State of Colorado Archives: on Tax Reform
Bob Schaffer:
Cutting taxes increased revenue & unleashed economic growth
Q: It has been your party, in all fairness, that has been in charge for the most part of the last eight years, and it has run up record deficits of now $500 billion. SCHAFFER: You’re correct that under Republican leadership, deficits grew, and I think
it has mainly been a function of war. However, I was in Congress for six years. I got elected 1996; I left in 2002. During those years, we did balance the budget. We did it by trimming the rate of growth in spending, but more than anything else, the tax
cuts that we helped pushed forward, which applied to middle class households. Mark Udall likes to talk about it as tax cuts for the rich--but we actually grew the economy faster than had been projected--we actually increased the amount of revenue coming
to the federal government while we were slowing down the rate of growth in spending and reforming on the regulatory side. Welfare reform, for example, & other reforms, helped unleash the productivity of the economy. We need to do that again.
Source: 2008 Colorado Senate Debate on Meet the Press
Sep 28, 2008
Cary Kennedy:
OpEd: proudly championed the state's mill levy freeze
Let's pause for a minute to remember the issues that Kennedy is trying to avoid talking about, and why she is losing in every poll taken to date.- First, she authored the budget-busting state spending mandate known as
Amendment 23, a move which has plunged Colorado into fiscal chaos through its failed pledge to improve our state's public schools.
- Second, she proudly championed the state's mill levy freeze, hiking our property taxes by nearly
$4 billion just when Coloradans can least afford it.
- Third and fourth, and honestly too many times to count, she helped Governor Ritter disguise tax hikes as "fee" hikes so voters couldn't have a say in whether we should pay more to government--
a questionable move for a leader charged with protecting our voice from other forces in state government.
Source: Huffington Post on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
May 25, 2011
Cory Gardner:
Voted for President Trump's 2017 tax cut
Q: Support administration's $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?Corey Gardner: Yes. Voted for the 2017 tax cut. "My goal was to bring relief to hard-working Coloradans ., and I'm proud that after months of work, we've achieved this goal."
John Hickenlooper: No. "Congress should not pass on almost $1.5 trillion in additional debt to future generations, and hand out tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans who don't need them."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Darryl Glenn:
Simplicity & neutrality: lower capital gains & dividends tax
Our tax code is cumbersome, bureaucratic and a deterrent to a robust economy. A legitimate tax reform policy must recognize that the purpose of a tax system in a free society should be to fund services that are authorized by the Constitution.
Taxes should not be used to redistribute wealth and fund unnecessary or ineffective programs. Comprehensive tax reform is critical to restoring our economic growth, job creation and international competitiveness.Unfortunately, our current tax system
is overly complex, filled with policies that pick winners over losers and creates a disincentive for personal savings and investments. Our tax system must be transformed around two basic elements: simplicity and neutrality. We need to focus on adopting
a fair or flat tax policy that positively impacts job creation and promotes innovation without penalizing personal savings and investments. Consideration must also be given to eliminating the double taxation around dividends and capital gains.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website ElectDarrylGlenn.com
Apr 14, 2016
Ed Perlmutter:
Supports progressive state income tax
Q: Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes? A: No.
Q: Should Colorado grant a tax credit to individuals who donate food and to farmers who allow the needy to glean their land?
A: Yes.
Q: Indicate options you support regarding Colorado's excess tax revenues. - Support broad-based refunds to all Colorado citizens.
- Allow the state to spend part of the excess revenue.
Source: 1998 Colorado State National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
George Brauchler:
Supports Taxpayer Bill of Rights
As governor, I will stand up to those whose knee-jerk reaction to every challenge is to legislate behavior, regulate business and increase taxes and fees on our hard-working families.
I will do so by protecting the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, rejecting unnecessary regulations that destroy jobs, and protect Colorado from the heavy hand of Washington mandates.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website george2018.com
Jul 12, 2017
George Brauchler:
Use existing funds rather than raising taxes
In terms of this campaign agenda, Brauchler didn't offer many specifics. But he made clear he is "strongly opposed" to the bipartisan legislative proposal for a statewide sales tax hike to raise money for $3.5 billion in road projects.
He prefers a bond on the current gas tax collections--money the state's transportation department said is needed for existing road maintenance.
Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Jun 22, 2017
George Brauchler:
Oppose sales tax hike to raise $3.5B for road projects
Brauchler made clear he is "strongly opposed" to the bipartisan legislative proposal for a statewide sales tax hike to raise money for $3.5 billion in road projects.
He prefers a bond on the current gas tax collections--money the state's transportation department said is needed for existing road maintenance.
Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Apr 5, 2017
Greg Lopez:
I will never raise taxes; I defend Taxpayer Bill of Rights
I will never raise taxes. I think that's wrong. I will defend TABOR [Taxpayer Bill of Rights] forever. And here's what TABOR does. It says, "If you need more money, ask us. Just ask, and we'll tell you if we agree with you or not."
I think that's a reasonable request to the citizens of Colorado: "Let us vote on whether we need this money or not." But I don't think we need to make that ask.
Source: Westword.com blog on 2018 Colorado governor race
May 23, 2018
Heidi Ganahl:
We are being taxed and regulated into oblivion
It's time to stand up and tell them we know best how to run our businesses, not them. We are being taxed and regulated into oblivion. We can't even get staff to show up as they're paid by our politicians to stay home,
we're being saddled with wildly expensive ineffective social programs and told to manage how our staff get to work. They are killing job creators here.
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette on 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Dec 14, 2021
Jared Polis:
Repeal Trump's tax cuts
Q: Support President Trump's proposed tax cuts?Jared Polis (D): No. "I proudly wrote the bill to repeal @RealDonaldTrump's
tax giveaways [to the wealthy]."
Walker Stapleton (R): Yes. "I was the only treasurer in the country with the courage to support Donald Trump's tax cuts."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Jared Polis:
Reduces taxes for the hardworking, instead of special breaks
Despite all of our progress, far too many people are either barely getting by, or falling behind. Our administration's mission and mandate from the voters begins with tackling the everyday challenges that Coloradans face because of the rising
costs of living:- Providing every single child with quality early education;
- Finally lowering the outrageous cost of health care;
- Creating good-paying jobs in the clean-energy sector that can never be outsourced; and
-
Achieving true tax reform that reduces taxes for hardworking Coloradans instead of giving breaks to special interests while forcing families to pay more.
Together, we're going to build an economy where Coloradans from all walks
of life don't just get by, but thrive. I want to say: our administration will work tirelessly to make our state work better for you--so that you can earn a good living and share in our special way of life.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
Jared Polis:
Eliminating special interest breaks lowers everyone's rates
Every Coloradan will receive real tax relief as our state income taxes go down to a historic low of 4.5%. This tax cut applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, corporations, and every small business. In addition, we delivered a tax cut for
144,000 small businesses in Colorado by cutting wasteful subsidies to big box retailers. We should continue down the path of eliminating tax breaks for special interests so that we can lower rates for everyone without reducing state revenue.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Jared Polis:
Get rid of special interest tax breaks for the few
We have worked together to make Colorado's tax code more fair by getting rid of special interest tax breaks that benefit the few to lower taxes for the rest of us. This year I propose we eliminate the business personal property tax for small businesses.
I propose we double the Earned Income Tax Credit, and provide up to $600 in tax credits per child for nearly 200,000 families in our state through the Colorado Child Tax Credit. I propose that we stop taxing seniors' Social Security Benefits.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature
Feb 17, 2021
Jared Polis:
Implemented historic tax relief; funded Child Tax Credit
We've implemented historic tax relief. We funded the Colorado Child Tax Credit for the first time, giving families with children under age six up to $1,080 per year per child. We doubled the state Earned Income Tax Credit, giving workers up to $1,495
per year. We cut taxes for retirees by exempting social security from the state income tax, saving seniors up to $654 per year. Voters approved reductions to the Colorado income tax rate, saving families about $100 per year on average.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature
Jan 13, 2022
Joe O`Dea:
Signed pledge to oppose any and all tax increases
O'Dea announced his signing of the Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer's Protection Pledge.
"Enough is enough," said Joe O'Dea. "We don't need more government in our lives and we certainly do not need more taxes." The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a written commitment to oppose any and all tax increases.
Source: 2022 Colorado Senate campaign website JoeODea.com
Apr 19, 2022
John Hickenlooper:
$5 trillion of tax cuts to the wealthy is not the answer
Q: Governor Hickenlooper--what tips the scales in your state and in this election?A: When you look at the mess that President Obama inherited--losing 800,000 jobs a month--in the first few months of his presidency, he's turned that around.
He's got 32 straight months of job creation, 5.2 million jobs, the national export initiative in the first two years, exports were up 38%. I think people are going to hear that and I think they are also going to recognize that
Governor Romney's plan of adding $2 trillion to military spending and at the same time promising $5 trillion of tax cuts largely skewed to the wealthier parts of the population without any specifics, right? I mean, what are those deductions and tax
credits he's going to get rid of? Are we going to lose the home mortgage deduction? Are we going to lose the deduction from giving to philanthropic organizations like churches that are in many cases our best partners at fighting poverty?
Source: Meet the Press interview on 2014 Colorado governor race
Oct 28, 2012
John Hickenlooper:
Don't pass on $1.5 trillion new debt to future generations
Q: Support administration's $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?John Hickenlooper: No. "Congress should not pass on almost $1.5 trillion in additional debt to future generations, and hand out tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans who don't need them."
