Editor’s note: This column is part of a pro-con about the Proposition HH which will appear on the ballot for the November 7 election. Read the supporting view here.
Proposition HH is the most blatant bait-and-switch scheme ever placed on the Colorado ballot. An examination of its details shows it is cynically crafted, deeply deceptive, and must be defeated.
We are faced with Proposition HH at a time when Coloradans’ anxiety about their property tax bills has never been higher. Faced with an average 40% property assessment increase, taxpayers across the state know they will be hit with a tax spike that will be at best burdensome. For many, it will be an intolerable strain on the family budget.
That is why it is crucial voters are provided with a candid, thorough analysis of all the details. Let’s look beyond advocates’ specious claims that this is only about local property tax relief – with not even enough money thrown in to backfill local government revenue.
The facts are far different – and very troubling.
Proposition HH offers a minuscule reduction in property assessed values and property tax rates in return for a massive overall increase in your property taxes.
Advocates of Proposition HH have used the slogan “Property Tax Relief Now.” Who could disagree? The problem is this measure provides precious little relief. The residential assessment rate will be reduced by .06%, from 6.76% to 6.7%. The bill also would increase the amount subtracted from the assessed value from $15,000 a year to $50,000 a year for owner-occupied houses, which also slightly reduces the property tax burden.
But even if HH passes, Colorado will still have the largest one-year property tax increase in state history.
If our Democratic colleagues, really wanted to bring us “Property Tax Relief Now” they could have done so at any point without having to ask voters. State lawmakers and the governor chose not to do so.
They need your vote because they want to do much more than provide a pittance of property tax relief. They want to attack and neuter our popular Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) to have significantly increased access to state tax dollars.
Proposition HH raises the revenue caps that have been so important to Colorado’s taxpayers and our economy for more than three decades. This means that the state will keep an increasing amount of the TABOR refund that is owed to you. Depending on economic conditions and other factors, TABOR refunds could go away entirely.
How big the expected windfall will be was unmasked by a critically important analysis of the entire measure completed by the Common Sense Institute.
The study took the long view, stretching the analysis out through 2040. The property tax reduction over that period is estimated at $21 billion. Over the same time frame, state tax revenue will increase an expected $42 billion. proposition HH is a net 2-to1 boost for state revenue, meaning that if you vote for this measure you are voting to increase your taxes by $21 billion.
This is the HH shell game. You are being asked to fund your own property tax relief with your own money. Proposition HH puts a little money in one pocket, and then takes twice as much out of the other pocket to pay for it. It’s a pickpocket’s dream.
It is easy to demonstrate why advocates continue to double down on their deception and duck a dialogue on the facts, because Colorado voters have consistently shown, to the frustration of legislative liberals, they embrace real tax relief and reject state tax increases and proposals to dismantle TABOR. TABOR is popular because it limits the growth of government, returns excess revenue to taxpayers, and forces state and local governments to ask your permission before they can keep more of your money.
TABOR is everything big spenders in government hate.
After 30 years, these legislators think that by a sleight of hand, keeping the truth about HH up their sleeves, they may finally slay the dragon that has guarded Colorado’s treasury for decades. This is why major advocates for more government spending, such as teacher unions, are investing significant funds into supporting this measure. (In fact, the legislature could have acted reasonably and responsibly and fully funded education, but instead, we have HH.)
If Proposition HH were indeed all about real, sustained property tax relief, these progressive groups would likely oppose it rather than push its passage.
The reality of Proposition HH’s attack on Colorado taxpayers is a far cry from the rosy statements of its supporters. Instead of providing the property tax relief Coloradans need now, it opens a bottomless Pandora’s Box of higher taxes and increased government spending – all at your expense.
Please join us in voting no on Proposition HH.
Senator Barb Kirkmeyer represents District 23 in the Colorado Senate and Representative Rose Pugliese represents District 14 in the Colorado House. They serve as co-chairs of No On HH.
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