Lakewood – Opponents of a proposed sales tax increase have asked Lakewood officials to include their “blue book” arguments in the next issue of a city newsletter.
The grassroots group – Lakewood “T” Party – has contended that Looking@Lakewood, a publication sent to all households in the city, has promoted the city’s support of hiking the sales tax from 2 percent to 3 percent but has not given opponents equal time.
“If this is not a part of the next issue of Looking@Lakewood, we would not expect to see any reference to sales tax increase, for or against or why the city needs more revenue,” the group’s chairman, Bill Smith, wrote this week.
“Electioneering at this point in the process is highly unethical, as well as illegal when participation is by city employees using city funds,” Smith added.
Several Looking@Lakewood issues have contained budget material. The June issue focused on $10.5 million in cuts the council was weighing, and the August issue had the 2A ballot language.
City spokeswoman Stacie Oulton, who edits the newsletter, had asked 2A opponents and supporters to write arguments. The idea was withdrawn when the city attorney pointed out that state law limits pro and con arguments in taxpayer-funded publications to factual summaries that draw no conclusions.
Next week’s issue will focus on City Council candidates, Oulton said, with 2A being mentioned only as one of five questions asked of each contender.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
