Small-business owners in Colorado have little appetite for new taxes and government mandates, according to results of a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.
Here’s how about 1,050 NFIB Colorado members voted on questions that could be addressed by the legislature and the pros and cons of each issue, as laid out by the group:
Should the state replace the current tax on gasoline with a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax to fund future highway construction and maintenance?
4% 88% 8% Yes No Undecided
Pro: A VMT tax, calculated by transponders in vehicles, would help Colorado better keep pace with highway construction costs than the current gasoline tax.
Con: The VMT raises privacy issues and would be a disincentive to purchase fuel-efficient cars. It would be difficult to collect from out-of- state drivers, who wouldn’t be carrying transponders.
Should the legislature establish toll roads or toll lanes?
25% 64% 11% Yes No Undecided
Pro: Toll roads are needed to fund rising highway-maintenance costs because revenue from gasoline taxes is declining.
Con: Costs for creating toll roads and lanes are high and may not be recoverable. Businesses near toll roads may lose customers.
Should state or local governments have the power to revoke the business license of an employer if an employee is found to be unauthorized to work in the U.S.?
32% 58% 10% Yes No Undecided
Pro: Businesses that hire unauthorized workers are depressing wages and working conditions for U.S. citizens.
Con: Employers have no foolproof method for proving a worker is illegal. It should be the responsibility of the federal government.
Should the state of Colorado establish a nonprofit Health Insurance Exchange and require all small businesses and individuals who purchase health insurance to do so from the exchange?
3% 89% 8% Yes No Undecided
Pro: The state is uniquely positioned to deal with the high costs that private insurers demand for covering small groups. Employees could contribute pre-tax income.
Con: A new bureaucracy would be costly and would drive insurance carriers out of the state. Premiums could rise. No significant reductions would result in the number of uninsured people.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
