Volume 16 • Edition 20
October 18, 2023
Delivering to over 17,500 homes & businesses including all of Morgan County.
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson
How Proposition HH Picks Colorado Taxpayers’ Pockets
by Mark Hillman, Complete Colorado Page 2 We didn’t need an election this November to receive a modest property tax reduction. The legislature can cut taxes anytime; it doesn’t need voter approval. But with Coloradans facing the largest property tax increase of our lifetime due to soaring home prices, the legislature chose to put a massive expansion of government on the ballot disguised as a property tax cut. Remember this: even if Proposition HH passes, property taxes will still increase. If property values double in the next 10 years, so will property taxes. The deceptive ballot question asks: “Shall the state reduce property taxes for homes and businesses…” That sounds good, so voters may not read much further. Even if they do, the ballot never explains voting “yes” is agreeing to give up refunds under the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) and to permanently increase the cost of state government. Voters are facing an average increase in home property taxes of 36% come next January. In some communities, the increase could be nearly 50%. If Prop HH passes, the average increase will be 26% – still the largest property tax increase of our lifetime. The statewide average tax increase is estimated at $848 if HH fails and $617 if HH passes. The only thing that truly decreases if HH passes are the annual refunds that voters receive each year. This hidden part of HH will cost the average Colorado household $5,119 over the next 10 years. Even the legislature’s official ballot explainer says, “The measure results in a smaller increase in property taxes than under current law.” The devious part of HH is that lawmakers are paying for this small tax cut by taking it way from TABOR refunds they owe to all taxpayers. They’re simply taking money out of your left pocket to put it into your right pocket – and pretending they’re doing you a favor. But all of that is small potatoes compared to the big picture bait-and-switch. Tucked away in Prop HH is a provision that increases how much state government spending can grow each year. Currently, the state Constitution allows annual spending to increase by the combined rate of population growth plus inflation. For 2023 that’s 8.5% or about $1.5 billion in new spending. Prop HH will add an extra 1% every year for 10 years. By 2032, that extra 10% adds up to $2.2 billion a year – all taken away from taxpayer refunds. But that’s not the end of the HH scam. After 10 years, the legislature can continue to add 1% more per year to state spending without voter approval. The only requirement is that lawmakers extend the HH property tax rates. But if property values continue to soar, your property taxes will soar right along with them. Keep in mind the legislature has already increased regulation, taxes and fees by $1.8 billion – mostly without voter approval. That’s still not the end of the HH scam. Renters really get shafted by HH because they disproportionately lose their TABOR refunds but won’t benefit from the small reduction in property taxes. Under HH, rental properties are taxed at higher rates than owner-occupied properties, so rent costs will inevitably increase to pay those taxes. Worse still, the legislature tries to bribe renters with a one-year change giving all taxpayers equal refunds for 2023 only. Taxpayers with income under $99,000 will receive an “extra” $37 to $233 for one year only. By the end of 10 years, higher state spending will eat up everyone’s refunds. Common Sense Institute predicts that renters “are the biggest losers” from Prop HH because they will see none of the benefit from property tax reductions but will lose an estimated $5,119 in tax refunds over the next 10 years. Why would anyone vote for Prop HH? Proponents argue it will greatly improve public school funding. So why didn’t they simply put that question on the ballot? Obviously because they feared voters would say “no” unless tricked into thinking they were voting for a property tax cut. If Prop HH fails, Gov. Polis and lawmakers still have time to call a special session to pass a straight-forward property tax cut. They passed the bill that created Prop HH in just three days. They can do the same with real property tax relief. And they should. Mark Hillman previously served as Colorado State Treasurer and Senate Majority Leader.
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Richard Holtorf on Ken Buck
I am no stranger to politics, having lived in Colorado and
been a constituent of CD 4 most all of my life. Growing up in a staunch Republican family, ranching, cattle-feeding, and farming on the Northeastern plains of Colorado. Inspired by a mother, Valera Lea, who has actively campaigned and supported a long parade of Congressmen, like Jim Johnson, Hank Brown and Bill Armstrong her whole life. As such, I am no stranger to what is expected of a Colorado Republican representative in Washington, DC serving Congressional District 4. A 3rd Generation cattle rancher like me looks across the CD4 landscape today and he sees a stray. Stays are easy to spot in the open range as cows wander off far from the herd, leaving themselves alone and vulnerable. But how does one stray in politics? How does one who profits off a book that drones on about draining the swamp get lost in the swamp? Congressman Buck may soon be the case study in these rhetorical questions. Republicans in almost every county in CD4 are livid about the recent reports about Buck that are coming out of New York and Washington media outlets, at a time when Colorado desperately needs Republican leadership. Colorado needs a unified voice and message from our Republican delegation now more than ever. When the good citizen’s of this Congressional district look for this leadership, they see a Colorado Congressman on CNN or MSNBC sounding more like Liz Cheney rather than Bill Armstrong. One would expect to see a stalwart congressional defender of Republicanism on the national stage, one standing with a Republican President or the current Republican Speaker of the US House. A CD4 constituent should expect to see a man with his Conservative armor on ready to fight the liberal, progressive, left that is driving our country over a dangerous cliff to destruction. Instead, our CD4 patriots, see placating and pandering to those Democrat leaders and appointees, who wish to send this country into ruination, with additional reports of a man already looking for his next job in the swamp. What is going on in our nation’s capital? I am afraid that self-serving, egotistical interests may have caused a stray to appear out on the open range in Washington. It is time to get a congressman who will ride for the brand and get on with the business of rebuilding Colorado Republicanism -something that the Republican base and our unaffiliated voters alike can be proud of in a time where most folks are disgusted with what is coming out of Washington, DC. Many constituents from across my house district, House District 63, in the heart of CD4, are reaching out to me and saying it is time for a change. These folks are asking to me to saddle up and ride for the Republican brand. In response to all of these facts and circumstances, I am standing up an exploratory committee to look into this pathway for my future in public service. This is a big decision and responsibility that I do not take lightly. I do stand ready to put on the conservative armor, fight for our nation’s future and our children’s future, to never saddle up with the political foe, and to never give up on our Republican principles and values. God Bless America, and God save Colorado from the progressive California left and most importantly, help us all with confronting and defeating the Deep State cesspool that causes those who stay in Washington too long to stray from the Republican herd or sell out and become a comfortable part of the DC swamp. Representative Richard Holtorf Colorado State House Republican Whip, HD 63
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
Page 2: Way of the World Page 2 & 3: Letters to the Editor Page 5: Wiggins School District Newsletter Page 7: Morgan County Republicans Candidate & Ballot Initiative Pot Luck Meeting Page 8: Governor Polis Forms Panel To Review Criminal & Juvenile Justice System Page: 9: Republican Women of Weld Host Steve Wells of Deep Colorado Wells Page 10,12 & 13: Sports Recaps Page 12: CDOT Calls for Heightened Awareness of Pedestrian Traffic as Days Get Shorter Page 16: Taelor Solar Project Open House at Wiggins Secondary School