AMENDMENT 51

SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED $186.1 MILLION ANNUALLY AFTER FULL IMPLEMENTATION BY AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES CONCERNING AN INCREASE IN THE STATE SALES AND USE TAX TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR LONG-TERM SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, INCREASING THE RATE OF THE STATE SALES AND USE TAX BEGINNING ON JULY 1, 2009, BY ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN EACH OF THE NEXT TWO FISCAL YEARS; PERMITTING THE STATE TO RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM THE NEW TAX, NOTWITHSTANDING THE STATE SPENDING LIMIT; REQUIRING AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE NET REVENUE FROM THE NEW TAX TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE NEWLY CREATED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LONG-TERM SERVICES CASH FUND; REQUIRING THE MONEY IN THE FUND TO BE USED TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND PROHIBITING REDUCTIONS IN THE LEVEL OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL EXISTING ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS MEASURE FOR LONG-TERM SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?


Why I am for Amendment 51


I have voted to pass some tax increases in my life, but generally speaking, I don't favor the idea without hearing a good argument.

This year, as we are bailing out Wall Street, and the stock market still has some catching up to do, I think it's time that we all tighten our belts. I would like to ask those who are requesting more money to put some of their dreams on hold a little longer. They can cut back on plans for expansion or development, and be more resourceful until the economy is again flowing freely.

THE EXCEPTION
There is one tax increase which I support wholeheartedly. It will raise the sales and use tax from 2.9 to 3.0, just one tenth of one percent, for a very humane cause.

An estimated 12,000 developmentally disabled people in Colorado live among us. They have Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Autism or Down Syndrome. Through no fault of their own, they are on long waiting lists for needed services, in some cases, just very basic services, such as help with eating and dressing.

About twenty non-profit organizations provide services for people who need these services. But, as the term implies, they are non-profit and depend upon donations just to stay in the black. The level of service they can provide their clients depends upon the commitment of generous donors.

Many of these people have put their needs on hold for years. They've done their share of belt tightening. The funds to help them are important in good economic times and bad.

Please fill in the YES circle on your ballot, so the waiting lists can be eliminated and these valuable fellow citizens can receive the love and care they so rightly deserve.

Thousands of Coloradans say THANK YOU!