Words are flying furiously on both sides of Referendums C and D, ostensibly telling voters the virtues or failings of each. The business community says they’re good for business and that’s good for us. Tax-haters say they’re a gigantic tax increase and that’s bad for everyone. Neither side is telling us why their arguments matter to us individually. Yet, voters ultimately vote on what is best for themselves and their families.
So, here’s my take on the two issues facing voters in November:
I’m troubled that Colorado is sinking toward bottom-tier status because we can’t afford good schools, colleges, roads or health care.
I’m a passionate believer in the importance of public education to our children and to adults retooling their job skills, particularly in this intensely competitive world.
I’m fed up with all-day traffic jams.
I’m worried about Coloradans who can’t afford to take their kids to the doctor when they’re sick, who give birth to tiny babies because they can’t pay for prenatal care, or who can’t get cancer screening because they don’t have health insurance. “They” could be someone in my family.
But why do we have to give up our tax refunds to take care of these crises? Because, no matter what the cut-government crowd tells us, Colorado simply doesn’t have the money to take care of our basic needs.
I just returned from a week in Belize, a Central American country with beautiful beaches attracting rich tourists, and decrepit schools educating impoverished children. While education through eighth grade is mandatory and “free,” school fees amount to $500 per child, far above the ability of the average family to pay. Consequently, thousands of children in this tiny country do not go to school, despite the law. How can Belize possibly compete in a global economy if families can’t afford to send their children to school?
Likewise, how can Colorado’s children succeed if we price education beyond their reach? The reality of a depleted Colorado budget is all too apparent to parents struggling to send their children to our public universities. Tuition is rising at a stunning rate, even in the community colleges that used to be a low-cost alternative for students. If our kids don’t have the skills for today’s economy, you can bet that Chinese and Indian students will be all too willing – and trained – to take their places in the job market. I want those jobs for our kids, and the education system to ensure it.
At the same time, when I need a great doctor or a skilled electrician, I want to know that Colorado schools educate them to the highest standards. So I, for one, would be very happy to invest my tax refund in making sure Colorado kids are skilled, educated problem-solvers, able to succeed in this tumultuous world and ready to meet my family’s needs.
Moving to my dismal commute, I used to zip downtown in 45 minutes, a trip that now usually takes well over an hour. It’s an hour filled with frustration as I waste time and costly gas along with thousands of other frazzled motorists. That reduces both my productivity and my time with my family. Therefore, I am more than willing to invest my tax refund in improving our transportation system to make my life better.
Improving our families’ lives is why Coloradans voted for Amendment 23, raising public school funding when money is available. And it’s why we voted to bond ourselves to expand highways and build FasTracks, the rail system that will move us around metropolitan Denver quickly. Those are crucial investments that make our personal and our families’ lives better.
Under Referendums C and D, tax rates do not go up. But for the next five years, rather than going into our pockets, our tax refunds would be invested in making Colorado a better place to live. And that’s certainly what’s best for each of us and for our families.
Gail Schoettler is a former U.S. ambassador, Colorado lieutenant governor and treasurer, Democratic nominee for governor and Douglas County school board member.
