoapBlox Colorado: "Caldara, Andrews, and their band of out-of-state, anti-government zealots are trying to turn Ref C & D into something other than a budget issue, hoping to play on the fears of the populace. Feeling that their 'Vote No, it's Your Dough' campaign is not getting enough resonance with the populace, they are turning to the favorite old standby of right-wingers, perfected by Richard Nixon in his 'Southern Strategy': racism."
Category: Denver November 2005 Election
6:07:38 AM 
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