Corey Gardner: Yes. Voted for the 2017 tax cut. "My goal was to bring relief to hard-working Coloradans, and I'm proud that after months of work, we've achieved this goal."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Jon Keyser:
Reform our tax code so it is simple and fair
Jon will fight to give job creators every opportunity to succeed in our new bottom-up economic system.
That starts with cutting regulations and reforming our tax code so it is simple and fair. Colorado families will prosper when we unleash the power of innovators and job creators.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website JonKeyser.com
Feb 3, 2016
Ken Buck:
Extend Bush tax cuts & cut spending to pay for it
Q: Do you agree with Republican leaders who say that tax cuts do not have to be paid for?BUCK: No, I don't. I think we've got to find spending cuts. And I don't know what you're talking about in terms of tax cuts.
Q: Extending the Bush-era tax cuts
for the highest earners. The president says it would cost an extra $700 billion. If you want to cut that deficit, do you then have to pay for the tax cuts you want to extend?
BUCK: Well, first, where are the families going to pay for the money that
they've got to send the federal government? That's the bigger question to me.
Q: You either believe in the balanced budget or you do not. If you extend tax cuts, you said just a moment ago they have to be paid for. Then how do you pay for it?
BUCK:
We pay for it by cutting spending. When we leave money in the hands of taxpayers, they buy things; they pay taxes. It's not a one for one exchange. Every economist I've talked to has told me that it would be bad in a recession to try to increase taxes.
Source: NBC's Meet the Press: 2010 Colorado Senate debate
Oct 17, 2010
Ken Salazar:
Enact responsible tax cuts for low- and middle-class
I support responsible, common-sense tax cuts for low- and middle-income workers and their families and small businesses. We should make permanent the elimination of the marriage tax penalty; make permanent the expanded bottom 10% tax bracket; continue
the child care tax credit for the middle class; make sure the alternative minimum tax does not reach middle-income taxpayers; and raise the estate tax exemption to $10 million to allow family farms, ranches and small businesses to stay in the family.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, SalazarForColorado.com
Aug 11, 2004
Michael Bennet:
Cut taxes $12B on small businesses
When asked, "What would you do in Congress to create jobs and turn the economy around," both men said the key would be small businesses. Buck said, "As a leader in Washington DC,
I would do everything that I can to make sure that our small business people have a lower tax burden. That those small business people know that we aren't going to pass cap and trade, and cause their energy bills to go up.
That we aren't going to let regulators legislate in administrative settings rather than to have the United State Congress legislating. That we are going to give our small businesses the kind of stability that they need." To which
Bennet fired back by saying, "Two weeks ago, I voted to cut taxes on small businesses in this country by $12 billion. And that bill was opposed by my opponent in this race."
Source: KKTV coverage of 2010 Colorado Senate debate
Oct 7, 2010
Michael Bennet:
Open to compromise on temporarily extending Bush tax cuts
Both men emphasized their willingness to break from party orthodoxy. Bennet said that he'd be "open" to a compromise on "temporarily" extending the
Bush tax cuts for wealthy Americans. Buck told the audience, "I will not swear allegiance to the Republican party in Washington, DC."
Source: ABC News coverage of 2010 Colorado Senate debate
Sep 12, 2010
Michael Bennet:
Reverse Trump tax cuts; restore expanded child tax credit
He vehemently rejected the idea that the expanded child tax credit caused rising prices as it lifted families out of poverty: "It is a ridiculous statement to say $100 billion investment in working people on a $23 trillion dollar economy is going
to drive inflation." Bennet would like to extend those tax credits. Bennet said a bill reversing the Trump tax cuts for the rich, extending tax credits and fighting climate change would be "helpful to me, helpful to the country and helpful to my state."
Source: Politico.com on 2022 Colorado Senate race
May 24, 2022
Mike Johnston:
Tax relief for workers and middle class
Mike fought for a $100 million tax credit to put money back in the hands of our hardest working families. He fought for legislation that made sure mom and pop businesses can compete on a level playing field by requiring that
online, out-of-state businesses pay their fair share. He worked to extend the low-income housing tax credit. Mike reinstated and fully funded the ability for seniors to reduce their tax payments on the homes they own.
Source: 2018 Colorado Governor website MikeJohnstonForColorado.com
Sep 1, 2017
Ron Hanks:
Fight for limited government & lower taxes
[On political philosophy]: "As my proven conservative record in the Colorado Legislature shows, I will fight--front and center--for limited government, lower taxes, and personal liberties," he states. "Government must be constrained by our Constitution.
One radical party controls Washington and Colorado today. I will fight for regular Coloradans to restore balance and stop out-of-control politicians in Denver and Washington, D.C."
