Gov. Bill Ritter’s proposal to boost school funding by freezing property tax rates statewide failed today in a symbolic vote forced by Senate Republicans.
On an initial vote, no senators stood in support of the measure.
“It’s like if there was a bomb shelter available everybody would have been ducking in,” said Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray.
On a subsequent recorded vote, the senate voted 33-1 against the amendment, with Republicans saying it raises taxes while Democrats said they needed the legal opinion.
Only Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, voted yes.
The school finance act now heads to the House, where the property-tax proposal is expected to be added to the bill.
Democrats have been ducking debates on the issue of freezing property taxes for more than a week – pushing ahead on the school-funding bill, but avoiding the property-tax question.
Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, last Wednesday refused to offer the proposal as an amendment to Senate Bill 199 during a committee debate. The previous day, Windels had joined Ritter in announcing the plan and said she would offer it in committee.
Ritter wants lawmakers to approve a statewide freeze on property tax rates collected by local school districts. That would let local districts collect an extra $64 million next year, according to nonpartisan budget experts working for the legislature.
Windels today again hoped to sidestep debate in the full senate. The previous week, Windels told the committee she would offer the amendment during debate by the full senate.
So outraged Republicans offered a tax-freeze proposal of their own to force debate, even though they unanimously oppose it.
“Maybe the gang that can’t amend straight should explain why their tax increase was ready for a press conference and public unveiling, but it’s not ready for legislators to debate,” said Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield.
Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, pleaded with Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, to withdraw the amendment.
“I ask that we have a sincere discussion,” said Fitz-Gerald. “This discussion is a little bit of theater.”
But Republicans said Democrats were trying to cheat the issue of a full hearing.
“This is the heart and soul of the school finance act and I think it is important for this body to discuss it,” said Sen. Joshua Penry, R-Grand Junction.
Fitz-Gerald and Windels said the senate shouldn’t vote on the proposal until lawyers for the legislature issue an opinion on whether it is legal to freeze the property tax rates.
Lawyers for the governor’s office have already concluded that the approach is legal, but Fitz-Gerald said that’s not good enough. The legislature’s lawyers should issue an opinion.
Republican Attorney General John Suthers’ office is reviewing the matter too, but it doesn’t plan to issue its opinion, said his spokesman Nate Strauch.
Republicans refused to withdraw the amendment. On an initial vote, no senators stood in support.
“It’s like if there was a bomb shelter available everybody would have been ducking in,” said Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray.
