Denver voters, historically, have been very kind when government passes the hat. But can government ask for too much and turn voters off?
That very thought has some proponents of this year’s ballot issues worried. Besides Referendums C and D, which ask voters to let the state keep $3.7 billion in revenue, Denver voters also will be asked to raise their property taxes for teachers with ProComp, allow the city to keep some $4 million to $5 million in revenue and raise the lodging tax on hotel guests.
That’s a lot crammed on one city’s plate, but there’s no reason it should deter Denver voters.
Except for the November 2001 election, which came at the peak of the recession and weeks after Sept. 11, voters over the past decade have approved a majority of the tax hikes before them – even when they face three or four tax-related questions, according to pollster Floyd Ciruli. In 2001, they rejected a sales tax hike to fund selected early childhood care and after-school programs and turned down plans to build a $300 million jail.
If anything, though, the high volume of statewide ads against Refs C and D could have an impact on Denver’s attempt to “de-Bruce,” Ciruli said. Question 1B asks if the city can keep extra revenue over its prescribed limit under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. The move is known as de-Brucing, named after TABOR author Douglas Bruce. This year it’s about $5 million.
“There’s a pretty effective paid opposition to C and D and it’s spilling over,” Ciruli said. “It’s creating a state dialogue on state spending and refunds, and typically you don’t see a lot of that in Denver.”
Unlike the state, Denver has never issued a refund. In 2000, voters agreed to let the city keep excess revenues from 1999 to 2003. This is the first year since that Denver has even had excess revenues.
Municipal leaders across Colorado have scratched their heads for years over how to equitably return the money, but most end up not having to do it. About 88 percent of municipal de-Brucers have been approved by voters.
If voters turn down the city’s request, it hasn’t been determined how residents will get their money back but the city could issue a property tax credit or a utility credit.
Leaning to the middle?
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Marc Holtzman has been painting himself to the right of conservative Congressman Bob Beauprez in order to garner the right’s support in their 2006 primary. Yet his most recent campaign finance documents show a $1,000 donation from a socially liberal Republican group that will raise some eyebrows, particularly among pro-life Republicans.
Former N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman‘s political action committee “It’s My Party Too PAC” maxed out its contribution to Holtzman’s campaign in September. According to its website, IMP- PAC is dedicated to supporting fiscally conservative, socially progressive moderate Republican.
Kaufman out
Speaking of moderates, former Republican lawmaker Bill Kaufman told the Coloradoan newspaper that he won’t challenge Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave in a primary next year.
Musgrave’s strident anti-gay marriage platform has drawn the ire of some moderates in her party. The paper says Eric Eidsness, a Fort Collins man involved with a local Republicans for Kerry group last year, is planning a run.
Democratic state Rep. Angie Paccione raised $38,000 this past quarter for her bid to defeat Musgrave.
Veep in town
Who could blame Vice President Dick Cheney for wanting to get out of Washington, where his office is a focus of special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald‘s grand jury investigation? Indictments, if there are any, could come any day next week. Cheney will be in town tonight to speak at a fund-raiser for GOP congressional candidate Rick O’Donnell, who’s seeking the 7th Congressional seat being vacated by Beauprez.
It’s unanimous
Every daily newspaper in Colorado, including this one, has endorsed Refs C and D. That’s quite a feat, considering the wide range of editorial page ideology around the state. Politicos can’t remember the last time an issue of this magnitude had unanimous editorial support.
Dan Haley (dhaley@denverpost.com. ) is on the Post editorial board.