Source: Westword on 2022 Colorado Senate race
Oct 7, 2021
Steve Barlock:
Popular vote on any tax law or subsidy
Barlock wants to "strengthen" TABOR, the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights that requires voters approve any new tax increases. He would run a statewide ballot measure to add voting on tax incentives to that requirement.
If the government wants to give a company a tax break, voters would have to weigh in. "I'm against all subsidies," he says. "If it's a tax break people vote on the taxes. If it's a tax increase people vote on the taxes."
Source: Colorado Independent on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Sep 5, 2017
Tim Neville:
Hard work should be rewarded, not taxed and regulated
- I believe that hard work, sacrifice, and dedication should be rewarded, not taxed and regulated to death by the government.
-
I believe that if businesses and families have to cut spending when they have less money, so should state government.
- I believe governments do not create jobs. People do!
Source: 2016 Senate campaign website, NevilleForColorado.com
Oct 9, 2015
Victor Mitchell:
No tax increases, not even to boost education spending
The 51-year-old from Castle Rock served one two-year term in the state House in 2007 and led a successful effort to defeat a 2011 ballot measure to increase taxes to boost education spending. Instead of political experience, Mitchell's campaign is
emphasizing his career as an entrepreneur who turned around failing businesses."I think people really want an outsider, somebody that knows how to fix things and problem solve in a meaningful way," Mitchell said.
Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Feb 13, 2017
Victor Mitchell:
Not one darn penny for additional taxes
Mitchell says,"I love TABOR," referring to the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, a favorite state constitutional amendment of conservatives that liberals say hurts funding for schools, transportation and other public
needs. "I was supportive of TABOR from the get-go and still am. I don't believe we should be asking for one darn penny from any citizen of our state of additional taxes, not one penny."
Source: Colorado Gazette on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Feb 14, 2017
Walker Stapleton:
I stopped the largest tax increase in state history
Stapleton plans to start airing a 30-second commercial that describes the two-term state treasurer as "a conservative who gets things done.""As Colorado's treasurer, I stopped the largest tax increase in state history, and I led the fight against
a single-payer health care system--and we won again," a smiling Stapleton says in the ad.
Then, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence smile and wave as they briefly cross the screen.
"I was the only (state) treasurer in the country with the courage to support Donald Trump's tax cuts, and as your next governor, I'll end these dangerous sanctuary city policies. I'll take the fight to the liberals and beat 'em again," Stapleton says.
A "Truth Test" report by 9News labeled as "false" the assertion about Stapleton standing alone in support of the Trump tax changes, citing examples of several other state treasurers who publicly backed the tax measure.
Source: ColoradoPolitics.com AdWatch on 2018 Colorado governor race
May 21, 2018
Walker Stapleton:
I had the courage to support Donald Trump's tax cuts
Q: Support President Trump's proposed tax cuts?Jared Polis (D): No. "I proudly wrote the bill to repeal @RealDonaldTrump's
tax giveaways [to the wealthy]."
Walker Stapleton (R): Yes. "I was the only treasurer in the country with the courage to support Donald Trump's tax cuts."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
William Owens:
Has cut income taxes, sales tax, & marriage penalty
Coloradans today are paying nearly a billion dollars less in taxes annually than they were two years ago. We have permanently cut the income tax rate - twice - while also permanently lowering the sales tax rate. These cuts of the income and sales
taxes accounted for 86% of the permanent tax relief taxpayers received from their legislature and their governor.In addition, we have eliminated the marriage penalty, lowered vehicle registration fees, increased the elderly pension exclusion,
and provided an income tax credit for long-term care insurance - all while we have twice increased the earned income tax credit for low-income Coloradans.
This tax relief was broad-based, fair, and good for all Coloradans.
I worked hard for this tax relief because I firmly believe that this is the people's money. They earned it. We did not. Coloradans should be given the opportunity to save, invest or spend those dollars, because it is their money - not ours.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Colorado legislature
Jan 11, 2001
Jared Polis:
Colorado first state allowing deferral of some property tax
I'm proud that this year, Colorado is the first state in the country where every homeowner can defer paying some of these increases in their property taxes until their property is sold. No one should lose their home simply because its value, and
therefore property taxes, went up. We should also make the senior homestead tax exemption portable. Our seniors should be able to downsize without having to pay higher property taxes, freeing up their larger old homes for younger, growing families.
It's no secret that I, and most economists, despise the income tax. I was proud to have supported two successful income tax cuts at the ballot and since I took office our income tax rate has gone from 4.63% to 4.44%, helping produce
strong economic growth and low unemployment. I don't expect that we can fully eliminate the income tax by our 150th anniversary, but let's continue to make progress.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature
Jan 17, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023