Vote No on 2A - A Response to Amy Conklin's Top 10 posted by Rebecca Kast
1.
Remove the handcuffs.
Response: Defeating 2A does not mean that future excess TABOR revenue cannot be kept. The city can ask the voters to retain any excess when they accrue. This has worked for the past 14 years primarily because the ballot questions in the past have all identified specific projects the money would be used to fund. If the city wanted to keep TABOR revenues for a savings account why didn't they ask that question?
2.
Keep Littleton's quality of life competitive.
Response: Littleton can ask to remove the cap every few years, just as in the past, and remain competitive. We just want accountability for all excess TABOR revenues.
3.
No new taxes.
Response: Agreed. However, without the TABOR cap, city fees can be raised without limitation and push us beyond the cap without consequences. The TABOR cap discourages fees from increasing since all excess revenues would have to be put to a vote for retention.
4.
Keep your control over taxes.
Response: This is a smoke screen. This election is not about a tax increase but whether or not the voters should give up their right to vote on all future excess TABOR revenue and approval of the projects the revenues fund.
5.
Littleton has already cut services.
Response: Having an annual lease payment over $1,000,000.00 to buy back the museum doesn't help - an example of misplaced priorities. Why did the council enter into an agreement for long-term debt without approval of the voters? The $1,000,000.00 would go a long way in covering some of the services they have cut. It certainly didn't bother them at that time, so why does it now?
6. A proven track record.
Response: Yes, there is a proven track record. In the past all TABOR questions have come to the voters with specific time limitations and specific capital projects mentioned in the ballot question. This time the question is very different. We are being asked for the retention and spending of all excess TABOR revenue forever without any mention of how the money will be spent. It is council that is breakingfrom the proven track record.
7.
Make growth pay its own way.
Response: All new businesses and residents coming to Littleton will increase the assessed valuation of the property in Littleton. This is one of the factors used in determining the TABOR cap. As they move into Littleton the TABOR cap goes up precisely because growth does impact the services a city has to provide. TABOR was created to take the growth into consideration. Not only will the new businesses and residents contribute retail sales tax but general use taxes as well.
8.
What the money will buy.
Response: Any excess revenues should not be spent on on-going services and the list suggests. Any services that are paid for with excess TABOR revenues will be in jeopardy of not being funded in the years there are no excess revenues collected. In addition the list presented is just the ideas of one council member - they all have their own ideas about how the money should be spent. Remember, they have made no promises as to how the money will be spent. The revenues will be spent however a majority of council decides.
9.
Remember Referendum C.
Response: A false argument since Referendum C specified how the money would be spent and 2A does not. 2A gives the current and future councils a blank checkbook.
10.
Protect our children.
Response: It always helps a campaign to mention the children. Another scare and bully tactic that we all should be tired of by now. If Littleton has critical services paid for with TABOR revenues the city is not planning well. See number 8.
Defeating 2A does not mean that future excess TABOR revenue cannot be retained and spent; council can continue to ask anytime they want to ask. But, it would send a message to our elected council that we, the voters in Littleton, still want to have a voice in how the money would be spent. Voting No on 2A protects our right to vote on all future de-TABORing efforts.
Marty and Carol Brzeczek
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